In recent decades, the work of flood recovery professionals has grown in importance around the world. One of the main reasons for this is that the effects of climate change are now starting to have a noticeable impact on the planet. Every year it is becoming more common for severe flooding to take place around the world, often with devastating consequences for local populations who are directly affected. The role of the flood recovery professional can be wide-ranging, depending on the nature and extent of the flooding. Some flood recovery professionals will specialize in accurately assessing the level of flood damage and putting together an action plan to repair and restore affected properties. They may liaise with insurance companies to ensure that suitable compensation and remedial actions take place for property that is covered by flooding insurance. Flood recovery professionals will need a wide range of specialist equipment to undertake the practical side of their roles in terms of the remedial actions that are required to repair damaged property. In this article, three specific types of equipment will be discussed that are commonly used by the flood recovery industry.
Carpet blowers
Carpet blowers are vital pieces of equipment in the flood recovery sector. They are used to effectively dry water-damaged carpeted areas in both residential and commercial settings. Steam comes out of the carpet blower when it is placed in the affected areas, and this quickly dries the carpets. When flooding occurs in commercial or residential properties, it is of paramount importance that flood-damaged carpets receive this treatment quickly. When this takes place soon after the flooding event, there is a much higher chance of the carpet being able to be fully restored as the potential for permanent water damage to it will be minimized. You can find some of the industry standard carpet blowers here with a more detailed explanation of how these devices work.
Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers are another vital piece of equipment used by flood restoration professionals in a range of circumstances. As the name suggests, they work by taking the moisture out of the air in an environment or property. This can be a highly effective way of reducing the water damage at a flooded property and ensuring that walls and floors do not succumb to further damage due to high levels of humidity. For commercial uses, a 90 litre dehumidifier is ideal for removing moisture from larger rooms and buildings.
Breathing apparatus
In environments where severe flooding has taken place and there has been a delay in treating the site, it is common that the air quality may be hazardous to human health. Mold and bacteria can build up on walls and surfaces, which may be dangerous when inhaled. As such, it is important in these locations that flood recovery professionals wear suitable protective clothing and breathing equipment (such as a respirator) to ensure that they are not directly affected by these contaminants. Breathing equipment is also commonly used when assessing and repairing sewerage systems and storm drains, as the air quality in these environments is also hazardous to health.
