Water got absorbed into my photo box, what will happen in the long run to my photos now

Question

Water ran from a fridge to a cardboard box containing my huge photography collection, 4x6 photos. The pictures are sticking together a lttle bit. There is not distortion as of now and the photos do not tear about, but pull apart easily. I'm less upset. But will the photos be damaged in the end. I think they will be tainted and not straight, but curled at the edges now. I hope the picture remains though. I will put them in an album. I just have not done that yet. I can't deal with this now. I'm moving.

Answer 1

Pictures were originally washed in water at the last step of processing, so you aren't risking them being damaged just because they just got wet.

Don't attempt to pull them apart if they are sticking together.  

If the water they got soaked in wasn't contaminated, separate out wet ones that aren't stuck together, then soak those that are stuck together in pure water.  If the water was contaminated, you will have to re-wash all of them that got wet so they don't stain.  After that, just blot them with a lint free cloth and set them individually aside to dry (about a day).

Make sure they are completely soaked (at least an hour) and when they are fully soaked carefully pull them apart. There is no need to force them apart as a good soaking will do most of the work for you.