What Humidity Should I Set My Dehumidifier to in the Crawl Space?

While high levels of humidity in your crawl space can lead to damage, humidity isn’t always bad. You need to maintain a consistent level of humidity throughout your crawl space if you want to create a healthy environment throughout the rest of your home. 

Maintaining a Healthy Level of Humidity 

Don’t try to suck all the moisture out of your crawl space, though. While limiting the amount of moisture that makes its way into your crawl space is a good thing, eliminating it entirely can cause your unprotected wooden supports and exposed concrete to become brittle. 

Instead, set your dehumidifier to 40-50 percent humidity. This level of humidity will keep the materials in your crawl space hydrated without providing wood rot or mold the dampness they need to start growing. 

Adjusting Your Humidity as Necessary 

You’ll know something is wrong in your crawl space when you can’t maintain a consistent level of internal humidity, even with a dehumidifier. If you notice your humidity levels starting to rise, then you may have a crack or leak somewhere in your crawl space. 

Identifying this damage takes a bit of time, especially if you don’t have professional experience backing you up. Some leaks can send moisture into your home from your foundation, while other times the pipes in your crawl space may be the source of your damage. If you notice the levels of humidity in your crawl space rising, reach out to the professional contractors in your area for guidance. With a little bit of work, you should be able to lower your humidity back into a safe range, near 50 percent.