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Effects of Moisture on Materials
To develop a drying theory, you must know how moisture affects various types of materials.  The two major variables in determining the extent of moisture damage to materials are permeance and exposure time.  The permeance factor of the material refers to how readily it absorbs moisture.  Exposure time refers to how long it was exposed to moisture.
The reason water damage restoration professionals must respond quickly when water intrudes into structures is to reduce exposure time.  The faster the water is removed, the less primary and secondary damage will normally occur.  Water damages the various types of structural materials in different ways, and water damage restoration professionals should learn the effects of water in order to better assess damages and provide accurate restoration estimates.
Wood
When wood absorbs moisture, it expands.  Under certain conditions this expansion can result in warping or buckling of the wood.  The grain in the wood may cause it to expand at different rates, resulting in warping.  If no space between different pieces of wood exists (in a floor, for example), the wood buckles at the joints where the boards meet or at the walls.  The extent of warping or buckling depends on how much moisture is ... more

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