What process is used to draw free water out of materials during drying?

The correct process used to draw free water out of materials during drying is capillary action. Capillary action refers to the ability of water to move through porous materials due to the adhesive and cohesive forces between the water molecules and the solid surfaces of the material. In drying scenarios, free water is moisture that is readily available in the material and can move freely within the pores.

In many drying processes, especially in structures and materials affected by water damage, capillary action helps pull this free water out, facilitating its removal and accelerating the drying process. As water evaporates from the surface, more water is drawn upwards from the depths of the material through capillary action, enhancing the overall efficiency of the drying effort. This makes capillary action essential for effective moisture management in flooded or water-damaged structures.

The other processes mentioned—evaporation, condensation, and permeation—do not effectively describe the action of drawing water out of materials in the same way. Evaporation primarily refers to the change of water from a liquid to a vapor at the surface. Condensation involves the transition of vapor back to liquid, which is not relevant to drawing out water. Permeation involves the movement of water through a material's structure, but does not specifically