Is Your Home a Humidity Trap? The Surprising Source Lurking Below.

That sticky, heavy, and uncomfortable feeling in your home isn't just in your head—it's high humidity. Excess moisture in the air doesn't just make you feel warmer; it creates a breeding ground for mold, invites pests, and can even cause damage to your home's wooden structures. You can run your air conditioner constantly and use exhaust fans, but if you're not addressing the primary source of the problem, you're just fighting a losing battle.

So, where is all this moisture coming from? For many homeowners, the answer is surprising: it's coming from right under your feet. It's a little-known fact that up to 50% of the musty, humid air you breathe on the upper levels of your home originates from your crawl space.

Why Your Crawl Space is a Humidity Generator 

Most crawl spaces have exposed dirt floors and porous concrete walls. Moisture from the earth constantly evaporates into the crawl space, creating a damp, humid environment. For decades, the conventional wisdom was to ventilate this space, hoping to dry it out. However, this is a myth. In humid climates, opening the vents simply invites more warm, humid air into the cool crawl space, where it condenses and makes the problem even worse—this is known as the "stack effect."

This super-humid air then rises naturally into the living areas of your home, bringing with it moisture, musty odors, and mold spores, forcing your air conditioner to work overtime and never allowing your home to feel truly comfortable.

The Real Solution: Crawl Space Encapsulation 

If venting doesn't work, how do you stop this constant stream of moisture? You cut it off at the source through a process called crawl space encapsulation. This involves completely sealing and isolating your crawl space from the earth and the outside air.

A professional encapsulation system, like the CleanSpace® liner system, is the most effective way to transform your damp crawl space into a clean, dry, and conditioned area that benefits your entire home. Here’s how it works:

• Seal the Vents and Openings: The first step is to do the opposite of the old, failed method. All outside vents, doors, and other openings are sealed off to prevent humid outside air from entering the space.
• Install a Heavy-Duty Vapor Barrier: A thick and durable vapor barrier, typically 20-mil thick like the CleanSpace® liner, is laid down across the entire crawl space floor, up the walls, and around any piers or columns. This heavy-duty liner is specifically designed to stop moisture from the earth from evaporating into the crawl space. It's often bright white to make the space look cleaner and is treated with an antimicrobial agent to prevent mold growth on the liner itself.
• Condition the Air: Once the space is completely sealed, the air inside must be conditioned. The most effective way to do this is with a high-capacity, energy-efficient dehumidifier designed specifically for crawl spaces. A unit like the SaniDry™ Sedona can remove massive amounts of water from the air, automatically keeping the humidity in your crawl space low and controlled. This dry air then helps lower the humidity levels throughout the rest of your home.

Benefits Beyond Lower Humidity 

By encapsulating your crawl space, you're not just lowering the humidity. You are creating a healthier and more energy-efficient home. The benefits include:

• Improved Air Quality: Sealing the crawl space prevents mold spores, dust mites, and musty odors from rising into your living space.
• Lower Energy Bills: With less moisture in the air, your air conditioner won't have to work as hard to make your home feel cool and comfortable, leading to significant energy savings.
• Increased Comfort: Your home will feel less "sticky" and more comfortable year-round.
• Pest Prevention: A damp, dark crawl space is an open invitation for termites, spiders, and other pests. A dry, sealed space makes it far less hospitable.

If you're tired of battling constant humidity, it's time to look down. By addressing the moisture at its source and encapsulating your crawl space, you can finally achieve a dry, comfortable, and healthy living environment.