Appliance Put Under Your House Protect Your House

The use of dehumidifiers in Crawl Space is necessary and beneficial in most cases, especially in areas with humid or rainy climates. A crawl space dehumidifier always protects your house, reflected in the following aspects:

 

1. The role of a dehumidifier for crawl space:

The core function of a dehumidifier for under house crawl space is to actively reduce the relative humidity of the air in the crawl space. Its working principle is to inhale humid air, condense the water vapor in the air into water through a cooling coil, and discharge it (through a hose), and then send the dry air back into the space. The goal is to maintain a long-term stable relative humidity below 50% (ideal range is 30% -50%) to effectively inhibit mold growth and wood decay.

 

Control the source of moisture:

The moisture in the soil will continuously evaporate into the air of the crawl space. If there is poor ventilation or high external air humidity (especially in summer), moisture is more likely to accumulate. Pipeline leaks, rainwater infiltration, or poor ground drainage can also increase humidity.

 

Preventing the growth of mold and fungi:

Fungi and molds are highly susceptible to growth in humid environments (with relative humidity exceeding 60%). They will grow on wooden structures (beams, girders, floor joists), insulation materials (if installed), and the ground. Mold not only damages wood, but also produces spores that can enter the living space above through floor cracks or pipe channels, seriously endangering indoor air quality and the health of residents (causing allergies, asthma, respiratory problems, etc.).

 

Protecting the structure of the house:

Wood rot: Continuous high humidity can cause dry or wet rot in the wooden structures that support the house, mainly the beams and floor joists. Wood decay can seriously weaken the structural strength of a house, causing the floor to sink, creak, and even more serious structural problems, with extremely high maintenance costs.

Metal corrosion: High-humidity environments can also accelerate the rusting and corrosion of metal components such as pipes, wire conduits, HVAC pipes, and fasteners, shortening their service life.

 

Preventing the breeding of pests:

The damp and dark crawling space is an ideal habitat for pests such as termites, wood ants, cockroaches, and rodents (mice). They feed on damp wood or build nests and breed here. Dehumidification can effectively reduce the attractiveness of the environment to pests.

 

Eliminating odors and improving indoor air quality:

A damp and moldy crawling space can produce moldy and musty odors. This odor can penetrate the living space above through the floor and pipes, affecting the comfort of living.

As mentioned earlier, fungal spores can also contaminate indoor air.

 

Protecting insulation materials:

If insulation materials are installed in the crawl space (whether it is walls or ceilings), moisture will greatly reduce their insulation performance (R value). Wet insulation cotton can even become a breeding ground for mold.

 

Prevent condensation:

In warm and humid weather, cold pipes, HVAC ducts, and even concrete foundation surfaces in crawl spaces may condense, producing water droplets, further increasing humidity and potentially causing problems.

 

2. Under what circumstances is it necessary to use a crawl space dehumidifier?

Climate:

In most temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions, especially in areas with rainy seasons or near water bodies, it is usually very necessary.

Crawl space condition:

Encapsulated: If the crawling space has been professionally encapsulated (with a moisture-proof layer on the ground, insulation on walls/columns, and sealed ventilation openings), then a dehumidifier (or a dehumidification solution integrated into the HVAC system) is almost a necessary core component to maintain a low-humidity environment within the enclosed space. The purpose of encapsulation is to create a "drying room" that is isolated from external moist soil and air, and a dehumidifier is the key to maintaining this dry environment.

Unpackaged/Traditional Ventilation: Dehumidifiers are still very useful in traditional crawl spaces with ventilation openings, especially when ventilation cannot effectively reduce humidity (such as in hot and humid summers, where ventilation introduces more moisture) or when the space itself is poorly ventilated. But the effect may not be as efficient and long-lasting as in the packaging space.

There are already signs of humidity issues: If mold spots, wood decay, moldy smell, condensation water, or high humidity readings (measured using a hygrometer) have been detected, then a dehumidifier is a necessary remedial and preventive measure.

Liquid water problem: If there is water accumulation in the crawl space (such as seepage or backflow), the dehumidifier cannot solve the liquid water problem! It is necessary to first solve the water source problem (repair pipelines, improve drainage, install water pumps, etc.), and then use a dehumidifier to treat moisture in the air.