Structural drying: the short answer
Structural drying removes the moisture that soaked into framing, subfloors, drywall and concrete after the visible water is gone. It uses air movers, dehumidifiers and moisture readings to bring materials back to their normal moisture levels. Surfaces can feel dry while the material behind them is still wet, which is how mold and warped floors happen later. Call (770) 555-0186 to speak with a local water damage restoration contractor in the Kennesaw area.
Do you need structural drying?
You likely do if water soaked into drywall, ran under flooring, reached a ceiling below or sat in a crawl space or basement. It follows water removal on almost every job. Read more about how drying fits into water damage restoration in Kennesaw, GA.
How urgent is it?
The deadline is set by the materials.
The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Industry guidelines based on the IICRC S500 standard say drywall should generally be replaced if drying isn't started within 48 hours or completed within 72 hours.
The equipment and what it does
- Air movers: push air across wet surfaces to speed evaporation.
- Dehumidifiers: pull that moisture out of the air so it doesn't settle back into materials.
- Moisture meters and thermal cameras: find wet areas you can't see and show progress.
- Wall and floor drying systems: push air into wall cavities or under hardwood in some cases.
Kennesaw's humid subtropical climate makes dehumidification especially important in summer, when outdoor air carries a lot of moisture. Opening windows can make things worse on a humid day.
How long does drying take?
Often several days, depending on how much water there was, how long it sat, the materials involved and the conditions in the house. Dense materials such as hardwood and concrete take longer than drywall. The right answer comes from the readings, not the calendar: a contractor should record moisture levels on the first visit and at every check, and remove equipment only when materials reach their drying goals.
What happens during the visit
Baseline readings
The technician measures wet materials and finds a dry reference point in the same house.
Remove what won't dry
Wet insulation and carpet pad usually come out so the structure behind them can dry.
Place equipment
Air movers and dehumidifiers are positioned for the room size and amount of water.
Daily monitoring
Readings are logged and equipment is adjusted until materials reach their goals.
Final verification
A final set of readings documents that the structure is dry before repairs begin.
What affects the cost
- Number of rooms and equipment pieces: drying is often billed per piece of equipment per day.
- Days on site: denser or more saturated materials take longer.
- Monitoring visits: daily readings and adjustments are part of the job.
- Specialty drying: hardwood, cabinets and wall cavities may need extra equipment.
See the water damage cost guide for more.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Will I get a copy of the daily moisture readings?
- What drying goal are you using for each material?
- Why did you choose this number of air movers and dehumidifiers?
- What happens if the materials aren't drying as expected?
Drying around Kennesaw
From townhomes in Heritage Park to larger homes in Marietta Country Club and Legacy Park, and in Cartersville, the drying plan should match the house. Our guide to how water damage restoration works explains the whole process.
What to have ready when you call
- when the water got in and whether standing water has been removed
- which materials are wet: drywall, hardwood, carpet, cabinets
- whether anyone has taken moisture readings yet