Author Topic: How to dry wet crawl space  (Read 4876 times)

Guizmo

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How to dry wet crawl space
« on: June 03, 2015, 09:38:53 PM »
Hi everyone, I bought a house not too long ago and I've been working on it for the last month and a half. I had to leave on a business trip and when I came back the crawls space was very wet. We have had heavy rains and the downspouts were basically draining right near the foundation and not away from the house. I fixed that but the crawl space is still very wet. What do y'all recommend to dry out the space?


Chesterfield

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Re: How to dry wet crawl space
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2015, 11:10:03 PM »
Open the windows and turn on a fan, a $25 box fan, leave it on for several days. Just moving the air will allow for evaporation. Or, you can buy a dehumidifier for $300. We had a plumbing leak, dried out a basement in a couple of days with a cheap fan. Also, doesn't work so well if the outside air humidity is greater than 85%.

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: How to dry wet crawl space
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2015, 08:20:00 AM »
Good you fixed the down spouts.

One more thing, make sure the grade is away from the wall on the outside. An inch for every 5 feet should be good.
This way, water dripping down the siding will flow away from the house instead of sitting against the crawl space wall.

Bob W

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Re: How to dry wet crawl space
« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2015, 12:28:29 PM »
If you can get them in there 3 or 4 box fans 24/7.   Make sure your vents are open.   After it is very dry consider spreading borax powder around to address the mold.   

You can also us a small wet vac if there are small pools.

Sorry no quick and easy magic answer.   

mikesinWV

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Re: How to dry wet crawl space
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2015, 09:57:20 AM »
When you mention "fixing" the downspouts, how far away do they drain?  All of my downspouts drain at a least a few feet away from the wall of the basemen.  More so depending on the grade (as someone else mentioned).  You want that water to drain away from the house.  Also, make sure your gutters are clean.  In a big storm the water may overflow the gutters and land right next to the wall of the house.

Humidifier would work but it is expensive to buy and can be expensive if they are running all the time. 


Milspecstache

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Re: How to dry wet crawl space
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2015, 01:17:30 PM »
Get the 4" flexible black drain piping and route the downspouts 2-4' away from the foundation and pointing down the grade.  I just did this on my parents' house and had to use a shovel to move dirt around to get the right slope.  A small level was very helpful here.  It immediately fixed the standing water in their crawlspace.

I also usually recommend 6 mil or greater plastic under the house.  Overlap the seams and anchor it down with wire insulation hangers bent into a u-shape and nailed into the ground.  This will reduce the amount of moisture coming from the dirt itself.

Last I really like the foundation vents that open during optimum temps and close other times.