When a home experiences a water damage disaster, the proactive homeowner will want to choose a water damage restoration company that can be trusted to provide reliable, expert services. A homeowner can develop confidence in a restoration company by looking at the company’s professional certifications, which testify to a commitment to industry knowledge and customer service. A key certification in the area of water damage restoration is the Applied Structural Drying Technician certification.
What is an Applied Structural Drying Technician certification?
The certifying body for the cleaning and restoration industry is The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification. Since its inception in 1972, IICRC has certified over 60,000 technicians and over 6,000 property damage restoration companies worldwide.
According to the IICRC, “The IICRC-approved Applied Structural Drying (ASD) course is designed to teach the effective, efficient and timely drying of water-damaged structures and contents, using comprehensive classroom and hands-on training, in order to facilitate appropriate decision making within a restorative drying environment.”
ASD technicians have learned how to effectively, efficiently, and quickly dry water-damaged structures and contents. A property damage restoration company with IICRC certifications embraces rigorous standards for business practices and professional expertise.
What is the Applied Structural Drying process?
Applied Structural Drying is a comprehensive approach to drying that is guided by specific psychrometric — water vapor content — data that scientifically measures the drying process. Water damage restoration experts who use this sophisticated method deploy high-intensity water extractors to remove the bulk of the standing water. Once this water is extracted from floors, carpeting, and furniture, industrial-grade rapid-spin drying fans are strategically placed to advance the drying process.
Next, high-efficiency dehumidifiers remove the moisture from the air. Throughout the entire process, ASD-certified water damage restoration technicians utilize advanced moisture detecting equipment to monitor the efficiency and progress of the project. This highly sensitive technology empowers the technicians to adjust the process as needed to achieve maximum efficiency. The entire drying process may require approximately seventy-two hours.
Since Applied Structural Drying is a non-invasive drying technique, technicians can begin the drying process immediately after arriving at the scene of the water damage disaster. Modern high-powered water extractors, which include both truck-mounted and mobile units, can dry water-damaged floors without removing carpeting and padding, eliminating the need to lift or remove carpeting to dry the floor. Not having to work with the water-logged carpeting or padding reduces the likelihood of the materials being damaged beyond repair.
What are the benefits of the Applied Structural Drying process?
Applied Structural Drying offers many benefits, including the following:
- As mentioned above, technicians use sophisticated water extraction and drying methods to dry floors, carpeting, and carpet padding without having to remove the materials, which can be a costly and time-intensive ordeal. This non-invasive procedure can be implemented in clean water or Category 1 water damage scenarios. Fortunately for the homeowner, most residential indoor water damage incidents fall under the clean water category.
- Because the water damage restoration company’s drying and moisture removal equipment efficiently targets the water-damaged areas, the restoration process is less expensive, less time-consuming, and less disruptive. As a result, stress and anxiety are reduced for the homeowner.
- Uninterrupted dehumidification is a core aspect of Applied Structural Drying, so excess humidity, a significant contributor to the severity and scope of the damage, is quickly expelled from the affected area.
- The rapid response enabled by the Applied Structural Drying method reduces the chances of a mold infestation growing in the aftermath of water damage. Dehumidification also destabilizes the conditions necessary for mold growth.
- The speed at which the Applied Structural Drying is begun and completed means that residents of the damaged home can more quickly return to their home and their normal activities.
- Psychrometric data collected throughout the drying process provides concrete documentation that the technicians have successfully completed the drying process.
For more information about damage restoration in Carrollton, TX, contact SERVPRO of Carrollton by email at office@servpro10952.com. The office can also be reached by phone at (972) 446-0383.
