What is the purpose of a dehumidifier in the crawlspace?

A dehumidifier is effective in controlling moisture in your crawlspace. Once you have removed any issues that could be a moisture source like a leak, or a drainage issue around the home, and then closed in the crawlspace with a liner, you will want to keep humidity and moisture under control. Dehumidifiers serve that purpose.

How do I know if I need a dehumidifier?

Common signs you have too much moisture in the air are mold growth, damp, musty odors and respiratory discomfort. A good method of determining need is a simple visual inspection. Do you see moisture in your crawlspace? Have you had a leak recently that affects the crawlspace? Have you noticed any buckling in your floors that are directly above the crawlspace? And the final question: Do you live in an area of high humidity?

How dehumidifiers work?

By removing excess moisture from the air, dehumidifiers make living conditions for dust mites, mold and other allergenic organisms inhospitable. A fan pushes the air through coils that are colder than the air around them and like the outside of a glass of cold water on a hot day, extra water condenses into a drip pan or disposal through a hose. The dry air is then slightly warmed and returned to the environment. The unit automatically turns off when the space achieves your pre-selected level of dryness. There are also models that come with pumps (that remove the water automatically) and ones that don’t. There are reasons for choosing either, it just depends on your environment.

How should I choose a dehumidifier?

Dehumidifiers are appropriate for spaces of all sizes. Consider capacity, or how much moisture it can remove from the air, when choosing your dehumidifier. Higher capacity models usually work faster and require less operating time to remove moisture from the air than lower capacity models. This may save money in the long term. You may also have options for a digital or dial humidistat that indicates the relative humidity and allows you to adjust it to the desired level. Some, like the new MegaDry-WiFi, even have the option to control the unit from your phone.

Call on Crawlspace Depot

Still have questions? We are happy to help you determine your needs. We offer dehumidifiers for all crawlspace sizes and climates. Our highest capacity models can remove up 90 pints of water per day from up to 3,000 square feet. We are the crawlspace specialists. Count on us for models designed to work well in a crawlspace environment. Look to us for accessories, too. Crawlspace Depot carries everything you need to get the best results from your dehumidifier. When it comes to keeping your crawlspace dry and moisture free, we’ve got the tools you need. So whether you need a dehumidifier or any other supplies for your crawlspace, give us a call or place your order online today.