The Best Place to Install a Dehumidifier in Crawl Space

[@poshko41]

I have an encapsulated crawlspace with an AquaStop dehumidifier. I don't think the placement by the waterproofing company was the greatest - it's just outside the crawlspace in the basement catty cornered about a foot from the wall. I think they did that because we don't have any outlets in the crawlspace. I'm planning to run some romex and install an outlet. I have a few questions: 1.) Should the dehu be on a dedicated circuit? 2.) Are there hangers that can be purchased to mount it to the floor joists (my crawlspace has quite a bit of headroom - roughly 4'). Is it ideal to mount it this high off the ground? 3.) What is the best way to plumb for water removal? Does the pipe need to have a downward slope or does the dehu pump the water out? Thanks a lot! You guys are the best.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Hey! I think what you need is specific detailed information and how you can do that is submit those questions to Ask a Ninja here - crawlspaceninja.com/ask-a-ninja/

[@americandude3825]

Good stuff. Gotta do our North Carolina crawl space. Doing 20 mil vapor barrier, insulation over the vents, and a duhu by aprilaire. Parts are around $2500. (This is also for the masonry caulk, vapor barrier tape, etc).

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Good luck on your project, American Dude. If you need any advice, make sure to reach out to us. You can also find a huge supply of crawl space encapsulation products on our website at diy.crawlspaceninja.com. Thanks for watching! Have a happy and blessed day!

[@americandude3825]

@@CrawlSpaceNinja thanks. I’m using your site. 12 mil, not 20. I’m waiting for a coupon code email haha

[@lbmitchell1777]

Good Day, love your videos. We have a "U" shaped crawl space. Crawl space is encapsulated, vents closed off and a new door is installed and sealed around the edges. Can't find your other video regarding adding fans at a couple of places. Can you tell me what type of fans to use and probably some kind of humidity switch to turn it on and off? Thanks p.s. unit in currently in the center of the crawl space but not exactly in the center more to the back of the crawl space but also centered. Crawl space also has french drains around the inside, draining to 2 sump pump which pump outside the house.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

You may like our Lomanco Foundation Vent Fan! They are good for 1500 sq ft and you may need another if you have a bigger crawl space. Here is a link - diy.crawlspaceninja.com/lomanco-pcv1-foundation-vent-fan/

[@reeltalkwithrealnurses9518]

I have a crawl space that has more moisture issues on one third of the crawlspace while the other two thirds is much drier. My question is would you orient the dehumidifier with the dry air (outflow) blower directed towards the moisture side or away from the moisture side?

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Probably best blowing dry air at moisture.

[@reeltalkwithrealnurses9518]

Thanks! @@CrawlSpaceNinja

[@lbmitchell1777]

We ended up putting the new Santa Fe dehumidifier in the center of the crawl space to start, even though our crawl space is like a "U" shape. In my crawl space, 2 sensors: one reading was 42% and the other was 57%. Next, we installed two small circular fans to push the air around. Seems to be working. Sensor reading 41% AND 43%. Is there some way we can have these fans on a humidistat and set them at 40% so they would shut off? Thanks, Bill

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Most foundation vent fans run continuously unless turned off. We are unsure which ones you have

[@chaznelson5]

Im northern midwest. You said I can just drain it under my vapor barrier?

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

We don't do that here in the south. But many people that I've spoken to in the northern Midwest do run the condensation line under the plastic. I recommend you dig a 12x12x12 hole and fill it full of some type of gravel to help the water dissipate into the soil so that you don't have a soggy mess directly under the plastic.

[@dbogmaw2138]

Reference jills question on drain, i just finished encapsulation and I voiced a concern to the company about the drain pipe. It terminates out side about 1 1/2 yards from the wall But it curves up out of the ground. I noticed water in the end when I checked it the other day and I wonder if this will create a stoppage and cause machine damage and what is the best way to protect it from the few cold days where we may get freezing temperatures, snow. I am not comfortable with the answer the company gave me. My personal experience with contractors leaves me anxious and it's not in my head. Please respond.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

You can attach condensate lines to existing downspout extensions, sump pumps located inside the crawl space/basement or to a dry well outside the home. We will create a dry well using gravel or you can bury a premade one in the ground and allow the water to leach into the surrounding soil. Here is a link to a premade one - www.ndspro.com/products/drainage/dry-wells.html Hope that helps.

[@jeepslivin]

Ok so. Cant find answers without a ton of 💰. so maybe you can advise me mr ninja. Buying a 1950 farm house. Crawl space is wet. Partially from a leak. Partially from ground. Got yellow fungi growing in rafters and black mold on block walls and the mushrooms are happy . Area is roughly 40x40 x21/2 tall(average). 1. What size dehu would you recommend. I wanna wait untill dried out some to put barrier down. Is that a correct process. What would be your remediation steps to take. Thanks

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Hey contact us at [e-mail] and we can assist you!

[@djpatel78]

Do I need to close the vents in crawl space after dehumidifier install? What is best way to close the vents?

[@patrickk5370]

Google your question . I am working on the same project and there are variables to your question. It depends on wall insulation

[@AtlantaHospiceRN]

YESSSSSSSSSS! We have a 1963 brick ranch. We sealed w the foam insulation and caulked. Working like a charm. We are on year 4

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Shivaay, you definitely need to seal and close your crawl space vents. There are a variety of ways that you can do this. You can find crawl space encapsulation products on our website at diy.crawlspaceninja.com. We hope this helps. Thanks for watching. We hope you have a happy and blessed day!

[@Always_Never]

Can someone help me. I know it's not the preferred method, but my options are limited. I was wondering if I can put the dehumidifier right beside the crawl space entrance...I understand it's not working as great as putting it directly into the crawl space. But my options are limited as I'm recovering from a torn achillis and too tall to be attempting to crawl under there. I don't have a floor drain, so im left to having to empty the dehumidifier regularly...appreciate any insight!

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

a dehumidifier made for a crawl space is designed to only be maintenaced every 6 months. You can install this near the entry way as well. Contact us at [e-mail]

[@sandan2358]

What’s a return filter? We change our furnace/ac filter in the furnace. Where do I look for a return air filter. We are in KS, house built in 1982.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Thanks for watching, Check out this video about return air filters kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX_IgH-Kbr-aZpo

[@jillcipriani1431]

How does a crawl space dehumidifier drain if there is nowhere to drain it to? Sorry this is such a dumb question, but I am dealing with mold removal soon and probably encapsulation so I want to make sure I have a good answer from someone not doing the job.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Hey Jill Cipriani, A condensate pump has a reservoir that collects the condensate from the dehumidifier and works like a sump pump. Once the reservoir fills to a set level, a float triggers the pump that forces the water down through the drain pipe and out of the crawlspace to the termination spot. Thanks for watching and have a blessed day

[@markpfeffer3519]

My home is located in the Virginia Blue Ridge mountains. I have 750 sq ft crawl space divided into 4 chambers each separated by concrete with 4ft square entrance. I will not have insulation under the floor following encapsulation. Would I need multiple dehumidifiers? I have received different recommendations on this topic from different contractor's. Your recommendation would be appreciated as you seem to have the most expertise.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Mark - Michael actually did a video on this very subject: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWrCfGeAhLKrhKM Let us know if you have any further questions. We appreciate you watching and hope you have a happy and blessed day!

[@jamessquibb7433]

My Basement/Crawl Space is about 60/40. How would that type of install provide the most benefit?

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

We typically put the dehumidifier in the area that is most damp of the two. Thanks for watching, hope that helps.

[@brandiigiibson]

I have a Santa Fe 90 in my crawlspace. I was wondering if using the ducting kit would be a great way to move air throughout the crawlspace since I can’t place it centrally? Also, would this help potentially with any soil gases that may be present? We used 6 mil plastic which I wish we had used higher. I’m considering buying a thicker plastic for just the ground space. Also, how do I know if I should leave a vent open or which one to leave open?

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Brandi, the ducting kit definitely would circulate air in your crawl space. A radon gas fan would need to be installed if your crawl space does not have a drain pipe system. By doing this, you will be able to get rid of soil gas. The thicker vapor barrier will also help compared to the 6 mil plastic. You would want to keep your air vents closed if you had your crawl space encapsulated. We hope this answers your questions. We appreciate you watching. Have a happy and blessed day.

[@MC-yg7gp]

Wondering on orientation. The back half of the crawl space is 85% while the front half is dry. I have a crawl space dehumidifier centered but on the moist side and wondering if the filtered intake faces the moist side or should I duct my exhaust to face it? Currently the intake is facing the moisture but there isn't any ducting attached to the exhaust.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Have the intake side of the unit facing the moist side. That way it is drawing more moisture from that area. So great job!

[@danielschweig8221]

I have a question I’m going to be installing the 12 mil vapor barrier I purchased from you in my crawl which is approximately 500 sq ft with about 330 sq ft gravel and the rest is concrete I will be installing a dehumidifier also. I will be sealing all vents as best as possible. Question is should I be dehumidifying before I install the vapor barrier to reduce the ground moisture? And if so is that going to damage the dehumidifier?

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

We'd recommend going ahead and installing the vapor barrier and then the dehumidifier.

[@dionstephen88]

Sir just brought my first home at 57 yes old can I just go to Menards and get a dehumidifier for now and what should I do before a get it going ?thank you.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Dehumidifiers MUST be sufficient for the space that you are dehumidifying, IDK Menards, so we can't say yes or know, but here is the link for the AprilAire dehumidifiers, which we fully trust and have YEARS of experience with. diy.crawlspaceninja.com/dehumidifiers/ Keep in mind, with AprilAire you receive a warranty of 5 FULL years, we pay for your shipping as well, and we ship your products WITHIN 2 business days.

[@charmainewallace7414]

My crawl space is so small that no human body can fit. Starting to smell the moisture. Is there a dehumidifier you can use that you can slide a small tube into the catch door? What do you recommend?

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

The smallest we have is E070 and that is probably too big, so sorry. Is it possible to install in living space and duct into crawl space through subfloor?

[@SkipSandwichDX1]

Hey I could really use a crawlspace dehumidifier recommendation. I had some water intrusion from an hvac condensation leak and a gutter pushing rain water towards a slopped corner of the foundation. Those leaks resulted in 74 RF and 16-17 wood moisture. Once I take care of the leaks i want to conitor the RF and install a dehu. What kind should I get with a budget??

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

While they're not the cheapest on the market, you definitely get what you pay for with Aprilaire dehumidifiers. They also have an amazing warranty as well. We have been installing them exclusively for several years in our clients' homes and have been very happy with them!

[@SkipSandwichDX1]

@@CrawlSpaceNinja thanks for the reply. If my crawlspace isn't encapsulated and my vapor barrier isn't complete is it still worth installing a dehu? I heard that the dehu will be overworked from ground moisture constantly coming up.

[@patrickk5370]

@@SkipSandwichDX1 I'm wondering the same thing

[@ReDone01x]

Off topic, I see crawl space trenches being dug on the inside perimeter of the crawl space. Any reason why you can't dig on the exterior?

[@jimc3891]

Most crawlspaces are at least partially if not completely backfilled. Some depending on frost line can be 4 feet +/-. So this would required excavating down 4’, not an easy task. Correctly built a crawlspace should have an exterior footing drain. In theory this should keep external water from entering the crawlspace. Water can still infiltrate through any opening it finds above the footing drain. An interior drain system in wet areas is a good idea. I am in the middle of a project where I am doing both. Including waterproofing outside of foundation, installing a footing drain, insulating then back filling to ground level with crushed stone. As well as interior perimeter drain that can be drained by gravity. I might install a sump pump for good measure.

[@danahendrix4334]

What if your humidifier is leaking

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

It may require maintenance. Sometimes they get clogged with bacteria called zooglea. If that's not it, see if under warranty for repair, replacement.

[@wg1408]

Can you compare all good dehumidifiers under $1000? Be honest. Don't let Aprilaire control you

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Over several years in the industry, we have chosen to exclusively offer Aprilaire dehumidifiers to both our local and online customers. We have used other commercial dehumidifiers in the past but found that they do not compare to Aprilaire when it comes to long-term reliability, warranty, and customer service. We're not controlled by Aprilaire, we just think they're the best on the market and we don't want to settle for less. 😁 We understand they're not in everyone's budget though. You may have luck searching other videos on KZbin for comparisons for other dehumidifiers.

[@EmilyGoodin]

If you are in an area that has winter temps, make sure you check minimum temperature ratings. I'm in the PNW and decided to go with AlorAir because it can dehumidify down to 34F and the comparable AprilAire only goes to 47F.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

@@EmilyGoodin This is not quite accurate. From the manufacturer - Aprilaire units hibernate at a 40-degree dew point. There is almost nothing to dehumidify when you hit 34 degrees. There are not enough grains of moisture in the air. Cold coils turn into ice makers when you go below 40 degrees. You need a desiccant dehumidifier at super-low temperatures.

[@EmilyGoodin]

@@CrawlSpaceNinja Thanks so much for the reply! Here in the PNW from October thru March the temp lows/highs are between 36-50 degrees with 80% or higher humidity, so I'm comfortable with the decision to go with AlorAir, but I appreciate the detailed response!

[@carterleynes6380]

That's a moldy brick wall behind you

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Thanks for sharing and have a blessed day. Lol, It's actually a backdrop.