Using dehumidifiers will help you recover from flood water damage faster. The effects of dehumidifiers last longer in prevention than ordinary fans.

Flood water can significantly increase the humidity level of your house. High humidity is not good. Your walls may look dry from the outside, but moisture could be trapped inside. Excessive moisture can trigger serious health issues, especially if they go undetected. They can also cause secondary damages, such as decay of woods, furniture, and wall.

Therefore, regardless of the type of water damage your property has faced, you must use a dehumidifier to remove hidden moisture, especially from hard-to-reach places.

What is Commercial Dehumidifier?

Dehumidifiers comprise of chilled fins and rotating fans. The chilled fins’ temperature is adjusted below the dew point, a temperature at which air condenses. When the fans rotate air, the fins remove excess water vapors from the air, condense them into the water and dispense it into a sink.

This process potentially triggers the vaporization of water molecules and boosts the drying process.

A commercial dehumidifier can dispense up to 140 liters of water per day. However, one must exercise caution while using dehumidifiers or any other equipment in a flood-damaged area. The flood may affect the electrical wiring, which can lead to a short circuit.

Dehumidifying the house after flood damage should be the last step. You must first identify the source of water, stop it, repair it to prevent further damage, remove excess water, dry furniture and other belongings, remove mold and mildew, and then use the dehumidifier and air fans.

Why You should use Commercial Dehumidifiers 

Household dehumidifiers are not developed to dry water-damaged structures, such as the insides of the wall. Since they have a lower capacity (can contain up to nine gallons only), you need to empty the water from the tray repeatedly for effective drying. If it is a major flood, such as a groundwater flood, the water level could reach 100 gallons.

Furthermore, residential dehumidifiers have a standard humidity setting, which is 50%. Generally, they are used to regulate normal humidity in homes. Once the residential machine indicates a normal humidity range, it will switch off automatically regardless of the area being wet.

You cannot set the humidity level in household driers. Moreover, they are not as powerful as commercial dehumidifiers, which means drying an area will take thrice as much time.

Top Advantages of Using Commercial Dehumidifiers 

• Commercial Dehumidifiers are certified to use in flood water damage restoration.  Since they are handled by trained experts, so you can rest assured about safety.
• You can rent a commercial dehumidifier. It will cost you less than purchasing a residential one.
• They are the most effective drying process that eliminates all occurrences of secondary damages, such a mold growth and reserved moisture inside walls.

How to Use Dehumidifier for Flood Damage

Use a moisture detector probe or thermograph to test the surface after dehumidification. Ensure the readings are normal.

Commercial dehumidifiers can suck up water vapors from the walls and so buy one with high volume fans.

Once the tray fills with water, the dehumidifier will turn off.  In order to keep the machine running, connect the tray to a drainage pipe or hose.

Remove dry furniture or any other clutter from the area. Wet furniture, upholsteries, and carpets can slow the drying process. Dry them in another place.

Generally, commercial dehumidifiers take 24 to 48 hours to dry a medium-sized property completely. However, the drying time will change depending upon the flood damage, type of dehumidifier, and the property.

Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the moisture level to make sure the area is completely dry.