Most of the cost and risk in water damage comes from water you can't see: the moisture that wicks up drywall, soaks into subfloor and sits in insulation. Professional drying is about finding that water and removing it in a measurable way.
Step 1: Classify the water
Restoration providers sort water by how contaminated it is. Clean water from a supply line is the least risky. Water with some contamination, such as from a washing machine or dishwasher, is next. Grossly contaminated water, such as sewage and outside floodwater, is the most serious and calls for removing porous materials it touched. Water can also get worse the longer it sits.
Step 2: Map the moisture
Providers use pin and pinless moisture meters, and often a thermal camera, to outline wet areas, including behind baseboards, under cabinets and in ceilings below a leak. They should record readings and compare them with dry areas of the same material.
Step 3: Remove what can't be dried
Carpet pad, soaked insulation and drywall that wicked contaminated water usually come out. Sometimes small holes are drilled behind baseboards to dry wall cavities without removing whole walls.
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Step 4: Set up drying equipment
- Air movers push air across wet surfaces to speed evaporation.
- Dehumidifiers pull that moisture out of the air.
- Containment with plastic sheeting can focus drying in one area.
Step 5: Monitor until dry
Readings should be taken and logged daily. Drying is done when materials reach dry targets, not when a set number of days has passed. Ask your provider for the moisture log; your insurer may want it too.
Why speed matters
The EPA says that if wet materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours, in most cases mold won't grow (EPA). The EPA also recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally 30 to 50 percent.
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When to call
If water soaked into walls, floors or cabinets, or came from outside, get a provider involved. Request help or call any time.
Sources
Sources checked October 18, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my provider removing baseboards?
Removing baseboards lets air reach the bottom of the wall, where water wicks up, and exposes hidden damage.
Does drying work in winter?
Yes. Your provider will set temperature and equipment for good drying conditions and may ask you to leave equipment running around the clock.