If you’ve gotten your carpets and upholstery cleaned, but there’s a persistent musty odor throughout your home that still lingers — your crawl space could be the culprit. Excessive moisture that’s trapped in your crawl space can lead to mold overgrowth and a mildew smell. A crawl space dehumidifier can help resolve this issue.
Installing a dehumidifier is probably the best way to get rid of the musty odor in your home for good. This dehumidifier buyer’s guide outlines five things you should consider before purchasing one for your home.
1. Buying Dehumidifiers for Your Crawl Space’s Condition and Configuration
Before deciding on the best crawl space dehumidifier for your home, you’ll need to assess the condition and configuration of your crawl space. If you live in a humid climate zone or have had minor flooding in your neighborhood, it may damage the insulation in your crawl space. You’ll need to get a licensed contractor to determine the extent of the moisture damage.
If there’s mold in your crawl space, call a professional to do mold remediation before installing a dehumidifier. They have the proper equipment to do the job safely. After removing and replacing the old insulation in its entirety, you’ll want to consider sealing up the space by eliminating the crawl space vents to reduce moisture in the crawl space.
2. Dehumidifier Size
A critical piece of advice is the importance of sizing the appliance for your space. If you have an ample crawl space, you’ll need a large dehumidifier.
Humidity is another factor determining the size of the dehumidifier you’ll want for your crawl space. Industry experts say that your crawl space’s humidity level should be lower than 55%. A crawl space with a higher humidity level will require a larger dehumidifier.
3. Best Crawl Space Dehumidifier for Optimal Power Consumption
Besides experiencing poor indoor air quality, many homeowners complain of higher-than-average energy bills when overly damp crawl spaces lead them in search of a dehumidifier. However, if you get a dehumidifier that’s too large for your crawl space, you’ll also spend more than you need to spend for power.
Dehumidifiers are sized based on their moisture extraction capacity in pints. If you have a 1,200 square-foot crawl space that has an average humidity level of 50%, you’ll need a 50-pint dehumidifier. Anything more significant will needlessly increase your monthly energy bills.
4. Drainage and Indoor Air Quality Accessories
When considering where to buy a dehumidifier, you’ll want a dealer that carries a variety of accessories to effectively remove excess moisture from your crawl space, keeping it clean and dry. After talking to a basement and crawl space repair specialist, you may find that the best dehumidifier for your space has an attached pump. The pump sucks in the extracted water and channels it into a drain away from your home’s foundation.
Other accessories that you should consider are built-in fans and air filtration systems. Your dehumidifier’s sensors can detect rising moisture levels and turn on powerful fans to bring humidity levels back within the normal range, depending on your chosen model. The dehumidifier’s air filters help remove mold spores from the air that eventually reaches your family’s living spaces.
5. Hiring An Installation Contractor to Remove Moisture in Crawl Space
Choosing a reputable basement and crawl space repair contractor to help you acquire the best dehumidifier is a decision that can save you money in the long term. The right contractor can recommend the correct dehumidifier size, the needed accessories, and where to buy a dehumidifier that has all of the bells and whistles that you want for your space.
Manufacturers of high-performance dehumidifiers may require professional installation to keep warranty agreements intact. You’ll want to work with an installation company that has a proven track record of success, is licensed and insured, and has glowing reviews from other satisfied customers.
Ground Up Can Help
Buying a home is one of the most important investments that you’ll make in your lifetime. When you find a place to land, you’ll want to protect your home from damage. One of the most overlooked hazards to your home is excessive moisture in crawl space areas, leading to warped wood floors, poor indoor air quality, and pest infestation. Installing a dehumidifier can help to alleviate these issues and make your home more comfortable.
Ground Up Foundation Repair will ensure that your crawl space is ready for a dehumidifier. Whether you need crawl space repairs or just some objective advice on buying dehumidifiers, our foundation experts got you covered. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.