A trusted method for Water Damage Restoration in Southern California. Advanced Structural Drying while reducing costs, time, and inconvenience related to replacement and repairs. There is pressure on property owners and facility managers to improve their procedures of potential damages with general property maintenance and trusted Water Mitigation plans. Precision Environmental specializes in both commercial and residential Water Damage Restoration.

Advanced Structural Drying (ASD) is the effective, efficient drying of water-damaged buildings and dwellings, using comprehensive knowledge and tools. The process includes the collection of appropriate data for utilization and application of technical principles. Psychrometry, the science of drying, helps to track moisture content, drying progress, and the verification of project completion. In many cases, ASD uses more equipment to accelerate drying, thus reducing costs, time, and the inconvenience related to replacement and repairs.

Burst pipes, overflowing septic systems and toilets, room floods, leaking water heaters, and roof leaks tend to be the most common causes of water damage.

According to a recent study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 85% of commercial buildings experience excess moisture and water leaks. Precision Environmental can moisture map your facility to identify water hazards and repair any type of water damage, whether man-made or caused by disaster. By performing thorough water extraction, Precision Environmental helps to prevent mold growth and secondary water damage. We work with your insurance company to understand your policy and what is covered, limiting any surprises.

Drying Methods for Mitigation

Precision Environmental uses the information obtained during evaluation of materials to help select the best drying method for the job. Generally, there are two primary approaches to promote drying an affected structure:

1. Disruptive drying methods involve removing wet items, injecting air to speed up drying, or perforating surfaces to allow water to evaporate. Disruptive methods are used when contamination, damage, cost, or customer concerns require removal or manipulation of the affected material.
2. Aggressive or “in place” drying methods involve leaving wet items in the structure and drying them in place using warm, dry, direct airflow. Aggressive methods are used when contamination and damage are not concerns, and when it is cost-effective to dry an item instead of replacing it.

The IICRC sets industry standards for water damage and mold remediation. Through research, laboratory testing, and field experience, the IICRC has identified three principle components for successfully drying a structure.

1. REMOVE THE EXCESS WATER: EXTRACTION – THE WATER REMOVAL PHASE

There are three ways of removing water from a structure; physical extraction, dehumidification, and evaporation. Removal of liquid water is at least 500 times more efficient than just going straight to using dehumidifiers and air movers. The more water that can be extracted, the quicker the structure will dry. The density of materials will all affect extraction and dry time.

2. ENHANCED AIRFLOW: THE EVAPORATION PHASE

Following the removal of as much water as possible, the remaining moisture is evaporated by use of high velocity air movers. Most objects, when exposed to water or high levels of humidity, will absorb some of the water or moisture, making them damp or wet. By drying the material object, we are providing an escape for the water molecules from the material and into the surrounding air.

Air also has a level of saturation, the point to where it can’t hold any more moisture. The higher the humidity, the closer the air is to its level of saturation. If the humidity is too high or has a high vapor pressure, it won’t be able to accept the water molecules from the object to be dried.

3. DEHUMIDIFICATION: THE BALANCED EVAPORATION PHASE

As the moisture is forced into the air, it evaporates and becomes water vapor in the air. Dehumidifiers are used to absorb moisture from the air. It is essential to use dehumidification; otherwise, absorbent materials in the room could soak up the moisture and become damaged.

The four most common dehumidifiers used in restoration are desiccants, refrigerant dehumidifiers, low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers, and conventional refrigerant dehumidifiers.