Removing Moisture from Materials

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

Materials can hold moisture in different ways.

When looking at a project that involves water damage, we look at two factors: the type of material and the degree of wetness. We look at the variation of each material's permeability or the ability for water to pass through the material. The degree of wetness refers to the moisture movement by indicating the type of water being addressed. The liquids will be presented in one, two, or three forms. 

Surface Water

Surface water can be found on the material's surface, making it a liquid, visible, and evaporates. When cleaning this type of water, it's essential to remove the moisture physically by using mechanical extraction equipment. By using different airflows which moderate temperature and humidity will evaporate the remaining water. 

Free Water

Free water can be found within a material, but it hasn't bonded to the chemical bonds of the material. The moisture will be located in cavities, open pores, and other air spaces within these materials. Free water is a liquid that can generally be seen when the material is darkened, and this liquid can be evaporated. When extracting this type of water, you will have to use lower humidities and warmer temperatures. Monitoring these factors help maintain the rate of evaporation which ensures the liquid can evaporate. 

Bound Water

Bounded water is a little more problematic as it is absorbed by the material and gets held by the chemical bonds. Due to the chemical bond holding in the moisture, you will have to release it before it can evaporate. Unlike the other types, controlling the airflow onto the material won't be successful. The fabric will successfully dry fastest when it is warmed, and it's essential to keep the surrounding humidity very low. Due to the chemical bonding, this type of absorption takes the longest out of the other. 

The knowledge on what to look for is what separates SERVPRO from our competitors. Our Project Managers will go to a water-damaged job site and will be able to know what to look for to ensure that they will send our technicians with the right equipment to get the job done.