Mold & Moisture Remediation in North Carolina

The dew point temperature is the temperature at which condensation  forms as the air is cooled. At the dew point temperature, the air is  saturated and any further cooling will result in condensation. In the  above example, both the 70F/100% RH crawl space air and the 85F/60%  outside air have the same dew point temperature: namely 70F. If we vent  a crawl space with air that has a higher dew point temperature than the  crawl space air, we will actually be adding moisture to the crawl space  rather than removing it.

When we vent them, we get condensation problems.  Floors rot, mold or swell because of excess moisture. Ductwork sweats  and becomes saturated with water. Duct energy losses go way up because  the insulation isn't insulation when it is wet.

Our mortgage, pest control and home inspection industries flag crawl  space wood moisture contents above 20% as a potential problem. At this  wood moisture content, mold can grow. I see problem-free crawl spaces  with wood moisture contents of 16%. A wood moisture content of 16%  relates to air at about 80% RH. The dew point temperature of a crawl  space at 75F/80% RH is about 68F. Why in the world would I want to vent  this crawl space with air that has a dew point temperature close to 75F? The result will  be condensation on all the cool surfaces in the crawl space.

To obtain a moisture reading for your crawl space, contact us online or call us.