SEATTLE — Structural drying mat systems that inject dry air directly beneath hardwood and engineered wood flooring are helping restoration contractors save floors that would previously have required demolition, reducing claim costs and homeowner disruption on water damage jobs.
Systems from Injectidry and Dri-Eaz use a network of flexible mats connected to a dehumidifier or drying system to create a sealed drying chamber beneath the flooring. Dry air is injected under pressure, drawing moisture out of the wood and subfloor without requiring the flooring to be removed.
The systems are most effective when deployed within the first 24 to 48 hours after a water damage event, before the flooring has had time to absorb enough moisture to cause permanent cupping or warping. Early deployment is critical — the window for successful in-place drying narrows rapidly as moisture content increases.
Restoration contractors who have adopted structural drying mat systems report that they can save 40 to 60 percent of hardwood floors that would previously have been demolished, reducing average claim costs by $3,000 to $8,000 per job. Insurance carriers have responded positively to the technology, as it reduces both claim costs and the carbon footprint of restoration work.
The IICRC S500 standard includes guidance on the use of specialty drying systems for hardwood flooring, noting that in-place drying is preferred when it can be achieved within acceptable moisture content parameters. Contractors should document moisture readings throughout the drying process to demonstrate compliance with the standard.
