AbeStorm

Top 10 Dehumidifier Buying Mistakes to Avoid

If you have water damage or problems with high moisture levels, then it does make sense to get a dehumidifier. It’s an effective investment and one that you will appreciate more than expected. With that in mind, it’s still very easy to make mistakes when purchasing a dehumidifier. And that’s why we are here to assist with some great tips and tricks to help make the process easier. Common consumer mistakes Choosing the wrong capacity can be problematic, because if the moisture levels are very high, then the unit might not be able to deal with the problems. It will run constantly, you will see mold returning and the electricity bills will be much higher than expected. Not having a drainage method is also an issue, because the tank overflows, moisture levels will end up being higher, and you will also have issues when the drying just stops. Additionally, buying the cheapest model is always going to be an issue. Inexpensive models will cheapen out on compressors, they will generate a lot of noise, not to mention their energy efficiency is bad and the lifespan overall is on the short side. Another issue stems from not taking into account the room environment. Depending on the room, you will have specific situations that call for a certain type of dehumidifier. Some people also ignore the maintenance requirements. For example, some don’t think about filter cleaning, coil maintenance, or even drain line checks. And as you imagine, if you’re not performing any maintenance, the unit will not work in the most effective manner, which is going to be problematic in the long term.  Why these cause poor results or high costs? Even if you get a dehumidifier, it might not deliver on its promise because you ignored some of the requirements. And the truth is that you will have a very ineffective humidity control system. As you can see from the dehumidifier buying guide ideas shown above, you can also end up with a high amount of energy bills. The equipment can also end up failing prematurely, not to mention you will have an increased risk in mold, which is naturally a huge challenge to say the least.  And on top of that, you can have frustration with the unit, since you have to replace it often. Plus, buying another, larger machine is inconvenient both when it comes to space and the overall effectiveness, something you always need to consider. That, combined with the necessity to pay for repairs, that’s always going to be a huge issue, and one that will reflect into the overall costs. How to properly size a dehumidifier for each area? Every area within your home has its own requirements when it comes to the humidity levels. For the office, living room and bedroom you have a mild humidity level, so a unit from Abestorm that has around 20-40 pints a day will be more than enough. Basements have a higher humidity levels, so an unit with 50-70 pints will be fine.  And then, if you need crawl space dehumidifiers or whole-house units, those should be 70-120 pints a day or more. You always want to size up, because a more powerful unit removes moistures faster, it will run less frequently, and it will also last for a very long time, too, which is definitely a thing to keep in mind.  Noise, drainage, and maintenance considerations One of the things that a lot of people overlook is the fact that noise can and will end up being a problem most of the time. Noise levels should ideally be under 50 db, maybe up to 55 db in the living areas. For the utility room and basements, it’s fine to go over that noise level, mainly because you are not living in those rooms. When it comes to the drainage options, you do want to use a tank-only system for the occasional use. Gravity drain will require a floor drain, and a built-in pump will be ideal for crawl spaces, unattended operation or basements.  Maintenance-wise, it does make sense to inspect the coils, keep the vents clear, but also check the drain hose for clogs. And of course, cleaning the filters monthly is also a thing that you must take into account the best way that you possibly can.  Abestorm’s expert recommendations Our team at Abestorm has on offer some of the top dehumidifiers that you can find on the market. However, you do need to find the right unit to fit your needs. A commercial-grade unit is recommended for basements and crawl spaces. It also helps if you plan for continual drainage in spaces where the is a lot of moisture. Using a hygrometer is great if you want to have accurate monitoring of moisture levels in any space. And of course, you do want to take into account the long-term durability too. Abestorm units have a high airflow, a long warranty time, along with hot-gas defrost as well. We recommend the AirWerx models for this, with 55S being great for small spaces, 90X for the crawlspaces and basements, and the AirWerx 120X being suitable for whole homes. The Hurricane series is great for restoration jobs and heavy moisture, too. Checklist before purchasing Check the capacity and performance of the dehumidifier you want to buy What kind of drainage does the unit have, does it have a floor drain, tank or pump? What are the noise levels, is it suitable for the space you want to place it? Also, you want to ensure that the placement allows adequate air circulation, and that there are no obstructions. Moreover, you want to have a washable filter, simple hose connection and panels that are easy to access. Durability also matters, you want to consider a reliable brand that has good warranty and commercial-grade materials where possible. Conclusion Naturally, a lot of stuff goes into finding the best dehumidifier. It will take a little while to identify the right unit that fits your needs. But the focus is always on consistency, ease of use and durability. Making sure that the dehumidifier you want to buy fits the requirements for that specific case, that’s totally something to consider as well!

Disaster Recovery & Restoration: Fast Drying Solutions with Dehumidifiers

Water damage is one of those problems that some people face here and there, and it’s important to figure out ways to deal with it. Getting a commercial dehumidifier can solve that, along with proper water damage drying. But you really have to figure out ways to address that, and doing it properly will only make the experience better. That being said, there will be challenges that arise, so it makes sense to learn more about proper ways of doing disaster recovery in a way that’s very effective. What “water damage” really means and its risks? Water damage is more than just the things you see, like soaked carpets or wet flooring. It usually goes well beyond that, for example you have porous building materials that absorb water fast. On top of that, you can have mold which ends up growing as soon as 1-2 days after the water disaster takes place. And it leads to even more issues, like structural instability. Water damage leads to moisture that weakens your home’s foundation, beams, joints, sub-floors and so on. And needless to say, it can lead to hazards in the long run, including electrical hazards on top of that structural damage mentioned earlier. Importance of rapid drying in restoration Clearly, drying rapidly after water damage is crucial. If you leave the water there, it can lead to all kinds of problems. For example, if you act now, you can stop mold from appearing. And once mold is there, it takes a lot of time and money to remove, which is something you want to avoid. Acting fast preserves the structural materials, it also reduces the restoration timelines. And on top of that, you can protect the indoor air quality if you eliminate any signs of water from the premises. If you act as fast as you can, it will streamline things, make the experience better, and in the end, you will like the results a whole lot more. With that being said, the faster you start with the water damage drying, the less you have to pay, and that will matter quite a bit. How dehumidifiers speed up recovery? A dehumidifier is meant to provide you with a quick and effective way of removing moisture from the air. It also helps create a vacuum for the moisture release, which can be extremely handy and something you want to take into account. Plus, the dehumidifier is effective because it helps work in tandem with the air movers. Those will blow across surfaces in order to lift moisture. And then the dehumidifier will capture moisture, and then remove it. This tandem approach is excellent, and it will surely make the experience a whole lot better, something to take into consideration. Plus, the benefit is that the dehumidifier is going to operate continually, which is only going to remove the water a whole lot faster. Plus, the good thing is that you can handle the extreme moisture loads a lot quicker than expected. It certainly helps convey a more consistent result, and the outcome is going to be totally worth it in the end. Choosing the right commercial vs. residential model Is it a good idea to go with a residential or commercial dehumidifier? It always depends on the type of model that you want to acquire. A residential unit is great for damp basements, mild humidity problems or a small laundry. The downside is that it has a low extraction capacity and it’s not meant for non-stop usage. A commercial unit, on the other hand, can be great for things like floor restoration, burst pipes, storm damage, sewage backups, commercial facilities, basement flooding and so on. If you go the commercial route, you can have things like a high extraction rate, a durable build, as well as built-in pumps, a high CFM airflow and continual operation. So yes, it highly depends on the use case, and you’ll find the results to be downright excellent all the time, just having something to consider here. Step-by-step drying process The great thing about using a dehumidifier is the fact that its overall process is simple and easy to follow. It usually goes through a few, important steps, as follows: First, you assess the damage and then you identify structural risks, water intrusion risks and so on. After that, the standing water is extracted before the dehumidifier is put into use. If necessary, you will also need to remove the damaged materials. Then, you set up the dehumidifier, air movers, as well as the HEPA air scrubbers. Once the dehumidifier did its work, you have to continue monitoring the moisture levels on a daily basis. Make sure that you continue until the moisture is fully removed, just to ensure that everything is ok. Abestorm offers a wide array of options when it comes to a residential or commercial dehumidifier. You can access a vast range of options, and the results as a whole will be second to none. The Guardian SN55 model is great for small-scale or single-room floods. If you have something more problematic and at a larger scale, you can go with the AirWerx 90X or the 120X models, depending on the situation. Then, there’s the Hurricane series from Abestorm which is the ultimate solution for the heavy-duty situations, as those can be inherently challenging in their own right, something to consider here. Conclusion Clearly, it’s a very good idea to focus on water damage drying the best way that you can. Getting a residential or commercial dehumidifier will help quite a lot, since it streamlines the process, it makes things easier, while eliminating a lot of potential challenges. And in the end, it comes as highly recommended to just avoid any rush and focus on results. The faster you remove any standing water, the easier it can be to avoid dealing with mold or any similar issues down the line. Installing an Abestorm dehumidifier and setting it up correctly can help solve most of these issues quickly, so use it to your advantage!