Understanding drying reports from orlando water damage repair firms

If you’ve recently experienced water damage in your Orlando home or business, the first calls you likely made were to a water damage restoration company. These professionals have the equipment, materials, and expertise to fully dry out your property, prevent mold growth, and repair any structural damage caused by flooding or water leaks. A key document you will receive from an Orlando water damage mitigation service is called a “drying report.” Properly understanding what is contained in a drying report is useful for insurance claims and your peace of mind that the drying job was completed thoroughly.

Equipment inventory

The first section of a drying report will usually list out the type and number of drying equipment utilized on the job. Typical gear includes:

1. Air movers – Powerful fans that circulate air and remove moisture from the area. High-volume air movers displace over 100 gallons of water per day from the air.
2. Dehumidifiers – Equipment that draws damp air into the unit, removes moisture, and exhausts dry air back into the space. Commercial dehumidifiers used by mitigation techs can extract 90+ pints of water per day.
3. Thermo-hygrometers – Advanced meters used to take psychrometric moisture readings showing the current relative humidity and dew point temperature before, during, and after the drying process.
4. Air scrubbers – Portable filtration systems that remove airborne particles, improve indoor air quality, and prepare the area for restoration after water extraction.

The drying report will indicate the make and model numbers of the gear used so insurance adjusters look up technical specifications if needed. The report also shows the quantity of equipment applied, such as the use of six air movers or three large dehumidifiers. It gives context to the size of the job and the scope of drying required.

Affected materials and areas

The Damage Control 911 site assessment section lists out the materials impacted by water damage, such as drywall, insulation, carpeting, and hardwood floors. This gives the insurer an understanding of what building materials were saturated and will likely need replacement. The drying report also indicates which rooms, areas, or building quadrants required active drying based on moisture testing. Photos may supplement the report by showing water staining patterns and the equipment setup. Knowing which parts of the structure need drying helps insurance companies allocate funds for repairs.

Moisture readings

Documenting moisture readings is critical for demonstrating that affected building materials were thoroughly dried according to industry standards. The report will include readings at the beginning of the job, called “initial readings,” along with sets of readings taken later in the process, known as “progress readings.” Most Orlando water damage restoration contractors will use a psychrometer and moisture probe to take readings. A psychrometer gives a moisture reading on the relative humidity of the air, while a moisture probe is used to gauge moisture content in porous materials like drywall and subfloors by percentage. Reports will include various sets of readings in a table or graph format:

• Initial moisture readings – Shows the extremely damp conditions at the start of drying.
• Mid-point moisture readings – Demonstrates that equipment is actively lowering moisture levels across affected materials.
• Final moisture readings – Confirm that all materials have dropped below 15% moisture content for wood surfaces or below 70% relative humidity for ambient air. Maintaining these levels inhibits mold growth.

Digital moisture scanner meters may also be used at the end of drying to provide further proof of complete moisture elimination not just at the surface, but deep into materials. Comparing the before and after readings clearly shows the drying process significantly lowered moisture levels as expected when proper equipment and techniques are utilized.

Daniel Donn