It appears unanimous that a vapor barrier 6 mil thick will help. What are some other ways to reduce the moisture? I have moisture readings of 20 - 25% throughout the crawl space. I need to reduce this as much as possible and as quickly as possible. Is there something I can do to help dry out the area area in the crawl space above the moisture barrier I am laying down? Is there a permanent and relatively inexpensive remedy for the do-it-yourselfer? I want to get the levels down quickly and install fans or whatever is needed to keep the levels down. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. There is 18" to 24" clearance from the ground to the floor joists. So it's a pretty tight fit.
2007-09-27 13:52:46 · 8 answers · asked by gc27858 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You should have crawl space vents installed in the side of your house... this will allow the outside air to dry out the crawl space... you open them in the summer time and close them in the winter...
2007-09-27 13:58:58 · answer #1 · answered by Kirk D 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are these cloth tubes that have a sort of desecant in them that absorbs moisture from the air. These things are like 5 feet long and about four inches wide. You could lay them out in your crawl space to absorb moisture as needed.
I think you can get them at hardware stores.
2007-09-27 13:57:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can buy dessicants in any large hardware store. The most common one is a container with granules in it that sucks the water out of the air. You know they work, because they fill up with water.
Home Depot has dessicants in bags that they sell by the case, but only online. If you are in a hurry, you may not get them in time. These are bags weighing a few pounds each that have indicators on them to tell you when they are used up. The advantage to these is that you could throw them into the corners and spread out the effect without having to crawl there.
If you live in a hurricane-prone area, your Home Depot might have them on the shelf.
Hope this helps.
2007-09-27 14:17:21 · answer #3 · answered by nobodyinparticular 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is 20 -25 % the relative humidity? If so that is not wet. Normal humidity is 35-45%. Yes the vapor barrior is a partial fix but you must have vents for air to circulate and dry up the moisture.
2007-09-27 23:06:14 · answer #4 · answered by Kevin D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Clean, dry crawl spaces mean clean, dry air in the rest of the home. Check out this article here to learn how to seal crawl spaces: http://www.miconstruguia.com/en/how-to-seal-crawl-spaces/
2014-03-07 04:37:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i tend to agree with kirk,
the only way i see, you reduceing any type of moisture,
is clean fresh air , this would be to install vents
i beg to differ , on the vapor barrier,
let me ask you this . where does the water that collects, under the barrier go.... ?
into the ground i guess,
so i would bet it better ,to dry that moisure?, instead of collecting it .............
2007-09-27 14:07:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A fan at one end and a vent at the other will provide ''cross ventilation and dry thing up.
2007-09-27 13:56:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lance's answer, and a plastic vapor barrier should do it.
2007-09-27 23:07:31 · answer #8 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A dehumidifer could work
2007-09-27 13:56:00 · answer #9 · answered by aaronm120 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋