Crawlspace moisture problems

Excessive crawlspace moisture may result in unwanted effects and damage in both the crawlspace and living areas of a home. Crawlspace problems include condensation on surfaces including floor joists and other wooden framing members, mold, insect infestations, dry rot of wooden structures, and structural damage. Living space problems include high humidity, sagging floors or buckled hardwood floors, musty odors, moisture damage and mold.

Crawlspace problems are a function of temperature and two other major variables: crawlspace dynamics and moisture sources. Interactions of these three variables create challenges for a solution. We are all familiar with temperature variations.

Crawlspace Dynamics

Crawlspace dynamics are a function of many variables:

Footprint - crawlspace shapes vary from a rectangle to a complex polygon
Size - crawlspace volume = surface area x height
Elevation with respect to adjacent property and the water table
Location and position with respect to climate and weather conditions
Soil composition
Equipment within the crawlspace

Crawlspace Moisture Sources

Crawlspace moisture sources may be from outside or inside the crawlspace:

Roof runoff from rain
Exterior ground water from inadequate grading
Humid air
Plumbing leaks
Evaporation from perimeter walls
Evaporation from the ground (soil)

Relative Humidity & Dew Point

Crawlspace relative humidity and dew point depend on the interaction of these three variables: temperature, crawlspace dynamics and moisture sources. Dew point is a function of temperature and relative humidity. Excessive moisture in the crawlspace results in high relative humidity. Reducing excessive moisture until the relative humidity is less than 70% will decrease the potential for crawlspace surface condensation and its associated problems.

Dry Tek Environmental Solution

Adjusting crawlspace relative humidity to less than 70% is achieved by preventing the accumulation of excessive moisture within the crawlspace. Optimum control of crawlspace humidity and moisture requires a unique or customized system design and installation of equipment.

CHAMP - Custom Humidity Adjustment & Moisture Prevention

CHAMP is a customized system design and installation that correctly adjusts crawlspace humidity and prevents the accumulation of excessive moisture.