Drying vs stripping out: A comprehensive study

Today, there is a lot of talk about how companies are addressing the challenge of minimizing their environmental impact and contributing to a reduction in levels of carbon dioxide.

Together with one of our customers, Polygon has carried out a comprehensive study of how drying is more cost-effective than strip out at the same time as being more environmentally friendly. Based on the statistics in the study, can we create a report of our CO₂ impact? Of course, we can!

Can service companies calculate their climate impact?

A grocery store that offers physical products can quickly incorporate climate impact per product into its systems. This is based on information from their suppliers about the sustainability and climate impact of the goods. For those of us who deliver services, it is not as simple, as the conditions for a service performed can vary considerably depending on how you have chosen to handle the damage. An example is whether mould growth exists or not. If its presence has been reported, then a different approach to materials handling is required compared with typical water damage. It is therefore desirable, but not possible, to predict the climate impact of all instances of damage.

Small, dried surfaces provide great environmental benefits

"We want customers to have a holistic view of their claims management process and make wise choices about the climate effects based on it," says Bo Lundin, sales manager for Polygon. "We chose to base the study on a selection of this particular customer's assignments as they share our view on the importance of working environmentally consciously and thereby reducing the climate impact," he continues. "When a technician is sent out to assess moisture or water damage, the technician reports how many square metres of floor and wall of the structure can be saved by drying and what needs to be demolished," says Bo. “By saving smaller areas in many assignments, it can really provide a great environmental benefit. Every little action makes a difference,” he says.

How do we measure CO₂ effects?

The study that has been carried out consists of several hundred assignments, so the statistical data is extensive. Kent Bergström, Development Manager for drying and measuring methods, has been the coordinator for the study. He has based his calculations and conclusions on photos, dimensioned sketches and other information that is normally prepared for each damaged area.

"Of the damages examined in the current study, about 50% could for the most part be dried instead of torn down." says Bergström. "We will train our technicians so that the number will be even higher!". He goes ask rhetorically: “But what will be the carbon dioxide emissions, how will the cost per square metre be saved, and what will be the environmental impact per square metre?”.

Climate compensation for the annual travels of 5 service cars

"When we say today that we are an environmentally conscious supplier, we cannot just discuss energy-efficient cars, what office materials we use or what type of dehumidifier to use," says Bergström. "These choices are steps in the right direction, but that is nothing compared to what we can save by drying building structures that have been damaged by water", he exclaims.

“A moisture technician from Polygon currently drives about 30,000 km per year. Such a car emits about 6 tons of carbon dioxide per year", Bergström explains. “From February 2019 to February 2020, Polygon climate-compensated the annual travel of five service cars in this study alone. If we then add up all the assignments for all customers, it will be a huge effect!”.

For further information, please contact the Swedish Polygon office: Sales Manager Bo Lundin bo.lundin@polygongroup.com