“As many restorers are aware, heat is an element used to warm up cooler objects. The more important question is: What is heat and how can it be utilized in drying? There are three ways that heat can be transferred: Conduction, infrared radiation and convection,” Kyle Herndon writes.

“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!”

“I recommend everyone who looks to have a future in the restoration take the ASD course and experience the flood house, especially if you are a hands-on learner. Not only will you learn new drying techniques, and make yourself and your business more efficient. You will also meet an array of extraordinary people with different talents and experiences,” Dustin Resendiz writes.

“Drying schools hold secrets. I am going to pull the curtain back and explain the three main secrets that make the drying school experience what it is. And, dive into what you need to know before you take classroom training and unleash your knowledge to the world,” Lorne McIntyre writes.

Drying a structure is not a one-step process. In fact it is a multiple-step process that requires an understanding of how to manage the environment within the building, the moisture in the structural materials and contents. The intent of the article is to provide an understanding of what structural drying is, and provide an educated and informed conclusion related to the restorability of environment, materials and contents.

What is structural drying? Simply put, it is the removal of excessive, trapped moisture from building materials (both structural and non-structural) in an efficient amount of time. “Drying down” a structure can be an art, and there is a balance to find in every building and structure.

When we are called out to a water loss, we don’t know what we will encounter.

Last year, Paul Davis of Greater St. Paul and Minneapolis worked on a major fire damage restoration project for a senior living (age 55+) condominium association community. In addition to the regular challenges of a large loss fire job – from mitigation through reconstruction - the project presented additional difficulties posed by COVID-19, as the residents were considered high risk.

We are now digging into equipment sizing and understanding the ANSI/IICRC S500, Edition 4, 2015 (S500) to improve drying performance and are starting with air mover calculations and getting the job properly sized.