Dehumidifier in Crawl Space?

[lynch]

We recently did an encapsulation of our crawlspace, but we do not have a dehumidifier circulating the air. Do we need to have a dehumidifier in there, and what is the appropriate humidity level for a crawl space?

[JacquesBouchard]

We recently did an encapsulation of our crawlspace, but we do not have a dehumidifier circulating the air. Do we need to have a dehumidifier in there, and what is the appropriate humidity level for a crawl space?

Hi Lynch,

A crawl space encapsulation is a fantastic way to keep the crawl space dry- as you probably know, it completely seals the space off from humidity from outside influences and from moisture seeping through the porous concrete walls in the crawlspace, and the entire crawlspace becomes much more energy efficient as a result.

However, if the crawl space was damp before the encapsulation, bear in mind that the wood support beams, floor boards above, insulation (if it wasn't removed) and other materials may have retained some absorbed water. Additionally, moisture could still potentially make its way in from other sources than outside air alone. CleanSpace and other thick crawl space liners act like a pool liner- they can keep moisture out, but moisture in the space also is trapped.

When you encapsulate the crawlspace, most of that moisture is kept out of the area- enough to make a very big difference indeed. A dehumidifier is kind of a finishing touch- think of it as the cherry on top of the sundae. It will ensure that the wood and other materials in the space are kept as dry as they should be, and when combined with a crawlspace liner and vent covers, it will do so with very little energy usage.

If you're in a strict budget, I would not consider it vital, but a dehumidifier is recommended for any crawlspace, and it's certainly a worthwhile purchase.

If you're in the market for a dehumidifier, check out this article I found online (http://basement-repair.com/content.php?page=equipment-dehumidifiers). It covers how to choose the best dehumidifier for a basement or crawl space. At Basement Systems, we stand by our SaniDry CSB crawl space dehumidifier (http://www.basementsystems.com/crawlspace/crawlspace_products/crawlspace_dehumidifier.php) as the best in the marketplace for a crawl space. If you've worked with us to have your crawl space done, give the dealer you've been working with a call- they install very quickly. Otherwise, click here to sign up for a free estimate for a SaniDry dehumidifier (http://www.basementsystems.com/forms/contact.php).

:-) Hope this helps!
~Jacques

[Charlene Bieber]

Lynch,

The appropriate humidity level in your crawl space should be about 50% to ensure mold cannot grow. Installing a dehumidifier will not only keep your crawl space air dry and CLEAN, but it will also help your entire home. I know how well it works, as I have an upright SaniDry in my own home! If the air in your crawl space is dry and clean, it's that air that is being drawn upstairs through the natural air flow in the home, which makes your entire home more comfortable. This also saves on energy - It's easier to heat and cool dry, clean air rather than damp, dirty air - your heating & a/c won't have to work as hard!

Feel free to contact us anytime should you have more questions and thanks for visiting the Basement Systems Forum.

[Chloe]

We have recently purchased a split level house in Columbus and we have a 7 "crawl space the size of our kitchen and dining room. The floor seems to be a gravel covered by plastic we have a radon system installed. We would consider having the space finished so we could use it as a playroom/guest room. Main problems being two large round duct tubing going through the center and the floor. Is it worth going through the trouble/expense to making this a usable room and not just box storage space? What problems may I run into? Any suggestions?

Tim

[JacquesBouchard]

We have recently purchased a split level house in Columbus and we have a 7 "crawl space the size of our kitchen and dining room. The floor seems to be a gravel covered by plastic we have a radon system installed. We would consider having the space finished so we could use it as a playroom/guest room. Main problems being two large round duct tubing going through the center and the floor. Is it worth going through the trouble/expense to making this a usable room and not just box storage space? What problems may I run into? Any suggestions?

Tim

Hey Tim.

You have an interesting situation here. 7" is an OK ceiling height for a finished basement. However, if you have a gravel floor, your next step is to have a concrete floor placed. That's going to take away 4" of ceiling height, which means that your rough basement is 80 inches. That's not enough space for a finished basement.

What you might want to look in to is having some space dug out below the floor. You have gravel on the floor- that makes you a great candidate for clearing out those few extra inches you need to make it a good finished space. Talk with a masonry contractor in your area about the foundations or ask a Foundation Supportworks foundation contractor (http://www.foundationsupportworks.com/) if they can help you.

You'll also want to talk to your Radon mitigation people. If the floor is dug out, it shouldn't interfere with the system, and concrete can be placed on top of it, with the system running upward through.

The basement finishing should be easy enough to work around the pipes, radon system, and what sounds like HVAC ducts. I strongly recommend the Total Basement Finishing remodeling system (http://www.totalbasementfinishing.com/), as it's waterproof, well-insulated, and the wall panels are warranted for 50 years. The offer free estimates like Basement Systems (http://www.basementsystems.com) does.