Why Do Crawl Spaces Need Dehumidifiers?
Warm, humid outside air and moisture from the ground can cause crawl space humidity to remain elevated for long periods during coastal Virginia summers.
A properly installed dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air and helps maintain a more stable crawl space environment.
Signs Your Crawl Space May Need A Dehumidifier
Condensation on ductwork, musty odors, mold growth, elevated wood moisture, and consistently high humidity can indicate that the crawl space needs additional moisture control.
We inspect the entire crawl space to determine why humidity is elevated before recommending a dehumidifier.
Crawl Space Dehumidifier Installation
A crawl space dehumidifier should be properly sized, positioned, drained, and configured to control humidity throughout the space.
We install professional crawl space dehumidifiers with dedicated electrical and condensate drainage, as well as crawl space lights and an in home humidity monitor.
Aprilaire Crawl Space Dehumidifiers
We exclusively install Aprilaire professional-grade dehumidifiers designed for continuous humidity control in crawl spaces and other areas of the home.
The correct model is selected based on crawl space size, moisture conditions, airflow, and the amount of dehumidification needed.
Do I Need A Full Encapsulation With A Crawl Space Dehumidifier?
A crawl space does not necessarily need full wall-to-wall encapsulation simply because a dehumidifier is installed.
The important factors are controlling ground moisture, reducing uncontrolled outside air, correcting bulk water problems, and providing enough dehumidification to maintain the desired humidity level.
What Happens During A Crawl Space Inspection?
We inspect the crawl space for humidity, condensation, ground moisture, standing water, outside-air entry, mold conditions, ductwork problems, and other factors that may be contributing to elevated moisture.
We then recommend the combination of moisture-control measures needed for that particular home rather than automatically prescribing one system.
Why Do Homeowners Choose Patriot Crawl Space Repairs?
Crawl space humidity is often the result of several conditions working together rather than one isolated problem.
Patriot combines 25+ years of local construction experience with Class A contracting, mold remediation, pest control, and plumbing expertise to identify the moisture sources and correct the complete crawl space problem.
When Do I Need A Crawl Space Dehumidifier?
In this video, Robbie McCarty explains the conditions that indicate a crawl space may need dehumidification and why controlling the underlying moisture sources is important.
What Is The Best Crawl Space Dehumidifier?
In this video, Robbie explains what to look for when choosing a crawl space dehumidifier and why Patriot uses professional-grade Aprilaire systems for crawl space moisture control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What humidity should a crawl space be?
We generally design our crawl space moisture-control systems to maintain relative humidity at approximately 55% or below when conditions allow. Keeping humidity controlled helps reduce condensation and creates conditions less favorable for mold growth and moisture damage.
Will a dehumidifier stop crawl space mold?
A dehumidifier can help prevent conditions that allow mold to return, but it does not remove existing mold growth. Existing mold may require remediation along with correction of the moisture conditions that allowed it to develop.
Does a crawl space dehumidifier run all the time?
No. A properly operating dehumidifier cycles as needed based on the humidity setting and conditions inside the crawl space. It may run more frequently during periods of high outdoor humidity or when the crawl space initially contains excess moisture.
Do I need a vapor barrier with a crawl space dehumidifier?
A ground vapor barrier is generally an important part of controlling crawl space humidity because it reduces moisture evaporating from the soil. The amount of additional sealing or moisture-control work needed depends on the conditions beneath the home.
Do I need full encapsulation to install a dehumidifier?
Not necessarily. Many crawl spaces can be effectively controlled using a ground vapor barrier, appropriate air sealing, correction of water problems, and a properly sized dehumidifier without covering the foundation walls.
Can a dehumidifier fix standing water?
No. A dehumidifier removes water vapor from the air but does not correct groundwater or flooding beneath the home. Recurring water intrusion may require crawl space drains and a sump pump.
Why is there condensation on my crawl space ductwork?
Condensation occurs when the surface of cold ductwork falls below the dew point of the surrounding crawl space air. Controlling crawl space humidity and correcting damaged duct insulation can help address the conditions causing condensation.
What size crawl space dehumidifier do I need?
The correct size depends on crawl space area, moisture load, airflow, ground conditions, and how well the space is separated from outside air. We evaluate those conditions before selecting the appropriate dehumidifier. Our standard go-to dehumidifier for local crawl spaces is the Aprilaire E100 which covers 5000+ square feet of crawl space.
Where does the water from a crawl space dehumidifier go?
The condensate collected by the dehumidifier is routed through a dedicated drain line to an appropriate discharge location. The system should be installed so condensate can drain reliably without creating another moisture problem.
Do you install the electrical circuit and crawl space lighting for the dehumidifier?
Yes. Our dehumidifier installations include a dedicated 20-amp GFCI-protected circuit with an outlet for the dehumidifier and a switch-operated outlet for the crawl space lighting. We also install a 10-light wet-rated LED light string to provide permanent lighting for inspections, maintenance, and service beneath the home.
Does Patriot service crawl space dehumidifiers?
Yes. We inspect and service crawl space dehumidifiers installed as part of our moisture-control systems and provide ongoing maintenance options for Patriot customers.
