Signs You Need a Crawl Space Dehumidifier for Your Home

With spring approaching and summer humidity on its way, is it time for a crawl space dehumidifier? Putting one in your home can help prevent moisture damage from excess humidity buildup in your crawl space.

Although you don’t spend time hanging out in your crawl space, it still needs attention. Not paying attention to that little-used area beneath your home can lead to big problems which may affect your air quality and health. Are you noticing an unpleasant smell coming out of your vents? If yes, this could be caused by increased moisture or even worse, mold buildup in your crawl space. High humidity in your crawl space can also breed dangerous bacteria. Healthy humidity levels should be between 30-50%. If you are getting readings above that then it is time to consider a dehumidifier. Mold buildup is one of the most common issues in moist crawl spaces and it can be the most dangerous for air quality and health. There are several reasons why your crawl space is damp such as weather conditions that are uncontrollable, leaks, or floods. Installing a dehumidifier is the best solution for this. Not all dehumidifiers are the same.  This is why a thorough assessment of your crawl space is warranted before installing one. At Max Air, we install a variety of dehumidifiers that come in different capacities, but we must first assess your home to make sure it’s the right one for your crawl space area. Installing the wrong dehumidifier will not address the problem and possibly make things worse. The one you need will depend on the size of your space. Dehumidifiers are rated in pints of water removed per day to reach optimal humidity levels of 30-50%. Sizing is sometimes difficult when choosing a dehumidifier. Depending on the location of the dehumidifier you must also consider the size of the equipment. The chart below shows several sizing recommendations by square footage.

Sizing chart 

Before installing your dehumidifier it is highly recommended that you make sure the area is clean. Cleaning the area before installation helps identify damaged areas that need to be repaired such as cracks in walls, busted pipes, or any existing water damage before the dehumidifier is installed. The crawl space area must be well sealed before the machine is installed. Dehumidifiers are easy to use once installed. The water captured by the machine goes into a pan that sits under the machine or through a hose.  After installation regular maintenance will be required to maintain optimal function. You shouldn’t have to live with a damp crawl space. It is essential to maintain normal humidity levels to protect your home’s structure, and most importantly your health.  A dehumidifier is the best way to keep moisture in your crawl space under control. Call Max Air today at 973-692-5188 to help you explore your options.