Science Behind Drying

5/11/2020 (Permalink)

The first reaction to any-size water loss is to grab a mop or as many towels as you can to mitigate the amount of water present. You may think that  placing a fan in the affected area will also help get it dry. The professionals at SERVPRO of East Riverside City are trained in the science of drying and follow the strict, industry approved standards that help lower the chances of any secondary damage, like mold. When the expert water technicians enter your home after a water loss, we have two very important questions that we must answer before drying can begin.

What is Wet?

 The question sounds simple enough but the answer is often more complicated.  Standing water is obvious but it almost always means that hidden cavities of water exist that must also be located.  These hidden areas can be found under cabinets or laminated flooring.  Water can also seep under tile floors or hardwoods.  Beyond the floors, water often rests inside walls and insulation which can cause it to move to adjoining rooms.  Our technicians will inspect the building to locate every component that is wet.

How Wet Is It?

Water found under cabinets or inside walls can cause extensive damage if left untreated.  Wood will warp, wet sheet-rock will lose its strength and insulation can absorb large amounts of water.  To answer the question we use sophisticated metering equipment that can measure moisture levels in areas that are out of site.  We may also use a special camera, called a FLIR, that is capable of reading temperature variations within walls, ceilings and even the foundation, to answer this critical questions. 

Our equipment allows us to know if the material can be restored, can be dried out with our drying equipment or needs to be replaced. These tools also help our trained technicians monitor whether the materials are drying properly.

Speed up Mother Nature

What does that mean? Moisture will naturally move to drier air at the surface of the wet material. This can only happen if the air in the affected area has lower moisture levels than that of the affected material. Nature can take a much longer time to dry the affected materials without mitigation which can allow for secondary damage, such as that from mold growth, to set in. Thus, SERVPRO of East Riverside City uses specialized equipment to help dry hardwood floors, tough-to-reach places inside walls as well as dry the air in and around the affected area.