| Your property
has a normal, stable moisture level. A building in a good state
of repair will reach this moisture level and remain at this
level. When water escapes into a building this balance of
moisture changes. These frequently asked questions deal with
these changes, their effects and information about drying
methods.
Do
different building materials require different drying methods,
or is it the same for all?
Some building
materials are much harder to dry than others. Some are more
permeable than others. Materials such as concrete, stone/clay
and brick take much longer to dry. Materials, such as soft woods
and plasterboard, will dry much more quickly.
How
long does it take to dry materials such as soft wood,
plasterboard or concrete?
In most
situations softwood and plasterboard can usually be dried in
just a few days. It can sometimes take many weeks to
return concrete to its pre-incident moisture level.
Moisture
cannot move so easily in materials such as concrete. It has to
travel to the surface to escape; and this is more of a problem
if the material has become damp right to the centre, its core.
These materials can absorb a large amount of water, which means
that there is a lot of water to be released. |
