Save Your Crawl Space with a Dehumidifier

Unless your home is built on a slab, you’ve most likely got a crawl space. It’s the hollow area under the first floor – usually just high enough to crawl around in – hence the name. Along with elevating your home off the ground, crawl spaces also provide access to plumbing, wiring and other components – like HVAC systems, insulation and even water heaters – crucial to the operation of your home. When crawl spaces are not properly ventilated, serious problems can arise and result in high moisture levels.

High moisture levels in a crawl space can mean moisture moving up through the cracks in the floor and into your home – and no, that’s not a good thing. Perhaps even worse, excessive moisture levels create a breeding ground for mold, fungus, termites and rodents. The good news is all of these problems can be solved and even avoided with a properly installed crawl space dehumidifier. 

The size and scope of the dehumidifier needed will be determined by the size of your home and the dehumidifier’s total moisture removal capacity. Capacity is rated in pints of moisture removed per 24-hour period. While there are several different brands of dehumidifiers available, we often recommend Santa Fe for their quality construction and consistent positive reviews and performance. 

Installing a crawl space dehumidifier is not what we would categorize as a DIY project. Advanced level electrical wiring is required and it really should be professionally installed. Once that’s done and the dehumidifier is operational, it requires relatively low maintenance. We recommend an annual check of the overall system and cleaning the filters. Most professionals offer this service at reasonable rates.

So, how do you know if a crawl space dehumidifier is right for you? It starts by having your crawl space inspected and the moisture levels measured. If excessive moisture levels are threatening your home, fight back by having the right dehumidifier professionally installed. You’ll avoid many costly future repairs and problems, and you’ll sleep better at night knowing your home is safe and dry.