What Is a Crawl Space Vapor Barrier & How Does It Help Your Home?

What is a Vapor Barrier?

A crawl space vapor barrier is a thick plastic liner applied to the walls of a crawl space, designed to shield the area from moisture. When combined with other crawl space waterproofing and encapsulation systems, a vapor barrier can create an air- and watertight seal for the home.

However, not all vapor barriers are created equal. Many homeowners are tempted to buy vapor barriers found in hardware stores, and while these may work for a short time, they pale in comparison to professional-grade vapor barriers.  

Why Install a Vapor Barrier?

Vapor barriers are a useful tool to help mitigate a number of common crawl space problems, including:

• Cooler temperatures – Your crawl space is already going to be cooler than the rest of your home because it’s located close to the ground. Excess dampness that results from a leak will make it more difficult to temperature control your crawl space. 
• Water damage– If any structures below your home or belongings stored in your crawl space start to warp or disintegrate, you can assume water or humidity is able to reach them easily. 
• Bad smells – If your crawl space is damp for an extended period of time, it’s going to produce unpleasant smells. That scent will likely make its way up into the rest of your home, making the living space unpleasant. 
• Wood rot – Long-term exposure to dampness or standing water will cause any wooden support beams in your crawl space to become rotten. Generally, this is going to lead to sagging floors in your home, which brings other side effects like creaking floorboards or rattling furniture. 
• Mold – Mold thrives in dark, damp places. If, when re-organizing your crawl space, you notice mold clusters near the joints of your crawl space, you definitely have a leak. You’ll want to treat these clusters as soon as possible so that they don’t release pathogens into the rest of your home. 
• Standing water – After heavy rain, water may pool inside an unprotected crawl space. This is a big issue in Florida which, according to the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies, receives an average 53.7 inches of rain every year.  

Should You Install a Vapor Barrier Yourself?

Vapor barriers installation isn’t as simple as some of those DIY videos tell you. Sealing the crawl space is an undertaking that requires experts with the right mix of skill and knowledge. Otherwise, you could end up with an improper installation that’s going to cause unhealthy air filled with dust mites, allergens, and mold spores to enter your home. And you know all too well what these could do to your health.

The other reason you should let a professional undertake plastic encapsulation is a poorly sealed crawl space can let in moisture, attract pests and induce rust and wood rot. You can’t rule out the risk of physical injury or electrocution if your electric wires are unsheathed in some places. For this and many other reasons, it’s best to work with an experienced crawl space repair professional.

Go With Alpha Foundations for Expert Vapor Barrier Installation

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