Whether it’s a bad smell hanging in the air or the humidity is keeping allergens around, dehumidification is often a good answer. Some people own their own dehumidifiers. But a serious case requires professionals’ expertise and machines. Here’s what we do.
Dehumidification means reducing the water in the air.
Specifically, we want to reduce the water vapor in the environment’s air. This can be done in a few different ways!
Refrigerants.
This is the most common method. This is a type of dehumidifier. Refrigerant dehumidifiers remove the water vapor via condensation, turning the air it absorbs back into a liquid. The coils of this machine are cold enough to essentially “water down” the air it takes in. This works best between 70-90 degrees. We’ll talk more about the different types of refrigerants later.
Desiccants.
This is the second most common method of dehumidification. Desiccants attract moisture, like a bag of silica beads that come packed in dry goods. They are usually some kind of gel or chemical, with the machine using different airstreams to cool and dry the air before the desiccant can collect it. Desiccants work best in temperatures under 80 degrees.
Air Exchangers/Ventilation.
This is the simplest solution, though not very thorough. Really, this means opening your doors and windows to naturally ventilate the space, possibly blowing fans. This is rarely the only method that a professional would use, though it is helpful as a supplemental means to dehumidification (when part of a regime that includes a refrigerant, usually).
Dehumidification is probably the final step in restoration if you’ve had water damage. Sometimes, it’s just necessary to prevent mold — with or without such damage. Whatever the reason, we’d be more than happy to take a look, provide a free estimate, and get your home back to working order!
