Serving Greater Pittsburgh, Cranberry Township, McKeesport, Bethel Park

Technical Papers

Basement Waterproofing - SaniDry™ Sedona Dehumidifier

Friday, July 29th, 2022 by Aaron Stull

Overview: Dehumidification in the Basement or Crawl Space

SaniDry™ Sedona Dehumidifier - Image 1

Why is moisture control important?

One way moisture enters basements and crawl spaces is through block walls.

Without water, life cannot exist. But that doesn’t mean it’s always welcome, especially in our homes. Excess moisture, whether in the form of water or high relative humidity, is typically the number one enemy of buildings and their contents. It can wreak all sorts of havoc:

  • Moisture causes dry rot, or decay, which weakens structural components.
  • Moisture invites structure-damaging insects, such as termites and carpenter ants.
  • Moisture causes metals to corrode, including valve handles, ducts, HVAC equipment, and tools.
  • Stored paper goods and clothing can become mildewed and stained when the relative humidity rises above 60 percent.
  • In summer, excess relative humidity (RH) causes your AC to work harder than needed.
  • When there's high RH, siding and other building materials soak up higher-than-normal moisture, causing the paint to peel from siding and exterior trim.
  • High relative humidity allows mold and dust mites to thrive, which can worsen respiratory problems, such as asthma and allergies.

Sources of water vapor in the home

Moisture from surrounding soil can enter a crawl space or basement as water or water vapor and from there, water vapor can migrate throughout the house. In addition, below-grade spaces are like condensation machines. Warm, moist air comes in contact with cool surfaces and creates condensation. Other sources of moisture include:

  • Breathing: 2.88 lb/day per person
  • Laundry (if not vented to the outside): 1 lb for each 1 lb. of clothes
  • Bath: 0.12lb/each per bath and 0.5 lb/each per shower
  • Kitchen: 3 lb. from floor mopping; 4.7 lb. per day when cooking with gas, 2 lb/day when cooking with electric, 1 lb for dishwashing
  • Pets, aquariums, houseplants, humidifiers, unvented space heaters, plumbing and roof leaks, open sump basins, and new construction materials can also raise moisture levels in the home.

Source: Michigan State University Extension

Prevent Mold

Dehumidification: The Anti-Mold. Besides fixing a water leak, which is imperative to preventing the growth of mold in your home, removing moisture from the air is necessary to make your home mold and mildew free.

Why is This Important?

What's downstairs...is upstairs

If there is high humidity and musty odors in your basement or crawl space, it will affect the upstairs environment. Mold and mildew are musty smelling fungi that thrive in moist conditions, like in your basement or crawl space. Dust mite fecal matter is the #1 indoor allergen.

 

The SaniDry Sedona will keep your home below 55% Relative Humidity, so mold won’t stand a chance and dust mites will die off.

 

Whether a dehumidifier will keep up and ensure mold won’t grow in all seasonal conditions depends on how much water it will take out of the air. This depends on capacity and air flow.

 

The SaniDry Sedona has over a whopping 100 pints per day capacity and will move over 300 cubic feet of dry air per minute around your basement or crawl space.

 

By drying the below-grade area of your home, the SaniDry Sedona will help make your whole house drier and healthier!

 

Additionally, with our Home Repair Financing, you can add one to your home for only a few dollars per month!

SaniDry™ Sedona Features

  • Removes 2.9 liters per kilowatt hour (L/kWh)
  • Automatic humidity sensor for effective control of excess humidity
  • No messy trays or buckets of water to empty
  • MERV 8 filter removes mold spores, dust mite droppings, dust and other particulates
  • Includes easy-to-use digital LCD control
  • Can be ducted to reduce noise level

Get a free estimate on dehumidifier installation today

The SaniDry™ Sedona and our other basement dehumidifiers are only available from Keystone Basement Systems. Contact Keystone Basement Systems today to request a consultation and get a free estimate on the installation of a dehumidifier.  You will not regret it.

 

SaniDry™ Sedona Dehumidifier - Image 1

 

SaniDry™ Sedona Dehumidifier - Image 2

 

About the author
Aaron Stull is a second generation foundation repair specialist from the greater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.

our service area

We serve the following areas

OhioPennsylvaniaWest Virginia Our Locations:

Keystone Basement Systems
205 31st St
McKeesport, PA 15132
1-412-872-2550
Top
Service Area
Free Quote