It’s More Complicated!

The water restoration industry uses the term Psychrometry for the science of drying.  This term means that faster rates are achieved when air is warm, dry and fast while also being close to a wet surface, and materials are also made warm to be more permeable.  As materials and the floor begin to dry the area with lower humidity  on the surface, and increasing temperatures internally will dry most effectively.

To most of us what this means is in a pure and simple point of view is that hot air changes forms from water to vapor.  Vapor is air and can be blown away of with the use of dehumidifiers extracted from the air and captured somewhere other than our floors and walls.  Usually this is a tank attached to a dehumidifier.  The truth is that the procedure is more complicated than this.

Wood for example will release moisture from the outside while the core of it remains full of moisture.  The permeability of the material, which path the water used to move from one cavity to the next, and the thickness of the material will all affect how it dries.  Because of these things various methods must be used to properly dry buildings.

The first thing is to create drier air.  Air with the lower humidity allows the greatest amount of vapor.  Less humidity allows moisture to leave the materials and absorb into the air.  Once the levels have been determined three drying systems will be considered, open drying system, closed drying system, or a combination with air exchange and heat drying systems. An open system involves bringing outdoor air in to reduce indoor humidity.  A closed drying system uses professional dehumidification equipment inside the building.  If it is a hot sticky day, outside air will be more dense with water, therefore less helpful drying the inside air.  A combination air exchange and heat can help to raise temperatures to create ideal circumstances for faster results in drying.

To summarize many elements go into drying a building and when you are hiring a professional, they should be measuring and weighing the options of the most effective way to dry out your unique situation.  In Minnesota we have high humidity in the summer making it tricky sometimes to use the outside air to help dry because it is already saturated.  A closed drying system is useful here.  When it is not humid, an open or combination will help.  And finally heat helps drying.