Do you want to know what’s rotting houses across America?
It might not be what you can see…
This destructive force lurks underneath your floor in your crawl space. Moisture, mold, and contaminated air accumulate in the crawl space and cause chaos in every room above it.
Don’t worry…
Installing a crawl space vapor barrier is…
- Easy (No engineering degree required)
- Helps improve indoor air quality
…and starts making your home a healthier place for you and your family.
Let’s dive into…
What you’re going to learn:
- Why crawl space moisture can spell BIG problems
- How does a vapor barrier work?
- Step-by-step installation guide
- Mistakes to avoid
- Signs your crawl space is too damp
Why Crawl Space Moisture Can Spell BIG Problems
If your house had a hidden flaw that could make your family sick, you’d do anything to stop it. Right?
Yet most homeowners don’t give a second thought to what’s going on under their floors. They should though. A crawl space can make or break your whole home’s health.
Ground moisture rises up through exposed soil, cracks in your floor or walls, and open vents. As it collects, that moist air becomes a breeding ground for mold, mildew, bacteria, and wood rot.
Here’s the catch…
Up to 50% of your indoor air comes from your crawl space. That means your family could be breathing dirty crawlspace air every day.
Yuck.
Crawl space moisture problems are a huge deal because the EPA says pollutant levels inside are 2-5x higher than outdoor levels. And Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors. If your crawl space is filled with unhealthy crawl space moisture and mold spores, they’re eventually finding their way into the air you breathe every day.
That’s where installing a crawl space vapor barrier comes in.
Installing a vapor barrier keeps ground moisture from getting into your crawl space and causing health and structural issues. Companies specializing in Crawl Space Encapsulation Tacoma can professionally install your vapor barrier and seal off your crawl space.
The moral of the story? If you don’t take care of crawl space moisture below your floor, it doesn’t matter what you do to take care of your home above it. It’s fighting an uphill battle.
How Does A Vapor Barrier Work?
Ok, so what exactly is a crawl space vapor barrier?
It’s a thick polyethylene plastic sheet that goes on the ground and walls of your crawl space. It creates a protective layer between your home and the ground beneath it.
Visualize this…
Ground moisture wicked up by humidity tries to creep into your crawl space. But when it hits that vapor barrier, it has nowhere to go. Unless you punch holes in it ;).
When moisture can’t get in, humidity levels are drastically reduced. Lower humidity equals less mold. And less mold means cleaner, healthier air for your home.
Here are a few requirements your vapor barrier material should meet:
- Thickness: 6 mil minimum. 12-20 mil is best
- Coverage: Cover ground area completely and come up walls at least 6″
- Seams: Overlapped by 12+ inches and sealed with tape
- Durability: Puncture-resistant material designed to last
And that’s about it!
As long as you cover your crawl space floor (and part of your walls) with a strong plastic barrier, you’re good to go. The hard work is done by the vapor barrier itself. It keeps moisture in the ground where it belongs.
Step-By-Step Vapor Barrier Installation Guide
Installing a crawl space vapor barrier may sound like a daunting task, but it’s actually pretty simple. Let’s walk through the process.
Prep Your Crawl Space
Clear out debris, trash, standing water, and old insulation. Aim to get the floor as level as possible before laying down plastic. Remove any sharp rocks that could poke holes in your vapor barrier material.
Lay Down Your Vapor Barrier
Roll out your plastic sheet across the entire crawl space floor. Be sure to pull the material at least 6 inches up the foundation walls. All of your seams should overlap by at least 12 inches and be taped with waterproof duct tape.
Seal Off The Vapor Barrier
Attach the plastic sheet to your foundation walls with nails or construction adhesive. Cover all of your pier holes, support columns, and other holes the vapor barrier material will go around. Seal every hole and gap you can.
Add Extra Protection
Although not always necessary, many homeowners will also add a dehumidifier to their crawl space. This keeps humidity levels in check and works well with your new vapor barrier.
Easy-peasy!
Mistakes To Avoid When Installing A Vapor Barrier
While installing your own crawl space vapor barrier is pretty simple, there are some extra pitfalls that can undermine your efforts.
Installing thin vapor barrier material. Homeowners sometimes try to cut corners by using cheap plastic sheeting. Your average 6 mil plastic trash bag tears super easily. Don’t be that guy. Thicker vapor barrier material holds up longer and works better.
Forgetting to cover the walls. If you stop at covering just the floor you’re missing a huge opportunity to prevent crawl space moisture. Moisture comes from the ground and your foundation walls. Don’t forget to seal those.
Not taping seams. Seams don’t magically seal themselves. Use plenty of heavy-duty tape to keep moisture from leaking through every overlap.
Don’t neglect drainage. If you have flooding or standing water problems, focus on that before you worry about a vapor barrier. Consider a drainage system or sump pump to deal with any water.
Signs Your Crawlspace Needs Help
Not sure if you need a crawl space vapor barrier? Take a look for these symptoms of moisture trouble.
- Musty smells in your home
- Visible mold on your floor joists or subfloor
- Buckling hardwood floors
- Increased energy bills
- You sneeze more inside your home than outside
If you experience one or more of these issues, crawl space moisture might be the culprit. The longer you wait, the worse the problems get.
Oh and keep in mind…
Installing a vapor barrier can save you up to 20% on energy costs. Meaning your HVAC unit doesn’t have to work as hard if it’s not battling groundwater humidity and outdoor air seeping into your home from below.
Wrapping It All Up
Installing a vapor barrier is one of the best ways to prevent damage to your home. It’ll protect against moisture while improving your indoor air quality. Done right, it could even save you money on monthly bills.
Let’s recap:
- Clear debris and prep the floor
- Invest in thick, quality vapor barrier material
- Cover the ground area AND part of your walls
- Seal EVERY seam and gap you can find
- Consider a dehumidifier too
If you want a healthier home, start below your floor. It might not be the flashiest home project out there. But when you install a vapor barrier and clean up your crawl space, you’re making every other improvement you’ve made that much more effective.
Want your repairs and remodels to last? Start with the foundation of your foundation.