About American Drying Institute

American Drying Institute is an independent reference library about water and fire damage in homes. It exists to answer the questions people have in the days after a burst pipe, a sewage backup, a storm or a house fire, and the quieter questions that come before one: what causes this kind of damage, what does professional restoration actually involve, how can it be prevented, and how do you tell a good restoration company from a poor one.

What the library covers

The guides are filed under nine topic hubs. Five deal with water: Causes of water damage, the Water damage restoration process, Preventing water damage, Choosing a water damage company and Emergency water damage services. Four deal with fire: the Fire damage restoration process, Preventing fire damage, Choosing a fire damage company and Emergency fire damage services. Each hub is split into sub-topics such as plumbing issues, appliance malfunctions, assessment and inspection, water extraction and drying, mold remediation, content restoration, insurance assistance and credentials and certifications, so a guide is always filed in one predictable place.

How the guides are written

Every guide is written by Carla Ruvalcaba. Guides are written in plain language for homeowners and renters rather than for contractors, and they describe the general process, the common causes and the questions worth asking rather than prescribing a fix for any particular property. Where a guide discusses insurance, licensing or certification, it explains what those things are and why they matter; it does not assess individual claims or endorse individual companies.

What this site is not

American Drying Institute is a publishing project, not a restoration company, a trade body or a certification scheme. It does not inspect properties, accredit contractors, issue credentials or offer memberships, and nothing published here is professional, legal or insurance advice. If water or fire damage is happening right now, contact local emergency services first, then your insurer and a qualified restoration company. Use the library to understand what they tell you and to ask better questions.

Corrections and suggestions

If you find an error, an outdated recommendation or a topic the library should cover, please use the contact page. Corrections are reviewed and the affected guide is updated.