Carpet blowers, also called air movers, are the workhorses of water damage restoration. They push high-velocity air across wet carpet, floors and walls so moisture evaporates into the air, where your dehumidifier can remove it. Thorair blowers are SAA and ASA certified, stackable, and come with a 7.5 m cord so you spend less time hunting for power points.
The Thorair blower range
| Model | Airflow | Power | Weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Snail Carpet Blower | 900 / 1000 / 1350 CFM, three speeds | 550 W | 16 kg | Floating carpet, drying walls, the most versatile unit |
| Mini Snail Carpet Blower | Compact snail | Low draw | Light | Cupboards, under benches, small rooms |
| Pro Square Carpet Blower | 600 CFM | 160 W | 13 kg | Stackable low-amp drying, running many units on one circuit |
| Pro HEPA Turtle Carpet Blower | 1200 CFM | 150 W | Stackable, 5 high | Low-profile drying with optional HEPA filter attachment |
| Downdraft Axial Air Blower | High volume | Axial | Portable | Ventilating large spaces, drying hard floors and ceilings |
Snail, square or turtle: which one?
Snail (centrifugal) blowers produce a focused, high-velocity stream that can be aimed under carpet or along a wall. The Thorair snail has a carpet clamp so you can float a floor: lift the carpet, tuck the outlet under it, and dry carpet and underlay from below. Square blowers trade some velocity for a very low power draw (0.6 to 0.7 amps), so you can run eight or more from a single circuit without tripping breakers. They stack neatly in the van. Turtle (low-profile) blowers spread air across a wide, low path, ideal for hard floors, hallways and under furniture. The Thorair turtle accepts a HEPA filter attachment so it doubles as a low-level air cleaner on mould jobs.
How many blowers do you need?
Restoration guidelines suggest one air mover for every 10 to 15 square metres of wet carpet, plus one for every 4 to 5 linear metres of wet wall, angled at 45 degrees to the surface. A typical wet lounge and hallway needs four to six blowers and one dehumidifier. Air movers on their own only move moisture into the air; without a dehumidifier running at the same time, the humidity climbs and drying stalls.
Built for the van
- Stackable housings. Square and turtle units stack five high; snails nest with their handles.
- 7.5 m cords. Daisy-chain outlets on the square and turtle units to run a row from one point.
- Thermal protection. Motors are protected against overheating on long runs.
- SAA and ASA certified. Accepted on insured restoration jobs.
- Two-year replacement warranty. Full replacement in year one, parts in year two.
Attachments such as the snail blower adapter and blower hose let you direct air into wall cavities and under cabinetry. See the full accessories range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a carpet blower and a fan?
A domestic fan moves air gently in all directions. A carpet blower delivers a concentrated stream at up to 28 m/s across a surface, which is what strips moisture off wet materials.
How long do you run air movers on a water damage job?
Continuously, typically three to five days, checking moisture readings daily and removing units as areas reach dry standard.
Can I run several blowers on one power point?
Square and turtle blowers draw under one amp each, so six to eight can share a standard 10 amp circuit. Snail blowers draw up to 3.2 amps on high, so limit them to three per circuit.
What is floor floating?
Placing a blower outlet under the carpet so air lifts and dries the carpet and underlay from beneath. The Thorair snail's carpet clamp is designed for this.
