The Four “Knows” of drying.

10/11/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO we have some amazing tools, techniques, and processes we use every time the restorative process begins. These decisions make sure we are as efficient and effective as possible. In regards to efficiency, we need to make sure the method chosen is the best possible approach with the least amount of inputs. Effectiveness in its most simple form is making sure we are producing results on our main objectives. No matter what the situation we need to establish the Four “Knows” of drying. These “Knows” are:

What’s wet?

How wet is it?

Is it drying?

Is it done?

The first step is the easiest of the four, most of the time. Once we establish everything that’s wet need to determine exactly how wet is it. We use our moisture meters to come up with a moisture content percentage. This percentage is the comparison of weight between a wet material and its oven-dried counterpart. Once we establish how wet it is we are on to “Is it drying”.

The process of this third step is gathering and recording moisture data. This step is very crucial as all the data validates the drying progress. This also sheds light on issues that might need to be altered. Remember we have efficiency and effectiveness in mind on every project. The monitoring of the affected area is evaluated at least once every 24 hours and this attention to detail ensures we minimize damage shortens project time. Just like everything else nowadays, time is money.

The last of the four “Knows”: Is it done?

The angle of approach here is using drying standards and comparing what was wet materials to control/sample materials. We set goals towards the beginning of the drying process and we need to continue the process until we meet those goals. Sometimes there are external factors that will affect these standards but the IICRC has guidelines in place to ensure moisture restoration is obtained.