Structural Drying Liberty Lake

Excess moisture is removed from building materials through structural drying, especially following water damage. Here in Liberty Lake, where we're near so many lakes and rivers, the risk of flooding and water damage can be pretty high. Because of that, structural drying is a very important process. I'm sure nobody would want to be dealing with the insurance claims and repair work associated with this kind of damage. In fact, structural drying can save homeowners a ton of money- and it can save the structural integrity of their homes.

How long structural drying takes depends on a number of things. Among them are the: 1. Extent of water damage 2. Types of materials affected 3. Efficiency of drying equipment (and personnel) In the typical range of conditions, it takes anywhere from 3 days (with good conditions and good equipment) up to 7-10 days (with poor conditions and poor equipment) for a drying process to complete.Using a combination of moisture meters and infrared cameras, professionals assess how dry the structure has become as the process moves along. At some point during the drying process, any wood members within the structure must also achieve a certain level of dryness before calling the whole structure dry.

Structural drying uses advanced equipment to efficiently remove moisture. Dehumidifiers and air movers are usually employed to assist in the evaporation of moisture and to lower the levels of humidity within a structure.Infrared cameras can be used to find moisture left behind in walls and floors.Special drying mats are sometimes used in the application to help save hardwood floors.These methods lower the risk of warping and damages associated with improperly dried wood.

Although water damage of any kind can be a cause for concern, it is often manageable for a typical homeowner when it comes to minor spills. But when substantial amounts of water infiltrate the home, and when the damage from that water has already begun to affect the home's structure, that's a situation that calls for the immediate expertise of trained professionals.Those pros not only have the expertise to know how far the water has actually penetrated (which is often much farther than the eye can see) and the nap of the fibers in a way that ensures full drying in something like a wall, but they also have the equipment necessary to do the job right.

The environment in Liberty Lake is quite humid, particularly close to the area's many bodies of water. That can make the problems stemming from water damage even worse. If water gets into a structure here, it's much more likely—based on our local climate—for mold to start growing and building materials to begin deteriorating. And with the way our weather can turn, from sunshine to unexpected downpours, there's the very real danger of a structure not being properly dried out before more rain hits. Fortunately, the Excessive Moisture Removal System (EMRS) is available to help in such situations.

Common signs that you need structural drying include: • visible water damage, such as staining on walls and ceilings; • floors that have swelling or warping; • a musty odor that indicates the presence of mold or mildew; • increased humidity in the area that is affected; and • dampness that just won't dry out. Water can do a lot of damage, and fast. If you see any of these signs, call a professional who can assess the situation and let you know what your best (and quickest) options are.

Structural drying extracts water, which is an essential ingredient in the making of mold. By efficiently venting humidity and ensuring that all structural components of a moldy building are dry, the mold risk is drastically cut. Mold needs a damp environment to grow; consequently, wet building materials that have been allowed to remain wet for several days will eventually support a substantial mold population. Ducts in drywall, framing members, and interior spaces that might become dank are especially worrisome. In the wettest areas, professionals also use antimicrobial agents to get the mold count down.

Ventilation is important in structural drying because it helps achieve evaporation. The problem is that when you direct airflow at a surface, you’re essentially aiming at the evaporation, the “wetting front.”What air movers do is create a directed current that allows you to hit all the incrementally “wetter” sections of the surface as it dries. More specifically, in this case, they use a “moving air” technique, ensuring that ambient humidity and temperature levels aren’t adversely affected while still providing enough energy to the surface (into the surface) toward the evaporation of moisture.

There are a number of proactive steps that can be taken by homeowners to minimize water damage and the need for structural drying. Careful inspection and regular maintenance of roofs, gutters, and downspouts can help ensure the effective management of water runoff during rainstorms. Sump pumps can be used in basements to prevent flooding. Sealing is a critical step in ensuring that windows and doors do not allow water to intrude during a storm. A solid understanding of the local flood risk and the procurement of appropriate insurance provides an additional layer of resource protection.

The majority of policies covering homeowners do encompass the payment for structural drying, particularly when the water damage stems from a peril that the policy covers, such as a burst pipe or unexpected storm damage. Yet, their degree of variance in policy wording can be quite staggering, so it’s critical for homeowners to thoroughly investigate their coverages and truly understand the water-related provisions (or lack thereof) within them. This is even more crucial for those living in places like Liberty Lake, where the risk of water damage is a little above average.