Can a Dehumidifier Work for a Water Leak?
If you’ve had water damage in your home before, you know how important it is to dry and fix any leaks before they cause a bigger problem. When you need to get rid of moisture, it is not uncommon for you to think of a dehumidifier as a solution. After all, they act like vacuum cleaners and suck the moisture out of the air. But do dehumidifiers for water leaks actually work, and how effective are they if they do?
CLEAR Restoration can help you with significant water damage if your dehumidifier cannot help your water leak issues. We have professional and reliable water damage restoration services to treat water damage and repair structural devastation to your home. Call us at 225-245-3575 today for the best water damage restoration company in town.
[Related: Water Damage Restoration in Baton Rouge]
Do Dehumidifiers Help After a Water Leak?
Yes – dehumidifiers do work for water leaks by removing excess moisture from the air, but they have limits. They are extremely helpful when you need to dry an area with minor damage. However, it will not help with severe water damage or if you have mold growing. If you have significant water damage, you should hire a professional water damage restoration company for restoration and mold abatement services.
In addition to dehumidifiers helping with water leaks and minor water damage, they can also help reduce allergy symptoms. Dehumidifiers control mold growth by drawing moisture from the affected area and removing humidity. Since mold needs moisture to grow, this will help prevent mold growth and keep allergens low in your home.
A dehumidifier might help after you notice a water leak but will not in cases with significant water damage. You’ll need to call a mold remediation company to receive mold abatement and water damage services to remedy the situation and remove structurally affected material.
[Related: What You Should Do if Your Home Has Water Damage]
How Long Should I Run My Dehumidifier to Help with a Water Leak?
After learning dehumidifiers can help with water leaks, you’ll want to know how long they need to be kept on for it to be effective after the leak is repaired. How long you need to run your dehumidifier after a water leak depends on several facts, such as:
Size of the affected area- Level of humidity
- Extent of damage
Generally, you’ll want to run your dehumidifier for about a day or two. If the affected area is small, you’ll only need to run a dehumidifier for 24 hours. Close off the area, such as closing the door, to help the machine run efficiently. Remember, you will need water damage restoration services if you are dealing with significant water damage.
Humidity levels matter when running a dehumidifier for water leaks. Keep an eye on humidity levels because when they are high, you’ll need to run your dehumidifier longer.
Lastly, take a look at the extent of the water damage and what got wet. If your carpets and furniture are damp, your dehumidifier should run for about a day or two. If they are soaked, you might be looking at running your dehumidifier for almost a week. Consider using a moisture meter to test areas to ensure they are completely dry.
Dehumidifiers Are Not the Solution to Everything
While dehumidifiers will help with small water leaks in most cases, they cannot eliminate excess water in hard-to-clean areas, such as drywall, or restore your home after a major leak. If your home has mid-to-severe water damage, seek water damage restoration services from CLEAR Restoration. We will return your home to pre-damage condition quickly. Call 225-245-3575 for certified and trusted water damage restoration today.
