Glossary of Water Damage Terms

Water damage restoration is the process of restoring a property back to pre-loss condition after sustaining any level of water damage. Here are some terms that frequently occur during this process.

Air Filters: Air filters catch microscopic particles, invisible to the naked eye, such as mold spores, bacteria and dust.

Air Movers: Air movers are high-powered portable fans that increase the airflow above the flooring, allowing drier air from the environment to circulate around the flooring, creating a greater evaporation rate. Air movers are typically used in conjunction with dehumidifiers.

Air Scrubbers: Air scrubbers remove visible airborne particles such as sawdust, drywall dust, and concrete dust.

Anti-microbial: Ant-microbial prevents the growth and migration of bacteria, yeast, mold and fungus.

Dehumidifiers: Industrial-grade dehumidifiers reduce the level of humidity in the air, replacing it with dry air. Dehumidifiers help prevent secondary water damage like swelling and warping of floors, walls, and furniture. Dehumidifiers are typically used in conjunction with air movers.

Deodorization: Deodorization is the process of removing or altering unwanted odors.

Extraction: The physical removal of water from the property. This is the first step in the drying process. Equipment used may be portable or truck-mounted.

Infrared cameras: Infrared cameras may be used to find hidden water behind walls and ceilings.

Injectidry: Injectidry is a trapped moisture ventilating system. Dries water damaged walls and ceilings by injecting air between stud cavities

Moisture detectors and hygrometers: These meters measure the extent of moisture saturation.

Negative Air: Negative air machines capture contaminated air and produce clean non-contaminated air. A negative pressure environment will help to contain the mold, dust, particles and odors within the workspace containment barrier.