Excess water removal is the beginning point of restoration procedures. This can be achieved by physical means such as mopping or soaking up excess moisture from hard surfaces and furnishings. However, it can also involve the use of more sophisticated techniques and equipment such as pumps or commercial wet vacuuming equipment.
The next step in the restoration process is evaporation. The remaining water must be changed from a liquid to a vapour by promoting evaporation with specialised air moving equipment. Once all moisture has been evaporated from structural materials, it must be removed from the air by dehumidification. Failure to completely dehumidify the area may result in substantial secondary damage and present a significant health hazard. Bothe evaporation and dehumidification are greatly enhanced by controlling the temperature in a confined environment. This also helps with curbing the growth of microorganisms’, and is an important basic principle for safe, effective drying.
The damaged structure must be monitored starting with the initial assessment and evaluation, and continuing throughout the restoration process. Monitoring procedures may include temperature and humidity readings, visual assessment and checking the moisture content of structural wood and other materials with a moisture meter.