Crawl Space Humidity Control 101 | 4 Crucial Things To Do

[@ambassadorTenney]

Been watching your videos a lot recently. I ordered from your DIY store and am in the process of installing my dehumidifier now. Customer support was extremely helpful and very responsive. Thanks for the videos and information!

[@randallli85]

Nice videos! When you encapsulate the crawl space and seal all vents/door, do you need fresh air intake duct for the furnace in crawl space? My crawl space is 2,200 sqft, some contractors say I need intake duct, some say no.

[@sp1200M3D]

No, CRV systems and dehumidifiers in sealed crawlspaces is pointless.

[@vondy4430]

What is an expectable humidity difference throughout a fully encapsulated and dehumidified crawlspace? After having ours done and the dehumidifier running for a month and a half, we have had as much as a 20 percent difference from one area to another. I have 4 hygrometer sensors placed in my crawlspace (1600SF) to keep an eye on it. The company just relocated the dehumidifier to a more centrally located area under there to help even out. My understanding is humidity seeks dry so you’d think an encapsulated area would even out throughout.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Do you have lots of ductwork or other obstructions down there like pillars or floor supports? That could be why your dehumidifier is having trouble getting the dry air out. The Aprilaires come with ducting collars so you can help move the dry air around the crawl space better. This video goes into more detail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omGVaZ1npr1lnbs It may also be that your dehumidifier is not sized properly for your space. It can take several months for a crawl space to fully dry out depending on how high the humidity and wood moisture levels were in the beginning.

[@Blindsquirrel74]

I’m having our crawl space encapsulated here in Savannah Ga next month, and I’m wondering if it would be safe to run the hose from the condensate pump over to our pool. Seems like a great way to reuse that water. Any input would be appreciated. Love your videos!

[@vinylrules4838]

Hey, Grubbs, I am in Savannah as well and need to address our crawl space. Are you installing a dehumidifier? If so, what about an escape route for water under the house if it floods. Flood insurance requires a certain amount of vent area for water to escape to recieve a discount.

[@Blindsquirrel74]

@@vinylrules4838 yes we’re having a dehumidifier installed. As far as an escape route for flood water, I’m not required to have flood insurance so it’s not an issue for me. I do believe they make a floodwater vent for crawl spaces though that you could look into.

[@vinylrules4838]

@@Blindsquirrel74 Thanks for the reply. Glad flood insurance is not an issue. We live close enough to the water that a hurricane could cause flood damage. So flood insurance is a must. Yes, I have seen the flood vent covers. Last I looked they run $100 a piece and they don't provide an airtight seal. I would need 12 of them. Not cheap and they are ugly to boot. I suppose painting them could help with the looks. I am a diy kinda of guy and not looking forward to tackling our crawl space that has major issues.

[@Blindsquirrel74]

@@vinylrules4838 good luck to you. Hopefully someone here can steer you in the right direction. We live in the Isle of Hope area and have a view of the Herb River, but for whatever reason flood insurance isn’t a requirement. Our house sits quite a bit higher than the river and marsh, so perhaps that’s why. We had a rodent problem under our house and they destroyed the insulation on our ductwork, causing condensation so bad that our hardwood floors have begun to buckle.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

We wouldn't necessarily recommend that. Bacteria builds up in the condensate pumps (check out this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4DTp2aEgNx5jZI) and that's why they need to be maintenanced every 6 months. While I know the pool has chemicals in it to help take care of things like that, I still don't think it would be the best idea.

[@SamLopez11]

"It's not the heat that gets you, it's the humidity!"- every Midwesterner. You would fit in great in the Midwest haha

[@willcoxs.5887]

What are your thoughts on installing vent fans in colder climates. I'm trying to get a client to install a vent fan but she thinks the winter time will allow too much cold air in.

[@9Packin]

We had a full encapsulation done on our crawlspace last summer. As per Mr. Church's recommendation I installed foam board insulation with spray foam to seal up all the vents except one, which I installed the Lamanco vent fan that runs constantly. I live in Indiana so we have cold winters. I let the fan run all winter and didn't have any issues. It's creating a negative pressure in the crawlspace and blowing air out, not in, so it's not an issue.

[@sp1200M3D]

Your energy bill will skyrocket, all that cold air will intrude up through your home from the stack effect.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

The way we install vent fans is that they are blowing out of the crawl space constantly. There may be a minimal amount of colder temperatures make it's way through the plastic (as it would with your typical closed plastic vents), but it definitely won't be letting cold air flow into the crawl space.

[@Brandon-no3vc]

lets get franchises going in Canada

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Brandon, as Crawl Space Ninja continues to grow, we're always looking for new areas to expand into. Maybe one day :)

[@jimbo8743]

👍

[@1KemosabeLarry]

What is a proper humidity number?

[@sp1200M3D]

40 in subterranean spaces and 45 above ground.

[@1KemosabeLarry]

Thanks!

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

We recommend around 45-55% relative humidity.

[@mikeschoolcraft21]

I had 4 companies inspect my Crawlspace and the contract is the problem. For $10k I want a guarantee, read the contract and what is not included.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Absolutely. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples when comparing contacts and make sure they have written guarantees for their work. It can be hard to find quality contractors!

[@christianjohnson6519]

1st

[@sp1200M3D]

Do not cover moisture. Period.