Will a Wet Structure Dry By Itself?

10/7/2022 (Permalink)

Thorough drying requires professional assistance with the right equipment.

The Impact of Water Intrusion on a Structure can be Dramatic.  

In time a wet structure if left unattended will "dry" however, dry rot and mold will develop, and the structure will deteriorate. Wood and sheetrock will suffer the most damage and it will begin to happen within days of the initial flooding event.

Unless a person has access to professional restoration drying equipment and a great deal of understanding about the science of drying a wet structure, it is nearly impossible to properly mitigate the damage at a wet structure.

Can't a heater dry a wet structure?

No, not by itself. In a wet building, heat will only increase indoor humidity and that will usually cause mold growth and other environmental problems.

The main pieces of equipment that professionals use to dry wet buildings are restoration air movers and dehumidifiers. Air movers promote air circulation which speeds up evaporation. Dehumidifiers are designed to evaporate volumes of moisture from the air. The timeframes and equipment requirements for any drying project are calculated using scientific formulas that consider the variables at each job site. 

SERVPRO technicians use the institute of inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) guidelines to calculate the number of air movers and dehumidifiers are required at each job location. They also study the IICRC S500 Standard and take a certification class to ensure they understand the details of the science of drying and how it applies to their everyday work. 

If your home, office, church, or any other structure is impacted by water damage it is always best to hire professional services. Here are the benefits of using professionals: Damage will be reduced. The drying time will be shortened. Costs will be less. The work will come with guarantees.

When you need consultation or help, contact SERVPRO of El Centro / Salton City at        (760) 337-5858.