What does a dehumidifier do in a crawl space?
If you live in a relatively humid environment, then it’s recommended that you install a dehumidifier in your crawl space as soon as possible. A good crawl space dehumidifier will make the area under your home less hospitable to allergens such as dust mites, mold, and mildew by reducing humidity levels. Lowering the humidity levels and eliminating allergens will reduce skin and respiratory system discomfort, making it easier for you to breathe; help maintain structural integrity; and save energy.
Before you run out and buy a dehumidifier, first understand that your crawl space needs to be prepared so that it can operate as efficiently as possible. We spoke to Elite Moisture Solutions who are local experts on dehumidifiers and crawl space issues, and here’s what they said:
Why does a crawl space need to be completely sealed?
Since up to 50 percent of your household air can flow in from your crawl space, keeping it as clean and dry as possible is crucial. It is widely believed to installing a crawl space vapor barrier and dehumidifier is the best way to enhance the quality of indoor air and make energy changes within your home, but sealing your crawl space (also known as crawl space encapsulation) means sealing off all cracks, vents, and any location where air can enter. It’s also important to note that water vapor enters from the ground into the crawl space, which is why most homeowners should make sure the vapor barrier is thick enough to seal their crawl space and keep the moisture out.
Sealing the crawl space has additional benefits as follows:
- Improved air quality in your crawl space
- Develop an inhospitable environment for pests and insects that damage wood.
- Enables more comfortable living situations
- Avoid problems with fungi / molds and structural damage
- Greater utilization of energy in your home
- Provides additional storage with a clean and conditioned environment
What does a dehumidifier do in a crawl space?
Crawl spaces are typically humid, but they are not meant to be. The supporting structure can be weakened by moisture and contribute to unsafe mold growth that can affect your health. One of the best ways to keep moisture and moisture under control is with a dehumidifier that will run as needed to keep humidity levels at a minimum. Here are some additional benefits:
- Protects your health
You decrease the humidity in the air and increase the air quality by using a dehumidifier in your crawl space. A major population of dust mites is also supported by humid conditions. Among the most common allergens in the household air are dust mites and their by-products. Improving the quality of indoor air by moisture control may decrease some symptoms of allergies, including eye irritation, headaches, and respiratory problems, and perhaps even eliminate them.
- Increased Pest Control
If you can use a dehumidifier to control the moisture in your encapsulated crawl space, not only will you protect your health, but you will also protect yourself against pests. Regulation of air moisture decreases the risk of insect infestations, which are assumed to inflict significant trouble to homes than storms and fires combined.
- Increases Living Comfort
You can more easily monitor the humidity levels in your home if you install a dehumidifier in your crawl space to ensure that you and your family are always comfortable. What’s more, you can feel more relaxed at a higher temperature by using a dehumidifier in your crawl space, which helps to save money on electricity.
Final Thoughts
If you encounter high humidity levels in your crawl space, you should look into some ways to deal with the humidity before it contributes to mold growth or structural damage. As previously mentioned, certain remedies for coping with crawl space humidity problems are a matter of encapsulating your crawlspace and installing a dehumidifier. Installing a crawl space vapor barrier, fixing the grade of your landscaping, or correctly guttering rainwater away from the property are other available options.