Drying Science – Part 3

7/26/2021 (Permalink)

In any water mitigation job, after any standing water has been extracted, the next step is usually to dry the materials. At the beginning of a drying project, the restorer moves warm, dry air close to wet surfaces to evaporate surface and free water. The faster the air moves, the more quickly moisture is evaporated. Air moving equipment is used to enhance evaporation at the surface level and reduce drying time.  While any drying equipment is placed, our production crew regularly comes out to monitor the progress and move the equipment as needed. The drier air and higher temperature of the material, the quicker bound water will evaporate. As water evaporates from wet materials, the air directly above the wet material becomes saturated and cool. This boundary level of humid, cool air can slow evaporation. Air movers enhance the evaporation by introducing air flow at the surface level replacing a cool saturated boundary layer with warmer, drier air from dehumidifiers.