Artwork Restoration in Fairfax, Virginia

Artwork is among the most time-sensitive contents in a water damage event. An unframed canvas painting left wet for 24 hours can develop mold on the back and face simultaneously. A watercolor dissolves. A photograph emulsion permanently bonds to glass in as little as a few hours. When a water event affects a home with significant artwork, stabilization of the art is a parallel priority to the structural work — not an afterthought after the rooms are dried.

Our crew arrives trained to recognize high-value artwork and separate it from standard contents before any extraction or handling disrupts the collection. Framed works get an immediate condition assessment: active wetness, glass contact, face damage, backing board saturation. We photograph everything with metadata before any piece is moved. Pieces in active contact with water or glass go into immediate climate-controlled holding rather than drying in place.

For in-house scope, we handle smoke cleaning of non-porous surfaces (glass, metal frames, sealed acrylic works), controlled drying of photographic prints, and basic cleaning of glazed porcelain and metal decorative objects. For oil paintings, watercolors, pastels, and works on paper, we coordinate with a certified art conservator — the risk of permanent damage from in-house treatment is too high to justify doing it ourselves.