How to Use a Dehumidifier Properly For Water Damage Restoration
Water damage restoration is something that is not only crucial for preventing several health problems but to protect yourself from incurring huge home-repair expenses as well. A dehumidifier is effective in remediating water damage and diminishing the impact of dry and cold winter air that brings with it several health problems in the same way as spring brings along allergies.
Regardless of the season, it is imperative to enhance indoor air quality. Still, the task is especially difficult if there is water damage on the property as mold and bacteria accumulate in the affected areas. The humidity levels within the house become high, causing the HVAC systems to circulate poor quality and health-deteriorating air.
Why Use a Dehumidifier?
When an area of your house receives water damage, it increases your home’s indoor moisture levels and risks growing mold and mildew. These potentially toxic airborne particles move from one room to another and can cause wheezing, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion, along with posing several other serious health conditions as well. Every one in four people is allergic to mold, while a huge part of the global population is affected by asthma. Water damage also results in dust mites, pollen, and other allergens filling the air, causing children and adults health troubles. To prevent all these health issues, it is important to carry out water damage restoration in a proper and timely manner. A dehumidifier is an efficient and cost-effective way to perform the task.
How to Use a Dehumidifier Properly
Water damage and mold can be effectively treated with a dehumidifier’s correct and efficient use. High humidity levels can result in adverse health effects and a hindered living experience. Having appropriate knowledge about how to use a dehumidifier correctly can enable you to prevent damages to the property and elevate the quality of air that you and your loved ones breathe.
Dehumidifier Settings for Water Damage Mitigation
In most conditions, the ideal humidity levels to set on a dehumidifier are between 30 and 50 percent. The air can get too dry below 30% and too humid above 50%. The lower the levels, the quicker you will succeed in your water damage restoration endeavor. But it is recommended not to set your dehumidifier below 30% unless you leave the property while dehumidification occurs as it can cause breathing problems and other health issues.
Using a Dehumidifier in Winter
If water damage to your house occurs during summers, the dehumidifier works pretty spot-on as the moisture levels in the air are higher. In winters, though, it is recommended to use a dehumidifier that runs on charcoal desiccants if your locality experiences cold below freezing point.
Dehumidifier For Mold Removal
A dehumidifier is effective for mold removal as it helps mitigate its growth. While it cannot eliminate active mold, it can help prevent spores from spreading and inhibit growth. This aids the mold removal process significantly as its spread rate decreases.
Set it between 30% to 50% and run it in the room or area where there is mold due to water damage. It is also a great remedy for preventing the appearance of mold in the first place.
Dehumidifier For Water Damage Restoration
It’s one thing to mitigate water damage, but restoring it is entirely another. Cooler air has less water vapor than hot one. This means that a hotter room has less humidity than the cold one.
A dehumidifier dries out a room, boosting the water damage restoration process by raising the place’s temperature. It allows the air to hold more water vapors, resulting in more moisture extraction from damp materials and surfaces within the affected area.
Cleaning Your Dehumidifier
It is vital to properly and regularly clean your dehumidifier if you want it to perform water damage restoration efficiently. A well-maintained dehumidifier can carry out cost-effective as well as efficient water damage remediation.
Make sure you empty the water from its water collection bucket as soon as it gets full. You can do so by opening the hatch of the bucket and detaching it before dumping the dirty water outside or down the drain. Take a damp cloth and wipe clean the bucket before attaching it back to the dehumidifier.
It is also recommended to keep a frequent check on the device and all its components, such as the exhaust grill and air filter. If you identify accumulated debris or dust or notice any damage, clean them with a brush attachment or a vacuum and get them repaired or replaced respectively.
What If It Does Not Do the Job?
There are certain cases of water damage that a dehumidifier is unable to remediate. If an area of your house is too damaged or contains too much humidity, nothing that is store-bought might be able to get the job done, and you will have to seek help from specialized, reliable, and expert water damage restoration services.
911 Restoration of Mesa also uses dehumidifiers for its water damage restoration and mold mitigation processes. We have a wide range of high-end industrial models dedicated to getting the job done quickly. If you would like to learn more about mitigating water damage with your model or need help with the restoration process, give us a call! Our IICRC certified experts love to help you out!
