How to Dry a Crawl Space
Moisture buildup in a crawl space can be problematic. Crawl spaces are dark and often have poor ventilation, so moisture creates an ideal place for mold to grow. If you have a lot of standing water in a crawl space, you will need to remove it using an immersible water pump or wet/dry shop vac before starting to fully dry the crawl space. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Drying a Crawl Space
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Run a crawl-space dehumidifier in your crawl space. These are specially designed, commercial-grade dehumidifiers. Make sure not to set it or any electrical wiring in standing water or overly damp places.
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While the dehumidifier is running, clear away any debris on the crawl-space floor. This includes nails, wooden boards and any other scraps and any other debris you find.
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The time required to run the dehumidifier will depend on the size of your crawl space and how much moisture is there.
Once your crawl space is dry, install a moisture barrier on the ground of the crawl space. Moisture barriers are made of heavy-duty plastic and come in a variety of thicknesses. Generally, the thicker, the better, but if budget is an issue, you don't absolutely need the highest grade of moisture barrier.
Each strip of moisture barrier should run across the length of your crawl space in a continuous run. Place each strip so that they overlap over the previous one just a bit, and tape where they overlap. When you reach a wall, run the plastic about 6 inches up the wall and tape it there.
To hold the plastic in place, drive lawn fabric stakes into the ground through it. This will also provide a way for water to drain.
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Tips & Warnings
Running a crawl-space dehumidifier regularly will help keep moisture levels down.
If dampness continues to be a problem, you may need moisture-proof insulation installed along the walls of your crawl space.
