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Property Structural Drying and Dehumidification Solutions
Drying Homes and Buildings After a Flood or Water Damage
Structural drying is the process of locating and drying all hidden water in hard-to-see or reachable areas (within the infrastructure of walls, ceilings, floors, etc) with dehumidification of residential and commercial buildings. If the water damage drying is not done correctly, trapped moisture will eventually lead to larger problems. These may include mould forming, which leads to many health risks and hazards. You will also have foundation degradation over time due to rotting material, which is susceptible to water.
When dealing with a residential or commercial flood, one of the first steps is to extract the water immediately and hire a water damage restoration specialist to prep the water damage area for structural drying and dehumidification of the surrounding infrastructure.
Typical drying errors include; Trying to dry visible water with fans & dehumidifiers without properly extracting the water first.
Most people proceed to repair the water damage without properly drying out the affected areas.
Property Drying After Water Damage - The Non-invasive method
Structural drying plays a crucial role in addressing water damage by locating and drying hidden moisture in hard-to-reach areas within walls, ceilings, and floors. Without proper drying, trapped moisture can lead to more significant issues, including the formation of mold, which poses health risks and hazards. Additionally, prolonged exposure to moisture can result in the degradation of foundations and rotting of materials.
In the event of a residential or commercial flood, it is essential to promptly extract the water and enlist the services of a water damage restoration specialist to prepare the affected area for structural drying and dehumidification.
Why hiring property structural drying companies is so important
When deciding on who to call to help dry your home or business property after a flood and recover from water damage, a local dedicated expert in water damage restoration is highly advisable. A handyman or a general contractor is not recommended they are general construction repair and renovation tradespeople and aren’t (IICRC) Water Damage Restoration Technicians certified. A none certified Structural Drying Tech won’t possess the knowledge to professionally approach structural drying properly and possess the right property drying equipment required to effectively dry the property properly. In certain unfortunate circumstances where Water Damage Insurance is void, or you may be going through some economic tough times, you know a handyman friend that can assist you with structural drying or perhaps you are willing to tackle the water damage drying yourself.
Here are 3 important questions to ask yourself and strongly consider before making a decision:
Is your contractor properly licensed?
There are different classes of water damage, different types of long term side effects, and an entire science to how water affects your home in an emergency. Only through proper training and experience in water damage remediation can a contractor ensure proper service is provided.
Is the emergency being approached properly?
Water damage is a very time-sensitive matter. Through rapid drying techniques and proper equipment use the overall drying time can be reduced quite significantly. As a result, you end up saving thousands of dollars in future reconstruction costs.
Are you really saving money doing it yourself?
Without the proper tools, finding all sources of water and properly drying the premises would require extensive tear out of floors and walls. Despite the upfront cost savings, the overall project costs will far surpass the savings non-invasive techniques provide.
Water damage drying companies, What To Expect
Water Damage Drying Companies with IICRC-trained technicians understand how water damage affects your home in areas you can’t even see and understand the long-term secondary effects of water damage and can spot hidden pockets of water and properly dry out your property right through to the foundation.
Flood Tech, a leading property drying and restoration provider, offers a range of advanced drying and dehumidification services. Their expertise ensures efficient and thorough recovery. In this article, we will explore Flood Tech’s various services and shed light on their innovative techniques for addressing water damage.
Basement Drying
Basements are particularly susceptible to water damage due to their location below ground level. Flood Tech understands the unique challenges associated with basement drying and employs cutting-edge methods to address these issues. Their experienced technicians use high-powered pumps and extraction equipment to remove standing water swiftly. Furthermore, they utilize advanced dehumidifiers to reduce excess moisture levels, preventing mold growth and further structural damage.
Basement Drying after Flood
When faced with flood damage in your basement, acting quickly and hiring professional basement drying services is vital. Basement drying companies specialize in efficiently removing water and moisture from flooded basements, minimizing the risk of further damage and mold growth. Using advanced techniques and equipment, these experts employ pumps and extraction tools to eliminate standing water. High-powered fans and dehumidifiers are then deployed to circulate air and facilitate thorough drying. By promptly addressing basement drying after a flood, you can protect your property and restore a safe and dry environment.
Ceiling Drying
Water seepage through the ceiling can lead to significant damage, compromising the integrity of your property. Flood Tech employs specialized techniques for ceiling drying, combining targeted heat application and high-capacity dehumidifiers. This approach effectively dries out affected areas, minimizes potential mold growth, and helps restore the ceiling to its pre-damaged condition.
Drywall Drying: Inject and Dry Method
Drywall is highly absorbent and vulnerable to water damage. Flood Tech employs an innovative technique known as the “Inject and Dry” method to address moisture trapped within the drywall. This process involves creating small holes in the drywall and injecting warm, dry air into the cavities. By circulating warm air through the affected area, the excess moisture is drawn out, accelerating the drying process. This approach is not only efficient but also minimizes the need for extensive repairs or replacement.
Subfloor Drying
Water can easily seep into subfloors, causing warping, cupping, or even mold growth. Flood Tech offers specialized subfloor drying services to mitigate these issues. Their technicians employ powerful drying equipment and apply advanced techniques such as negative air pressure to extract moisture trapped beneath the flooring. This comprehensive approach ensures the complete restoration of the subfloor, reducing the risk of long-term damage.
Wood Flooring Drying with Floor Drying Mat Systems
Wood flooring is highly susceptible to water damage and requires careful attention during the drying process. Flood Tech utilizes state-of-the-art floor drying mat systems to restore wood flooring efficiently. These specialized mats extract moisture from the flooring, ensuring even drying and preventing warping or buckling. By combining the power of vacuum technology and targeted heat, Flood Tech’s experts ensure a thorough and efficient restoration of wood flooring.
Carpet and Pad Drying
Carpets and padding can easily absorb and retain large amounts of water, making them susceptible to mold growth and unpleasant odors. Flood Tech employs advanced techniques such as hot water extraction and high-velocity air movers to accelerate the drying process. By carefully extracting excess moisture and applying proper ventilation, their technicians ensure the restoration of carpets and padding while minimizing the risk of secondary damage.
Attic Drying
After an Attic later leaks, water intrusion in the attic can lead to long-lasting damage, including compromised insulation, structural issues, and mold growth. Flood Tech’s professionals are skilled in attic drying and restoration. They utilize industrial-grade dehumidifiers, air movers, and thermal imaging technology to detect and address hidden moisture. By thoroughly drying the attic space, they prevent further damage and restore its functionality.
Air Movers and Negative Injection Mats
Dehumidifiers and Air Filtration Devices
Structural Cavity Drying System
Not all water damaged properties require a full tear out of wet materials. If caught early enough, often building materials such as insulation, drywall, or flooring can be saved. Make sure to ask your Water Damage Removal Technician about how we analyze and determine when non-invasive methods can be incorporated.
Don’t delay, find out if you are eligible for non-invasive drying! Get a free inspection today!
Structural Drying Explained
Importance of Hiring Professional Water Damage Drying Equipment Services
Structural Dry home, business or basement, getting past the property’s outer layers and attacking moisture inside your infrastructure. In order to determine the right equipment for the job, you must determine the Category and Class of water damage you are facing. Category defines the type of water you are dealing with while class determines the severity of the flood as far as water penetration amount and level. Understanding the difference between Category of Flood and Class of Flood will directly affect the methods and equipment needed to successfully perform the water damage drying service. A good reputable basement drying company would practice non-invasive methods to dry out your subfloors, walls, venting and other areas you have no regular access to. Using specialty equipment and moisture meters the technician is able to inspect and confirm the drying process is successful.
Category of Flood
Category 1 (Sanitary Water)
- broken water supply lines
- tub or sink overflows with no contaminants
- appliance malfunctions involving water-supply lines
- melting ice or snow
- falling rainwater
- broken toilet tanks
and toilet bowls that do not contain contaminants or additives
Category 2 (Grey Water)
- dishwasher or wachine machine discharge
- overflow from washing machines
- overflow from toilet bowls with urine but not feces present
- hydrostatic pressure seepage from the outside into the home
- broken aquariums
- punctured water beds
Category 3 (Black Water)
- sewage
- toilet backflows that originate from beyond the trap regardless of color or content
- all forms of flooding from seawater
- ground surface water
- rising waters from rivers / streams
- wind-driven rain from hurricanes
- tropical storm waters
Special Circumstances (WARNING)
If you know that any of the following is present in the affected areas, you should not enter the affected area without PPE (Proper Protective Equipment).
- asbestos
- lead
- mercury
- pesticides
- arsenic
- polycholorinated
- biphenyls (PCBs)
- solvents
- fuels
- radiological residue
- caustic chemicals
Class of Flood
Class 1 (less than 5% CSA)
Less than 5% Combines Surface Area of walls, floors, ceiling are directly affected by the water.
Class 2 (5% to 40% CSA)
5% to 40% Combined Surface Area of walls, floors, ceiling are directly affected by the water.
Class 3 (40% or more CSA)
More than 40% Combined Surface Area of walls, floors, ceiling are directly affected by the water.
Class 4 (40% or more CSA)
More than 40% Combined Surface Area of walls, floors, ceiling are directly affected by the water. Penetration time is prolonged and complete or near complete penetration to all surrounding areas has occurred.
Depending on the category and class of flood you are dealing with, specific equipment is needed to handle the different types of incidents. There are Invasive methods (disruptive) and non-invasive methods (aggressive). While invasive methods are more direct and destructive, they are sometimes necessary where salvaging the existing content and material is no longer an option. When salvaging content is a potential option, the non-invasive methods should be practiced as they directly help reduce the overall costs of the service. Refurbished / restored items often cost a fraction of the replacement cost. Only a properly trained IICRC certified technician has the knowledge and expertise to determine which method and which tools are needed to perform proper water damage drying. Efficiency and experience will directly result in cost and time savings to you. By hiring a certified licensed technician you are ensuring the most effective and economical job for your type of flood is performed.
Stop Mold Growth. Call Now!
We take pride in our work. Here is a collection of pictures showcasing our team utilizing different types of water damage drying techniques. Call now to experience the Flood Tech Difference.
