A lot of homeowners turn to dehumidifiers when faced with humidity in their living space.
However, humidity issues can target your foundation as well. Problems that have originated in the crawl space will slowly spread all over your property, causing great damage to your home. One of the ways you can keep moisture levels in your crawl space under control is by installing a dehumidifier.
Signs of Moisture Issues in Your Crawl Space
- Condensation on Crawl Space Walls
Have you been to your crawl space lately? If you notice that the walls are damp and that water drops are forming on them, you certainly have a humidity problem on your hands. While this issue is more likely to occur during the winter when the difference in outdoor and indoor temperatures is more drastic, it can also pop up during the summer.
- Mold
Has your clean crawl space suddenly become a moldy den? If you notice these fungi all over your foundation, you are facing a humidity problem. After all, mold only thrives in damp conditions.
The biggest problem with mold is that it can affect your health and that of other residents. Those with asthma should especially steer clear of mold. If you notice that your eyes are watery, that you often have a stuffy nose, or that you are struggling with respiratory problems, check your crawl space for mold.
But how does mold from your foundation spread through your home? It uses airborne spores to spread, and these can quickly contaminate the air inside of your home. When you inhale them, they can cause health issues. That’s why it’s important to address humidity issues in your crawl space as soon as you notice them.
- Nasty Smells
If your crawl space suddenly smells nasty and musty, you might have a mold problem, which means you have a humidity problem as well. Even if you cannot see mold in your dark crawl space, it doesn’t mean it is not there. The musty smell will reveal its presence since its spores smell that way. As we mentioned, these spores can be the cause of your allergic reactions, so be sure you inspect your foundation for mold regularly.
- Wood Rot
Excess moisture in your crawl space also leads to wood rot, causing issues for your home’s health and value. Since many of your home’s structural elements are made of wood, it is easy to see how this problem can compromise the structural integrity of your house. In addition, wood rot can drastically lower the market value of your place and chase away potential buyers. If you notice signs of wood rot in your crawl space, you need to address increased humidity levels in this area as quickly as possible.
How Does Moisture Get into Your Crawl Space?
As you probably know, your home is not an airtight structure. As your walls start to crack and various building materials begin to decay, moisture-laden air can infiltrate your foundation. When humid air reaches your crawl space, it condenses and begins to wreak havoc all over the place.
While warm air rises and exits your home through the roof, the void created in below-grade spaces becomes filled with humid air that is drawn from the outside. This air leaves standing water in your foundation before it works its way out of your home, and this process is repeated. Eventually, it will cause mold growth and wood rot, as well as hurt your energy efficiency.
Installing a Dehumidifier
At AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists, we can protect your crawl space against moisture damage by installing encapsulation systems and crawl space dehumidifiers. By sealing your crawl space, we can ensure that your foundation remains dry, clean, and healthy. On the other hand, a dehumidifier will constantly keep moisture levels in your crawl space under control, preventing mold growth, wood rot, and other humidity-related problems.
At AFS, we help homeowners prevent these problems with our patented crawl space dehumidifier and ventilation fan. Along with our encapsulation system, our dehumidifier ensures that your foundation remains dry and mold-free.
Our AquaStop Air System Dehumidifier
Great power doesn’t have to come in a large package! In fact, our AquaStop Air System is living proof. It is an extremely efficient, high-performance dehumidifier that comes without an oversized heat exchange core. It can easily fit into every crawl space and effectively dry it out.
Mold and mildew grow in spaces where humidity is above 55%. Our system will keep the levels below this point, so you won’t have to worry about nasty fungi in your crawl space. Most standard models are designed to keep living spaces dry and moisture-free. However, they do not have enough power to dry out large, moisture-prone areas like crawl spaces. Our AquaStop Air System removes over 90 pints per day on less electricity. Therefore, it will not only keep your crawl space dry but will also help you save money on bills.
As you surely know, with most standard dehumidifiers, you need to empty the water container every day. However, with the AquaStop Air System, that is not necessary. It drains automatically into your sump pit, so basically, once it is in place, there is nothing else to do.
Benefits of Having a Dehumidifier
While it is true that not all homes need to have a dehumidifier, it goes without saying that every home would benefit from one. Not only can this device dry out your crawl space, but it can also improve your quality of life. Here’s how:
- A dehumidifier will eliminate allergy triggers: Do you often feel like you are coming down with something? If your nose is frequently runny, your eyes are watery, or your asthma attacks are getting far worse, you probably have mold in your crawl space. Since airborne mold spores can quickly spread through your entire home, they can have a significant impact on your life quality. With a dehumidifier, you can prevent mold growth and keep these dangerous microorganisms away from your home.
- It will improve air quality: The air in your home will become much cleaner, which will reflect on the quality of air in your living space.
- It will ensure your home’s structural stability: Increased humidity levels in your crawl space can lead to wood rot. When your structural wood begins to deteriorate, it can compromise your home’s structural stability. Luckily, with a dehumidifier, you can prevent wood rot.
- A dehumidifier can save you money in the long run: Do you spend a lot of money on your utility bills? If your crawl space is constantly humid, your HVAC system might be working overtime to get rid of humidity that is coming from below the house. With a dehumidifier, your heating and cooling system won’t have to work so hard and you will save money on bills.
Regardless of whether you live in Huntsville, Birmingham, Nashville, Chattanooga, Columbus, Biloxi, or throughout the surrounding areas, the experts at AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists are at your service. Schedule a free inspection and quote and one of our professionals will come to your home to help you choose the best waterproofing solution for your crawl space. Water damage should not be taken lightly, and it is always better to be preventative about this sort of thing.
Mold presence, wood rot, or rising utility bills might all be a result of increased humidity levels in your crawl space. With our quality dehumidifier and our encapsulation system, you can prevent excess moisture from damaging your house.
Signs of Moisture Issues in Your Crawl Space
Condensation on Crawl Space Walls
Have you been to your crawl space lately? If you notice that the walls are damp and that water drops are forming on them, you certainly have a humidity problem on your hands. While this issue is more likely to occur during the winter when the difference in outdoor and indoor temperatures is more drastic, it can also pop up during the summer.
Mold
Has your clean crawl space suddenly become a moldy den? If you notice these fungi all over your foundation, you are facing a humidity problem. After all, mold only thrives in damp conditions.
The biggest problem with mold is that it can affect your health and that of other residents. Those with asthma should especially steer clear of mold. If you notice that your eyes are watery, that you often have a stuffy nose, or that you are struggling with respiratory problems, check your crawl space for mold.
But how does mold from your foundation spread through your home? It uses airborne spores to spread, and these can quickly contaminate the air inside of your home. When you inhale them, they can cause health issues. That’s why it’s important to address humidity issues in your crawl space as soon as you notice them.
Nasty Smells
If your crawl space suddenly smells nasty and musty, you might have a mold problem, which means you have a humidity problem as well. Even if you cannot see mold in your dark crawl space, it doesn’t mean it is not there. The musty smell will reveal its presence since its spores smell that way. As we mentioned, these spores can be the cause of your allergic reactions, so be sure you inspect your foundation for mold regularly.
Wood Rot
Excess moisture in your crawl space also leads to wood rot, causing issues for your home’s health and value. Since many of your home’s structural elements are made of wood, it is easy to see how this problem can compromise the structural integrity of your house. In addition, wood rot can drastically lower the market value of your place and chase away potential buyers. If you notice signs of wood rot in your crawl space, you need to address increased humidity levels in this area as quickly as possible.
How Does Moisture Get into Your Crawl Space?
As you probably know, your home is not an airtight structure. As your walls start to crack and various building materials begin to decay, moisture-laden air can infiltrate your foundation. When humid air reaches your crawl space, it condenses and begins to wreak havoc all over the place.
While warm air rises and exits your home through the roof, the void created in below-grade spaces becomes filled with humid air that is drawn from the outside. This air leaves standing water in your foundation before it works its way out of your home, and this process is repeated. Eventually, it will cause mold growth and wood rot, as well as hurt your energy efficiency.
Crawl Space Dehumidifier
FAQs
Unfortunately, regardless of how powerful your dehumidifier is, it will not keep your crawl space protected against water damage in case of a flooding incident. If there are heavy rainstorms in your area or your pipes break, you will end up with standing water under your home. If you wish to keep the water out of your crawl space, you will also need to invest in other waterproofing solutions.
Install a Sump Pump
Groundwater as well as unnoticed plumbing leaks can easily flood your crawl space, even if you own a dehumidifier. To prevent water from soaking your foundation and causing damage to it, install a crawl space sump pump. At AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists we offer our state-of-the-art AquaStop Compact Crawl Space Sump Pump. So what makes it so special? It is not only equipped with a cast-iron sump pump, but it also features a reliable liner, as well as a sump alarm. If you want, you can also install a battery backup sump pump, so you don’t have to worry about blackouts. Thanks to its unique lid it is completely sealed, so you don’t have to worry about nasty smells leaving your pump and contaminating the upstairs air.
As a responsible homeowner, you probably want to know whether there is a leak in your crawl space. Of course, you won’t go down there every day to check if there is a problem. With the sump alarm, you will be notified every time there is a leak in your crawl space. Water from a plumbing leak will pass the alarm on its way to the sump pit, and the alarm will sound to alert you that something is going on.
Install a Crawl Space Drain
Wet crawl space can easily lead to mold growth and rot, and before you know it, you will be facing expensive repairs. To prevent water from entering your foundation install a crawl space drainage system. Our EZ Flow Crawl Space Drainage System features a pipe with holes on the top and front so it can easily and efficiently collect water from the soil and surface. Also, it has a wall flange that collects water from the walls.
If you go with this option, you can become a proud owner of the EZ Flow system in just one day, that’s how long the installation takes. If you wish to encapsulate your crawl space as well, one of our crew members will be installing your drain while the others take care of the encapsulation system.
Install Crawl Space Encapsulation
If you wish to have a dry and clean crawl space, encapsulation is the answer. During this process, the contactors will isolate the crawl space from moisture by sealing the vents and covering the floor, walls, and columns with a vapor barrier. Of course, this is not your ordinary, thin vapor barrier. Our professionals will lay down a 20-mil barrier that will surely keep the moisture out of your foundation and serve you for years to come.
When the polyethylene moisture barrier is fastened to walls and columns, the contractors will use adhesive tape to seal the barrier’s floor piers pieces to mentioned walls and columns. To make sure that moisture-laden air cannot find its way into your crawl space, our contractors will install an airtight crawl space door.
Nowadays, there is a wide selection of dehumidifiers on the market. You can get them at any home appliance store. However, moving a dehumidifier from one of your rooms down to your crawl space won’t solve your humidity problem.
Problems with Regular Dehumidifiers
Small, portable dehumidifiers are great for keeping the rooms in your home free of moisture problems. However, they cannot produce the same results as a professional crawl space dehumidifier. First of all, they are not designed to work all the time. Therefore, their motor can easily burn out if you keep them constantly running.
Second of all, they cannot deal with the amount of humidity that is usually present in a crawl space. While they can offer a minor relief, at the end of the day they can turn into a safety hazard and are not meant to operate in such large, humid spaces.
Installing a Professional Dehumidifier
If you have realized that you and your home will benefit from a dehumidifier installation, do not go to your local store to buy a standard dehumidifier. Instead, contact your local contractor and ask them to install a professional one. Not only is that one more powerful, but can also be connected to your drainage system and drain water automatically into your sump pit. That means no more emptying the water containers.
Call a trained professional who can determine the best configuration for your home so you can be sure that you’ve made the best choice for your foundation. At AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists we recommend the AquaStop Air System that efficiently removes excess moisture for less electricity cost. With this professional appliance, you can maintain a dry crawl space and cut your utility costs.
Even with encapsulation, it is impossible to keep out all the moisture, all the time. If you live in a humid area that is prone to frequent rainfalls, you should consider adding a dehumidifier to your waterproofing system. Besides this, there are several telltale signs that installing a dehumidifier should be on your list of priorities.
Signs You Need a Dehumidifier
Has your home started to smell musty? If so, the culprit may be high moisture levels in your foundation. Increased humidity levels trigger mold growth, which will turn your crawl space into a smelly mess. By drying out this space you can easily avoid this problem. Frequent asthma attacks can also be a sign that there are allergens and mold in your crawl space. Some people develop allergic reactions or experience flu-like symptoms due to the contaminated air rising from the crawl space.
You should also consider getting a dehumidifier if you notice damage to the structure of your home. Problems such as insect damage, wood rot, buckling hardwood floors, rust, sagging insulation, and swelling of doors and windows can alert you that there is excess moisture in your foundation. Keep in mind that you need to address these problems on time, otherwise you will end up with extensive repairs on your hands.
Perks of Installing a Dehumidifier
Even if you have not noticed mold or wood rot in your crawl space, it doesn’t mean that they are not there. After all, crawl spaces are dark places with a lot of columns and beams, so it is difficult to inspect every corner thoroughly. With a dehumidifier, you will not only ensure that these harmful fungi never show up in your crawl space, but you will also improve the air quality down there, which will automatically reflect on the air quality upstairs.
Also, it is important to keep in mind that a simple appliance such as a dehumidifier can help you turn your musty crawl space into a pleasant area convenient for storing your belongings. A lot of homeowners use their crawl spaces as backup pantries or even tool sheds. However, if this space is humid, all of your possessions will get damaged or destroyed. On the other hand, with a dehumidifier, you will have all this extra space at your disposal.
Have you ever noticed a white residue on your crawl space walls? That is efflorescence, and while it won’t harm your walls on its own, it is often a sign that there are moisture problems in your crawl space.
Why Does Efflorescence Appear?
White or grayish stains on your masonry walls can leave you confused and worried. Luckily, this crystalline deposit is efflorescence, and it shows up when water from the bricks begins to evaporate. On its way out it collects salts, and leaves them on the surface of the brick or concrete. These stains will not compromise your home’s structural integrity in any way, but they can be a sign of underlying foundation problems. Excess water can end up in the building materials in multiple ways. In some cases, there is excess water in the concrete mix itself, other times sprinklers, underground seepage, and roof runoffs can lead to efflorescence.
Increased humidity levels in the crawl space can also cause efflorescence. When moisture-laden air enters the crawl space, it causes condensation to form on the masonry walls. Those moisture drops are then absorbed into the porous materials.
How Can a Dehumidifier Help?
Efflorescence is often a telltale sign that there are high moisture levels in your crawl space. To prevent those unsightly crystalline deposits from appearing on your walls you should take the necessary steps to keep your foundation as dry as possible.
With a dehumidifier, you can remove excess moisture from the air. Therefore, apart from preventing mold and mildew growth as well as wood rot, you can prevent efflorescence from showing up. Of course, you will need a strong and efficient dehumidifier that is powerful enough to dry out your crawl space. To make sure you choose the best dehumidifier for your needs, contact your local contractor and see what your options are.
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