How Dehumidifiers Can Save The Day After Water Damage
Believe it or not, most homeowners experience water damage once in a while. It could be from a burst pipe, leaking appliances, faulty roof and gutter systems, plumbing failures in one (or several) parts of the system, Clogged toilets or drainages, storms and heavy rain, or any other related reason. When that happens, homeowners must act swiftly to minimize the damage and prevent harmful after-effects such as mold and mildew, furniture damage, and rust on metallic surfaces. Not to mention all sorts of odors that can make the living space unbearable. These are just a few of the problems. If the water damage is more severe, it can lead to structural damage.
And that is not the worst part. The worst part is that mitigating water damage involves more than just removing visible water. Many materials, such as drywall, wooden floors, and furniture, still retain water even after restoration.
But don’t panic just yet. You can sort out all this using a dehumidifier.In this blog post, we will look at how a dehumidifier works when it comes to water damage restoration. We will also see the best dehumidifiers for fighting water damage.
How Dehumidifiers Works
Think of dehumidifiers as moisture vacuums, sucking the moisture out of the air, soggy walls, floors, and carpets. They draw warm, humid air across internal evaporator coils. The cool temperature causes moisture to condense into liquid droplets, and the reservoir collects it. The remaining dry air is then warmed and released back into the room.
Most people would think they don't need a dehumidifier for water damage restoration because they have an HVAC system or fans, but they are wrong. Although fans and HVAC systems can do the work just fine, it would take much longer to dry. This would still cause some secondary damage.
To shorten the drying time, the best way is to have your HVAC system working in tandem with a dehumidifier. This will cause moisture to evaporate faster and push the dehumidifier to remove the maximum number of gallons of water per day. Furthermore, even if the structure or the subfloor is not exposed, dehumidifiers can draw out moisture from inside the walls and underneath the flooring leaving these areas dry. This is beneficial because the dark and damp spots are the perfect places for mold to grow.
Types of Water Damage Restoration Dehumidifiers
Residential water damage restoration dehumidifiers cater to specific needs in restoration scenarios. Here's a closer look at the primary types:
Refrigerant/Compressor: These units employ a cold evaporator coil and a fan to swiftly reduce humidity. They excel in quick moisture removal but can freeze in temperatures below 60°F. Available in fixed or portable models, they suit various home sizes and applications including water damage restoration.
Desiccant/Absorption: Absorption dehumidifiers use materials like silica gel to absorb moisture from the air. They are ideal for colder climates and spaces without power sources. They work better in tandem with a fan or an HVAC system because they're slow in reducing humidity compared to refrigerant types. They also require occasional drying or replacement of the absorbent material.
Whole-Home: Integrated into HVAC systems, whole-home dehumidifiers operate across multiple rooms simultaneously. They utilize refrigerant coils and draw in air from several areas at once. They are the best for severe water damage restoration in homes because they are consistent with high humidity levels.
However, their installation costs can be high, especially without existing ductwork.
How To Use A Restoration Dehumidifier
Using a restoration dehumidifier isn't complicated, but there are crucial steps to ensure it's used correctly:
1. Choose the Choose the Right Dehumidifier
Start by selecting the appropriate dehumidifier type. For larger water-damaged areas, you may need a larger dehumidifier. For this case, a refrigerant dehumidifier works best. Smaller spaces or low-temperature environments benefit more from a desiccant dehumidifier.
2. Locate the Source of Moisture
Identify the water source to determine optimal dehumidifier placement. This step ensures effective usage, maximizing moisture collection.
3. Position in Affected Area
Place the dehumidifier in the affected area. This placement allows the machine to gather as much moisture as possible, expediting the drying process.
Crawlspace Dehumidifiers
While basements often grab the spotlight in water damage dramas, crawl spaces are not far behind. That’s why these hidden havens for pipes and wires deserve their chapter in the water damage restoration saga.
Unlike open living spaces, crawl spaces are microclimates in disguise. Limited ventilation traps moisture, creating a humid haven for mold and mildew. Wooden beams become weeping willows, metal fixtures rust with abandon, and the air grows thick with musty despair. Regular dehumidifiers, designed for above-ground battles, simply can't handle this subterranean swamp, especially in a home suffering from water damage.
That's why your home would benefit from a crawlspace dehumidifier. They are compact, powerful, and tailor-made to squeeze into tight spaces without sacrificing performance.
AlorairCrawlspace Water Damage Restoration Dehumidifiers
A restoration dehumidifier is vital for water damage restoration. It extracts excess moisture, curbs mold growth, and prevents further harm. Choosing the right one depending on the area, locating the water source, and positioning the dehumidifier correctly is key to successfully eliminating the moisture left after water damage.
And since crawl spaces can harbor unwanted moisture that a regular dehumidifier may not manage to eliminate, a crawlspace dehumidifier may also come in handy. This would prevent the moisture from the crawl space from sipping back into the living areas or becoming a breeding ground for mold.
Final Thoughts
Remember, you are not alone in this. Aloraircrawlspace, your trusted partner in water damage restoration, stands beside you every step of the way. We offer a diverse range of high-performance dehumidifiers and the expertise to guide you through the selection process, ensuring you wield the most effective weapon against moisture's destructive grip. If the water damage is too severe for DIY, such as in the case of floods resulting from heavy rains, we recommend hiring a professional water damage restoration team. They will be quicker and can save you from damage and additional costs that may arise from tackling the problem yourself.