Houston subtropical climate makes structural drying fundamentally different. ASD-certified crews, psychrometric monitoring, daily moisture logs, 100+ LGR units. Insurance-direct billing.
Houston's subtropical climate makes structural drying fundamentally different from drier regions. Year-round 60-85% outdoor humidity, slab-on-grade construction, and dense building envelopes all conspire to extend drying timelines beyond IICRC textbook standards. Our crews hold ASD (Applied Structural Drying) certifications and use psychrometric calculations to manage every dry-out scientifically.
Drying is the controlled movement of water vapor from wet materials into dehumidified air, which is then evacuated. The IICRC ASD standard relies on the psychrometric chart, which correlates temperature, relative humidity, and grains of moisture per pound (GPP) of air. Effective drying maintains a Specific Humidity (GPP) differential between the air leaving the wet material and the air entering it.
Low Grain Refrigerant dehumidifiers extract 17-30 gallons per day at Houston-typical 75% RH. Most efficient for Class 2/3 residential drying.
Lithium chloride desiccant wheel systems work at lower air temperatures (60°F-80°F). Required for hardwood, plaster, and commercial drying.
Centrifugal and axial air movers (1.0-1.5 amps) move air across wet surfaces at 7,000 CFM combined output. 1 unit per 50-150 sq ft.
FLIR E60 cameras detect moisture behind walls and below floors without invasive cutting. Pre/post-job documentation.
Pin-type and non-penetrating meters for wood (< 15% MC target), drywall (< 1% relative), and concrete (calcium chloride test).
Cavity drying systems pump dehumidified air directly into wall, floor, and ceiling cavities through small weep holes. Eliminates major demolition.
Every drying job receives daily moisture readings at every documented test point. Pin meter readings on wood framing, non-penetrating meter readings on drywall, calcium chloride tests on slabs. All logged to the Xactimate claim package. Drying continues until every test point reaches the IICRC S500 dry standard.