Surface drying is a hot topic in the restorative drying industry these days. It's the process of drying wet carpet, cushion and subfloor without removing the carpet and cushion and without floating the carpet. Actually, you rarely need to disengage the carpet at all except to inspect for damage. When done properly, surface drying can speed the restoration process, is less disruptive to the occupants and does less damage to the carpet. Best of all, surface drying is usually less expensive than traditional drying. Surface drying can be done on most clean water losses.

While it may seem that surface drying focuses on drying the carpet and cushion, the goal of surface drying is the same as traditional drying—to dry the complete structure. The carpet and cushion are the two most porous materials, and typically, the easiest materials to dry. In fact, these materials dry as a by-product of a surface drying system.

There are many factors to consider before a restorer can undertake a surface-drying project. Restorers must understand all of the materials they will dry, and have the essential resources—like well-trained technicians and the right equipment. We hear from restorers everyday who attempt surface drying, and frankly, are doomed to fail because they don't have what they need to do the job right. Before restorers take on the challenge of surface drying, there are a number of factors to consider.

Properly Trained Technicians
Traditional training within the cleaning and restoration industry does not typically address surface drying. There are now a few schools that deal specifically with surface drying in a hands-on environment. Proper training is essential, because the placement and quantity of air movement, dehumidification and use of other equipment is not the same as with traditional drying.

Clean Water
When the water is from a clean water source and you are able to act quickly, consider surface drying. If the water has been present for more than 72 hours, the chances of microorganism growth amplify and surface drying is usually not appropriate. Obviously, surface drying and saving of the cushion would not be considered in gray and black water floods as outlined in the IICRC S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Water Damage Restoration. However, some of the advanced drying principles involved in surface drying can be used for structural drying.

Odors in Carpet and/or Cushion
When odors are present in carpet and cushion, microorganism growth is likely taking place. It is not wise to blow air on or across materials in which microorganism growth is active because the contamination may spread. The use of biocides may or may not reduce or control this growth (Refer to the IICRC S500).

Ability to Extract
In order to surface dry carpet and cushion, the restorer must have adequate equipment, tools and the desire to remove the water through physical extraction. A thorough and complete extraction is the key to successful surface drying. It's estimated (and supported by research) that the physical removal of water through extraction is up to 300 times more efficient than removal of water through evaporation and dehumidification.

There are numerous extraction tools on the market and many of them work well on some or all types of carpet. To be successful at surface drying, a restorer must choose an extractor that's efficient at extracting the most physical water possible from the cushion. The extraction tool should work fairly fast, pull a lot of water and be a tool technicians will use, and use properly.

Extraction before surface drying is a slow process regardless of the tools or equipment you use. Our experience in the Center for Advanced Restorative Drying is that it takes approximately one hour to extract 300 square feet of carpet and cushion to perform an effective extraction.

Adequate Equipment and Electricity
Surface drying requires substantially more drying equipment than traditional drying. Surface drying projects require two to three times the airmovers than traditional drying as well as considerably more dehumidification.

Using greater amounts of equipment also requires substantial amounts of electricity. There are commercially available "Power Splitters" that can split a 230-volt circuit into 115-volt circuits. These are safety tested, certified and equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters. These power splitters are often necessary when using a lot of equipment on a job. Electricians can also hard wire a power box to access additional electricity.

Thorough, Methodical and Regular Inspections
Surface drying requires monitoring during the drying process. You need to inspect the job at least once every 24 hours in order to insure that your drying equipment is properly placed and performing at the highest level. A thorough inspection requires the use of moisture meters and thermal-hygrometers. A working understanding of psychrometry is a must. Without it you can't really make informed drying decisions or be sure the drying system is working effectively.

Carpet and Cushion Condition and Type
As with any restoration project, evaluate the value and condition of the carpeting before attempting surface drying. Factors to consider include stains, delamination, non-permeability, condition of seams, the integrity of the installation, and value as well as occupant preferences and demands.

Subfloor Condition and Type
Most subfloor materials can be dried using the surface drying method. There are some materials however that may become damaged by prolonged contact with wet cushion. These include but are not limited to particleboard, hardwood flooring, and resilient flooring that is wet underneath, delaminated plywood or swollen oriented strand board.

Surface Drying is Win - Win - Win
Surface drying is the future of restorative drying and works great when all the factors are right. Surface drying is currently employed successfully by a significant number of restorers in North America. The insured wins because the restoration process is completed sooner. The insurance company wins because claims can be closed faster and at a reduced cost. The technician wins because the work is easier. The restoration company wins because more revenues come from equipment rental, rather than from labor and the use of subcontractors.

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