When a basement is impracticable or too expensive to create, a crawl space is often built instead. A crawl space can also replace a concrete slab foundation, which would make construction inspections more challenging.
The crawl space serves various purposes, including allowing access to repair plumbing, electrical wiring, and heating and cooling systems without digging up the ground. Crawl space insulation is also possible to install. In addition, the crawl space can act as a barrier between the moist earth and the wooden portions of a house. It can also help with radon mitigation if adequately sealed.
But crawl spaces have a lot of downsides. If not properly maintained and managed, crawl spaces can cause many air quality problems in your houses due to moisture getting accumulated in them.
Crawl Space Humidity
You might not think the humidity is a problem if your home has a crawl area beneath its foundation.
That isn’t entirely accurate. The primary purpose of these areas is to separate your home from the moist earth beneath it. You can also have more straightforward access to your home’s plumbing system from here. The ordinary homeowner is unaware of the extent to which high humidity levels can harm their home and possessions. The high humidity will make your residence feel damp or even wet, which is unpleasant and unhealthy for those who live there. Furthermore, the mold and mildew spores flying around in this damp environment can be highly detrimental to your health. Don’t worry; HydroHelp911 can help you avoid these issues with their experience in crawl space dehumidifier installation.
A sound crawl space dehumidifier installation can make your home less favorable to allergens like mold, dust mites, and mildew by reducing humidity levels. Dehumidifiers also help safeguard structural integrity and save energy by reducing irritation to your skin and respiratory system, allowing you to breathe better.
Before offering a solution that meets your demands, our team of professionals will come out and analyze the problem. Then, you can rely on HydroHelp911 to get rid of all that wetness once and for all. Once we’ve removed all the extra water from your property, you can be assured that mold won’t form on any surfaces or cause structural damage over time.
Crawl Space Dehumidifier vs. Regular Dehumidifier
In terms of dehumidifying intensity, hot air circulation, optimal square feet coverage, energy economy, and mobility, crawl space dehumidifiers exceed whole-house dehumidifiers. Its clever digital control panel, as well as its auto restart, auto shutdown, and auto defrost functions, eliminate the need to visit the crawl area daily. Crawl space dehumidifiers have the strength and durability to dry standing water, floods, and enormous moisture levels in the air. Mold growth and insect infestations can be removed in a short amount of time.
5 Benefits of Crawl Space Dehumidifier Installation
HEALTH PROTECTION
When you use a dehumidifier in your crawl space or basement to enhance the air quality in your home, you’re helping to safeguard your health. If your household has a lot of humidity, it becomes a breeding ground for dust mites and mold. You can minimize moisture in the air and improve air quality in your crawl space area by using a dehumidifier. Enhancing indoor air quality with moisture control can help to alleviate and even prevent allergy symptoms such as eye discomfort, headaches, and respiratory problems.
PEST PROTECTION
You’re not only preserving your health by utilizing a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture in your encased crawl area; you’re also protecting yourself from pests. Pest infestations are considered to inflict more damage to homes than storms and fires combined, thus controlling the moisture in the air minimizes their possibilities.
INCREASED STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY
Suppose the relative humidity in your crawl space is more than 70%. In that case, condensation will almost certainly form, increasing the risk of wood rot. When the atmospheric moisture content is at least 28 percent, wood rot is likely. It occurs when liquid water comes into contact with the wood. If the wood in your crawl space has deteriorated, it may no longer be able to support the weight of your home. A dehumidifier in your crawl space will aid in the prevention of moisture-induced wood rot in your home.
LIVING SPACE COMFORT
Humidity levels above 50% can make you and your family feel hot and sticky, reducing your home’s comfort. Conversely, you become cold and clammy if you lower the temperature of the air conditioning unit to remove the humidity. You can adjust the humidity levels in your home by installing a dehumidifier in your crawl area, ensuring that you and your family are always comfortable.
Furthermore, employing a dehumidifier in your crawl space will allow you to feel more comfortable at a warmer temperature, saving you money on energy.
EFFICIENT USE OF ENERGY
Suppose your first instinct is to switch on the air conditioner to get rid of the excess humidity in your home. In that case, you’ll unintentionally raise your energy bill because more air equals more electricity. But, during the spring, summer, and fall, you can hold relative humidity levels in your crawl space at or below the necessary 60 percent by using a dehumidifier instead of turning up your air conditioner.
4 Signs You May Need a Dehumidifier
If perks don’t appeal to you, you could want to concentrate on necessity. There comes a point when it’s clear that the crawl space of your home requires a dehumidifier. Even if this place isn’t connected to the outside world, dampness is still an issue. Excess moisture can lurk in there depending on the season or climate. Here are four warning indications that it’s time to act.
- You notice a damp, moldy smell in your house
- Water pipes, the HVAC system, and other ductwork are in the crawl space
- Your home’s structural integrity has signs of damage
- Your level of breathing comfort decreases while you are indoors
Features to Look For In A Crawl Space Dehumidifier
Here are a few things to keep in mind to find the most suitable crawl space dehumidifier for your crawl space:
COVERAGE AREA
You can estimate the unit’s performance in your space based on this indicator. You must consider the size of the surface as well as the humidity level. You want a model that can dry out adequately even when moisture levels are higher than average. Keep in mind that a poorly insulated or sealed crawl area might trap additional moisture.
TANK CAPACITY
Your dehumidifier may quickly fill up depending on the humidity level in your neighborhood. Emptying the tank can be a chore if you’re on a tight schedule or have your hands full most of the time. You might want to investigate obtaining a unit with a larger tank capacity so you don’t have to empty it as often.
SIZE
This factor has an impact on your degree of comfort. You don’t want to spend too much money on a dehumidifier that will take up too much space in your crawl area. A unit that is additionally large will not only stick out like a sore thumb in an already confined room, but it will also be challenging to store.
SAFETY FEATURES
A crawl space dehumidifier should not add to your anxieties but rather relieve them. The most recent models have features that ensure the product’s long-term durability and safety. Consider what might improve or make things easier for you.
To know why to stop Installing Dehumidifiers in Your Crawl Space without Sealing the Foundation Vents. watch this video!
Can a crawl space dehumidifier be installed without encapsulation?
Installing a dehumidifier in a crawl space hasn’t been encased and possibly hasn’t had a drainage system installed. Unfortunately, because a dehumidifier is only designed to remove a small amount of moisture from the air, this is the case.
Where should a crawl space dehumidifier be installed?
A dehumidifier should be situated where the discharged airflow is unobstructed and can be quickly emptied. Dehumidifiers are noisy, so keep that in mind before installing one in a noisy environment.
What should be the humidity level of the crawl space dehumidifier?
Maintaining a humidity level of 30-60 percent in your crawl space, ideally, around 55 percent, is crucial. No matter the current humidity level in your crawl space, you can get it to that magical level.
What can maintenance work be carried out to maintain the crawl space dehumidifier?
At least once a month, aggressively empty and clean the dehumidifier’s water basket with soap, water, or a gentle chemical cleaner. To prevent dust from building and restricting the dehumidifier’s airflow, vacuum the air intake and grills.
