Whether you’re in the midst of a flood or another kind of water damage, there are many things you can do to help mitigate the damage. These methods include using dehumidifiers, disinfectants, and structural drying.
Having a structural drying process performed by a professional team is an important way to restore your home to its pre-flood condition. These experts are equipped with the proper equipment and processes to ensure that your home is completely dry and free of mold.
Aside from removing water, the process also includes the removal of unsalvageable building materials. In addition, air movement is a key component of a successful drying process.
A moisture content measurement can be a good way to determine if your structure is dry. It is often more expensive than other methods, but it can be helpful in speeding up the process.
The IICRC sets industry standards for water damage and has identified three principles that can lead to successful drying. These include:
The best way to determine the moisture content of your structure is to find the dry standard. This is determined by moisture readings of similar materials in an unaffected area of your building. The dry standard is marginally different for every structure.
Another great idea is to test if the area of the structure has been flooded. This may be as simple as cleaning up household items, but it may also require the removal of baseboards, insulation, and other materials.
The moisture content measurement is the smallest tidbit of information and can help you decide if you want to attempt structural drying on your own or hire a professional.
Aside from removing water and performing a moisture content measurement, there are other ways to speed up the process. A good structural drying team will have a variety of equipment and processes to help you achieve a dry home in record time.
Having a structural drying team help you is a good idea for many reasons. Aside from the obvious benefits of being able to return your home to its pre-flood state, the team can also prevent mold growth.
Whether it’s a leaky pipe or a flood, dehumidifiers can help in the restoration process. They can speed up the drying process and keep mold from growing. They can also help keep your utility bills down.
It’s important to buy a dehumidifier that will suit your needs. Different models have different water removal rates and will operate at different temperatures. A smaller water-damaged area may require less time for dehumidifying than a larger one.
When you have water damage in your home, you need to act fast. If you wait, the water can be left to sit and cause further damage. It can also lead to the growth of mold. You’ll need a professional to determine how much damage you have and how long it will take to dry out the affected areas.
You’ll also need to keep your water damage from recurring. This means you’ll need to invest in a dehumidifier that is durable and professional-grade. You might also have to use a fan to get the air moving.
You should also consider whether the dehumidifier you’re buying will have a built-in heater. The built-in heater will speed up the dehumidification process. Usually, the heater is found on the smaller models. The larger dehumidifiers will have a higher capacity, but they can also use more electricity.
You should also think about the size of the damaged area. Dehumidifiers that are large can remove more moisture in a shorter amount of time. However, they also cost more.
When buying a dehumidifier, you’ll also want to consider the saturation rating and AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) ratings. The AHAM ratings are used to give you an idea of the typical performance of the equipment in an environment. These are taken at 90 percent humidity.