Login
MY CART If your home was damaged by a flood or burst pipe, you may have no choice but to buy or rent a dehumidifier. Unfortunately, with the endl
ess options available, it’s easy to make a costly mistake and drop hundreds of dollars on a dehumidifier that doesn’t meet your needs. This handy FAQ will answer your most pressing questions and arm you with the knowledge to rent or buy a desiccant dehumidifier in San Francisco that will get the job done as efficiently and cheaply as possible:
1. What Is a Desiccant Dehumidifier?
Simply put, a dehumidifier will use either evaporator coils or chemicals to strip moisture from the air and expel the liquid from your home or business’s atmosphere. According to Dehumidifier Buyer’s Guide, a coil-based system will condense the air using compressed refrigerant and a series of cool metal coils before collecting the water.
However, a desiccant-based system utilizes chemical attraction to absorb the water. The advantage of this method is that it’s not limited by low dew point temperatures of a coil-based system, and if used properly, it produces the lowest vapor pressure of any dehumidifier.
2. What Is Relative Humidity?
Expressed as a percentage, relative humidity is how we measure moisture levels in the air. At zero percent, there is no moisture in the air, and at 100%, the air is technically full of water, causing it condense on cool surfaces of your home or business.
3. Is There an Ideal Humidity Level?
Under normal conditions, relative humidity hovering around the 50% mark is a comfortable spot for you and your family or employees. This will protect your possessions and structural components from moisture damage, controlling dust mite populations and preventing the formation of mold.
4. How Long Does It Take to Get Moisture under Control?
The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors including the size of your desiccant dehumidifier, the size of your space, the relative humidity of your space, and whether there’s a chance of more moisture being introduced in your space via water seepage. Typically, it can take between two to seven days to dehumidify a home.
However, following a flood, it’s possible that you’ll need to run more than one unit and use a series of fans or air movers to ventilate your space. This job is best left to experts trained in restoring damage in the wake of a flood.
5. Can I Use the Water Collected by the Dehumidifier?
While this water is not safe to drink – not for you, your family, or your pets – it is perfectly suited for watering your plants, replenishing your steam iron, or cleaning your home.
Ready to Dehumidify Your San Francisco Home?
Allied Rental Company has years of experience restoring moisture-damaged homes. Click here to compare desiccant dehumidifier rentals in San Francisco, or call us at 415-644-5792.