It’s important to keep moisture out of your crawl space. Moisture in your crawl space can damage the underlying structure and make it the perfect environment for all sorts of pests to breed in and nest. To help prevent this, you’ll need to invest in proper waterproofing.
One such solution is a dehumidifier. These are some of the most popular appliances in homes across the United States, but they’re not all-powerful. This means that you’ll need to combine them with other techniques. Together, they will keep your crawl space safe and less hospitable for pests. In the following, we’ll explain why it’s a great option to invest in a high-quality dehumidifier.
What Is a Dehumidifier?
This device regulates the moisture levels in your crawl space. It removes moisture from the air, condenses it, and then takes it out. Your crawl space then becomes much less humid and problems such as rotting wood and health issues are less likely to occur. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider installing a dehumidifier:
- Eradicates allergens:
A dark and moist crawl space is an ideal environment for mold infestation and makes perfect ground for dust mites. Both are common allergens, so you don’t want them in your home. By using a dehumidifier, you’ll lower their levels, making your crawl space less appealing for these microorganisms.
- Improves air quality:
With a device like this that cleans and filters the air, the air that goes up to your living space will be much healthier for your family.
- Improves your home’s health:
As we’ve said, moisture in your crawl space can lead to a wide range of problems. It can damage the underlying structure of your home, causing wooden elements to warp and crack. It will also compromise the structural integrity of your home. A dehumidifier will prevent these problems, making your home healthy overall.
- Makes your home inhospitable for pests:
Aside from getting rid of moisture, a dehumidifier will make your crawl space less attractive to all sorts of pests. From insects to mice and rats, having low humidity in your home will make your foundation less convenient for nesting and breeding.
- Reduces energy consumption:
With moisture in your crawl space, your heater and AC will need to work much harder to keep the home’s temperature at an optimal level. As such, they will use more energy and make your bills sky-rocket. A dehumidifier can lower these costs significantly and improve your budget.
Dehumidifier Maintenance
Like all other elements of your home, a dehumidifier will need proper and frequent maintenance. This is, of course, if you want it to work properly and improve your crawl space area. With regular maintenance services provided by your local waterproofing experts, you can be at ease knowing that your dehumidifier is in top shape. Here are some of the things the experts will do to ensure the proper functioning of your appliance:
- Placement: To work properly, a dehumidifier will need suitable placement. An expert will make sure nothing is blocking it and that it can be easily accessed. They also can ensure that it is lifted off the ground so that standing water doesn’t damage it if there’s a flood.
- Cleaning the filter: The filter removes the debris particles from the air and keeps them in the machine. An expert will check it to see whether it needs to be cleaned or replaced.
- Checking the humidistat: The humidistat keeps track of the energy output. It controls the temperature so that your dehumidifier doesn’t overwork. If you keep it on high, your device will malfunction. A professional can check the humidistat and determine whether your unit needs a break.
- Coils: Modern dehumidifiers use coils to remove moisture from the air. Still, these elements are sensitive and could end up not working without proper maintenance. To make sure they’re okay, an expert will ensure the temperatures don’t go below 60°F.
Will a Dehumidifier Keep My Crawl Space Dry and Pest-Free?
Unfortunately, a dehumidifier by itself won’t be enough to secure your crawl space from moisture and pests. You’ll need to combine it with other techniques and solutions to do that. First thing’s first — to make your crawl space safe from humidity, you’ll need to encapsulate it. A vapor barrier will also make it harder for pests to enter your crawl space.
Encapsulation involves conditioning and lining the floor and walls with overlapping sheets of thick polyethylene plastic. It’s key to mention that you should not do this on your own, so you’ll need professional help.
If you’re looking to install a dehumidifier in your crawl space, you should contact Tar Heel Basement Services in North Carolina. Our team provides service to both Raleigh and Winston-Salem and you can schedule your free inspection right now. Besides a dehumidifier, we offer encapsulation and other essential fixes for your crawl space. Together, they will make all your moisture and pest problems things of the past.
