What Does Water Damage Restoration Include?

Water damage can happen suddenly because of a burst pipe, roof leak, appliance failure, flooding, storm damage, or plumbing problem. While removing visible water is an important first step, water damage restoration involves much more than simply pumping water out of a building.

Professional water damage restoration typically includes inspection, water extraction, moisture assessment, structural drying, dehumidification, cleaning and sanitization, mold prevention, and repair or reconstruction.

For restoration contractors, having the right equipment—including LGR dehumidifiers, air movers, air scrubbers, water extraction equipment, and moisture meters—is essential for completing the drying process efficiently.

What Is Water Damage Restoration?

Water damage restoration is the process of returning a property affected by water intrusion to a safe, dry, and usable condition.

The goal is not only to remove visible water but also to eliminate hidden moisture from building materials and indoor air.

Water can penetrate:

Drywall

Wood framing

Subfloors

Flooring

Carpeting

Insulation

Ceilings

Cabinets

Furniture

Other porous materials

If these materials remain wet for too long, secondary problems such as mold growth, unpleasant odors, structural deterioration, and microbial contamination can develop.

A professional restoration process therefore focuses on rapid water removal and controlled structural drying.

What Does Water Damage Restoration Include?

Although restoration procedures vary depending on the severity and category of water damage, a typical project includes the following stages.

1. Water Damage Inspection and Assessment

The first step is to determine what caused the water damage and how far the moisture has spread.

A restoration technician typically evaluates:

The source of the water

The affected rooms

The amount of standing water

Moisture levels in building materials

Potential hidden moisture

Structural damage

Potential contamination

Areas requiring removal or demolition

Moisture meters, thermal imaging cameras, and other inspection tools can help technicians locate moisture that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Why Is Moisture Assessment Important?

A wall may appear dry on the surface while moisture remains inside the drywall or wall cavity.

If hidden moisture is overlooked, the property may develop mold, odors, or additional material damage after the restoration company has left.

For this reason, professional restoration should include moisture monitoring before, during, and after drying.

2. Water Extraction

The next step is to remove standing water as quickly as possible.

Depending on the amount of water, restoration contractors may use:

Submersible pumps

Portable extractors

Wet/dry vacuums

Truck-mounted extraction systems

Carpet extraction equipment

The faster standing water is removed, the sooner the drying process can begin.

Water extraction is particularly important after flooding, burst pipes, washing machine failures, water heater leaks, and major plumbing incidents.

However, extraction alone does not remove all moisture.

Water can remain inside porous building materials, which is why the next stage—structural drying—is essential.

3. Structural Drying

Structural drying is one of the most important parts of water damage restoration.

After standing water has been extracted, restoration professionals use air movement and dehumidification to remove moisture from wet materials and the surrounding air.

Common equipment includes:

Air movers

LGR dehumidifiers

Conventional refrigerant dehumidifiers

Desiccant dehumidifiers

Air scrubbers

Moisture meters

The objective is to create controlled drying conditions that encourage moisture to evaporate from wet materials and then remove that moisture from the air.

4. Using Air Movers During Water Damage Restoration

Air movers increase air circulation across wet surfaces.

They are commonly positioned to move air across:

Carpets

Floors

Walls

Ceilings

Furniture

Other wet surfaces

As air moves across a wet material, evaporation transfers moisture into the surrounding air.

However, simply moving humid air around is not enough.

If the moisture is not removed from the air, indoor relative humidity can remain high and slow the drying process.

This is why professional restoration contractors commonly combine air movers with dehumidifiers.

5. Using LGR Dehumidifiers for Water Damage

An LGR dehumidifier, or Low Grain Refrigerant dehumidifier, is a specialized refrigerant dehumidifier widely used for professional water damage restoration.

Unlike ordinary residential dehumidifiers, restoration-grade LGR units are designed to operate under demanding drying conditions and remove substantial amounts of moisture from the air.

They are particularly useful when:

Large areas are wet

Building materials contain significant moisture

Indoor humidity is high

Rapid drying is required

Restoration contractors need continuous operation

A typical drying system may look like:

Wet materials → Air movers → Moisture evaporation → LGR dehumidifier → Condensate drainage

The air movers encourage moisture to evaporate from wet materials, while the LGR dehumidifier removes water vapor from the air.

This combination can significantly improve the efficiency of structural drying.

6. Moisture Monitoring

Water damage restoration should not be based only on whether a surface feels dry.

Professional technicians monitor moisture levels throughout the drying process.

Measurements may be taken from:

Drywall

Wood

Flooring

Subfloors

Structural framing

Other affected materials

Technicians may compare readings from affected materials with unaffected areas to determine whether the materials have reached an appropriate drying condition. This helps prevent premature completion of the drying process.

7. Cleaning and Sanitization

Water damage can introduce dirt, bacteria, chemicals, or other contaminants into a property.

The appropriate cleaning procedure depends on the category of water damage.

Water damage is commonly classified into three categories:

Category 1: Clean Water

This generally refers to water from relatively clean sources, such as a broken supply pipe or certain appliance leaks.

Although initially clean, water can become contaminated if it remains stagnant for an extended period.

Category 2: Gray Water

Gray water contains a higher level of contamination and may come from sources such as washing machines, dishwashers, or certain plumbing backups.

Additional cleaning and protective measures may be required.

Category 3: Black Water

Black water is highly contaminated and may contain pathogens or hazardous contaminants.

Examples can include sewage backups and certain types of floodwater.

Category 3 water damage generally requires specialized procedures, appropriate personal protective equipment, and professional remediation.

8. Mold Prevention and Remediation

One major concern after water damage is mold growth.

Mold requires moisture to grow, so controlling moisture is one of the most important aspects of mold prevention.

A restoration company may:

Identify the moisture source

Remove standing water

Dry affected materials

Reduce indoor humidity

Monitor moisture levels

Identify visible mold growth

Remove or remediate contaminated materials when necessary

It is important to understand that a dehumidifier does not eliminate existing mold.

Instead, effective drying and humidity control help address the moisture conditions that allow mold to develop.

If significant mold contamination already exists, specialized mold remediation may be necessary.

9. Odor Control and Air Cleaning

Water damage can also create unpleasant odors. Wet carpets, drywall, wood, insulation, and other materials can develop musty odors when they remain damp.

Restoration contractors may use:

Air scrubbers

HEPA filtration

Activated carbon filtration

Odor-control treatments

Dehumidifiers

Increased air circulation

An air scrubber can help remove airborne particles during restoration, while dehumidification addresses excess moisture.

These systems serve different purposes and may be used together depending on the condition of the property.

10. Damaged Material Removal

Not every material can be restored.

Materials may need to be removed when they are:

Severely saturated

Structurally compromised

Contaminated

Unable to dry effectively

Affected by extensive mold growth

Examples may include damaged drywall, insulation, carpet padding, flooring, or other porous materials.

Removing unsalvageable materials can allow the remaining structure to dry more effectively.

11. Final Drying Verification

Before restoration work is considered complete, technicians should verify that affected materials have reached an appropriate moisture condition.

This may involve:

Final moisture readings

Comparison with unaffected materials

Inspection of hidden areas

Checking indoor relative humidity

Confirming equipment operation

Documenting drying progress

Proper documentation is especially important for professional restoration companies handling insurance claims.

12. Repair and Reconstruction

The final stage may involve repairing or rebuilding parts of the property.

Depending on the extent of the damage, reconstruction can include:

Drywall replacement

Flooring replacement

Painting

Cabinet repair

Trim replacement

Insulation replacement

Ceiling repair

Structural repairs

In minor water damage cases, extensive reconstruction may not be necessary.

In major flooding or catastrophic water loss, however, reconstruction can become a significant part of the project.

What Equipment Is Used for Water Damage Restoration?

Professional restoration companies typically use a combination of equipment rather than relying on a single machine.

Equipment	Main Function
Water Extractor	Removes standing and surface water
Air Mover	Increases airflow and evaporation
LGR Dehumidifier	Removes moisture from indoor air
Air Scrubber	Filters airborne particles
Moisture Meter	Measures moisture levels
Thermal Imaging Camera	Helps identify hidden moisture
Pump	Removes large quantities of standing water

The equipment combination depends on the size and severity of the water loss.

Why Are LGR Dehumidifiers Important for Restoration Contractors?

For restoration companies, drying speed can directly affect project efficiency.

An LGR dehumidifier can be used to reduce humidity while air movers accelerate evaporation from wet materials.

For example, a restoration contractor responding to a flooded basement may deploy:

1. Water extraction equipment to remove standing water.

2. Air movers to circulate air across wet floors and walls.

3. LGR dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air.

4. Moisture meters to track drying progress.

5. Air scrubbers when airborne contaminants or odors are a concern.

This equipment-based approach creates a controlled drying environment rather than simply waiting for materials to dry naturally.

PREAIR LGR Dehumidifiers for Water Damage Restoration

PREAIR manufactures commercial and restoration dehumidification equipment designed for demanding moisture-control applications.

PREAIR LGR dehumidifiers can be used for applications such as:

Water damage restoration

Flood drying

Fire and water restoration

Mold prevention

Basement drying

Commercial building drying

Construction drying

Features such as high moisture-removal capacity, continuous drainage, air movement, and portable construction can make restoration dehumidifiers easier to deploy at demanding job sites.

For restoration contractors, selecting the appropriate capacity is important. A larger water-loss project may require multiple dehumidifiers and air movers working simultaneously.

How Can You Prevent Further Water Damage?

After a water incident, the first priority is to address the source of the water if it can be done safely.

Additional steps include:

Remove standing water quickly

Start air circulation

Reduce indoor humidity

Use appropriate dehumidification

Monitor moisture levels

Remove severely damaged materials

Improve ventilation where appropriate

Inspect hidden areas for moisture

Address leaks and plumbing problems

Watch for signs of mold

For significant flooding, contaminated water, or structural damage, professional restoration services should be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does water damage restoration include mold removal?

It can. If mold is discovered during a water damage project, the restoration company may provide mold remediation or coordinate with a specialized mold remediation contractor. The appropriate approach depends on the extent and type of contamination.

Is an LGR dehumidifier necessary after water damage?

Not every water-damage project requires an LGR unit. However, LGR dehumidifiers are particularly useful for professional restoration projects involving substantial moisture and wet building materials.

Can a dehumidifier dry wet drywall?

A dehumidifier can help remove moisture from the surrounding air and support the drying of wet drywall. However, proper airflow, temperature, moisture monitoring, and assessment of the drywall's condition are also important.

How long should an LGR dehumidifier run after water damage?

There is no universal operating time. The unit should generally continue operating until moisture measurements indicate that affected materials have reached an appropriate drying condition. Running a dehumidifier for a fixed number of hours without monitoring moisture may result in incomplete drying.

Can water damage cause mold?

Yes. Persistent moisture can create favorable conditions for mold growth. Rapid water extraction, structural drying, and humidity control are important measures for reducing the risk of secondary mold problems.

Conclusion

Water damage restoration includes much more than removing standing water. A complete restoration process may involve inspection, water extraction, structural drying, dehumidification, cleaning, sanitization, moisture monitoring, mold prevention, damaged-material removal, and reconstruction.

For professional restoration contractors, LGR dehumidifiers and air movers are particularly important during the structural drying stage. Water extraction removes visible water, air movers promote evaporation, and LGR dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air.