A major step in the restoration process is getting rid of the moisture. Removing the moisture in the building using one of two methods, desiccant or refrigerant dehumidification, is going to prevent mold growth and is an integral part of the remediation process.
Desiccant dehumidifiers work by utilizing a silica gel to attract the moisture out of the air. Incoming air flows over a wheel filled with silica. As the moisture is absorbed, a furnace acts to reactivate the silica and the process continues. The result is incredibly dry air being reintroduced to the structure being treated.
A great advantage of desiccant dehumidification is that it is not dependant on the ambient air temperature and can continue to operate at full capacity even in freezing conditions. A desiccant dehumidifier should be used under these conditions. The returning air will be very dry and hot, so moisture exchange is going to continue at an accelerated rate.
Desiccant units are available in a variety of sizes, but most will be large units used to dehumidify a large space very quickly. Entire homes or buildings can be restored to ideal moisture levels preventing mold establishment.
Refrigerant based dehumidifiers work very similarly to the small home use units often used in basements to control moisture. Cooling coils act on the inflow of air to cause condensation to form on the coil. The water drips into a collection pan and is pumped to a drain. Low-grain refrigerant units can achieve dryness levels much greater than other forms of refrigerant dehumidification and should be used in remediation.
The advantage of refrigerant dehumidifiers is their portability. They can be easily placed in a closet or small room where damage is isolated. When temperatures drop, supplemental heating may be necessary to allow a refrigerant dehumidifier to work correctly and maximum efficiency.
Each dehumidification method has its place in the total restoration and damage prevention process, and a good remediation company will know when and how to apply each to its advantage in getting a building dry quickly and efficiently.
Call us today for a free consultation 800-516-8059 or by email at: info@superrestoration.com
In your service,
Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059
