When a wet wall is not making progress after 24 hours of drying, what are your options? Consider modifying the drying method by applying the principle of evaporation:

Evaporation will increase as materials become warmer, as air becomes drier and as air moves more rapidly across wet surfaces.

Under this principle, there are several options for action. Start with the least disruptive:

1. Add more direct airflow on the outside of the wall.
2. Move the dehumidifier output closer to the wet surface
3. Carefully remove baseboards and continue airflow along the outside of the affected wall.
4. Drill holes below baseboard level to allow the wall to breathe and continue airflow along outside of the wall
5. Blow direct airflow into the wall using air movers or inter-air dryers.
6. Feed air movers that are blowing into the wall with a dehumidifier.
7. Warm wall surfaces with heat lamps.

If none of these methods get results, it’s time to “Go Rambo!” on the wall, and completely remove all wet wallboard and insulation. —Adapted from the New Guide to Restorative Drying (to be released in summer 2006)

It’s one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” things. Everyone struggles with the multiple pieces of hose that are part of inter-air drying systems. They are all different lengths, all the same color and time consuming to sort. If you’ve ever experienced any of this, here is a simple solution:

• Pre-cut all of your hoses into the lengths you need. For example, cut twenty each of 1 ½’ sections, 3’ sections, 6’ sections, 9’ sections, 12’ sections, etc.
• Color code them by length making a single wrap on one end of the hose using colored tape (electrical, vinyl, etc): red for 1 ½’, blue for 3’, yellow for 6’, etc. You pick the color and the lengths that work for your business.
• When the job is done, pull all the hoses, quickly sort them and strap them together by color. It’s that simple.

Restoration work is not easy—the hours are unpredictable, the work is physical and working conditions are often less than ideal. Today’s restoration contractors are looking for ways to reduce workers’ compensation claims, and there are some common sense approaches that may benefit your business:

• Provide an alternative duty program for temporarily injured employees to return to work earlier. This has been proven to reduce the duration of claims.
• Have a focus on safety through an active program to help keep workers from getting injured or ill on the job.
• Consult with your workers' compensation provider regarding ways to reduce your premiums, such as combining an accident plan with a disability plan, or offering voluntary accident plans (workers pay the premium).
• Offer access to health insurance. The more options employees have for treating injuries and illness, the fewer workers’ compensation claims employers experience.
• Know the laws in your state. You can contact your state’s worker’s compensation office or the US Department of Labor.