Successful Water Damage Restoration Practices Using Rapid Structural Drying

1. From Wet to Dry Faster, Better and Cheaper
Successful Water Damage Restoration Using Rapid Structural Drying
At any given time, disaster in the form of water damage can strike a home or business. Often,
initial thoughts here concern widespread catastrophes, such as river overflow, flash flooding and
hurricanes. While these events can and do cause extensive property damage, it is generally
more localized and small-scale occurrences that cause the majority of annual water damage
situations. These can include:
Pipe leaks
Blocked and backed-up toilets and sinks
Burst pipes (due to freezing)
Appliances (such as dishwashers, hot water heaters, washing machines and
refrigerators)
Ice dams (melting snow on a roof backed-up by ice-choked gutters)
Regardless of the cause, home and business owners that experience a water damage scenario
soon become all-too familiar with the accompanying inconveniences, aggravations and potential
expenses and loss of income. Families look to get back into their homes and routines quickly.
Businesses are eager to open their doors and welcome customers. Both want this done as
quickly, safely and inexpensively as possible.
In the past, water damage cleanup and restoration could mean the removal and disposal of
many household and business items. Carpets and cushions were routinely removed and walls
cut open to search for moisture pockets. The process was lengthy and, if done incorrectly,
entailed a possibility of subsequent future damage due to persistent yet visually unobtrusive
areas of moisture. This led, in some cases, to unexpected additional loss of home and property
use as insurance professionals and restoration crews were called back out to re-address the
situation.
Rapid response to water damage is critical. Within minutes of water exposure, stains released
from furniture can permanently discolor carpet. In days, mold and the distinctive musty odor

2. appear. Secondary damage can occur when hygroscopic materials not affected by the initial
damage become damaged due to high humidity levels.
With so much at risk, Insurers must seek innovative and forward-thinking approaches to help
quickly and efficiently restore customer property and content, with a watchful eye on loss claim
amount. Fortunately, Rapid Structural Drying addresses these critical needs.
Rapid Structural Drying – A Better Way to Get the Job Done
As structural restoration procedures and technology continue to improve, a new process
emerged as the preferred means of addressing residential and commercial water damage.
Known as Applied or Rapid Structural Drying (RSD), this technique allows for the aggressive
and thorough mitigation of water damage situations.
Rapid Structural Drying, therefore, is defined as an innovative method of water extraction and
damage mitigation using aggressive procedures, modern equipment and technology and, most
importantly, service professionals trained and skilled in both.
“Having worked in the restoration industry for over thirty years, I can recall the way we used to
do things,” related Jack White, Rainbow International Vice President of Technical Training. “It
was standard operating procedure to rip up wet carpet and cushion and open walls in search of
water pockets. Using Rapid Structural Drying, this can often be avoided, saving customers
substantial money, content loss and inconvenience as their homes or businesses are restored.”
Addressing Customer and Jobsite Needs with Rapid Structural Drying
When analyzing a water damage situation, restoration professionals must first consider the
principles involved when using Rapid Structural Drying. These are:
Principle 1: Extraction (Physical Removal of Water)

3. Removal of water in the liquid state is at least 500-times more efficient than changing liquid to
vapor with air movers and removing the that vapor with dehumidification. Specialty tools help
remove the maximum amount of water out of carpets and cushions. These tools require more
time and may result in a higher line-item charge for water extraction, but can also reduce the
number of equipment rental days due to their efficiency. Removing carpet cushion may not be
necessary using Rapid Structural Drying techniques. This primarily depends on the type of
water damage and the condition of the water (i.e., hot water heater leak vs. sewage
contamination).
Principle 2: Airflow (Evaporation)
After as much water as possible is removed physically, the remaining water must be evaporated
using high-velocity air. New types of air movers now exist that provide higher air movement at
lower amperage and are specifically designed for Rapid Structural Drying. In the past, air
movers were designed to be inserted underneath the carpet to allow it to float. Usually, one air
mover was installed for every 200 to 250 sq. ft of floor space. Today's air movers sit on top of
the floor and face the wall at a specific angle. These are typically placed at one per 12-16 linear
feet of wall space, focusing air on the more difficult to dry materials. Therefore, a 10 x 12 room
could have four air movers using Rapid Structural Drying as opposed to two employing older
methods. More equipment is used but drying is faster. Increased airflow evaporates water from
wet structural materials much more rapidly.
Principle 3: Dehumidification (Balanced Evaporation)
Dehumidifiers are used to balance evaporation. Moisture put into the air from air movers must
be removed or secondary damage may occur. Without dehumidifiers, hygroscopic materials
absorb moisture out of the air and become damaged, drying is delayed and mold growth may
occur. By utilizing new low grain refrigerant dehumidifiers, Rapid Structural Drying can remove
more moisture from affected areas.
Principle 4: Temperature (Temperature Control)

4. Maintaining proper temperature is critical in drying a structure quickly. Warm air holds more
moisture than cool air; therefore, warm air increases the rate of evaporation. However, there are
variables to consider. First, refrigerant dehumidifiers are the most efficient and cost effective.
Second, the equipment itself generates heat that could increase temperatures to above 90
degrees. Usually within the first 24-48 hours, due to the cooling effect of moisture evaporating
from materials, temperatures are more easily maintained. Keeping the temperature of the
affected area between 80-90 degrees for the first 36-48 hours can dramatically aid the drying
process. Drying chambers can also be utilized to localize warmer temperatures to affected
areas.
Rapid Structural Drying also allows for minimal removal of structural features or contents. The
Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), an independent, non-
profit certification body for the inspection, cleaning and restoration services industry, reports that
psychrometry (the science of drying) and drying technology has advanced to a point where
Rapid Structural Drying is the safer and preferred method.
Key Benefits of Rapid Structural Drying
Older methods of water damage restoration relied on more invasive and expensive processes.
These could, in turn, lead to costly line-items in labor, materials and the overall size of loss
claims, not to mention home and business owner inconvenience. Rapid Structural Drying helps
address the deficiencies of older methods in several key ways.
Speed: Rapid Structural Drying, as detailed above, employs new and specialized equipment
and processes to remove a larger initial percentage of water, reducing overall drying time.
Efficiency: Restoration service professionals trained in Rapid Structural Drying learn how water
exposure negatively impacts a variety of materials, including drywall, insulation, concrete,
masonry, wood and steel framing. As a result, they have a better initial understanding of what a

5. water damage extraction and restoration job will entail and can apply best-practices solutions
from the start. This, in turn, can help lower associated job costs and customer inconvenience.
Savings: The faster water is removed from a structure and its components, the better.
Prolonged exposure to water can quickly escalate the scope and cost of extraction and contents
restoration. Rapid Structural Drying techniques, equipment and skilled service professionals
help improve the chances of reduced costs in labor, materials and overall loss claim dollars.
Rapid Structural Drying is also beneficial in that its use is healthier and safer for occupants.
Furthermore, Rapid Structural Drying focuses on drying the entire structure, not just carpet and
cushion. It also allows for a general structure and content drying window of 3-4 days, which aids
in both residential and commercial post-job recovery effort planning.
Rainbow International and Rapid Structural Drying
As Rapid Structural Drying evolved into the preferred method of water damage mitigation, it
quickly became apparent to industry professionals that a knowledge and skills gap could
develop between what existing service professionals knew and what they (and subsequent
future service professionals) must come to know. Rainbow International recognized this
challenge and assembled a comprehensive full-response package to successfully address it.
Rob White, Rainbow International Vice President of Operations and former franchise owner said
“Rapid Structural Drying was the standard water damage restoration process we came to use in
my business. I was continually surprised, however, at how quickly new innovations and
equipment came into play, enabling us to do an even better job for our customers. I soon
realized that comprehensive and ongoing training and skills education is critical for any
restoration professional that wants to stay on top of industry trends and grow his or her
business.”

6. Rainbow International served as an early adopter of Rapid Structural Drying processes and
equipment use as an industry standard. Now firmly in place as an internal best-practice, Rapid
Structural Drying is a key component of the extensive training regimen all Rainbow International
franchise owners and their IICRC-certified service professionals receive.
At the heart of this training is Jack’s House (named for long-time Rainbow International
employee and VP of Technical Services Jack White). Jack’s House, located at corporate
headquarters in Waco, Texas is unique in the restoration industry. A 1,200 square foot fully-
functional and furnished residential home located inside a 5,000 square foot climate-controlled
warehouse, Jack’s House provides invaluable hands-on water damage extraction and
restoration training for both incoming franchise owners and those returning for continuing
education.
“Jack’s House is a user-friendly and technologically advanced structure that gives us an
outstanding venue in which to teach Rapid Structural Drying to our growing ranks of IICRC-
certified franchise owners and service professionals,” said David Bethea, President of Rainbow
International. “The facility allows us to teach virtually everything service professionals may
encounter on a water damage job. It also provides an invaluable real-world understanding that
complements our already detailed and intensive classroom setting.”
Jack’s House is equipped with its own heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, as well
as other features designed to train on multiple restoration scenarios. For every water restoration
training class, Jack’s House is flooded with hundreds of gallons of water. Students then learn,
led by Rainbow International instructors with years of industry experience, how to analyze,
equip, conduct and evaluate a variety of water damage scenarios. Students see first-hand the
effects of water damage to hardwood floors, carpet and cushion, drywall and furnishings.
Crawlspace drying techniques are also covered.
Using Rapid Structural Drying, students learn how to most efficiently, quickly and cost-
effectively mitigate water damage scenarios. Careful calculations, notes and documentation
procedures are also imparted as critical to successful job completion.

7. Jack’s House, therefore, serves as a real-world and on-location training and knowledge
development center fully committed to graduating restoration service professionals skilled in the
theory and practice of Rapid Structural Drying. These service professionals then join the ranks
of thousands of others working for hundreds of independently owned and operated franchise
locations across the United States and Canada.
Rainbow International – Industry Leader and Innovator
When called to a water damage site, both customer and insurance agency professional can rest
assured knowing every Rainbow International crew comes trained and equipped with the latest
skills, equipment and technology necessary to quickly and efficiently complete the job. Using the
principles of Rapid Structural Drying, Rainbow International continues to serve as an industry
leader in water damage extraction, mitigation and restoration.
Established in 1981, Rainbow International, a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, offers over 300
global service locations. As a premier provider of restoration and cleaning services, Rainbow
International deploys professional emergency response crews with advanced equipment, state-
of-the-art technology and training to restore property, contents and, ultimately, peace of mind.
Insurance, commercial and residential customers depend on Rainbow International to mitigate
damage and restore contents for businesses and homes suffering from water, fire, smoke and
mold situations.
Rainbow International has earned its position as an industry leader through a business model
dedicated to exceptionally high standards, procedures and training, combined with an
unwavering devotion to customer service excellence. Recognizing the importance of Rapid
Structural Drying and applauding its potential to do a faster, more efficient and more cost-
effective job for both Insurers and their customers, Rainbow International maintains a firm
commitment to its use, skills development and continued evolution as an industry-wide best
practice.