{"id":17711,"date":"2018-02-17T21:08:16","date_gmt":"2018-02-18T02:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/65.175.118.96\/?p=17711"},"modified":"2024-09-11T11:56:16","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T15:56:16","slug":"old-photos-heirloom-storage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/old-photos-heirloom-storage\/","title":{"rendered":"Safe Alternatives to Basement & Attic Storage for your Old Photos & Heirlooms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Archival Metal Edge Boxes on an interior closet shelf in one’s home. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Location Matters!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many people store old belongings and family photos and heirlooms in their basements and attics. If you are one of those people, we want to convince you to relocate them to a safer alternative in your living space. First, we will look at why basements, attics, and garages are bad places to store valued collections.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basement storage presents many potential water-based hazards: leaky pipes, leaky water heaters, overflowing washing machines and laundry sinks, backed up pipes, and flooding. Visit our blog post, How to Save Water Damaged Photos<\/a>, if you are past the prevention stage and have wet photos and albums.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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This is something that can happen to anyone\u2014an old corroded water shutoff in a basement ceiling leaked onto a storage shelf and into a box filled with old photos & family photo albums.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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Don’t let this happen to your family photos!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Ice dams and roof leaks can cause water damage to old photos, heirlooms, wedding dresses, toys, books, and other collections stored in your attic.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insects, rodents, and unwanted animals can take up residency and go unnoticed in attics, basements, and garages because they are often spaces we don’t spend much time in. These creatures can do a lot of damage to collections of all kinds.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Damage caused by bats living in an attic.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Temperature and humidity extremes and fluctuations are another threat to artifacts stored in basements and attics. A consistent temperature below 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) is preferred. The lower the temperature the longer your items will last<\/strong>, because cooler temperatures slow the rate of chemical decay and reduce insect activity. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Practices for Archival Storage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n