What is an air scrubber?
A portable air purification machine equipped with HEPA filters that removes mold spores, dust, and other airborne contaminants from indoor spaces during restoration work.
An air scrubber is a portable machine with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration designed to clean airborne contaminants from indoor spaces. In water damage and mold remediation, these units run continuously to capture mold spores, drywall dust, insulation particles, and other debris released during demolition and cleanup phases.
The typical air scrubber draws contaminated air through a series of filters. Pre-filters catch larger particles, while the HEPA filter captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. Some units include activated carbon filters to address odors. The cleaned air exits back into the work area, maintaining negative air pressure when ducted properly to contain the spread of spores and dust to untouched parts of the building.
Placement matters during remediation. Technicians position air scrubbers in affected areas and near demolition work to pull contaminants away from occupied zones. After structural drying and mold removal, scrubbers continue running until air quality testing confirms spore levels have returned to acceptable ranges. In Charleston's humid climate, where mold growth follows water intrusion, air scrubbers are essential to controlling indoor air quality during the remediation process and protecting both workers and the building occupants.