Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) Certification Practice Test

What happens to the strength of gypsum after it has been dried?

1. A. It stays the same

2. B. It becomes weaker

3. C. It becomes slightly stronger

4. D. It becomes brittle

The correct answer is: C. It becomes slightly stronger

When gypsum has been properly dried, it indeed tends to become slightly stronger than when it is wet. The drying process removes moisture that would otherwise weaken the structural integrity of gypsum. When gypsum is saturated with water, it can lose its load-bearing capacity and structural strength, making it vulnerable to damage. After drying, however, the crystalline structure of the gypsum can regain some of its original strength. The removal of water allows the gypsum to harden, making it more resilient under certain stress conditions. While it may not reach the same level of strength as when it was initially formed and was not subject to water damage, the drying process typically improves its condition compared to when it is wet. Understanding that gypsum can also become brittle after excessive drying is important. While drying can strengthen it to an extent, there is a threshold where over-drying can lead to brittleness. This highlights the nuanced impacts drying has on gypsum strength and durability.