Drying out your home after a flood or leak takes the right equipment. Once the water is gone, you need the right dehumidifier for water damage. While household models will work, it can take weeks to dry your home. We cover the right way to dry water damage with a dehumidifier.
How To Use a Dehumidifier for Water Damage
If you have water damage, you can dry out your home with a commercial or structural drying dehumidifier.
Once you remove standing water, place it in the center of the room and switch it on. You will need to empty it every few hours or it will automatically shut off.
High-velocity fans will also help water evaporate quickly, making it easier for dehumidifiers to pull the moisture out of the air.
How To Dry Your Home With a Dehumidifier
- Remove Items From the Area – Start by moving wet furniture and personal items to another room. They will slow down drying and increase the chances of damage or mold. It’s much faster to dry everything separately.
- Use the Right Kind – Then use a commercial drying dehumidifier that is designed to pull water from walls and flooring. Position it in the center of the room for the best results.
- Use High-Volume Fans – Air movement is the key to drying and high-volume fans will help water evaporate faster. Also called blowers or drying fans, they can significantly reduce drying time.
- Empty It Regularly – Since the dehumidifier will shut off when it’s full, you need to empty it often. You can even attach a drain hose to certain models. This will keep it running constantly and dry your home faster.
- Adjust the Relative Humidity Setting – If you are using a household dehumidifier, adjust the relative humidity control to the lowest setting. This prevents the unit from shutting off and reduces drying time.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Household Dehumidifiers to Dry Water Damage
Although household dehumidifiers may work, they are not designed for drying your home. The biggest issue is capacity. They usually hold less than ten gallons, while even a small flood could be fifty gallons or more. You’ll most likely spend more time emptying them than drying out the damage.
Another issue is the relative humidity setting. Since they are only meant to regulate the humidity level in your home, they will automatically shut off long before your home is dry. They aren’t meant to dry out damage from floods or leaks even on the lowest setting.
What Is the Best Dehumidifier for Water Damage?
While any model will work, a commercial drying dehumidifier is the best for water damage. They are specifically designed to pull water out of walls, carpeting, and other structures. Most will remove between 500 and 1000 gallons a day.
While a household unit might take days or weeks, commercial drying models can dry your home in as little as 12 hours. This speeds up the drying process and limits the risk of mold growth.
Never use portable dehumidifiers because they only remove water vapor from the air. They are not powerful enough to remove water from your home.
Portable and home dehumidifiers are usually rated in pints of water. However, you need to measure gallons of water removal capacity when it comes to restoration.
If you have water damage, you can get commercial drying dehumidifiers from most equipment rental companies. They usually cost between $40 and $60 per day. Many companies offer lower weekly rates too.
How Long Do You Need To Run a Dehumidifier After Water Damage?
You should leave a dehumidifier on for water damage for one to two days. However, drying time will vary depending on the amount of water, the size of the area, the moisture levels, and the capacity of the model.
As a general rule of thumb, commercial dehumidifiers take between 24 and 48 hours depending on the size of the area. Household models can take a week or more to dry your home.
Use a moisture meter to test areas to ensure they are completely dry. Test each surface every few hours until you get a consistent reading three times in a row.
Trying to dry your home with house fans and dehumidifiers? Are you worried about mold or ruined walls and carpeting? Let our expert water restoration professionals dry your home and repair the damage fast. We use commercial restoration equipment that removes water quickly and limits the risk of mold. Call 1-888-443-3110 for a free quote on dry out and water damage cleanup.
