RM Online - Drying materials is essential for remodeling, building

Buildings and building materials may need to be dried during construction or after flooding. The main pieces of drying equipment are air movers specifically designed for floordrying, multiple sizes of commercial-grade dehumidifiers, carpet water extractors, pumps and moisture-measuring instruments.

To keep schedules on track during construction or remodeling, fast drying may be required for paint, sealers, plaster, drywall tape, texture and even damp subfloors where moisture-sensitive materials such as hardwood will be installed. The only drying tool many contractors use is extra heat, which is helpful, but not as effective as adding dehumidifiers and carpet fans.

Air movers dry by forcing streams of air across damp floors, walls and other surfaces. Dehumidifiers dry the air by themselves, thus speeding drying and preventing further damage. (In Europe, where plaster is used more than in America, commercial dehumidifiers are called "building dryers.")

Dehumidifiers are helpful while operating propane heaters, which add water vapor to the air.

A second major need for drying equipment is created when buildings are flooded, especially with clean water from broken pipes or sprinkler systems. At a minimum, a typical setup includes a carpet moisture sensor or other instruments, plus two or more air movers and one dehumidifier per room. Carpet extraction machines and submersible pumps are also useful, plus knee kickers, awls and mechanical or power stretchers for carpet.

The companies that usually rent this equipment are restorative drying contractors, carpet cleaners, building contractors, janitorial maid services, fire and smoke restorers, homeowners, churches, municipalities, schools and other related government agencies and the marine industry.

Rental store personnel who know drying equipment can help homeowners with minor floods. Let's say an average-size family room has soaked carpet from a failed water heater or broken pipe. Give the customer a "How-To" booklet, a three-day rental of two air movers, a 14-gallon capacity dehumidifier and a carpet moisture sensor. This equipment might bring a one-time rental revenue up to 28 percent return on investment.

To encourage other air mover rentals, mention their cooling and ventilation capabilities to your customers with meeting rooms, shops, churches or even race cars. If they complain of high humidity or moldy smells in basements, storerooms and the like, trying a dehumidifier may save the cost of a rebuilding or HVAC solution, and perhaps result in a long-term rental or purchase.

Providing air movers, dehumidifiers and moisture instruments makes sense for many rental stores today, as their commercial clients develop better drying and humidity control skills, and even homeowners begin to use this specialty drying equipment.