Vacuum freeze drying, or lyophilisation, is an advanced dehydration technique used to restore and preserve materials affected by water or mould damage. This process involves freezing the damaged items and then applying a vacuum to remove moisture through sublimation. Unlike traditional drying methods, which can cause warping, cracking, or other damage, vacuum freeze drying preserves the integrity of the materials.
Steamatic Australia operates two large scale vacuum freeze dryers in the country, allowing us to efficiently handle large-scale damage restoration projects.
Benefits of Vacuum Freeze Drying
Preservation of Material Integrity: Vacuum freeze drying is ideal for restoring irreplaceable items such as documents, photographs, books, and textiles. It preserves the original shape, texture, and structure of materials while minimising warping and distortion. Unlike conventional drying methods, this process maintains a low temperature throughout, ensuring sensitive materials like paper and fabric remain intact.
Effective Moisture Removal: The vacuum freeze-drying process removes moisture without the use of heat, which prevents further damage to delicate materials that could occur with traditional drying methods.
Reduced Risk of Mould Contamination: By efficiently removing moisture, vacuum freeze dryers reduce the risk of mould growth, which can be a common problem in water-damaged items.
Vacuum Freeze-Drying Applications
Vacuum freeze drying is particularly effective for:
Documents and Photographs: Restoring water-damaged books, documents, and photographs without affecting their original quality or readability.
Artwork and Historical Artifacts: Preserving valuable artwork and historical artifacts that have been exposed to water damage, ensuring their longevity and continued value.
Textiles and Fabrics: Restoring fabrics, clothing, and upholstery that have been damaged by water, maintaining their original texture and appearance.
Electronics and Media: Effectively drying electronic components and media that have been exposed to water, helping to salvage data and functionality.
Furniture and Woodwork: Repairing and restoring wooden furniture and intricate woodwork that has suffered water damage, preventing further deterioration.
If you need expert vacuum freeze-drying services. Contact us today to discuss your specific needs, schedule a consultation, or learn more about our advanced freeze-drying technology.
Vacuum Freeze Dryer Projects
Our Top Frequently Asked Questions
What is Major and Complex Loss?
A major and complex loss refers to large-scale damage that significantly disrupts operations, involves multiple stakeholders, or requires a highly coordinated, multi-disciplinary response. These losses often involve high-value assets, critical infrastructure, or specialised environments, and typically occur following severe events such as fire, flood, storm, structural collapse, or industrial accidents.
What makes a loss ‘major and complex’?
Several factors contribute:
Scale of damage – Widespread impact across large sites, multiple floors, or several interconnected buildings.
Critical business disruption – Operations halted in hospitals, data centres, factories, or utility facilities where downtime has serious financial or safety consequences.
Specialised equipment or systems – Damage to cleanrooms, CNC machines, robotics, or server farms requiring technical restoration and strict contamination controls.
Multiple insurers or stakeholders – Coordination needed between property owners, tenants, underwriters, loss adjusters, and risk assessors.
Hazardous materials – Presence of biohazards, asbestos, fuel, or chemicals requiring licensed handling.
Complex logistics – Difficult site access, remote locations, or need for temporary facilities to maintain continuity.
Examples include:
A large-scale fire in a manufacturing facility damaging production lines, HVAC systems, and electrical control rooms.
Flooding across a multi-storey commercial property, affecting office space, underground carparks, and lift shafts.
Storm damage to a regional airport, including structural damage, compromised air traffic control equipment, and terminal systems.
Electrical fire in a data centre, requiring urgent cleaning and recovery of server racks, fibre cabling, and cooling systems.
These types of losses require not only technical expertise and specialised equipment, but also careful planning, regulatory compliance, and clear communication across all parties involved.
How can businesses expedite recovery after a major loss?
Expediting recovery after a major loss relies on proactive planning and rapid action. Businesses can significantly reduce downtime and financial impact by implementing a comprehensive disaster recovery plan before an event occurs. This plan should include:
Regular Risk Assessments – Identifying vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, machinery, and key systems helps businesses anticipate potential threats and prioritise areas for protection.
Emergency Response Protocols – Establishing clear procedures for evacuations, immediate response teams, and communication ensures a rapid reaction following a disaster.
Pre-Event Engagement with Experts – Involving restoration specialists before a disaster occurs can be incredibly beneficial. By consulting us ahead of time, businesses can establish emergency contacts, pre-arrange necessary resources, and ensure that restoration teams are familiar with their operations. This proactive approach can speed up mobilisation, reduce the time to assess damage, and ensure smoother coordination during recovery.
Insurance Documentation and Planning – Keep an up-to-date inventory of assets and a clear record of your insurance policies, making sure all coverage is adequate. Pre-event inventory assessments can streamline claims and prevent delays in receiving compensation.
Implementing Preventative Measures – Regular maintenance, such as inspecting machinery, upgrading fire suppression systems, or reinforcing infrastructure, can reduce the severity of damages in case of an event.
By establishing these proactive steps, businesses will be better positioned to recover quickly and efficiently, enabling them to resume operations sooner and mitigate the financial impact of extended downtime. Early involvement with restoration specialists, like us, ensures that the right strategies are in place from the outset, making recovery faster and less disruptive.
What are the long-term considerations post-restoration?
Post-restoration, businesses should focus on preventive measures, regular maintenance, and staff training to mitigate the risk of future incidents and ensure sustained operations.
How do you assess the extent of damage?
We conduct thorough assessments to determine the extent of damage, including inspecting affected areas. This assessment guides our restoration plan.