Vapor Barrier and Aprilaire E70 Install Keep This Crawl Space Dry

Not every homeowner needs a full encapsulation job. Sometimes the right move is a targeted approach - a solid vapor barrier across the ground and a reliable dehumidifier to keep humidity in check. That's exactly what we did here, and it makes a real difference for the home above it.

We laid a vapor barrier across the entire crawl space floor, running it up and around the piers and sealing it tight at the base. Moisture rising from the ground is one of the sneakiest problems a crawl space can have. It gets into the wood, creates conditions mold loves, and works its way up into the living space. A properly installed vapor barrier cuts that off at the source.

For humidity control, we hung an Aprilaire E70 dehumidifier - suspended from the joists and positioned to pull air through the space efficiently. The E70 is built specifically for crawl spaces. It runs automatically based on the humidity level, so the homeowner doesn't have to think about it. It just does its job.

This kind of setup is a smart middle ground. It's not the full encapsulation package, but it's far better than leaving a crawl space unprotected. The vapor barrier handles ground moisture, and the dehumidifier handles the air. Together, they keep the space dry without a major overhaul.

We work with homeowners at every stage - whether they want to go all-in with full encapsulation or start with a targeted moisture control solution like this one. Both are valid approaches depending on the home, the budget, and what the crawl space actually needs.