Whether your crawlspace is encapsulated or not, it’s subject to heat and humidity. Long, warm summers can create enough humidity to warrant the use of a crawlspace dehumidifier. A dehumidifier helps regulate the humidity levels, keeping your crawlspace healthy. So how does a dehumidifier work? A crawlspace dehumidifier takes the warm, moist air in and releases dry air.
Homeowners must deal with problems like wood rot, mold, mildew, and termites if the crawlspace collects too much moisture. A termite infestation can take over your entire home, causing massive damage. To determine if you need a crawlspace dehumidifier, you need to have special tools to measure the relative humidity under your home.
The crawlspace should stay between 50-60% relative humidity. Wood moisture levels should not exceed 12%. However, if the relative humidity reaches over 60%, the wood moisture levels will rise, giving way to fungal and mold growth. Conversely, the wood will be too dry if the humidity levels are too low, leading to cracking and shrinking.
If you have an encapsulated crawlspace, a dehumidifier may still be necessary to control the dew point and reduce condensation. Adding a crawlspace dehumidifier to the area will eliminate any concerns with condensation. As long as the moisture levels stay low, you should not have any issues with unwanted pests.
If you need someone to come out and assess your crawlspace, our team at Nixon Cleaning and Restoration LLC is here to check your relative humidity levels and answer your questions.