Case Study: How Advanced Drying Techniques Helped a Primary School Reopen Faster
When a major escape of water occurs in a commercial property, speed is critical—not just to minimise damage, but to reduce disruption for those who rely on the building every day.
In this project, our specialist drying team was called to a primary school after a significant water tank leak in the loft caused extensive water damage to part of the building.
The Challenge
The school, built around 2006, experienced a substantial escape of water from a loft-mounted tank. The leak affected two main halls and the kitchen below.
Following the initial damage, the vinyl flooring and layers of OSB had already been removed, exposing the insulated concrete subfloor. This presented a complex drying challenge due to the floor’s construction, which included:
- 75mm screed
- Underfloor heating system
- Insulation layer
- Gas membrane
- Block and beam construction with telescopic air bricks
Without the correct drying strategy, repairs could have been significantly delayed, extending disruption for pupils and staff.
Our Solution
After assessing the site, our technicians implemented a specialist drying programme designed to maximise efficiency while protecting the building’s construction.
Our process included:
- Activating the underfloor heating system to assist controlled drying.
- Thermal imaging the underfloor heating pipes before drilling to ensure no pipework was damaged.
- Working alongside an onsite plumber to manage any required repairs.
- Installing Dantherm injection drying equipment using a “push-pull” system beneath the floor.
- Creating contained drying chambers (“tented drying”) using plastic sheeting around saturated areas.
- Feeding warm, dry air into the contained spaces using Correventa desiccant equipment for targeted moisture removal.
The Results
By combining injection drying with targeted tented drying techniques, we were able to:
- Significantly reduce overall drying times.
- Minimise disruption to the school.
- Reduce associated claim costs.
- Help the school reopen much sooner than would have been possible using conventional drying methods.
Why Specialist Drying Matters
Every property is different, particularly when modern building methods such as insulated subfloors and underfloor heating are involved.
Using the correct equipment and drying methodology not only speeds up recovery but can also reduce strip-out costs, preserve building materials and get businesses, schools and public buildings back into operation faster.
If you’re dealing with an escape of water or require specialist drying following an insurance claim, our experienced team can provide rapid response and tailored drying solutions across the UK.
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