When measuring moisture content in drywall, if you find 10% moisture in unaffected areas, what should your drying goal be set at?

The correct answer is that the drying goal should be set at 10.0%. When measuring moisture content in unaffected areas of drywall, the goal is to return the moisture content of the affected areas to a level that matches the unaffected areas. If unaffected areas show a moisture content of 10%, it is essential to set your drying target at that same percentage. This ensures that materials reach equilibrium and helps prevent future issues like mold growth or structural damage that can arise if moisture levels remain higher than those of unaffected areas.

The drying goal needs to align with the baseline established by the unaffected areas to maintain structural integrity and facilitate effective drying processes. It’s important to avoid setting a goal that is arbitrarily higher or lower than what is observed in unaffected areas, as that could lead to inadequate drying performance or unnecessary extended drying times.