Crawl space dehumidifiers are similar to full-house dehumidifiers, but there are a few key differences between the products.
Crawl Space Dehumidifiers Versus Household Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers, in general, pull unwanted moisture out of your air. That water will transform from a gas into a liquid courtesy of a system of coolant and piping, and it will be stored in a container you can remove from your home as you please. While a dehumidifier might not prove the most effective waterproofing measure if you’re faced with flooding on a regular basis, they can help you get ahead of potential foundation damage while also lowering your risk of leaking pipes, not to mention your electric bill.
Crawl space dehumidifiers, however, are often more heavy-duty than all-house dehumidifiers. These dehumidifiers run larger than their all-house peers because they are designed to withstand battering from the elements as well as from any excess moisture that may try and make its way into your home. You should not try to install an all-house dehumidifier in your crawl space, as the workload will overwhelm it at a far more rapid rate than the moisture in the upper levels of your home would.
Crawl Space Dehumidifiers as Waterproofing Measures
As mentioned, crawl space dehumidifiers help eliminate some of the unwanted moisture in your crawl space. That said, dehumidifiers on their own may not always serve as perfect waterproofing solutions. Unless you have a self-draining unit, which we recommend, you’ll need to empty your dehumidifier on a regular basis if you want it to continue functioning as normal. You may also want to pair your dehumidifier with a vapor barrier or crawl space encapsulation if you want it to work more effectively. When paired with other home waterproofing measures, dehumidifiers live longer and tend to protect your sensitive crawl space more effectively.
In short, you’ll want to consider just how much moisture you’re seeing throughout your home before you install a crawl space dehumidifier. If, for example, you’re contending with flash flooding on a regular basis, you may want a home waterproofing measure that’s more suitable like interior drainage and a sump pump. Note that it will be in your best interest to invest in any necessary crawl space or foundation repairs before you go installing any manner of crawl space waterproofing measure, a dehumidifier included.