Crawl space dehumidifiers provide many benefits including protection for stored items, a reduction in mold and mildew growth, improved home energy efficiency and better breathing comfort. They operate best in encapsulated crawl spaces.
Encapsulated crawl spaces are sealed to prevent air infiltration, but supply air still blows across the ground and up into the house. As it rises, it carries with it the moisture and wood-rotting fungi that are thriving in the crawl space.
Drying the Air
Crawl space dehumidifiers pull in air from outside the crawl space and push it back out, removing moisture from the air and lowering its humidity. They are best used in combination with a professional crawl space encapsulation system, which prevents the return of contaminated air to the living areas and seals the moisture in the space, protecting against wood rot, insect infestation, mold and mildew growth and other problems that can cause expensive structural damage and a host of indoor health issues.
Moisture in the ground and wood studs and joists of a crawl space can lead to warping of wooden support beams, rot and mold and mildew growth. This moisture can also cause corrosion in metal components of appliances like water heaters and furnaces, rust on pipes and damage electrical wiring.
The humidity of the air in a crawl space is also a problem, since warm dry air rises and brings with it the odors from decaying items that are stored in the space. A dehumidifier helps to remove these odors by pulling in replacement air from outside the home, via vents and the “stack effect.”
Condensing the Moisture
Moisture in the crawl space can lead to mold and mildew outbreaks, rot in wood support beams, corrosion of metal appliances like water heaters and furnaces, warped wood floors throughout the home and insect infestations (ants and termites love moist spaces). A dehumidifier can reduce moisture buildup and prevent costly repairs.
Dehumidifiers work by pulling the vapor out of the air and condensing it on cooled coils inside the unit. The drier, more pleasant-smelling crawl space air is then sent into the rest of the home through vents and ducts.
Some dehumidifiers have a ducting kit that can be used to extend the range of the unit’s ventilation. This helps to ensure that the whole crawl space is dehumidified. It can also help to increase airflow, so that the dehumidifier is not working as hard and making a lot of noise. The ducts can be installed in concrete blocks to provide more stability. Some installers prefer this method, as it can help prevent the dehumidifier from rocking back and forth while in operation.
Removing Allergens
Moisture in the crawl space can lead to a variety of problems including mold and mildew, wood rot in wooden supports, rodent waste, radon gas leaks and even damage to personal belongings stored down there. Dehumidification can prevent these issues and make the home healthy for the family.
Crawl space dehumidifiers have built-in sensors that monitor humidity levels. They are set to a target level and when that reading is reached the unit turns off. Some units have a ducting kit that allows them to be vented to other areas of the crawl space as well.
When a dehumidifier is in place, the air coming up through the crawl space will be much cleaner than the air from the rest of the house. This will reduce allergies and respiratory issues and keep the home cooler and healthier for everyone living in it. A dehumidifier also makes the crawl space less attractive to rodents and insects and helps keep the foundation of the home sound.
Keeping Your Home Healthy
Moisture can create musty odors in your crawl space and cause mold, wood rot and other structural problems. These odors can get into the rest of your house through a process called the stack effect. Warm air rises and draws in humid crawl space air along with odors, dust mites and rodent waste. This stale crawl space air can make your home smell musty and cause allergies, headaches, eye irritation and other health issues.
Conclusion:
Crawl space dehumidifiers can help eliminate these odors, allergens and pests to keep your family healthy and comfortable. They also reduce energy costs by lowering the humidity level in your home, so you don’t have to run your heating and cooling system as much. Contact Healthy Waterproofing today to learn more about a crawl space dehumidifier for your home. We offer free estimates and installation!
