How Long Should I Run a Dehumidifier After a Flood in Richardson?

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

If your home has experienced water damage after a flood, our storm damage restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Richardson can help.

How long should I run a dehumidifier after a flood in Richardson? If your home has sustained water damage from storms and flooding, this might be a question that’s on your mind right now. In most instances, you’ll want to use a dehumidifier for water damage to dry porous materials and surfaces completely. That usually takes two days on the low end, to several weeks in more severe water damage cases. 

Mold Control: Using a Dehumidifier After a Flood

After a flood, high humidity can feed mold spores and cause damage to walls, floors, carpets, and more. You can use a dehumidifier for water damage to suck the moisture out of the air and prevent mold from taking hold. 

Certain materials will take much longer to dry than others. For example, plaster and insulation can take weeks to dry if the only tool in your arsenal against mold is a dehumidifier. It might be a good idea to replace these water-damaged materials. Mold will continue to damage the property even if everything else is dry because mold spores don’t need much to survive on. 

How Low Should You Go?

To prevent mold and mildew from ruining your property, you’ll want to keep ambient, indoor humidity levels below 50%. Anything above that will feed mold. 

There are many affordable and effective moisture meters on the market that can give you accurate indoor humidity levels. Once you reach below 50% humidity and sustain it for a few days, it’s probably safe to turn off the dehumidifier. 

What if My Home is Severely Water Damaged?

Running a dehumidifier for a few days to several weeks can prevent mold growth in many cases. But it won’t restore water-damaged materials. Even a small flood can lead to severe water damage. Another thing to consider is that mold can grow in places you can’t see, like behind walls and underneath baseboards. 

For homes that are water damaged, contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Richardson for our water damage restoration services. We’re experts when it comes to getting rid of and preventing mold growth from flood damage. We’ll clean and restore your home to tip-top shape. Contact us today for more information.