Did you just find a hidden water leak in your home? Read on to learn how you can dry the affected areas using a dehumidifier.
If you’re faced with a water leak, getting rid of the resultant damage can be a daunting task. Depending on the severity of the flooding and the extent of the damage, restoration can be a week-long task. If you notice that your floors, walls, furniture, or other surfaces are wet, then you need to take immediate action. A reliable dehumidifier can help you dry the moisture.
What is a Dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is an appliance that helps remove moisture from the air present indoors. It pulls the air from the room, purifies it, collects moisture from it, and then releases the dry, clean air back in the room. This way, the water that remains on floors, carpets, furniture and walls is drawn out through evaporation, speeding up the drying process after water damage.
Now, let’s find out how to use a dehumidifier.
How to Use a Dehumidifier?
Once you have removed the standing water, place the dehumidifier at the center of the damaged area. In case of extensive damage, you may need more than one appliance for efficient drying.
While a dehumidifier will eventually pull moisture out of the walls, you can use a high-volume fan to reduce the drying time. These fans assist dehumidifiers in getting rid of moisture by causing the water to evaporate quickly.
Instead of relying on touch to find out whether the surfaces are dry, use a moisture meter. At times, slight moisture can’t be detected by touch. Even the slightest of moisture that remains on surfaces can fuel mold growth or cause other damages.
The amount of time you’ll need to keep the humidifier running depends on several factors. If only a small corner of your walls or carpet is damaged, running it for a day should be sufficient. If the damages are worse, you may need to keep it running for up to 2 days.
The number of dehumidifiers you plan to use also makes a difference. If multiple rooms were damaged, consider using one appliance per room because a single dehumidifier should easily take care of a room.
Besides, the amount of time you use your dehumidifier for is also largely dependent on the climate in your region. A humid area will not only increase the drying time but may also put a strain on your appliances.
Finally, the running time is also influenced by how closed off the damaged area is. If the place is open to outside air, the drying process may take longer as humid air will keep flowing in, limiting the effectiveness of the appliance. Even though a good dehumidifier will put in more effort to eliminate moisture faster than the humidity flowing in, you can significantly reduce the running time by using it in a closed system. That’s when they’ll do their job most efficiently.
For emergency water damage restoration services, get in touch with S.T.O.P today.
