Restoring video tapes damaged by flood water

Do not try and play flood damaged tapes, even if you think that you have cleaned and dried them without doing the following.

Do not try to dry out the VHS tape, this will permanently damage the tape. Gently swish the tape in a bucket of rainwater or distilled water, but is unlikely to be easily available, so bottled water is the next choice. Tap water, and even filtered water, contains chlorine. Chlorine will promote the oxidation of your tape, so avoid it at all costs.

Next, you have to open the shell manually. Sometimes the casing is welded or rusted shut. In this case, you will need to pry the case apart. This will necessitate the purchase of a new tape shell. Remember, always keep the tapes wet, do not let them dry out.

Once the tape is placed in a new shell and is sufficiently cleaned with the water, you will need to dry it out using a laboratory oven. A laboratory oven is vital because it brings the temperature up to the ideal, 122 degrees Fahrenheit, and brings the temperature down slowly, allowing the VHS tape to cool down evenly. Temperature must be held consistently with enough airflow to sufficiently dry the tape without damaging it.