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Water Damage - Professional Instruments
are Key to Proper Drying
There should be no guesswork when handling water loss
in a structure. There are many steps necessary to properly
inspect, measure, and track the drying process to insure
the restoration is complete. Using the proper instruments
is your best assurance of the highest quality results.
When first entering an area affected by moisture damage,
a professional restoration company will employ both
trained and experienced visual observation and professional
measuring instruments to determine the extent of the
migration of water. Time is critical. The longer water
remains in contact with building materials such as carpet,
wood, drywall, and insulation, the farther it spreads
and the more it is absorbed into those materials.
Measuring horizontal migration
Horizontal migration generally affects areas relating
to structural flooring including carpet and pad, and
hardwood floors. The amount of moisture that may have
migrated through carpet and into the padding below is
often not readily apparent through visual inspection
only. Padding has sponge-like properties that make it
more absorbent than carpet and allows water to spread
farther than it does on the surface of the carpeting.
A moisture sensor (especially designed for detecting
moisture in and under carpet) has metal probes that
penetrate through carpet and into padding. The moisture
sensor detects the presence of moisture (indicated by
an LED and/or an audible tone). It does not, however,
measure the quantity or “how much” water is present.
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Measuring vertical migration
Once horizontal migration has been determined,
the next step is to find and map vertical migration.
Most structural building components are hygroscopic
– meaning they absorb water at different rates
and in varying amounts. The density of a specific
material determines its rate of porosity. For
example gypsum drywall is much more porous than
the wood commonly used for structural lumber such
as 2x4 or 2x6 framing materials. And insulation
(within wall cavities) is more porous than gypsum
drywall.
A non-penetrating meter can be used to discover
vertical migration of water. This device uses
the principal of capacitance. When the sensor
is placed against a flat surface, pads on the
back of the instrument detect moisture to a depth
of approximately 5/8 of an inch. Placed against
wood, it reflects the content of water as an approximate
percentage. When used on other materials, it reflects
a reference number for moisture contained in that
material, and that reference number allows it
to be compared to similar materials that were
not affected by water damage.
When more detailed analysis is needed, a penetrating
moisture meter is used. This tool is calibrated
primarily for wood, but can be used on other materials
as well. With various attachments it can measure
moisture levels in gypsum drywall, wall paneling,
baseboard, interior cavity insulation, hardwood
flooring, concrete, etc. The penetrating meter
will cause minor damage when used, but those are
easily repaired and proper training will assure
the best way to use it to minimize its effects.
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Measuring humidity
A thermo-hygrometer measures the temperature and relative
humidity present in any given environment. A professional
can then take that data and determine the specific humidity,
the actual amount of moisture in the air. When evaluating
a drying system, a professional must know, understand
and use the specific humidity to determine its effectiveness
in drying the air, and dry air is needed to achieve
dry structure and contents. Tracking and recording the
data from the thermo-hygrometer allows the restorer
to modify the drying system and take the necessary steps
to reduce the levels of moisture in the environment.
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Determining the standard level of moisture
A professional will use the proper metering instruments
and equipment, and will determine the difference
between the measured moisture level and the dry
or normal state of building materials. Professional
restorers have a thorough understanding of the
normal moisture levels of most common building
components. Based on the difference between the
measured moisture levels and the normal states,
the professional determines the appropriate drying
times for each material. Areas of the structure
that were not affected by the water damage would
also be checked to establish the dry standard
if possible.
Mapping and recording
Consistent inspection and mapping of the affected
area will determine the extent of the water migration
(and evaporation) both horizontally and vertically.
Temperature and relative humidity measurement
readings should be recorded, both inside and outside
the structure. This monitoring should be performed
every 24 hours, at a minimum. During the drying
process, monitoring of both atmospheric and structural
moisture levels will show the daily drying process
until it is complete.
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Summary
A trained, restoration professional such as PuroClean
Home Rescue (866-722-7876), understands and uses the
appropriate instruments and meters to help insure that
he/she is drying the structure and contents as rapidly
and efficiently as possible.
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