Notgrownup
Well-known member
I have too much humidity in my crawl space. I need to reduce it more, I tried a fan but all it does is **** more humidity inside..Anybody have the same issue, especially in the southeast?
Crawl space encapsulation for humidity
- Thread starter Notgrownup
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outdoorspace
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Yep, I encapsulated mine for that reason. Make sure you guarantee no water will get in there because that will trash your encapsulation. Think hurricanes etc too. I did a French drain at the footer to daylight.
I run the dehumidifier in the summer months, and in the winter I run a little muffin fan to outside.
I run the dehumidifier in the summer months, and in the winter I run a little muffin fan to outside.
CombatNinja
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- Aug 24, 2013
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Full insulation/encapsulation is the way to go if you can afford it. I also highly recommend a dehumidifier as well for the Southeast. If you can't afford the whole thing, you can greatly reduce moisture by just putting a thick vapor barrier down on the ground. This is one of those projects that costs a ridiculous amount of money if you hire it out but can be DIY'd for about 1/5th of the price.
OP
Notgrownup
Well-known member
I thought about doing it myself...There is about 85% vapor barrier already, needs to be 100%. I have arthritis pretty bad so I am hesitant to start something I don’t know if I can get done myself...
readhead
Well-known member
If you have foundation vents start by closing them off. They just let more moisture in.
I had mine done last year, insulsted and 20 mil vapor barrior and i put a dehumidifier in there. Cost was 4k +/- for the encapsulation
I also had rotting joists they did a mold removal too, fix it early it cheaper.
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
I also had rotting joists they did a mold removal too, fix it early it cheaper.
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
OP
Notgrownup
Well-known member
Friend of mine is a GC and is coming over next week, he’s gonna give me a few options...I Will also call a Crawl space specialist.
toplessHO
Well-known member
you may first try a sump hole and a pump. dig sump hole a few ft deep and fill partly with gravel,see if you get any water,if so pump then seal.
OP
Notgrownup
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I actually don’t have standing water, except for a few puddles on the plastic vapor barrier. There is moisture on my floor joists.
toplessHO
Well-known member
ok where is the moisture coming from? the ground or the air?
if its in the ground you sump it,pump it then seal it up.
if its the air you can try and block off and seal,but it will need to be air tight.
moving alot of air with the ground sealed will dry it out. As others have said start the drainage outside with perimeter drains
if its in the ground you sump it,pump it then seal it up.
if its the air you can try and block off and seal,but it will need to be air tight.
moving alot of air with the ground sealed will dry it out. As others have said start the drainage outside with perimeter drains
OP
Notgrownup
Well-known member
I think it’s both, our humidity is reall high here, The ground is also damp...The dirt under the house is fairly dry, just humid...I hope just making the vapor barrier 100% coverage will solve, maybe I need to have my vents closed in the summer as well with the fan running ...will see soon enough
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Notgrownup
Well-known member
Well I sealed my foundation vents with 1/2" foil lines insulation and liquid nails, I ordered a Dehumidifier , hanging kit and remote thermostat yesterday from WWW.SYLVANE.COM I bought a Aprilaire 1830 70 pint capacity dehumidifier, it has a 5 year warranty and is rated pretty well from what I can gather... I will add more vapor barrier to get 100% coverage under the house but the Dehumidifier should make it a lot better...
https://www.aprilaire.com/whole-house-products/dehumidifier/model-1830
I got a quote to do complete encapsulation with insulation, sump pump, 12 mil barrier and dehumidifier for $14500..
Then one with all above minus the wall insilation and sump pump for $6500.00
then one for just doing the vents, 100% vapor barrier and a dehumidifier for $2600
..
I bought the better dehumidifier, hanger kit and remote thermostat for $1259.00 delivered, sealed all the vents for about $50.00 and I already have the vapor barrier at the house, I think that was like $50.00
THat money I saved will go towards a Mini split in my shop...
Nice thing about this unit is I can also run it through the house HVAC unit and use it for crawlspace dehumidification but the humidity in my house isn't bad
https://www.aprilaire.com/whole-house-products/dehumidifier/model-1830
I got a quote to do complete encapsulation with insulation, sump pump, 12 mil barrier and dehumidifier for $14500..
Then one with all above minus the wall insilation and sump pump for $6500.00
then one for just doing the vents, 100% vapor barrier and a dehumidifier for $2600
..
I bought the better dehumidifier, hanger kit and remote thermostat for $1259.00 delivered, sealed all the vents for about $50.00 and I already have the vapor barrier at the house, I think that was like $50.00
THat money I saved will go towards a Mini split in my shop...
Nice thing about this unit is I can also run it through the house HVAC unit and use it for crawlspace dehumidification but the humidity in my house isn't bad
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aunsafe2015
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What did you seal the vents with?
OP
Notgrownup
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1/2” thick foil lined boards held in with liquid nails. You see the picture up there?
aunsafe2015
Well-known member
Yep I can see the picture. Nice.
OP
Notgrownup
Well-known member
I hope it works, like I said I will install the dehumidifier and monitor it and then more vapor barrier but I will need help with that...1 thing at the time.
OP
Notgrownup
Well-known member
Installed my dehumidifier today, used the hanging kit and hard plumbed to the sewer line with a swing valve in case of back ups, never know...went pretty good, converted the receptacle to gfci to be safe.
I hope it solves my problems...
I hope it solves my problems...
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aunsafe2015
Well-known member
Looks good. Are you pretty sure it does not need a trap? I believe the ultra Aire dehumidifiers need a trap but I could be wrong.
OP
Notgrownup
Well-known member
Only said to install at a descending slope, I put the swing valve only for peace of mind. I am having a problem programming my remote thermostat....