Exactly what constitutes a water damaged book?

I received a book with most of the pages curled, but not stained, and still perfectly readable.

I'd like to be clear on determining - and thus reporting - a water-damaged book.

Thanks to all those who help.

Bob P.

Water damaged book = A book that has had water on it. Regardless of whether it stained, if the pages are curled from water, it is water damage. If you believe the pages could be curled from mis-storage then you might try to decide the difference.

I have some books that I just received from my aunt that I probably will not post. Since I could see it was from the way another book was crammed in the box with it, *I* know it is not water damage. But, so many people equate crinkles and curls automatically with water, that I figure they will mark these damaged even tho it was not water, and I could see that, but they didn't see them get unpacked, so can only guess.

To me there is generally a difference in the feel/texture/flexibility of a page that has had water on it. It is more than just curling, crinkled, or wavy. But, you have to decide for yourself. But, if you are sure it has had water on it. It is water damaged. Staining and readability are not relevant.

Bob, if it's water damaged (rather than humidity curled) the curled pages are stiffer.  Humidity curling won't usually stiffen the pages like that.

Deb

One misconception that I have run into here fairly often is that if a book is readable, it is postable - not so.  I have received many books that are readable, but according to the site guidelines they definitely weren't postable, and I won't be able to re-post them.  Not a huge deal to me as I can pass them along to another family member, but stiil, I wish people paid more attention to the posting guidelines.  Sorry to hijack your post - but you got me thinking!  Carol Ann

Almost always, water damage will be accompanied by staining. You will be able see the edge where the water stopped. The pages are also much courser, stiff, and crackly.

Wavy pages are not a sure sign of water damage and without the other signs are more likely to be storage issues or a symptom of the paper product used in a lot of books these days.

I hate wavy pages, because of the ambiguity involved!  Even if I know it's not water damage, I would hate for someone else to think that it is, so I usually don't post those.  Another clue, though, is that if it is water damage, usually it's confined to one spot or one section of pages.  If it's just wavy pages from poor quality paper, it usually affects all pages equally.  I swear I never noticed all the nuances of book quality before joining PBS!!

Thank you, everyone. I appreciate your input.

Bob P.