What is Structural Cavity Drying?

When major water damage affects your home or business, whether it is from a storm, flooding, or a burst pipe, it may be necessary to dry wall cavities and other small spaces. Restoration Authority wants to help you get back to normal quickly, however, we do so without skipping steps. At Restoration Authority, we are available at a moment’s notice offering emergency services for both residential and commercial water damage. One of the water damage restoration services we provide is structural cavity drying.

If you do not dry cavities in your home, trapped moisture can lead to the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. It can also compromise structural integrity.

What is Structural Cavity Drying?

Structural cavity drying is very important in areas that you can’t see. Cavities within the walls that are more likely to mold or rot if the water is not removed and dried quickly. Even if the water appears only to be on the floor, the walls can quickly soak it up, which can lead to structural damage.

What is the Process?

If there is water intrusion into the walls, demolition might be necessary. Baseboards might be removed to get air flow in contact with the porous structures in the wall cavities. Insulation is removed if it is wet. Walls might be cut open for air movement or repair of the interior. The wall is repaired and repainted when dry.

Wall Cavities

Wet walls can be difficult to restore. Walls are usually covered with a variety of finished surfaces. This makes choosing the appropriate drying technique difficult.

Walls with a single layer of wallboard and flat paint may need is an air mover blowing warm, dry air along the wall surface. However, for walls that are covered with vinyl wallpaper, high-gloss enamel paint, or walls with multiple layers of wallboard, it may be necessary to drill holes into the wall to allow air to flow into the cavity (the space between the wall studs). Airflow in the cavity will increase the rate of evaporation and speeds up drying.

It is usually best to remove the baseboards and drill into the wall at the floor level. Repairs will be easier and after the base is replaced, baseboards cover the holes.

For walls with extensive moisture damage, it may be necessary to completely remove all wet drywall and all wet insulation. Restoration Authority will evaluate the needs of the situation carefully before going this route. It is the most destructive and expensive to repair.

Cabinets / Vanities

When drying cabinets and vanities, Restoration Authority takes extra care to minimize damage while still thoroughly drying the structure. Unlike drywall, which can be easily patched and painted, holes drilled into cabinets cause permanent damage.

The best place to drill holes for drying cabinets and vanities is through the toe-kick, the cosmetic cover on the very bottom portion of the cabinet. The toe-kick is usually removable and/or replaceable.

Restoration Authority not only wants you to return to your home or business, but we want to set you up for success. We strive to do a complete restoration of your home or business. This includes parts of the building that you cannot see by using structural cavity drying.