What is necessary for moisture to physically move through building materials?

Moisture movement through building materials occurs primarily via pathways that can be either liquid or vapor. When moisture is present in a material, it can move in several ways, depending on the state it is in.

Liquid moisture can flow through porous materials due to gravity and capillary action, which allows it to be drawn into or moved through materials like wood, drywall, and concrete. Vapor, on the other hand, moves through materials by diffusion, migrating from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration. These pathways are crucial because, without them, moisture would not have a way to migrate through the building materials, preventing proper investigation and remediation efforts.

Factors like temperature changes, air movement, and humidity levels can influence the rate of moisture movement, but they do not themselves create the pathways necessary for moisture to physically pass through the different materials. Understanding the nature of these pathways is essential for effective moisture management in a building, especially during drying processes in water damage restoration.