LAS VEGAS — Determining when a water-damaged structure has been adequately dried is one of the most important — and most frequently disputed — questions in water damage restoration. Here is how the IICRC S500 standard defines drying goals and how restoration contractors can demonstrate that those goals have been achieved.
The IICRC S500 standard defines drying goals in terms of the moisture content of structural materials, measured with a calibrated moisture meter. The goal is to return materials to their pre-loss moisture content — or to a moisture content that is below the threshold for mold growth — before reconstruction begins.
For wood-based materials, the generally accepted drying goal is a moisture content of 19 percent or less, which is below the threshold for wood decay fungi. For drywall, the goal is typically 1 percent or less above the moisture content of unaffected reference materials in the same structure.
Drying goals are not met simply by running equipment for a specified number of days. The adequacy of drying must be verified by taking moisture readings throughout the affected area and comparing them to readings from unaffected reference materials. Documentation of these readings is essential for insurance claim purposes.
Insurance carriers and restoration contractors sometimes dispute whether drying goals have been met, particularly when the carrier believes that the drying process has been extended unnecessarily. Restoration contractors who document their moisture readings daily and can demonstrate a consistent downward trend in moisture content are in the strongest position to defend their drying timeline.
