What Is a Vapor Barrier in a Crawl Space and What It Does?

Every homeowner knows or is about to find out just how worrying the sight of moisture and its effects within the home’s construction can be. Rotten wood, mold, and repeated leaks can be very costly to repair, so it’s in your best interest to prevent these damages if you can.

Luckily, there are many strategies and products you can reach for in order to stop moisture from getting in. One way to do it is with a vapor barrier. What is a vapor barrier for crawl space, and what is its purpose?

What Is a Vapor Barrier?

A vapor barrier is a plastic sheet that is used as a protective layer for your crawl space. Such a barrier is laid out in a space underneath your house in order to protect its construction from exterior conditions, especially moisture.

A vapor barrier can come in various types and thicknesses, so it’s easy to choose one that fits your specific needs.

What Does a Moisture Barrier Do?

While some moisture in the air is preferable for comfort, the same usually doesn’t apply to our home structures. Moisture can cause some substantial damage to the house’s construction, be it structural damage like rot and rust or mold, and other fungi.

And since most of us don’t spend a lot of time in our crawl spaces, this type of damage can go undetected for years. This can lead to some costly repairs and health issues, lowering the quality of air in your home – something worth avoiding, especially if you live with small children or elderly members of your family.

Next to weakening the home’s structure, rot and moisture are a perfect breeding ground for bacteria to develop. This is another health hazard that can be easily avoided when the crawl space is properly secured.

Some of the most common issues moisture can cause to your home and family are:

• structural damage,
• degradation of insulation and fiberglass,
• pipe erosion,
• electrical shorts,
• health issues, like allergies.

The main purpose of a moisture barrier, like a vapor barrier, is to prevent moisture from penetrating the house’s structure, saving you time, stress, and money in the long haul.

Is a Vapor Barrier Necessary in Crawl Space?

While no one can force you to install a vapor barrier underneath your house, it is something we highly recommend, as attic & crawl space experts. Especially if you live in a wet, cold climate with substantial annual rainfall, investing in a vapor barrier is a smart financial decision.

Still, not every house will require such protection, and if you’re not sure whether it’s necessary in your case, it’s best to consult a team of specialists that will be able to offer their professional advice on the matter.

At Envirosmart Solutions, we deal with vapor barrier installations all the time, so we’re really experienced in assessing the specific needs of our clients, offering them quick and hassle-free installations. If you’re in need of a consultation, don’t hesitate to give us a call!

(206) 295-5925

How Does Moisture Get in My Crawl Space?

Water in your crawl space is never a good sign, and there are many different ways in which moisture can penetrate your home’s structure. Most commonly, the biggest threat is seepage and condensation.

Seepage is when the ground gets very wet, and water gets carried under or even accumulates under the home. A large amount of water in the soil or, in some extreme cases, water that accumulates in the crawl space is bad news for the wooden and steel elements of construction.

However, you don’t have to experience mini floods in order to see the damage caused by moisture. Condensation that takes place all the time, when water evaporates from the ground into the air, is enough to cause some troubles for you over the years.

A sealed barrier is a one foolproof method of protecting the structure in your crawl space from seepage and condensation.

Vapor Barrier Installation

What does the vapor barrier installation look like? Is it an easy process?

As you can imagine, it might be somewhat difficult to work in a tight crawl space and try to install a barrier without previous experience. However, for a trained professional, it’s a rather easy procedure.

First, a technician will come on the site and evaluate the condition of your home structure in the space crawl and what exactly is the best plan of action for your specific needs. The next step is to remove and clean any debris. This is a very important step that, if done right, will offer a better base for a vapor barrier to get properly attached.

Following that, a technician will perform any necessary measurements and prepare the barrier sheet. This step can be challenging for those who perform the installation for the first time, but an experienced professional will have no trouble assessing the correct measurements, making cutouts for any obstacles, and laying out the sheet in the most optimal way.

The prepared sheet gets laid down on the ground. The goal is to cover 100% of exposed ground since any cracks will allow moisture to get through. The barrier gets installed using special corrosion-resistant staples, stainless steel, and buttons that prevent tearing.

What About Maintenance?

A correctly installed vapor barrier will serve you well for years. Still, it’s always recommended to do yearly crawl space check-ups in order to stay on top of any problems before they become costly repairs.

You can perform crawl space maintenance on your own by going under the house and inspecting the construction and barrier for any signs of leakage and damage.

But it’s also a smart move to invite a team of professionals to perform maintenance. Technicians will be able to thoroughly inspect the space and, using their trained eyes, catch all the small issues you might have missed.

Additionally, at Envirosmart Solutions, we offer attic and crawl space cleaning services to remove any debris and contaminants from these critical areas. Call us and schedule your appointment today!

What Is a Crawl Space Vapor Barrier – Final Thoughts

If you wish to protect your house from the damaging effects of moisture, installing a vapor barrier is one of the best ways to do so. As explained in this article, moisture and seepage can cause some substantial issues in your home’s structure that can cost thousands of dollars in repairs.

A crawl space vapor barrier prevents moisture from entering your home, protecting its elements from impairment and your quality of life from degrading.

If you’re looking for a company for a vapor barrier installation in Puget Sound, we can help you out. Schedule your appointment today and have peace of mind.