Absorption is the process by which a material takes a substance into its internal structure. In restoration, the substance is often water.
What this means at your property
Think of a spill reaching carpet, its cushion and the wood beneath. Each layer can retain a different amount of moisture. A dry carpet surface therefore does not establish the condition of the entire floor assembly.
How is absorption different from adsorption?
Absorption involves the interior of a material; adsorption involves accumulation on its surface. For a property repair, the practical question is where the moisture or residue is retained and whether the proposed treatment can reach it.