Damage to artwork, collectibles, memorabilia, certificates, old photos is avoidable and requires only a little bit of effort to prevent it. Here is an article full of great tips, photos and real life examples… no matter where you store your cherished items.

1. Storage Wars
Fighting storage damage when you store your collectibles
By Kelly Rose Almeida, Art Conservation Intern
When one thinks of storage wars, your mind might wonder to the A&E
television show where treasure hunters bid on storage lockers in search for
hidden riches.
More common, however, is the battle to avoid damage while in storage to collectibles, breakables,
artwork, memorabilia both valuable and emotionally important items. Case in point:
Family history scrapbook with certificates, diplomas, pictures of deceased dear ones
left to rot after it got wet in poor storage conditions.
This battle often happens in your own home garage, attic or basements! Humidity, insects, dust,
and water damage are just a few of the daily enemies homeowners must combat to protect their
“stuff.” But is your stuff worth protecting? See this article if you are in doubt: Is it worth it? (CLICK
HERE)
Most damaged paintings that we see at our art conservation lab, Fine Art Conservation
Laboratories (Click to see video tour), could have been avoided if they were properly stored and
protected. Here is an e-mail we got the other day:
Hello Mr. Haskins :
I saw a video of your work in YouTube. I have a painting
which was damaged in storage during my moving a couple
of months ago. I am enclosing a few pictures that show
close-ups of the damage (the rip) as well as the overall
painting. The size of the painting when mounted is 7 ft x
7ft. I live in Miami and would like to know if you have
someone in my area you can recommend that does high
quality restorations. Also let me know if you would be
interested in doing this restoration and if so, what would
be the cost.
Based on what you can evaluate on the pictures, please
give me your opinion of what I can expect of the
restoration outcome.
Regards,
Clara

2. Unfortunately, the bottom line on my response to her inquire was not encouraging;
It is a painting that is not worth a lot financially but will require several $1,000’s for
“high quality restorations” and to make perfect and be well preserved, long term.
Properly storing your paintings may seem to be a hassle especially for paintings of low financial
value or for which you don’t really care for (why else would you be putting into storage?!). But
consider this: you may not know its value; you may not know the connection other family
members have with the item; you may be seriously attacked by family if anything about the
artwork is damaged… especially if it’s a family portrait!
In order to safeguard your memories and beautiful artwork for the future, it is imperative that you
properly store your paintings in the right climate conditions, in the right area of your house or
storage unit, and properly protected from the unseen dangers that surround them.
Another BIG important thing to consider may be the frame. Do you know how expensive framing
is?! Don’t damage what you have especially if its old and ornate. If its already damaged, DON’T
THROW IT AWAY. Here’s an important article for you: Take care of old frames - some tips (CLICK
HERE)
Simple, ornate, period, or wood frame, can help protect the edges of a painting from being dented
or torn. Also, having ultraviolet resistant glass or plastic a few inches from the face of the canvas
that is sealed to the frame can create almost an airtight-like box.
This frame will help prevent dirt, water, and dust from entering and
reducing extreme changes in temperature and humidity.
But almost nothing can protect a painting from a downpour of
water! Choose well where you store items. Here’s a sad story: The
father didn’t the painting and leaned it against a wall in the garage
where it got water all over it. The water caused the canvas to shrink
and the paint to pop off. Feeling bad and ragged on by the family, he
took the painting to a hack to have him scrap off the flaking and
repaint the thing. Now, a couple of decades later, the daughter is

3. cursing her father’s name cause the painting WAS worth about $400,000.00 but is now worth only
a fraction of that because of the totally avoidable water damage and the subsequent avoidable
inflicted damage by the inept restorer. The painting is in our lab now. Here’s a photo.
When it comes to temperature and humidity, it is inevitable for it to change with the seasons. It
would be ideal for a painting to be stored at around 50% humidity. This would prevent mold
growth, but also prevent the canvas and wood from getting too dry. Now, how do you moderate
this? Well, you can’t really keep it perfect in most homes, but you can reduce drastic changes in
temperature. If your home doesn’t have a good place, rental storage units sometimes have climate
controlled units… but be sure to pay your rent (Storage Wars)!!!!
Now, lets talk about bugs and rodents. They are everywhere, and love an environment where they
can prosper. You may not be able to avoid them, but you can create an environment that helps
keep them away. Many LOVE to eat your canvas and frames, they also love damp areas with lots of
dust. Well, if you keep your storage room spick and span, these little guys will run away and find
your neighbors house to settle in instead. Poisonous bait and other insecticides can be used, but
don’t let them be in contact with the artwork. Remember that insect or rodent bait doesn’t last
forever… you will need to replenish or replace the bait every so often. Also, make sure they are
out of reach of kids and pets!!! Protect yourself and be prepared in public storage units (even
though they say they spray!)… you never know what your neighbor is storing that may be a neon
welcome light to invaders.
Canvas is fabric, simple as that. Therefore, these lovely animals love to burrow into your untreated canvas for lunch and
dinner, and always come back for dessert. Create an environment to prevent these critters from making your Renoir their
home.
Now that your room is insect, rodent and dirt free, sometimes the simplest thing can help prevent
damage. If your painting is exposed with no frame, then find a storage rack to set your canvases on
that are above the ground. This will protect them from moisture that may creep on the floor. Also,
padding! Use cardboard, preferably cardboard that is double thickness, between your canvas and
ANYTHING that may come in contact with it.

4. At FACL, we received a painting that was stored poorly, and the front of the canvas was completely indented. Luckily for
these patrons, our art conservators were able to use heat and moisture to repair the damage
Also, put cardboard between framed work as well, the more protection the better. It is always a
good idea to make sure that you check your artwork a few times a year to make sure that items
have not shifted, and to prevent damage like the image above.
So, to sum it up, you need a dry place with no dirt and no rodents or bugs, with protection
between paintings. Every small step counts when it comes to protecting your artwork.
Of coarse, if you have any questions, contact Scott Haskins at Fine Art Conservation Labs in
Santa Barbara, 805 564 3438 or faclartdoc@gmail.com. Art appraisal questions? Call Richard
Holgate 805 895 5121 or jrholgate@yahoo.com
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