Restoration
Restoration
The Restoration domain tests execution of the drying and restoration plan: water removal, evaporation, dehumidification, monitoring, and reconstruction. Questions often hinge on whether the equipment and documentation match the loss class and water category.
Core rules
- Water removal first: extract standing water and remove wet carpet, pad, or porous materials when the category requires it. Category 3 water generally requires disposal of porous materials that cannot be cleaned; Category 2 may require removal if drying is delayed.
- Drying system: air movers increase evaporation; dehumidifiers remove water vapor; containment and controlled openings keep humid air from migrating. Refrigerant dehumidifiers are efficient at normal temperatures; desiccant units perform better in low-temperature or low-humidity conditions.
- Drying goals: compare affected materials with a dry standard from an unaffected area of the same material. Record moisture content, temperature, RH, and GPP daily. Do not declare dry based on touch.
- Psychrometric control: keep the dew point of the drying air below the surface temperature of the materials to avoid condensation. Monitor GPP to confirm the dehumidifier is removing moisture, not just moving it.
- Reconstruction: replace materials that cannot be dried or cleaned; antimicrobials do not substitute for drying and should be used only where appropriate.
Worked example
A bedroom has a Class 2 water loss: carpet and pad are wet, and drywall wicks about 12 inches. Reasoning: extract, remove the wet pad, and either float the carpet or remove it; set air movers to sweep the wall and floor, and place a dehumidifier sized for the chamber. Close the door and seal HVAC openings to create a drying chamber. Record drywall moisture content against an unaffected wall and track GPP daily. If readings plateau, check for hidden moisture, blocked air movement, or an undersized dehumidifier before adding heat.
Traps that cost marks
- Turning off equipment when surfaces feel dry.
- Failing to remove wet pad or Category 3 porous materials.
- Not documenting daily readings and drying goals.
- Adding heat without controlling humidity, which can raise dew point and cause condensation.
- Using antimicrobials as a substitute for drying.