Structural drying is the controlled removal of moisture from the building itself: drywall, studs, cabinets, subfloor and the concrete slab. It is a restoration process that uses air movers, commercial dehumidifiers and moisture meters to bring wet materials back to their normal dry readings. Structural drying and dehumidification start right after water extraction. Most Gilbert homes reach their drying goals in about 3 to 5 days. Class 4 losses involving hardwood, plaster or concrete take longer. Mold starts to grow on wet materials in about 24 to 48 hours, so drying has to begin the same day.
Gilbert Water Damage Restoration connects you with a local restoration company that sets up, monitors and documents the drying. Call the 24/7 line or send a free estimate request.
How does structural drying work?
Structural drying works by moving moisture from wet materials into the air, then pulling it out of the air. Air movers push fast, dry air across wet surfaces so water evaporates. Dehumidifiers remove that water vapor from the room so the air stays dry. Heat speeds up evaporation, so crews keep the room warm while drying. The crew controls all three factors: airflow, humidity and temperature.
- Map the moisture. The technician uses moisture meters and a thermal camera to mark wet areas on walls, floors and cabinets.
- Set drying goals. A dry, unaffected wall or floor in the same home gives the target reading.
- Open the structure. Baseboards come off, and small holes or flood cuts open wet wall cavities when needed.
- Place equipment. Air movers and dehumidifiers go where the readings show the most water.
- Log readings daily. Moisture, humidity and temperature are recorded every day.
- Confirm dry. Equipment leaves only when materials match the drying goal.
Drying is the middle stage of the full water damage restoration process, after extraction and before cleaning and repairs.
Drying equipment: air movers and dehumidifiers
Air movers
An air mover is a high-velocity fan that blows air across floors and walls at a low angle. Crews point them along walls to dry baseboard areas and carpet edges.
LGR dehumidifiers
An LGR (low grain refrigerant) dehumidifier is a refrigerant unit that keeps removing water even as the air gets drier. LGR units handle most residential water losses.
Desiccant dehumidifiers
A desiccant dehumidifier is a unit that pulls water vapor onto a drying wheel instead of a cold coil. It reaches much drier air than an LGR and works in cool spaces. Crews use desiccants for hardwood, plaster and concrete.
Specialty drying tools
Wall cavity injection systems push dry air into closed walls and under cabinets. Hardwood floor drying mats pull moisture up through wood planks.
LGR vs desiccant dehumidifiers
| Feature | LGR dehumidifier | Desiccant dehumidifier |
|---|---|---|
| How it removes water | Cold refrigerant coil condenses vapor | Drying wheel absorbs vapor, heat releases it outside |
| Best use | Drywall, carpet, framing, most homes | Hardwood, concrete, plaster, cool rooms, large spaces |
| Driest air reached | Low, but limited by the cold coil | Lower than an LGR |
| Power use | More efficient | Higher, because the wheel needs heat |
Does Arizona's dry air dry a house on its own?
No. Gilbert's low outdoor humidity does not dry wall cavities, cabinets and concrete slabs fast enough to stop mold. Dry air only touches the surface. Water inside a closed wall, under cabinets or under tile and plank flooring has no airflow. Opening windows brings in dust and heat, and a monsoon day brings in humid air. A slab under hard flooring holds water for weeks without help. Surfaces look dry in a day while the drywall paper and the bottom plate of the wall stay wet.
Water classes and drying time
The IICRC S500 standard sorts losses into four classes by how much water soaked in and how hard it is to evaporate. The class tells the crew how much equipment to set.
| Class | What it means | Typical drying |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Small area, little water absorbed | Short, often a few days or less |
| Class 2 | Whole room, carpet and wall bases wet | About 3 to 5 days |
| Class 3 | Water from above, walls and ceilings soaked | About 3 to 5 days, sometimes longer |
| Class 4 | Specialty drying: hardwood, concrete, plaster | Longer, often with desiccants and mats |
Class 4 drying is common after a slab leak, because the concrete itself is wet. Read more about slab leak water damage and how crews dry the slab. Ceilings soaked from an AC drain or roof leak usually fall into Class 3. The page on ceiling water damage repair covers that drying.
Moisture mapping and daily drying logs
A moisture map is a drawing of the wet area with readings marked on it. The map shows how far water spread under tile, behind cabinets and into the next room. A daily drying log records each reading, the room humidity and temperature, and the equipment on site. The log shows when each wall and floor reached its goal. Insurers ask for this record when you file a claim. Ask the local pro for a copy of the moisture map and drying logs at the end of the job.
What structural drying costs
Drying cost depends on the number of air movers and dehumidifiers, the number of days and the water class. Class 4 jobs with desiccants cost more than a one-room Class 2 job. See restoration cost guide for the full list of price factors. The local pro gives a written estimate after inspection.
Get structural drying in Gilbert
Gilbert Water Damage Restoration is a referral service that connects you with an independent local company for drying and repairs. Read the overview of Gilbert water damage restoration, or call the 24/7 line to reach a drying team now.