If there is a moisture barrier on the outside or inside
the wall, the drying procedure changes. Moisture barriers
are coatings or materials that inhibit the movement
of moisture from the wall material. Most latex paints
are permeable and do not constitute a barrier. Glossy
paints may create a barrier. Enamel paint or vinyl wall
coverings create a complete barrier. They will need
to be perforated or removed to allow the moisture to
escape and the walls to dry.
If there is plastic or foil on the inside of the wall,
then the wall will need to be removed since drying will
not occur properly and mold will almost certainly develop
in such situations.
Insulation in the wall will also affect drying. If
there is fiberglass insulation with paper backing, then
an inner-wall drying system can be used, as described
above. If the insulation is foil-backed fiberglass,
blown-in cellulose, or a Styrofoam material, then it
cannot be dried successfully. In those cases, removing
the damaged portion of the wall along with the insulation
is necessary to allow rapid drying and to prevent the
development of mold.
Regardless of the procedures used by the restoration
professional, it is important that the customer recognize
that the equipment must operate, without stopping, throughout
the drying process.
A restoration professional will monitor the drying
system at least once each day to insure the equipment
is operating correctly and to make adjustments as needed.
Part of the daily monitoring includes moisture measurements
to determine when the materials are successfully dried.
Material dryness is measured against similar unaffected
materials in that structure. When the levels are the
same, the drying is finished and the equipment removed.
A restoration professional, such as PuroClean Home
Rescue, understands and uses the principles and procedures
of the science of drying to dry walls and other items
as quickly and thoroughly as possible, preventing further
damage and the development of mold.
Regardless of the circumstances - if water damage occurs
from storms, floods, or other sources, call your local
PuroClean office, the Paramedics of Property Damage™.
For all water damage, or damage from fire or smoke,
these professionals are standing by. They will mitigate
the loss to prevent further damage and will then provide
restoration services to return the property to a pre-loss
condition as quickly as possible. All PuroClean offices
have well-trained and certified professional technicians
who provide the latest state-of-the-science services
to all property damaged from water, fire, mold, and
other disasters.
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