Wall Cavity Drying and Readings in Milwaukee, WI

Why a cavity reading matters more than a surface reading

The surface can read dry while the cavity holds water, so the readings are taken inside the wall.

A moisture meter on the surface of the drywall tells you little about the cavity behind it. Water in a stud bay can sit against the back of the board and the sill plate, and the surface reading may not reach it. The crew uses meters that read inside the material and takes readings at points where the water could have reached.

The readings are recorded in a grid that matches the wall. A reading at each height and each bay shows the pattern of the water, which is more useful than a single number.

Opening the wall in a controlled way

A wall is opened only where the readings require it, and each opening is labelled and kept small.

Opening a wall is a decision, and the crew makes it only where the readings point. The opening is cut at the highest reading in a neat shape so a trade can close it later. Each opening is labelled with its place and the reading that led to it.

The homeowner is told before any opening is made, and is shown the reading. The record of the opening goes into the scope.

• Open at the highest reading in the bay
• Cut a neat shape a trade can close
• Label each opening with its place
• Note the reading that led to the opening
• Tell the homeowner before opening

Drying the cavity to target

The cavity is dried with air movement and heat, and the readings show when it has reached target.

A wall cavity dries slowly because the framing and insulation hold water inside an enclosed space. The crew sets air movement toward the cavity opening and manages the temperature, and it records the room conditions on each visit.

The cavity is done when the readings reach the target written in the scope. A cavity that is dry on one visit and wet on the next has a source or a hidden wet area, and the crew stops the plan until it is traced.

• Set air movement toward the open cavity
• Manage the temperature and record it
• Read the cavity on every visit
• Stop the plan if a reading rises again
• Confirm the target in writing before closing

Closing the wall after drying

The wall is closed by a trade only after the readings reach target, and the trade receives the list.

Closing a wall over a damp cavity traps moisture and invites mould. The crew confirms the cavity is at target and writes the confirmation into the scope. The trade that closes the wall receives the list of openings, the readings and the materials replaced.

The closing is recorded with the date. The record is the proof the wall was dry when it was closed.

• Confirm the cavity is at target
• Write the confirmation into the scope
• Give the trade the list of openings
• Record the date the wall was closed
• Keep the closing record with the file

Keeping the readings for the file

The readings are the drying record, and the homeowner keeps a copy with the scope and the photographs.

The readings from every visit go into the file in date order. The file shows the first reading, each change and the final reading, which is the proof the drying reached target. It is the record an insurer or a second contractor will read.

A homeowner who keeps the file can see whether the drying is on track between visits, and can ask the crew about any reading that does not match what was expected.

• Keep the readings in date order
• Keep the photographs with the readings
• Note the place of each reading
• Ask about any reading that does not fit
• Share the file only with those who need it

Documenting the hidden wet areas

Hidden wet areas are recorded with the readings, the place and a photograph before they are dried.

A hidden wet area is found by readings that are higher than the surrounding material. The crew records the place, the value and a photograph of the opening where the reading was taken. That record is kept even after the area is dry, so the cause can be shown later.

A hidden wet area that is not recorded is hard to explain to an insurer, and a homeowner who has the record can answer questions quickly.

• Record the place of each hidden wet area
• Record the reading value and the time
• Photograph the opening where it was found
• Keep the record after the area is dry
• Share the record with the insurer on request