Structural Drying

Removing standing water is only the beginning of a water-damage job. Moisture can remain in materials such as drywall, subflooring, flooring, cabinets and other building assemblies even when surfaces look dry. Structural drying uses controlled air movement and dehumidification, guided by moisture readings, to dry affected materials that can be safely restored.

How we dry a building

• Map the moisture. We take readings with pin and pinless moisture meters and compare affected materials with appropriate dry reference readings from unaffected materials when available. Thermal imaging can help identify areas that may need closer moisture inspection, while moisture meters are used to confirm affected materials.
• Create the right drying conditions. Commercial dehumidifiers pull water out of the air while air movers sweep the surfaces, so moisture leaves the materials instead of sitting in them. We use hygrometers to monitor temperature and relative humidity during drying, so we track both the materials and the drying environment, not just where the equipment is placed.
• Open up only where conditions require it. Depending on the construction and where moisture is confirmed, removing baseboards or making limited access openings may help expose affected materials and improve drying without unnecessary demolition.
• Monitor throughout drying. We take follow-up readings throughout the drying process and adjust equipment as conditions change. Most water-damage drying projects take approximately 3–5 days, but drying time varies based on the materials affected, extent of the loss, moisture levels and site conditions. Hardwood floors, concrete, cabinetry and other difficult-to-dry assemblies may need additional time.
• Confirm drying goals. We keep a drying log of our readings throughout the process. Actual moisture readings and the conditions of the affected materials—not an arbitrary number of days—determine when drying goals have been reached. Once readings confirm that the materials being dried have reached the appropriate drying goal, drying equipment can be removed and the next phase of the job can proceed.

Why it matters in Florida

Florida's high outdoor humidity can make structural drying more challenging. Depending on outdoor conditions, opening windows may introduce additional moisture rather than help the structure dry. Controlled dehumidification and air movement allow drying conditions to be managed and monitored instead of relying on outdoor air.

Hardwood floors, cabinets and drywall

• Hardwood and engineered floors can sometimes be saved, depending on the type of flooring, how much water it absorbed, the water category and the conditions of the loss. We monitor the boards and subfloor with moisture meters and tell you honestly if flooring needs to come out.
• Cabinets: when moisture is confirmed beneath or behind cabinetry, removing a toe kick or creating other limited access may help expose affected materials for drying. Whether cabinetry can remain depends on the materials, water category and conditions of the loss.
• Drywall affected by Category 1 water may sometimes be dried in place when the material and conditions allow. When drywall or other porous materials are affected by contaminated water, we evaluate whether they can be safely cleaned and restored; materials that cannot be safely restored are removed as appropriate to the loss and applicable restoration procedures.

Drying after a slab leak

A leak in a water line under the slab can affect flooring, lower walls and other materials from below. Once the source has been located and repaired by a licensed plumber, we assess the affected materials, establish the drying plan and document moisture readings throughout the process. Concrete, flooring and other difficult-to-dry materials may require additional drying time, and whether finished materials can remain depends on the conditions of the loss.

Service area

Related

• Emergency water extraction
• Preventing mold after water damage
• Water damage restoration