When the Water is Gone But the Danger Remains
When a pipe bursts or a storm floods your home, removing the visible puddles is only the first step in a much longer battle to save your property from permanent ruin. Most homeowners assume that once the carpet feels damp-dry or the tile is mopped that the danger has passed, but the reality is that water has likely migrated deep into your wall cavities, insulation, and structural framing. This hidden moisture is a ticking time bomb that can lead to warping studs, cupping hardwood floors, and aggressive mold growth in as little as 48 hours if not addressed immediately. Simmons Builders water damage pros provide professional structural drying services Alexandria that go far beyond surface cleaning to target the bound moisture trapped inside your building materials. Our team understands that "dry to the touch" is not the same as "structurally dry," and we have the advanced diagnostic tools to prove the difference before we ever pack up our equipment.
In Alexandria, our natural climate works against us during a water loss because the high ambient humidity makes it nearly impossible for materials to dry out naturally. Simply opening a window often introduces more moisture into the home than it removes, creating a perfect environment for secondary damage like swelling cabinets and crumbling drywall. Our dehumidification services Alexandria create a controlled and low-humidity environment inside your home that acts like a sponge to pull moisture out of the dense structural wood and into our industrial machines. We approach every job with a builder's mindset because we know exactly how your walls were constructed and where water is most likely to hide and cause rot over time. You can trust us to be thorough because we know that leaving even a small pocket of moisture behind can compromise the safety and value of your home for years to come.
The Science of Drying in Alexandria's Humid Climate
Drying a home in Central Louisiana requires a deep understanding of psychrometry, which is the science of how air, humidity, and temperature interact with building materials. Because our local air is already saturated with moisture, we cannot rely on simple evaporation to dry your subfloors and wall studs effectively. We must aggressively manipulate the indoor environment using dehumidification services Alexandria to lower the grains of moisture per pound of air (GPP) to levels significantly drier than the outside world. This vapor pressure differential forces the moisture trapped inside your hardwood floors and sill plates to migrate to the surface where our air movers can whisk it away. Without this scientific approach, moisture simply stagnates inside the materials, leading to dry rot and structural weakness that may not be discovered for years.
The soil composition in Alexandria also plays a critical role in how we approach structural drying, especially for homes built on slab foundations. The heavy Red River clay soil found in our area retains water and can cause hydrostatic pressure that pushes moisture up through the concrete slab long after the surface water is gone. Our structural drying services Alexandria include specialized protocols for concrete drying, ensuring that we remove the moisture from the slab before you attempt to install new flooring. If new vinyl plank or wood flooring is installed over a damp slab, it will inevitably bubble, warp, or grow mold underneath due to the trapped vapor. We use non-invasive moisture detection Alexandria meters to verify the moisture content of the concrete, ensuring it meets the manufacturer's specifications for new flooring installation.
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Our Precision Drying Process
Step 1: Comprehensive Moisture Mapping
Before we place a single fan, we must understand the full extent of the water migration throughout your home to create an effective plan. We use moisture mapping Alexandria techniques to create a detailed diagram of the affected areas, assigning moisture content readings to specific test points in the room. This map serves as our baseline, allowing us to track progress objectively rather than subjectively guessing if it feels dry to the touch. We inspect adjacent rooms, closets, and the space beneath cabinets to ensure we have identified every square inch of saturation that could cause problems. This thoroughness during the moisture mapping Alexandria phase prevents the "call-back" nightmare where a contractor leaves too early and mold grows a week later.
Step 2: Strategic Airflow and Dehumidification
Once the map is complete, Simmons Builders water damage pros design a drying chamber configuration custom-tailored to your home's layout and the class of water loss. We position high-velocity air movers to create a vortex of airflow that shears the boundary layer of moisture off the wet surfaces, accelerating evaporation significantly. Simultaneously, we deploy industrial Low-Grain Refrigerant (LGR) dehumidifiers to capture that evaporated moisture and pump it out of your home via a drain line. This combination is the core of our structural drying services Alexandria, and we calculate the exact number of units needed based on the cubic footage and saturation levels of the space.
Step 3: Monitoring and Daily Adjustments
Drying is a dynamic process that changes every hour, so we never just set equipment and disappear for days at a time. Our technicians return every 24 hours to record new readings at the same test points established during our initial moisture mapping Alexandria. We analyze this data to ensure the structure is drying according to the IICRC S500 standard drying curve. If a specific wall or section of floor is drying slower than expected, we reposition equipment or introduce heat drying systems to break the moisture bond. We keep you informed with daily updates so you know exactly where we stand in the process.
The Industrial Equipment We Use
We invest in the best technology in the industry because it saves time, reduces costs, and protects your property from long-term damage. Here is a look at the specific tools we bring to your home.
Low-Grain Refrigerant (LGR) Dehumidifiers
Standard dehumidifiers struggle to remove moisture once the humidity drops below 40%, but LGR units are designed specifically for deep drying. They use a double-cooling system to lower the air temperature instantly, pulling huge amounts of water vapor out of the air even in drier conditions. This allows us to pull "bound" moisture out of hardwoods and studs that traditional machines would leave behind.
Centrifugal and Axial Air Movers
We use industrial-grade air movers that are capable of moving thousands of cubic feet of air per minute to speed up evaporation. By directing this airflow across wet surfaces at specific angles, we break the surface tension of the water and force it into the air where the dehumidifiers can catch it. This targeted airflow is critical for drying walls without removing them.
Thermal Imaging Cameras
Our infrared thermal imaging Alexandria cameras allow us to see what the naked eye cannot by detecting temperature differences caused by evaporation. This non-invasive technology helps us find water hidden behind kitchen cabinets, under tile floors, or inside ceiling cavities without having to cut holes in your walls. It ensures no wet spot is ever missed during inspection.
Moisture Meters (Pin and Pinless)
We use professional moisture detection Alexandria meters to get quantitative readings of the water content in your building materials. Pinless meters allow us to scan large areas quickly without damaging the surface, while pin probes let us test the core moisture levels of structural wood to ensure deep drying. These tools provide the hard data needed for insurance.
Why Choose Simmons Builders?
Trusted by homeowners across Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Pineville, Allen Parish and Central Louisiana
- Family Roots: Family and Veteran owned, proudly serving Alexandria, Rapides Parish and nearby communities with pride.
- Certified Experts: IICRC trained technicians with 20+ years real world building and remodeling experience.
- One-Stop Solution: One team for mitigation, drying, repairs, and rebuilding or reconstruction from start to finish.
- Respectful Service: Respectful crews who protect your belongings and keep job sites clean and safe.
- Transparency: Clear communication, photos, and updates so you always know what is happening.
- Insurance Help: Help working with your insurance company to keep the process as smooth as possible.
Local, trusted, and proven, Simmons Builders is ready to restore your home and your peace of mind. When you choose us, you are choosing a partner who will stand by your side until the job is completely finished. We take pride in our reputation for honesty and hard work.
Reach out today for your free inspection and estimate and see the Simmons difference for yourself.
Real Results From Alexandria Homeowners
We recently helped a family in the Versailles Square subdivision who had a washing machine supply line burst while they were at work, flooding their laundry room and kitchen. The water had wicked up the drywall and into the kitchen cabinets, threatening to ruin their custom cabinetry and expensive flooring. Using infrared thermal imaging Alexandria, we were able to see exactly how high the water had climbed inside the walls without cutting unnecessary holes in the sheetrock. We deployed an Injectidry system to force warm air into the wall cavities and under the cabinets, saving them from demolition. Our structural drying services Alexandria plan saved the homeowner thousands of dollars in replacement costs and weeks of construction time.
In another case, a local business in downtown Alexandria experienced a roof leak during a heavy storm that saturated the insulation and ceiling tiles above their showroom. The owner was terrified of mold developing and ruining their inventory, which would have been devastating for their seasonal sales. Our team arrived immediately and used moisture detection Alexandria tools to identify every wet truss and joist in the ceiling assembly. By setting up a containment zone and using aggressive dehumidification services Alexandria, we dried the structure over the weekend while the business remained open. The owner appreciated our discreet service and the fact that we relied on data, not guesswork, to protect his livelihood.
We Help Make Insurance Claims Easier
Dealing with the insurance side of water damage can feel almost as stressful and confusing as the damage itself. Policies are full of jargon, exclusions, and technical terms, and it is not always clear what to do first or what to say to get coverage. At Simmons Builders, we believe you should not have to navigate that complex process alone. From the start of your project, we document what we see with photos, measurements, and moisture readings. That detailed documentation becomes the backbone of your claim and helps your adjuster understand the full picture of the loss.
We also provide detailed, line-by-line estimates using Xactimate, the industry-standard software that insurance carriers prefer to use. This breaks down the costs for mitigation, drying, and repairs in a way that makes sense to the insurance company and speeds up the process. When adjusters have questions about the scope of work, we are happy to speak with them directly, walk them through the home, or explain why certain steps were needed to protect the property. Our goal is to make your claim as smooth as possible while still protecting your home and your long-term interests. We act as your advocate to ensure you get what you are owed under your policy.
Insurance support you can expect from us includes:
- Clear photos, moisture readings, and notes that document your loss from Day 1.
- Accurate estimates for mitigation, drying, and build-back.
- Direct communication with your adjuster to answer technical questions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Structural Drying
Why do I need professional drying if I used a shop vac and fans?
A shop vac and household fans are simply not powerful enough to remove the "bound" moisture that soaks into wood, drywall, and insulation like a sponge. While the surface might feel dry to the touch within a few hours, water trapped inside the material will continue to degrade the structure and cause mold growth within days. Structural drying services Alexandria utilize industrial LGR dehumidifiers that are capable of pulling deep moisture out of dense materials, something consumer-grade equipment cannot do. We also use moisture detection Alexandria meters to see what is happening beneath the surface, ensuring the job is actually done, not just visually improved.
How long does the structural drying process take?
The timeline for drying varies depending on the density of the materials, the amount of water absorbed, and the humidity conditions outside. On average, most structural drying services Alexandria projects take between 3 to 5 days to reach the dry standard set by the IICRC. However, dense hardwoods or double-layered drywall can take longer to release their moisture and may require specialized equipment. We use daily moisture mapping Alexandria logs to track the progress, so we will know exactly when the materials are dry. We never guess at the timeline, instead we let the data from our meters dictate when the equipment can be removed safely.
Will the drying equipment raise my electric bill?
Yes, running industrial air movers and dehumidifiers 24/7 will cause a temporary increase in your electricity usage, but it is a necessary cost to save your home from ruin. The cost of running the equipment is significantly lower than the cost of replacing rotted framing or remediating a massive mold infestation caused by incomplete drying. Most insurance policies cover the additional utility costs associated with dehumidification services Alexandria during a covered claim. We can provide documentation of the equipment run times to help you submit this expense to your adjuster for reimbursement.
What is thermal imaging and why do you use it?
Infrared thermal imaging Alexandria is a non-invasive technology that allows us to see temperature differences on the surfaces of your walls and floors. Since evaporating water is cooler than dry building materials, wet spots show up as distinct blue or purple shapes on the camera screen. This allows us to instantly identify hidden pockets of moisture behind cabinets, under floors, or in ceilings without having to tear down the drywall first. It is an invaluable tool for ensuring that our structural drying services Alexandria are targeting every single wet area in your home and that nothing is missed.
Can you save my hardwood floors if they are cupping?
In many cases, yes, if we can begin the drying process quickly enough before the wood permanently warps. "Cupping" occurs when the bottom of the wood board is wetter than the top, causing the edges to curl up. By using specialized mat drying systems and aggressive dehumidification services Alexandria, we can draw the moisture out of the subfloor and the bottom of the planks. As the moisture content equilibrates, the boards will often lay flat again. We use moisture detection Alexandria meters to monitor the wood's moisture content daily until it reaches its equilibrium point, often saving you the cost of a full floor replacement.
Ready To Dry Your Home The Right Way?
If you have water damage, time is your enemy, but Simmons Builders is your ally. Do not risk your home's structure or your family's health by guessing if it is dry. Our team brings the science, the equipment, and the experience needed to ensure your property is completely restored. We rely on advanced moisture detection and infrared thermal imaging Alexandria to find every drop of water, so you never have to worry about mold growing behind your walls.
One call connects you with a team that can handle inspection, extraction, drying, cleanup, and rebuilding so you have a single trusted partner from start to finish. When you need structural drying services Alexandria that are thorough, professional, and data-driven, reach out to Simmons Builders.
Call today or
send us a message to schedule an inspection or request emergency service and let us help you bring your property back to a safe, dry, and comfortable place to live or work.
