Is Your Crawl Space Dehumidifier Running Nonstop? Here's Why
When Your Dehumidifier Works Too Hard, Something's Wrong
Why incomplete encapsulation costs you more in the long run
I just wrapped up an inspection in Farragut where a homeowner called me because their crawl space dehumidifier runs constantly.
They thought maybe the unit was broken or undersized.
Turns out, the dehumidifier was fine - the problem was the incomplete encapsulation job someone else did.
When a dehumidifier runs around the clock, especially in summer, something's not right.
A properly encapsulated crawl space should only need the dehumidifier to kick on a few times a day.
If yours never stops, you're paying for someone else's shortcuts every month on your power bill.
What We Found Under This House
The encapsulation looked okay at first glance. They had a vapor barrier down and a dehumidifier installed. But when I looked closer, the problems were obvious:
The foundation walls weren't sealed at all. Moisture was coming up from the ground around the edges of the vapor barrier. Without sealed walls, that dehumidifier is fighting a losing battle against constant moisture intrusion.
Then I found where they put the condensate drain - straight under the vapor barrier with no pump. All the moisture that dehumidifier pulls out of the air? It's dumping right back into the dirt underneath. The machine is literally creating its own workload.
And there was no monitoring system. The homeowner had no way to check if the dehumidifier was keeping humidity levels where they should be. They just knew it ran constantly and their power bill kept climbing.
How a Proper Encapsulation Actually Works
Here's what a complete encapsulation should include: sealed foundation walls, a proper vapor barrier, and a dehumidifier with a condensate pump that drains away from the crawl space.
When the walls are sealed, moisture can't come up around the edges of your vapor barrier. The dehumidifier only runs when humidity actually rises - maybe a few times a day instead of constantly. Your equipment lasts longer because it's not working overtime, and your power bill reflects that efficiency.
The condensate pump moves water completely out of the crawl space. No dumping it back into the dirt where it can evaporate right back into the air. The system should also include monitoring so you can check humidity levels and know your investment is actually working.
The Real Cost of Cutting Corners
This homeowner paid thousands for their encapsulation. Now they're looking at paying for it again to get it done right. But that's not the only cost they're dealing with.
Their dehumidifier runs constantly, driving up electric bills month after month. The unit will wear out faster from overuse. And the whole time, their crawl space moisture problem isn't actually getting solved - it's just being managed poorly.
When you add up higher power bills, shorter equipment life, and eventually having to redo the whole job, that cheaper quote doesn't look so cheap anymore.
Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring
Don't let this happen to you. Before you hire anyone for crawl space work, ask these questions:
Will you seal the foundation walls or just the floor? A complete job includes both.
Where does the condensate drain go? It should pump completely away from your crawl space, not back into the dirt.
Does the system include monitoring? You should be able to check if your dehumidifier is maintaining proper humidity levels.
What does your warranty actually cover? Make sure it includes the installation quality, not just the equipment.
These questions help you spot contractors who cut corners before they cut corners on your home.
Get It Done Right the First Time
Look, I get it. Crawl space work is expensive, and it's tempting to go with the lowest bid. But incomplete work ends up costing you more - in higher bills, worn-out equipment, and eventually paying to fix what should have been done right from the start.
If you're thinking about getting encapsulation work done, or if you already have a system that doesn't seem to be working right, let's take a look. We'll show you exactly what you need and explain why each part matters.
Don't pay twice for the same job. Get it done right the first time with a complete encapsulation that actually solves your moisture problem instead of just managing it poorly.
