Why Restoration Professionals Need to Measure Moisture Quantitatively
In the restoration industry, customers rely on restoration professionals to remove any and all traces of excess moisture from structures so they can be used again. Whether the property being restored is residential or commercial, lingering traces of moisture can cause the following hazards:
1. Mold growth. Most people think that the growth of black mold and other fungi in dark, moist areas is not a danger until they start to smell a musty odor, and people with asthma and other respiratory illnesses begin to suffer the side effects of mold spores exposure. If too much moisture remains in the building materials after drying/tearing off, mold may grow in the structure, which can be hazardous to respiratory health.
2. Potential structural failure. Excess moisture in a structure can weaken certain building materials. For example, wooden beams can rotate, making them prone to breaking under heavy loads. Water corrodes iron-rich metals, compromising the performance of wood studs and other metal objects used to hold structures together.
3. Pest infestation. Pockets of water hidden deep within wooden structural beams and other building materials can attract pests such as termites, rodents, and cockroaches. These pests can spread disease and eat away at structural materials, causing potential harm to the structure's occupants.
The worst moisture level (qualitative moisture reading) can usually be found using a reference hygrometer. But when some materials are just a little damp, it's hard to call them one way or another.
This can result in disassembly/tearing of recyclable materials, or incomplete tearing due to an inability to properly identify wet materials.
Another issue in restoration efforts is the need to document dry work. In many cases, a restoration professional±'s ability to receive timely payment for services depends on the insurance company's willingness to pay the property damage claim. However, before any payment is made, the insurance company will want to verify whether restoration work is necessary.
Once documented, submitting quantitative moisture measurements to your insurance company can help demonstrate the necessity of the work. Hopefully this will help smooth the insurance claim process so the restoration company can collect payment.
Qualitative moisture measurements, while useful, are not as reliable as the more accurate quantitative moisture readings used for this purpose.
