“We as an industry only know how to check these moisture content levels and have no insight into controlling or evaluating the primary metrics that are determining the length of time it takes to get these materials back to acceptable levels,” Chuck Dewald III writes. “Our industry is drying completely backward!”

There are multiple ways to dry affected walls, each with different benefits depending on the severity of the loss. It is often recommended to start with the drying process that requires the least amount of demolition. 

Water damage restoration work requires contractors to quickly assess and remediate to prevent further structural damage, mold growth, and other moisture-related issues. Correct assessment of the moisture conditions inside a damaged structure requires the right tools for testing the ambient conditions and moisture content of various building materials such as drywall, wood, insulation, and flooring.