Moisture can be one of the biggest dangers to your home’s foundation. High levels of moisture in your home’s crawlspace attract pests, deteriorate wood, and cause the growth of mold and mildew. Vapor barriers are a great way to avoid moisture and protect your home.
What is a vapor barrier?
A vapor barrier is a plastic sheet that is spread across the floor and part of the walls of your crawlspace. This acts as a block between the inside of your home and the outdoors. The goal of a vapor barrier is to shield your crawl space and your home from moisture and water vapor. By creating a barrier between the ground and your home, moisture, pests, dust and debris are kept out. Vapor barriers are also used to prevent structural damage under your house.
How does it work?
Without a barrier, water that is naturally found in the ground can easily make its way into your crawl space, causing numerous problems under your home. Moisture control is extremely important in preventing mold, mildew, and rotting wood, and investing in a vapor barrier can save you tons of time and money.
The condition of your crawl space also affects the indoor air quality of your home. If your crawl space is damp, and mold and mildew grow, the spores that are created can infiltrate your home and trigger allergies or other issues.
A vapor barrier can even make your home more energy efficient. Without a vapor barrier, the insulation in your crawl space can become less effective if it gets damp, causing you to pay more to heat and cool your home. With a vapor barrier, your insulation stays dry, your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard, and the energy efficiency of your home is increased.
Is it necessary?
North Carolina is prone to many storms and hurricanes, and the climate is extremely humid and moist. The amount of moisture that is retained in the ground can greatly affect your crawlspace and your home. Having a vapor barrier installed can prevent a tremendous amount of expenses and repairs in the future.
Sutton Specialty Contractors is a crawl space repair and moisture control company dedicated to providing quality foundation repairs and solutions to our customers. We offer a variety of vapor barriers ranging from 6 mil loose laid polyethylene to 20 mil reinforced encapsulation. Contact us today for a free crawlspace evaluation and quote, 252-320-2577.