How to Drain the Dehumidifier in the Crawl Space?[Best place to install]

A dehumidifier is undoubtedly the most effective way to remove moisture from the air. A dehumidifier can work everywhere, whether it is your garage, car, RV, room, or basement.

But what about the moisture the dehumidifier is collecting? How do you get rid of it? There are various methods to drain the humidity that the dehumidifier collects. If you are using a dehumidifier to get rid of moisture problems, you also need to handle the responsibility of draining the dehumidifier properly.

When it comes to crawl space, installing a dehumidifier can be tricky because you need to plan ahead about draining it. It will be too much of a hassle if you have to go to your crawl space to check your dehumidifier or, even worse, drain it manually.  

You don’t need to worry about it;

continue reading to learn how to drain the dehumidifier in the crawl space.

What is Crawl Space and Its Features?

The name is quite self-explanatory because there is only enough room to crawl unless you are very short. A crawl space is a narrow area beneath a building that can be used to reach pipes, wires, and other items without having to dig. Crawlspaces are usually vented outside to allow air circulation beneath the house. The crawl space can act as a barrier between the wooden floor of the house and the moist ground. Houses in flood-prone areas mostly have a crawl space because it raises the house above the ground. A big enough crawl space can also be used to install an HVAC unit. Sometimes a crawl space can also be used to store items that are not of much use but cannot be thrown away. Items such as tiles, bricks, pipes or something that won’t get affected by the moisture can be stored in the crawl space.

As mentioned earlier, pipes and electrical wires are usually present in the crawl space, and there is a chance of leakage wherever there are pipes. Leakages in a crawl space are rarely noticed because of “out-of-sight, out-of-mind.”

Most crawl space problems are caused by two common culprits: moisture and humidity. However, this does not have to be the case in your home! There are simple yet effective solutions to nearly every crawl space problem – and the moisture that causes so many of those problems can certainly be controlled!

Why Need a Dehumidifier In The Crawl Space?

Because crawl spaces are wet and dark, crawl spaces are ideal for hot, humid air to condense into water droplets that will stick to chilly surfaces. This moisture can give rise to mold and rot. Such humidity can degrade the quality of your crawl space and, thus, of your home. As air rises in a house, it carries the air from the crawl space with it. If this air carry mold spores and other allergens, they can harm you and severely harm someone with asthma or other breathing problems. These damp and dark conditions can become a home sweet home to many kinds of pests such as termites, rats, raccoons, carpenter ants, and spiders etc.

Did you know that half the air we breathe comes from the crawl space? Is it shocking? So you can imagine what a dirty and moist crawl space with open crawl space vents and a never-ending source of humidity can do to you. Sometimes the surface of the crawl space might seem dry, but you will find a lot of moisture if you dig down just a few inches. Now you know what a dirty and damp crawl space can do if you leave it unattended. On the other hand, you can use a dehumidifier in your crawl space, which will be beneficial in many ways.

• Pest protection: Controlling air moisture in the crawl space reduces the likelihood of pest infestations, which can sometimes cause more damage to homes than storms and fires combined.
• Health protection: Using a dehumidifier in your crawl space reduces moisture in the air and improves air quality. Improved air quality is good for your health.
• Increase structural integrity: If the moisture content goes over 28%, it increases the chances of wood rot. There is a chance that the wood won’t be able to support the weight of your house if the moisture in the crawl space damages it.

How to Drain the Dehumidifier in Crawl Space?

Now you are aware of what exactly is a crawl space and how devastating an unmanaged and moist crawl space is. The next important thing one should be aware of is how to drain the dehumidifier in the crawl space. Draining the crawl space dehumidifier manually is almost impossible because you cannot go to your crawl space again and again. Properly draining the dehumidifier is just as important as owning one. There are various methods to drain the dehumidifier in the crawl space.

1. Draining dehumidifier into plumbing

You might be thinking about how hard it could be to drain your dehumidifier in the crawl space because there are many pipes and drains in the crawl space. Well, if you are thinking that you can just attach the dehumidifier’s draining pipe into one of those drains by making a small hole in it, don’t do it! The first reason is that it is against the plumbing code. The code requires this to be an indirect link with a trap and venting. The second reason is that it is not as easy as it sounds.

You don’t need to worry because there are multiple other methods of draining dehumidifiers in the crawl space. You can choose the one that is most suitable for you.

2. Drain with the help of a Condensate Pump

Using a pump to drain your dehumidifier in the crawl space is the easiest and hassle-free method. A condensate pump contains a reservoir that can collect the water from the dehumidifier. Then you can use a hose to pump that water away from your house. Many dehumidifiers in the market have an internal pump. Most dehumidifiers with an inbuilt pump come with a drain hose, which reduces even more work. Most Condensate pumps can pump the water up to fifteen feet away.

If your dehumidifier does not have a condensate pump, you can get an external one. Attaching an external condensate pump to your dehumidifier in the crawl space is very easy. You must first ensure that the dehumidifier is high enough to properly drain the water into the pump reservoir. If you think placing the dehumidifier at a higher level than the pump won’t have any effect, you are wrong. Without the proper height difference, the water will spill back into the dehumidifier, which will completely contradict the point of having a dehumidifier and a condensate pump.

After you have placed the dehumidifier and the condensate pump at the proper place in the crawl space, the next step is to attach the dehumidifier and the pump with a hose. After connecting the two devices, attach another hose (most probably, you will receive a hose with the external pump) to the pump and direct it toward the location you want to dispose of the water.

Related article: Dehumidifier With Pump vs No Pump: Which One to Get?

3. Dehumidifier with the help of gravity drains.

You can figure out with the title that gravity is used in this method to drain the water from the dehumidifier. However, this method is not recommended because there are many conditions that must be met. The first problem with this method is that it is not very powerful. For this method to work properly, you need to place the dehumidifier at a height so that gravity can do its work. There is not a lot of height in the crawl space. For the water to drain properly, you only need about ¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of run. You will not be able to dispose of the water in a sink or anywhere at a higher spot than the dehumidifier. You need to lead the hose to a floor drain.

Where to Drain Your Crawl Space Dehumidifier?

There are various options to choose from. One can drain it in a floor drain, in a sink or dispose of it outside. You can also use a bucket to throw the water wherever you want, but it is a lot of work. Directing it outside your house by drilling a small hole through the door is also an option. You can also use the water from your crawl space dehumidifier to water your garden, but don’t drink it! We recommend to Dispose of the water at least 2 feet away from the foundation so that the moisture doesn’t affect your house.

The Best Place to Install a Dehumidifier in Crawl Space

A dehumidifier is important for your crawl space. Now you also know how to drain your dehumidifier in the crawl space. The next important thing that you should know is the best placement of the dehumidifier in the crawl space.

It is recommended that you don’t place it near the doors or vents. Placing it close to a location where it is exposed to the outside air is just a waste of power. You don’t want to dehumidify the whole world; you just want your crawl space to be dry. This will make you think that placing it in the middle. Placing it in the middle is okay, but you will face difficulty during maintenance. It could be difficult to reach there.

If you cannot place it in the center, the best place would be closer to the foundation wall. It is best if the dehumidifier is a little bit higher from the ground. The intake side should be facing the wall, while the output should be facing the biggest part of the crawl space.

You will be able to make the best use of your dehumidifier in the crawl space if you place it this way. After placing the dehumidifier in the right place, you should not forget the most important part, draining it properly in the sink or outside.

How to Install a Dehumidifier in Crawl Space?

With a little help, you can install a dehumidifier yourself. So, you get the tools, and we will provide guidance in very simple steps.

1. The very first part is to select the best location. Most of the time, placing your dehumidifier near the foundation is the best choice. But the shape of every crawl space is not the same. For example, if you have a U-shaped crawl space, it is best to place it in the middle. So make sure that you choose the correct place. Keep in mind to place it in the area where it can discharge airflow without any hindrance.
2. Creating a level foundation is also very important. Since many crawl spaces do not have a leveled floor, you might need to prepare the foundation. Using concrete blocks is a good option.
3. You will need crawl space dehumidifier ducting if you have a crawl space with an unusual shape. Duct kits are available in the market and help direct the air discharged from the dehumidifier further away from the unit. This will increase the efficiency of the dehumidification process of your crawl space.
4. The next step is to choose the appropriate method to drain the crawl space dehumidifier. You must ensure that the water drains properly; otherwise, installing the unit will be useless.
5. Monitoring the humidity in your crawl space is essential. It is clever to maintain the humidity levels between 50-60%.

Now you know the importance of properly draining your crawl space dehumidifier. It helps to keep your crawl space free from pests and prevents the rotting of the foundation. You can use any method to drain the collected moisture in your dehumidifier; you can add a hose and use gravity, use a condensate pump to get rid of that collected water, or even use a bucket. Now that you know everything about draining your dehumidifier in the crawl space and how to install a unit. So it is time to put your DIY skill into action!