Is Water Damage Equipment Rental Better Than Hiring a Restoration Company?
Water damage doesn’t wait. Whether it’s from a burst pipe, heavy rain, or a flood, it can spread fast and cause serious problems. You’ll need to act quickly—removing water, drying the area, and preventing mold from taking hold.
But here’s the big question: Should you go with a water damage equipment rental and handle it yourself, or hire a professional restoration company to do the work?
This guide breaks down both options to help you choose what works best for your home or business.
Comparing Water Damage Equipment Rental vs. Full-Service Restoration
Looking at the basic differences between renting tools and hiring professionals can help you decide which one fits your situation best.
If you go with a rental, you’ll find many tools and equipment to handle water damage cleanup. Stores like Home Depot rental centers offer equipment for rent, such as:
- Dehumidifiers
- Water extractors
- Air movers
- HEPA vacuums
- Moisture meters
- Air scrubbers
- Blowers
- Air purifiers
With the right restoration equipment rental, you can try structural drying, remove standing water, and improve indoor air quality. This is a good choice for small areas or if you already know how to handle a cleanup.
On the other hand, damage restoration companies manage the full restoration process. They use specialized equipment, such as commercial air scrubbers, high-efficiency air filtration, and remediation equipment. These teams work fast and know how to prevent mold, protect floors, and bring things back to normal.
Water Damage Equipment Rental: Pros and Cons
Renting equipment can save money, but it also comes with some risks.
Pros of Renting Equipment
- Lower Cost: A basic equipment rental like a dehumidifier, blower, or air mover costs less than hiring a full crew.
- Flexible Timing: You can do the damage cleanup on your own schedule.
- Easy Access to Tools: Many stores offer equipment like air scrubbers, drying equipment, and vacuum machines for quick pickup.
Cons of Renting Equipment
- Lack of Knowledge: You need to understand how to use a moisture meter, check humidity, and set up the drying system correctly.
- Missed Steps: Improper drying leads to future mold. You might later need mold remediation equipment to fix what went wrong.
- Takes Time: Even with faster drying power, it may take days to dry out carpet or walls with contractor-grade drying power.
When Water Damage Equipment Rental Makes Sense
Some damage is small enough that renting makes more sense than hiring help.
For Small or Contained Damage
If only one room or section of flooring is wet, you can probably handle it. You’ll need a water extractor, a floor mat drying system, and dehumidifiers and air scrubbers to dry the area and filter the air.
If You Know How to Use Restoration Tools
If you’ve done this before or feel confident using remediation and damage equipment, renting equipment may work for you. Always use a moisture meter to double-check dryness levels. Proper air movement and filtration help avoid mold.
If You’re Combining With Other Rentals
Need to combine with a carpet cleaner? You can pick up multiple items from your local tool rental store. Home Depot is a good place to find restoration tools for both carpet and under-carpet drying.
When to Hire a Damage Restoration Company
Some jobs are too big—or too risky—to handle alone.
After a Flood or Storm
Flood water spreads quickly and can carry dirt, bacteria, and mold spores. You’ll need a full restoration process using damage restoration equipment to remove the water, clean surfaces, and restore materials.
When Mold May Be Present
If water has been sitting for over 48 hours, mold remediation is likely needed. Remediation equipment includes HEPA air scrubbers, air filtration, and mold remediation equipment to remove spores from the air and surfaces.
For Insurance Purposes
Professional restorers are used to working with insurance companies. If your insurance will cover part or all of the damage restoration, it’s often best to go with a licensed provider.
Choosing the Right Equipment for Rent
If you go the DIY route, you’ll need to select the correct machines to get the job done.
Start With a Water Extractor
Use a water extractor to remove standing water. This is the first and most important step in any water damage cleanup.
Use Drying Equipment
- Blowers and air movers help with faster drying power
- Dehumidifiers pull moisture from the air and stop mold
- Floor mat drying systems work on carpets and hardwood floors
- Commercial air machines are better for large spaces
Clean the Air
- Use a HEPA air scrubber or air purifier to trap dust, mold spores, and bacteria
- Improve air quality with proper air filtration and ventilate the space fully
Measure and Monitor
Use a moisture meter throughout the restoration process to make sure walls, floors, and furniture are really dry.
Stores like Home Depot offer all of these equipment rental needs, including rentals like vacuums, purifiers, and scrubbers.
What’s the Best Choice?
You can either rent tools or call the pros—just make sure you act fast.
Rental is a good option for light damage or when you’re comfortable using the tools. With access to equipment for rent, you can manage small leaks or surface-level problems. You just need to choose the right piece of equipment, monitor the drying process, and use proper air movement and filtration.
For large floods, fire damage, or mold, hire a damage restoration company. They’ll bring in specialized equipment, know how to use mold remediation equipment, and offer full water mitigation and remediation services. This means less stress, better results, and safer air.
Tackle Water Damage with Confidence
Looking for affordable water damage equipment rental with expert support? LA Restoration Rentals offers top-quality restoration tools for every type of damage cleanup—whether it’s from a flood, leak, or storm.
Let’s Get Started! Call us at 310-493-2162 for help choosing the right equipment for rent. We offer everything from dehumidifiers to HEPA air scrubbers, plus friendly advice from people who understand the restoration process. Whether it’s your home or business, we’ve got the tools and equipment to help you recover fast.