What happens to the surface of a wet material as moisture evaporates?

As moisture evaporates from the surface of a wet material, the process of evaporation absorbs heat from the surroundings, which leads to a cooling effect. This phenomenon is due to the latent heat of vaporization, where the energy required for the phase change from liquid to vapor is taken from the material itself. As a result, the temperature of the surface decreases during evaporation.

This cooling effect is critical in understanding water damage restoration since it influences the drying process and can help prevent further damage to materials. For instance, if a wet surface becomes cooler as it dries, it may slow down the evaporation rate in some scenarios due to humidity gradients. Understanding these principles allows restoration professionals to apply appropriate methods for effectively drying materials without causing additional harm.