Structural Drying Workshop for the Insurance Professional

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• Structural Drying Workshopfor the Insurance
  Professional
• Presented by

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Are you spending unnecessary money on water
damage claims?

• Replacing carpet
• Installing new carpet cushion
• Repairing drywall
• Repainting walls and ceilings

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Are you confused by the equipment requirements
for water damage?

• How many dehumidifiers are necessary for a job?
• How many airmovers?
• How many days to finish the job?
• When should you begin removing equipment?

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Do policyholders ever complain that the drying
process is too slow?
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• Heres a traditional structural drying process!
• Remove all the furnishings and interior doors in
  the affected area
• Apply antimicrobial to carpet face and back
• Extract carpet with a light wand
• Remove and mark baseboard
• Pull back carpet and remove/discard carpet
  cushion
• Float the carpet with airmovers

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A traditional structural drying process,
continued...

• Set up dehumidifiers in the room to capture
  evaporating moisture
• Dry the carpet, then dry the structure
• Remove drying equipment
• Fold back carpet and install new carpet cushion
• Relay, restretch, reseam the carpets
• Reinstall baseboards
• Thoroughly rinse and extract carpet
• Replace furnishings and doors

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A few facts about structural drying...
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• Carpet is 50 weaker when wet
• Delamination much more likely when carpet is
  disengaged,
• Wet carpet often stretches when floated
• Seams can separated during when floated
• Floating carpet can often destroy it

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• Carpet always dries fast
• Carpet is one of the most porous materials in the
  structure
• Carpet is one of the easiest materials to dry
• We often spend 80 of our drying effort on 20 of
  the problem

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Outdated methods waste time and money

• May ruin materials like carpet
• Neglects the real problem of moisture content in
  structure materials
• Time consuming and unnecessary

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Introducing the advanced DriZone System Benefits
for the Insured/Homeowner

• Minimizes need for repairs, replacements
• Fewer safety issues (exposed tack strips,
  floating carpet, less airborne debris)
• Less handling of contents for less accidental
  damage
• Less disruptive
• Minimizes inconvenience and emotional stress
• Life is back to normal in less time

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Introducing the DriZone System Benefits for the
insurance company

• Less overall cost for complete restoration
• Minimizes chance of future mold growth
• Less replacement of materials like carpet/pad,
  drywall
• Fewer repairs to the structure
• Fewer subcontractors to deal with
• Increases customer satisfaction
• Close claims faster

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Psychrometry 101 Evaporation Evaporation is the
conversion of a liquid into a vapor. In the case
of structural drying, evaporation is the process
where water on the surface of wet materials is
converted into water vapor and lifted into the
air.
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Psychrometry 101 Evaporation, cont. The air
next to or above a wet surface is called the
boundary layer. This layer is cooler than the
surrounding air and saturated with moisture.
High-velocity air movement whisks this boundary
layer away and replaces it with warmer, drier air
to facilitate more rapid evaporation and drying.
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Psychrometry 101 Airflow and mold prevention
Rapid airflow helps prevent and control the
growth of mold during the restoration process in
two ways.

• Molds prefer to grow in calm, stagnant air
  instead of the high-energy airflow environment of
  restoration
• The evaporation process cools the surface of wet
  materials to further retard mold growth

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Psychrometry 101 Humidity control The As water
is evaporated into the air, the restorer must
take care to prevent the air from becoming too
humid. To control the humidity, a restorer must
remove water vapor from the air at an equal or
greater rate than it is being evaporated
(released) from wet materials. This is known as a
balanced drying system.
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Psychrometry 101 Relative humidity The ratio of
water vapor actually in the air compared to the
maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at
that particular temperature (and pressure). It is
the ratio of the airs water vapor content to its
capacity.
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Psychrometry 101 Relative humidity, cont. The
air next to or above Warmer air can hold more
moisture than cooler air, so measuring relative
humidity only tells half the story. It has
limited value for drying situations because it
changes with fluctuations in temperature.

• For example
• If you start with 70ºF and 63 RH
• Then raise the temperature to 80ºF
• The relative humidity drops to 45 RH
• But the actual amount of water in the air has not
  changed

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Psychrometry 101 Relative humidity, cont.
Summary Relative humidity is a measurement with
limited value for restorative drying. It can be
helpful as an initial warning sign of dangerous
humidity levels as well as determining the
thirst of the air.
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Psychrometry 101 Specific humidity This has
become the most valuable measurement for
restorative drying. Specific humidity is a
measurement of the exact amount of moisture in
the air by weight. It is expressed as grains of
water per pound of air (GPP). The specific
humidity is unaffected by changes in temperature,
making it much more reliable as an indicator of
moisture content.

• For example
• If you start with 70ºF and 63 RH 68 GPP
• Then raise the temperature to 80ºF
• The relative humidity drops to 45 RH 68 GPP

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Psychrometry 101 Temperature The temperature of
the area is one of the most important parts of
the drying equation. All things being equal,
higher temperatures result in faster evaporation
rates. However, temperature must be controlled.
Extreme temperatures can cause secondary damage
and even have a negative affect on dehumidifier
performance.
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Psychrometry 101 HAT The Drying Pie Humidity
control, Airflow, and Temperature (HAT) are the
three key elements of structural drying.
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Achievable results with the DriZone System

• Reduce overall time on the job
• Return structure to the occupants sooner
• Reduce disruption to the occupants
• Reduce the cost of complete restoration
• Provide a proven, repeatable decision-making
  process for every job

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Structural Drying Fundamentals

• Wet goes to dry
• A balanced drying system is most effective
• Address Humidity control, Airflow, and
  Temperature (HAT)
• Dry the entire structure and carpet/pad will
  follow
• Use a drying chamber when possible

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Structural Drying Fundamentals The Four Knows of
Drying

• Know what is wet
• Know how wet it is
• Know what is drying
• Know when its dry

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Structural Drying with the DriZone System
Thorough inspection and monitoring

• Specific humidity readings in grains per pound
  (GPP)
• Moisture content readings of structural materials
• Regional EMC Standards Chart

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Structural Drying with the DriZone System
Thorough extraction of carpet and pad

• Specialized extraction tools yield better results
• Extraction is far more efficient than
  dehumidification
• Apply antimicrobials as needed

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Structural Drying with the DriZone System
Establish a drying chamber

• Focus directly on the area affected by water
• Prevent secondary damage to other parts of the
  structure
• Increase efficiency of drying equipment
• Reduce drying time

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Structural Drying with the DriZone
System Determine equipment needs

• Varies depending on class (type) of water damage
• Takes structural layout into consideration
• Depends on proven formulas for drying
• Install necessary equipment

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Structural Drying with the DriZone System
Monitor drying process daily

• Chart drying progress
• Communicate results as they happen
• Adjust equipment as conditions change

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Equipment formulas Airmovers

• One for every 50 to 60 ft2
• One for every 10 to 14 lineal feet of wall
• One for every closet
• One for every offset
• Place at 45º angle to wall
• Create a clockwise pattern of airflow

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Equipment formulas Dehumidifiers Measured in
pints of water removal per day _at_ AHAM conditions
and determined by class of water damage (rate of
evaporation).

• Class 1 (slow rate of evaporation)1 pint for
  every 100 cubic feet
• Class 2 (medium rate of evaporation)1 pint for
  every 50 cubic feet
• Class 3 (fast rate of evaporation)1 pint for
  every 30 cubic feet
• Class 4 (specialty drying situations, focusing on
  bound moisture) i.e. hardwoods, sub floors,
  plaster, brick, concrete, crawlspaces.
• 1 LGR pint for every 50 cubic feet

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Equipment formulas Air Scrubbers

• Captures airborne particulates stirred up by
  airmovers
• HEPA filters improve indoor air quality and
  reduce odors
• Can be used to create negative air chamber for
• containment

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Equipment formulas A balanced drying system

• Evaporation from airmovers must not exceed
  dehumidification
• Could create excessive specific humidity
• Secondary damage is possible without consistent
  monitoring

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Equipment formulas Example situation

• Using the floor plan shown, approximately how
  many airmovers and dehumidifiers are required to
  dry this 1,100 square foot house?

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Record of Drying Conditions
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Sample Inspection Report
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Comparing the invoices Traditional drying
invoice
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Comparing the invoices DriZone System invoice
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Making the best of a traumatic situation
Benefits for the insured/homeowner

• Life returns to normal in less time
• Minimizes the need for unnecessary repairs and
  replacements
• Fewer safety issues from exposed tack strips,
  floating carpet, etc.
• Less handling of contents, less chance of damage
• Minimize inconvenience and stress

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Making the best of a traumatic situation
Benefits for the insurance company

• Reduced cost for a complete restoration
• Fewer structural repairs and less replacement of
  materials
• Fewer sub-contractors to deal with
• Verifiable proof of a dry structure for fewer
  call-back claims
• Close water damage claims faster
• Increases customer satisfaction.

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Tips for a water damage emergency Before the
restoration contractor arrives

• Remove as much water as possible by mopping or
  blotting
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after
  removing lamps and other items
• Remove oriental rugs or other colored fabrics
  from carpeting
• Remove valuable paintings and art objects to a
  safe, dry area
• Hang fur and leather goods in a separate area to
  dry at room temperature
• Place aluminum foil or foam blocks between
  furniture legs and wet carpet
• Remove and prop wet upholstery cushions for even
  drying
• If summer, turn on the air conditioner to control
  humidity
• If winter, open windows slightly to vent humidity

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Tips for a water damage emergency What NOT to
do

• Dont leave wet fabrics in place, dry as soon as
  possible
• Dont leave books, magazines, or other colored
  items on wet floors
• Dont use your household vacuum cleaner to remove
  water
• Dont use televisions or other appliances while
  standing on wet carpet or floors, especially not
  on wet concrete floors
• Dont turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet
• Stay out of rooms where ceiling is sagging from
  retained water

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Electricity requirements How much does it cost
to run restorative drying equipment?

• Use this formula to determine how many
  kilowatts your equipment requires per day
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• (Amps x volts / 1000) x 24 hours KWH
• Multiply kilowatts by the local rate to find
  the cost per day
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• KWH x rate total cost per day
• and stress

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Electricity requirements Average daily cost of
operation (24 hours)
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Communication tools for restorative drying

• Psychrometric chart or calculator
• Atmospheric Readings Log (RDC)
• Inspection Report

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Key Tools of the Professional Restorer Moisture
Detection Instruments

• HydroSensor
• Maps the migration of moisture and establishes
  the boundaries of damage in carpet/pad

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Key Tools of the Professional Restorer Moisture
Detection Instruments Penetrating Meter Uses
pin electrodes to measure moisture content of
structural materials like drywall, frame lumber,
subflooring, etc.
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Key Tools of the Professional Restorer Moisture
Detection Instruments Non-invasive meter
Detects moisture in structural materials up to
depths of 0.75 using non-invasive radio
frequencies. Great for vinyl flooring, tile, and
other finished materials.
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Key Tools of the Professional Restorer Moisture
Detection Instruments Thermo-Hygrometer
Measures the temperature and relative humidity so
that a restorer can determine the specific
humidity of the air in grains per pound.
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Key Tools of the Professional Restorer Moisture
Detection Instruments Data logger This feature
is included on the most advanced
thermo-hygrometers. A data logger records
atmospheric readings at selected intervals so
that a restorer can create an incredibly accurate
record of drying conditions.
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Key Tools of the Professional Restorer Airmovers
Traditional TurboDryer
The original design for structural drying, these
classic tools provide high volumes of laminar
airflow close to the surface to increase the rate
of evaporation.
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Key Tools of the Professional Restorer Airmovers
Multi-Position TurboDryer
The newest TurboDryer concept combines high
velocity airflow with multi-position versatility
and incredibly low amp draw. Designed
specifically for the newer and more efficient
drying techniques employed by todays
highly-educated restorer.
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Key Tools of the Professional Restorer Airmovers
Axial fans
The Vortex uses a 12" axial fan blade to pull
musty air out or propel fresh air in to
inaccessible areas. It's also an ideal choice for
drying large open areas like gyms, concrete pads,
hallways, etc.
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Key Tools of the Professional Restorer
Dehumidifers Refrigerants
Uses super-cooled coils to remove water from the
air based on the current dew point temperature.
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Key Tools of the Professional Restorer
Dehumidifers Low Grain Refrigerants
In addition to super-cooled coils, a low grain
refrigerant uses advanced technology to pre-cool
the air and increase water-removal
efficiency. The DrizAir LGR 2000 and LGR 2400
both use patented Heat Pipe Technology to create
drier air that can literally pull bound water out
of structural materials.
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Key Tools of the Professional Restorer
Dehumidifers Desiccants
A desiccant does not rely on air temperature.
Instead, it uses a silica-gel rotor to remove
water from the air by adsorption. A desiccant can
create super-dry air when necessary for special
drying situations.
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Key Tools of the Professional Restorer Air
Scrubbers Thermo-Hygrometer
An air scrubber is a portable air filtration
device. The immense amount of airflow necessary
for water damage restoration also stirs up a vast
amount of debris into the air where it can be
inhaled or settle on contents. An air scrubber
reduces the number of these airborne particles to
improve the quality of jobsite air.
Airborne particles on water damage may include
?Pet dander ?Pollen ?Mold spores
?Cigarette smoke ? Dust ?Drywall
?Carpet fiber ?and many more...
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Key Tools of the Professional Restorer Mobile
Furnace
Heat is a critical element for drying. Some
situations require an additional heat source to
warm the structure for more efficient drying. A
mobile furnace can provide heat without
introducing any fumes or excess moisture.  
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Key Tools of the Professional Restorer Specialty
Extractor
Before setting up airmovers and dehumidifiers, a
professional restorer removes as much water as
possible with a specialty extraction tool. A
quality extraction with an effective tool can
significantly shorten the drying time for a
structure.
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Key Tools of the Professional Restorer InterAir
Drying Systems
There are several systems designed specifically
for drying walls, cabinets, or hardwood floors.
Some systems direct air into hard-to-reach and
hard-to-dry places, others pull air out.
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Certified Training

• When choosing a water damage restoration
  contractor, be sure that the company has invested
  in professional education.
• Applied Structural Drying (ASD)
• Water Loss Specialist (WLS)
•   Water Damage Restoration (WRT)

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DriZone Network
As a proud member of the DriZone Network, is
committed to upholding the networks Vision and
Mission statement   VISION Dri-Eaz is a model
of business excellence with sustained market
leadership. MISSION Delivering the best
commercial products and solutions for building
and restorative drying.