Should I Dehumidify My Crawl Space
Many homeowners are asking, “Should I Dehumidify My Crawl Space”? Many contractors are saying all you need are fans to control humidity in the crawl space. What’s the best solution to controlling humidity in the crawl space? We recommend a minimum of three things that every crawl space located in a humid environment requires.
1. Properly Installed Vapor Barrier
The ground in the crawl space, no matter the soil type, will allow moisture to enter. Clay soils, sandy soils, or a mix have moisture in them and this moisture eventually evaporates into the crawl space.
A loose laid vapor barrier is all that is needed for an open or vented crawl space. But once you decide to seal the crawl space, code requirements change. Sealing the crawl space is a great way to control humidity in humid areas when done properly.
2. Sealed Vents and Dehumidifier
Sealing the crawl space vents causes the code to change when it comes to the vapor barrier. But sealing vents does not require you to install a crawl space dehumidifier. This is what I mean by doing it correctly. In humid areas, sealing the vents alone does not seem to work effectively at constant humidity control. This is why a crawl space dehumidifier is always recommended. But wait, sealing all the vents could cause an unforeseen issue.
3. Install a Foundation Vent Fan
I know, I just blew your mind! Yes, we recommend installing a foundation vent fan with properly installed vapor barrier and crawl space dehumidifier. Technically, the vent fan is not used to control humidity, so you could leave it out of the equation. According to the EPA, the foundation vent fan helps control odors and soil gases that build up in the crawl space. When you properly install all three, the humidity will be controlled and soil gases should be kept in check.
What Next?
Do you need help with crawl space dehumidifiers or encapsulation in your home, and you live in Georgia, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Kentucky? If so, please contact us to schedule your assessment. Also, let us know in the comments below if you’d like to suggest a future blog post.
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