Regardless of if you have dirty, grey, or clean water, you will need drying equipment to complete your water damage restoration process. Drying equipment removes any excess moisture from your drywall, furniture, carpet, studs, and insulation. This also helps to prevent mold growth caused by water damage and ensures the structure of your home is dry and safe.

Professional Recommended

I HIGHLY recommend a professional water damage restoration company to complete the drying equipment part of your water damage. The daily price of the equipment rental is very similar to the daily rental you would pay at your local hardware store.

Professional water damage companies also have special equipment necessary for tasks such as drying wood floors. They will also be able to monitor the moisture levels, humidity, and temperature in your affected rooms and walls. However, if you wish to DYI, please follow right along.

Air Movers

Air movers will be the driving force of your drying equipment. As the diagram below shows, you must place your air movers at a 45 degree angle with the wall.

Have the direction of air flow towards the wall.

Space the air movers about 10 feet apart.

Remember, the more air movers you have, the faster your residence will dry. Less air movers will just delay your drying time.

Note: NEVER aim an air mover or fan at a furnace, hot water heater, gas oven or any appliance with a pilot light! You may blow out the pilot light, leaving a potentially deadly gas leak in your home!

Dehumidifier

The dehumidifier will take unwanted water particles out of the air and deposit them into a drain! If you are not using professional grade dehumidifiers, you may need to use several (at least 3) smaller units.

Special Equipment

As mentioned earlier, special equipment such as wood floor drying systems will almost always require a professional for the actual equipment and the expertise to use it.

Drying Duration

If you did have standing water, I would expect your drying duration to be at least 5 days, and no more than 10. 7 is about the average drying time for residences with standing water.

If you did not have standing water, you should expect drying times of between 3 to 5 days. However, keep in mind that these duration estimates are from a professional, who knows the proper placement, movement, has the correct moisture sensors, and the professional grade equipment to get the job done quickly. Because of this, you may experience longer drying times than the ones listed above. These can extend to possibly even double the above times. As stated earlier, I would have a professional water damage company take care of this part of your water damage restoration.