Is It Normal to Have Moisture in My Crawl Space
Many homeowners wonder It is normal to have moisture in my crawl space? You might expect there to be a certain amount of moisture from humidity, flooding, or plumbing leaks within your crawl space, but is it normal for the crawl space to be damp? Many people don’t realize that over half of the crawl space air makes its way into their living space. Having high humidity in your crawl space also makes the humidity in your home high.
Crawl Space Humidity Affects Your Home
Having the humidity at a reasonable level can improve indoor air quality. Keeping the humidity under control in your crawl space helps to lower the risk of bacteria, mold, virus, and other indoor air quality pollutants in your home. The stack effect will move the air from the bottom of your home to the top. If your basement or crawl space is damp, chances are the rest of your home is suffering as well. Dehumidification is one of the best ways to ensure your home is dry all year.
Controlling Crawl Space Humidity
Installing a crawl space dehumidifier is the first thing we recommend when correcting a moisture in a crawl space. When doing crawl space repair, installing dehumidifiers and sump pumps, sealing the vents, and air sealing the sub-floor is vital.
Many crawl space contractors frown upon the installation of dehumidifiers. They have been taught vent fans and plastic are all that is needed to control crawl space humidity. We agree they are vital in controlling crawl space moisture, but a dehumidifier is the key to making sure humidity is controlled all year.
Many people believe that dehumidifiers will cause their energy bills to increase. Many studies have shown that lower humidity actually should decrease the energy consumption of your home. When heating and cooling your home, installing a dehumidifier is not only a great way to control moisture but also improve energy efficiency. It is easier for the HVAC system to cool and warm air that has low humidity.
Wet Crawl Spaces and Flooding
A flooded crawl space can cause humidity to higher than normal. Standing water is not the only source for high humidity in the crawl space, but is certainly one of the top sources. By controlling the flooding of the crawl space you can improve the overall humidity of your home.
Using sump pumps and a draining systems along with properly installed vapor barrier and a dehumidifier will improve the humidity of your crawl space and the overall air quality of your home.
Do you need help fixing your crawl space or basement? If so, we can help. Please contact us to schedule your assessment.