KnowHow

Processes For Growing Restoration Companies

This training document provides water damage technicians with a comprehensive, step-by-step overview of how to properly dry hardwood flooring following water damage. It covers which types of flooring should and should not be dried, explains why hardwood floors cup when wet, outlines the essential drying equipment and techniques, and discusses the importance of refinishing hardwood floors after the drying process. The guide includes industry standards based on the IICRC S500 and expert insights from Reets Drying Academy, helping technicians make informed decisions and deliver high-quality restoration results on every job.

Dry Hardwood Floors

Before you begin drying, it's critical to identify the type of flooring. Not all floors should be dried.
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Do NOT dry these floors (Reets Drying Academy)
<ul>
<li data-start="489" data-end="517">Engineered Wood Floors
<ul>
<li data-start="523" data-end="572">These cannot be sanded or refinished effectively.</li>
<li data-start="578" data-end="650">Drying may stabilize them temporarily, but the damage remains permanent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-start="655" data-end="678">Laminate Flooring
<ul>
<li data-start="684" data-end="753">Even if you dry it, it will still be warped, brittle, or delaminated.</li>
<li data-start="759" data-end="790">&ldquo;You&rsquo;re left with dry garbage.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-start="795" data-end="829">Hardwood Over Concrete Slabs
<ul>
<li data-start="835" data-end="885">The installation method traps moisture underneath.</li>
<li data-start="891" data-end="975">You might dry the surface but not the underlying moisture, leading to hidden damage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
DO Dry These Floors:
<ul>
<li data-start="1010" data-end="1070">&frac34;" Solid Hardwood nailed to OSB or plywood subfloor.
<ul>
<li data-start="1075" data-end="1156">These floors are durable, dryable, and can be successfully sanded and refinished.</li>
<li data-start="1161" data-end="1216">With proper technique, the boards can return to normal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Referenced from Reets:&nbsp;<a href="https://reets.wistia.com/medias/o2sjna6dvd" target="_new" data-start="1246" data-end="1316">Should I Dry That Floor?</a>

What Floors Can Be Dried?

<img style="width: 500px; height: auto;" src="https://d1d4x9xaxq9e85.cloudfront.net/image/draftjs/AdobeStock_239407859.jpeg" alt="AdobeStock_239407859.jpeg">
<ul>
<li data-start="2033" data-end="2085">Confirm it is&nbsp;solid hardwood over wood subfloor.</li>
<li data-start="2088" data-end="2149">Avoid drying engineered, laminate, or hardwood over concrete.</li>
</ul>

Identify the Flooring Type

Extracting Hard Surface areas
<ul>
<li>Hardwood Flooring</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>Use floor panels and attach the hose to extract from Hardwood</li>
<li>Use your truck mount of portable extractor to extract as much water from under the floor as possible</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
<h3 data-start="522" data-end="551">Step-by-Step Process:</h3>
<h4 data-start="553" data-end="587">1. Set Up the Drying Mats</h4>
<ul data-start="588" data-end="869">
<li data-start="588" data-end="638">
Lay the mats flat on the affected hardwood area.
</li>
<li data-start="639" data-end="731">
Ensure a tight seal between the mats and floor using gaskets or tape to prevent air leaks.
</li>
<li data-start="732" data-end="869">
Connect the mats to the vacuum hoses&mdash;each mat typically connects to a central manifold or directly to the truckmount&rsquo;s/Portable extractor's vacuum line.
</li>
</ul>
<h4 data-start="871" data-end="904">2. Connect to Truckmount/Portable Extractor</h4>
<ul data-start="905" data-end="1075">
<li data-start="905" data-end="959">
Plug the vacuum hoses into your truckmount/Potable unit.
</li>
</ul>
<h4 data-start="1077" data-end="1105">3. Begin Extraction</h4>
<ul data-start="1106" data-end="1295">
<li data-start="1106" data-end="1223">
Turn on the truckmount to start pulling water from beneath and within the wood planks via suction through the mats.
</li>
<li data-start="1224" data-end="1295">
Run in intervals (15&ndash;30 minutes) depending on water saturation level.
</li>
</ul>
<img style="width: 500px; height: auto;" src="https://d1d4x9xaxq9e85.cloudfront.net/image/draftjs/be481a47-0c6c-40d9-9311-872c6aff7965.361aa023-fa66-418e-b694-57bfc66a59ba.361aa023-fa66-418e-b694-57bfc66a59ba" alt="be481a47-0c6c-40d9-9311-872c6aff7965.361aa023-fa66-418e-b694-57bfc66a59ba.361aa023-fa66-418e-b694-57bfc66a59ba">
&nbsp;
After Extraction - Place Wood floor drying unit and attach to the floor mat Hoses:

Remove Excess Water

Use the following:
<h4 data-start="2354" data-end="2395"><img style="width: 500px; height: auto;" src="https://d1d4x9xaxq9e85.cloudfront.net/image/draftjs/HPPlusFDP.png" alt="HPPlusFDP.png"></h4>
<h4 data-start="2354" data-end="2395">Desiccant or LGR Dehumidifiers</h4>
<ul>
<li data-start="2398" data-end="2447">Reduce moisture in the air, speeding evaporation.</li>
</ul>
<h4 data-start="2449" data-end="2470">Air Movers</h4>
<ul>
<li data-start="2473" data-end="2519">Place units across the floor to circulate air.</li>
<li data-start="2522" data-end="2584">Angle slightly downward to push air along the floor&rsquo;s surface.</li>
</ul>
<h4 data-start="2586" data-end="2645">Floor Drying Systems (Injectidry or Rescue Mats)</h4>
<ul>
<li data-start="2648" data-end="2680">Place mats over affected boards.</li>
<li data-start="2683" data-end="2769">Connect to negative pressure system to pull moisture from within and below the boards.</li>
</ul>
Equipment Use from Reets:&nbsp;<a href="https://reets.wistia.com/medias/gkgl5xjgb5" target="_new" data-start="2802" data-end="2875">Drying Equipment for Floors</a>

Install Drying Equipment

<img style="width: 500px; height: auto;" src="https://d1d4x9xaxq9e85.cloudfront.net/image/draftjs/AdobeStock_890955790.jpeg" alt="AdobeStock_890955790.jpeg">
<ul>
<li data-start="2909" data-end="2984">Check moisture content using a pin-type or non-invasive moisture meter.</li>
<li data-start="2987" data-end="3015">Compare to unaffected areas.</li>
<li data-start="3018" data-end="3068">Adjust drying strategy if moisture levels plateau.</li>
</ul>

Monitor Daily

<img style="width: 500px; height: auto;" src="https://d1d4x9xaxq9e85.cloudfront.net/image/draftjs/wood floor dog.jpg" alt="wood floor dog.jpg">
<ul>
<li data-start="3111" data-end="3196">A typical dry standard for hardwood: 6&ndash;9% moisture content, depending on climate.</li>
<li data-start="3199" data-end="3253">Compare with known dry material in the same structure.</li>
</ul>

Determine Dry Standard

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YES - Assume Refinishing Will Be Required
Even if the floor looks great post-drying:
<ul>
<li data-start="3410" data-end="3473">Feathering, cracked finish, or dullness may remain.</li>
<li data-start="3476" data-end="3525">Drying does not repair surface finish damage.</li>
<li data-start="3528" data-end="3626">Communicate to customers and adjusters from the start that refinishing is typically necessary.</li>
</ul>
&ldquo;Start with the standard that you will refinish. Then evaluate once the floor is dry.&rdquo; &ndash; Reets Drying Academy

Should We Refinish the Floors After Drying?

<ul>
<li data-start="3790" data-end="3869">Don&rsquo;t let appearance fool you&mdash;verify moisture levels before calling it dry.</li>
<li data-start="3872" data-end="3947">Refinishing isn&rsquo;t optional&mdash;unless confirmed by inspection after drying.</li>
<li data-start="3950" data-end="4019">Use the right tools: No mats? You may not reach trapped moisture.</li>
<li data-start="4022" data-end="4116">Keep detailed documentation: Photos, moisture logs, and equipment placements are critical.</li>
</ul>

Tips for New Technicians

<ul>
<li data-start="4148" data-end="4169">Reets Drying Academy:
<ul>
<li data-start="4174" data-end="4244"><a href="https://reets.wistia.com/medias/o2sjna6dvd" target="_new" data-start="4174" data-end="4244">Should I Dry That Floor?</a></li>
<li data-start="4249" data-end="4322"><a href="https://reets.wistia.com/medias/gkgl5xjgb5" target="_new" data-start="4249" data-end="4322">Drying Equipment for Floors</a></li>
<li data-start="4327" data-end="4392"><a href="https://reets.wistia.com/medias/o4jiz47phn" target="_new" data-start="4327" data-end="4392">Cupping in Hardwood</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-start="4395" data-end="4456">IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration</li>
</ul>