Drying Zone

Structural Drying in the Field: Bringing Chapter 12 of the S500 Standard to Life

Lorne McIntyre CR WLS FLS CLS ERS CSDS

Lately, I’ve been out in the field on several water loss projects—ranging from small residential jobs to large commercial claims—and I’ve also reviewed more than my fair share of job files and documentation. What’s become clear, and frankly a little troubling, is the widespread misunderstanding—or in some cases, total absence—of adherence to the ANSI/IICRC S500 […]

How Do You Know It’s Clean?

James Copeland

Defining Cleanliness in Fire, Mold, and Compliance Driven Industries As building materials, consumer electronics, appliances, art and textiles continue to evolve, new materials are constantly being introduced into homes and structures. When these materials and components burn, the by-products from fire damage become more complex, water and mold remediation becomes more challenging, and compliance expectations […]

Why I’ve Never Seen Wallemia sebi on a Swab — and Why That Matters: How Dust-Associated Fungi, Sampling Limitations, and Respiratory Health Intersect in Indoor-Air-Quality Investigations

Brian Suggs

How many times have you been asked to check an HVAC system for mold? A thousand?  You pull a couple of air samples. You swab the coils—if you can reach them. The lab report comes back showing a familiar result: Cladosporium. Case closed. Or is it? After years in the field, thousands of inspections, and […]

Technical Training: The Difference Between Guesswork and Competence

Lorne McIntyre

Early one morning, I was standing in a warehouse bay, watching a new technician wrestle with a desiccant hose connection that should have taken less than thirty seconds. He wasn’t being careless or lazy. He simply hadn’t been shown why the airflow mattered, how restriction affects performance, or what happens downstream in the drying system […]

Identifying and Caring for Rugs in Restoration Projects: Why Specialty Partnerships Matter

Beau Burdett

In the world of property restoration, few items in a home carry the emotional weight and historical value of a fine area rug. When water, fire, or smoke damage occurs, these pieces can either be lost forever or saved with care. Restoration professionals are increasingly encountering handmade, antique, and specialty rugs in the homes they […]

Before You Dry: Why Stabilization Sets the Stage for Success

Lorne McIntyre

Pre-restoration stabilization is one of the most important, yet most misunderstood phases, in the water-damage mitigation process. Technicians are often expected to enter a wet structure, set up equipment, and immediately begin drying. But in reality, most projects require significant preparation before any true restorative drying can begin. Stabilization is the stage where the goal […]

The 3-Day Drying Myth – Revisited AGAIN

Graham Dick

Publisher’s Note: We love to be the bridge for dialogue, discussions, and different viewpoints within the restoration industry. This article by Graham is in response to another piece recently published in C&R related to three-day drying. We encourage you to read both – and share your thoughts in the comments of this article on social […]

Troubleshooting Refrigerant Dehumidifiers

If it’s broke… FIX IT! On the latest episode of When it Comes Down to It, Restoration Technical Institute’s Chuck Boutall helps us understand the refrigerant cycle & components, & identify the symptoms to best troubleshoot your refrigerant dehumidifier. Find more When It Comes Down to it here.

Water Restoration for Restorers in a Hurry: Part 1

Luis Suarez

Lea el artículo en Español Part 1 of 8 Understanding the importance of following proper procedures is essential to avoid costly mistakes and save both time and money. Imagine disregarding the Standard of Care and proceeding without caution. You rush to place air movers, dehumidifiers, and perhaps even an injector dryer to speed up the […]

Mold Remediation in an Era of Extreme Weather: What Restoration Professionals Need to Know

Bob Moore

Shifting weather patterns and increasingly extreme conditions are fundamentally reshaping the restoration industry, particularly in the area of mold remediation. With rising global temperatures, increased humidity, and prolonged periods of damp conditions, mold is no longer a seasonal issue. Instead, restoration professionals are now facing a year-round challenge, with mold outbreaks driven by record-breaking storms, […]