Structural Drying and Dehumidification After Water Damage

How professionals know when it is dry

Technicians compare readings in the affected materials to readings in unaffected parts of the building. They record these on a schedule and adjust equipment until the wet areas match the dry standard. This is the difference between a floor that feels dry and one that is actually dry.

The equipment

• Air movers that push air across wet surfaces
• Low grain refrigerant and desiccant dehumidifiers that pull moisture out of the air
• Moisture meters, hygrometers and thermal cameras
• Injection and drying systems for wall cavities and hardwood floors

How long it takes

Many jobs need several days of drying. Hardwood, plaster, concrete, dense insulation and multiple wet layers take longer. Humid climates slow evaporation, which is why equipment and monitoring matter even more in the Gulf Coast, Southeast and coastal regions.

What you can do

Keep equipment running and do not turn it off to save noise or electricity without asking. Keep doors to the affected area closed so the dehumidifiers work on the right space, and let the crew know if power or noise is a problem.

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