Not All Crawl Space Encapsulations are Created Equally Part IV - Dehumidifiers and Crawl Space Doors

Dehumidifiers

Installing a dehumidifier is the last piece of the puzzle. There are really two options here, use a dehumidifier or don’t. The purpose of the dehumidifier is to control the relative humidity. Now that the crawl space is sealed and insulated it is part of the conditioned space. The thermal barrier has now extended down to the floor of your crawl space. There are plenty of different dehumidifiers on the market and they all have different specifications telling you how many square feet the unit can handle, the amount of moisture it can pull out of the air in a given period and the amount of energy it uses. While the specific unit used does depend on the size of the space that needs to be dehumidified, any dehumidifiers installed by The Drying Co. also include a condensate pump. The condensate pump allows for the automatic draining of any of the moisture collected by the dehumidifier and it is discharged away from the home’s foundation. All our Dehumidifiers also include a wireless Hygrometer. This Hygrometer communicates with a sensor in the crawl space and allows you to monitor the humidity and temperature in your crawl space.

Crawl Space Doors

Many crawl space doors rust and degrade over time, gaps allow moisture and air to enter the crawl space. Even a well fit exterior crawl space door could still have gaps and allow moisture to enter your newly conditioned space. Homeowners will receive a Friction Fit Crawl Space Door with every encapsulation. The Friction Fit door is an interior crawl space door that is custom fit and framed using foam board insulation. this door completes the seal on your crawl space keeping air carrying moisture out.

On the exterior and ABS or EverLast Door can be fitted or you can opt to keep your existing crawl space door. The ABS and EverLast doors never rust or rot, never need to be repainted, complies with most HOA regulations, and keeps the outside air and moisture out. The ABS is a face mounted door while the EverLast door is recessed. The door that is best suited for your home is determined by the height and width of the crawl space entrance.

A full encapsulation that includes sealing, insulating, and dehumidifying the crawl space it can keep floors warmer, reduce drafts on the first floor of your home, promote healthy indoor air quality, and significantly increase the structural durability and longevity of your home. With so many options for encapsulation, it is important to understand all the aspects of the process. Some companies only offer a limited number of these options, and some might not do all of these things at all. Take the time to understand your options and ask any questions you have.