The art of restoration is a highly complex and time-consuming process. It requires various tools and techniques, including water extraction, moisture detection, structural drying, dehumidification, airflow management, and psychrometry.
Water extraction
From a severe pipe leak to a flooding storm, water damage can quickly turn into an insurmountable problem. It takes the proper steps to mitigate the damage and restore your home or business.
This process starts with water extraction. Experts at Pure Restore will find the source of the water issue and stop it before more damage occurs. They’ll also use moisture meters and sensors to assess the damage level.
Extraction techniques include pumps, vacuums, air movers, dehumidifiers, and even foggers that convert chemical solutions into a mist. These machines help reduce the risk of secondary water damage, prevent mould growth, and speed up drying.
Moisture Detection
Moisture detection is a crucial step in any water damage restoration project. Using specialized moisture meters, technicians can find hidden pockets of moisture in building materials, helping to prevent mold growth and other structural damage.
Pinless meters have flat measuring plates that can be moved across a surface to detect moisture. These meters can penetrate various materials up to a specific depth, making them helpful in finding moisture behind walls and in other hard-to-reach places.
To determine the extent of a moisture problem, it is necessary to compare the affected area with a dry standard. This can be achieved by obtaining a moisture reading of a known unaffected material or by establishing the equilibrium relative humidity (ERH). Moisture mapping is a method used to establish an ERH.
Structural Drying
Structural drying is a specific set of drying science principles that help restore your home or business after water damage. It prevents lingering moisture that could lead to harmful mould and mildew development.
It focuses on drying structural materials such as drywall, framing, and hardwood floors. This method also saves insulation and other materials that would be torn out and replaced.
Structural drying relies on evaporation, airflow, temperature control, and dehumidification. Industrial high-volume refrigerant dehumidifiers draw in moist air and convert it into water vapour. This keeps the moisture from being absorbed into other structures and materials, preventing future problems.
Dehumidification
Humid air makes things feel heavier, causes equipment to rust, and encourages microbial growth. Dehumidification manages moisture levels and evaporates water from surfaces to prevent microbial development, structural damage, and unpleasant odours.
There are several methods to dehumidify, with extraction and evaporation the most commonly used techniques. Extraction involves vacuuming or mopping liquid water. Evaporation is accomplished using dehumidifiers that work the same way as an air conditioner, absorbing and squeezing water from the air. Dehumidifiers are more effective than refrigeration-based units as they do not rely on cooled coils for condensation, which decreases efficiency at lower temperatures. This method also consumes less energy.
Airflow Management
Airflow management is an essential aspect of the water damage restoration process. Depending on the severity of the situation, it may be necessary to install air movers and dehumidifiers to dry out the property. It is also crucial to use moisture detectors and antimicrobials to prevent mould growth.
Psychrometry
The science behind psychrometry is essential to the restoration process. It helps technicians determine how to dry a structure using air temperature and humidity measurements. This ensures the system is thoroughly dried and restored to a pre-loss condition.
Psychrometrics is the science that studies the properties of moist air, methods for controlling its temperature and moisture content, and its effect on materials and human comfort. Understanding psychrometrics is especially important for professionals involved in the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) of buildings.
Psychrometric charts help determine the air temperature, humidity ratio, and specific heat of various types of air. They are available for different temperatures, pressures, and altitudes.