Water Loss 101: Part Three

3/30/2020 (Permalink)

This is the third and final part of our Water Loss Series.

Extraction Equipment

The most effective method of removing moisture from a structure is extraction. When the water is extracted quickly, the environment can usually be dried much faster. 

• Extractors are used in cleaning carpets and upholstery, as well as removing water from floors following a water damage. Extractors can either be truck-mounted or portable, allowing for greater access inside structures.

Air Moving Equipment

Air movers are used in water damage restoration to enhance evaporation at the surface level, thereby reducing drying time. As airflow at the surface level increases, the moisture in the air increases. This moisture is then eliminated through proper use of dehumidification equipment. Many different types of air movers are used depending on the location of the moisture and the surface being dried.

Dehumidification Equipment

By extracting water vapor from the air, dehumidifiers lower the relative humidity, which in turn increases the rate of evaporation. In a water-damaged structure, dehumidifiers pull in the moist, humid air and then discharge dry, warm air. The dry air acts like a sponge, absorbing moisture from wet materials. We use two types of dehumidifiers:

• Refrigerant Dehumidifiers work similarly to air conditioners.
• Desiccant Dehumidifiers use chemicals, called desiccants, that readily absorb moisture from the air.

If you have any questions then please give SERVPRO of Hannibal a call at 573-231-0056.