One of the most common questions asked in restoration classes is:
“Is there a flowchart or checklist for doing a job correctly—from the first phone call to getting paid on time?”
Even an experienced adjuster, Clark—whom I had the pleasure of teaching alongside in the IICRC CDS class—asked the same question.
The honest answer?
No two water losses are the same. Jobs are simply too diverse.
But while every project is unique, there are fundamentals that apply to nearly every successful drying project. The goal isn’t rigid standardization—it’s consistency built on sound process.
Restorative drying may still be more art than science, but structure improves outcomes.
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Below is a foundational process you can refine, adapt, and make your own.
Professional drying begins before arrival.
Key considerations:
The first interaction establishes confidence and credibility.
Upon arrival:
Accurate assessment drives proper equipment selection and drying strategy.
Poor assessment leads to over-drying, under-drying, or unnecessary demolition.
Consistent documentation is essential:
Documentation protects:
It also supports timely payment.
Extraction is often the most critical step.
The more water removed during extraction:
Thorough extraction improves efficiency and reduces disruption.
Equipment should be selected based on:
This aligns with the principle of “Whatever the Project Requires”—not simply what is available.
Proper airflow, dehumidification, and temperature control must work together.
Drying is dynamic.
Daily visits should include:
Drying conditions change. Your strategy should too.
Before equipment removal:
Verification prevents callbacks and disputes.
Clear communication must occur with:
Proactive updates reduce confusion and increase trust.
Payment delays are often linked to:
Organized files, detailed reports, and proper justification for equipment and labor improve accounts receivable performance.
Proper process protects profitability.
While no checklist can account for every variable, focusing on core fundamentals ensures consistency:
Experience and continuing education refine field decisions. Over time, intuition improves. But intuition without process leads to inconsistency.
The goal is simple:
Make us all better dryers.
Restorative drying balances science, experience, and adaptability. There is no universal flowchart that fits every project—but there are reliable principles that guide successful outcomes.
Take these fundamentals. Add your own refinements. Build your system.
And keep improving.
Click here to read Chuck’s entire article: https://www.randrmagonline.com/articles/83650-procedures-and-processes-for-proper-drying