Do You Need a Vapor Barrier for Your Crawl Space?
If you’ve noticed water in your crawl space, even if it’s just a little, you should think about installing a vapor barrier. Crawl space moisture can rot your joists and sills and attract pests like termites that love wet wood. Plus, there’s mold to think about.
Vapor barriers seal out moisture to keep your crawl space (and your home) dry and healthy.
Want to learn more about how they work and if you need one? Keep reading! We’ve installed hundreds of crawl space vapor barriers throughout the Greater Cincinnati area and can help you decide if it’s worth it for your home.
What Is a Crawl Space Vapor Barrier?
A vapor barrier is a thick, durable plastic sheet that covers the ground and sometimes the walls of your crawl space. Its main job is to stop groundwater from seeping up through the soil and into your crawl space.
Most vapor barriers are made out of polyethylene plastic. They come in different thicknesses, typically ranging from 6 to 20 mils. For most houses in Ohio, a 6-mil vapor barrier is sufficient.
Signs You Need a Crawl Space Vapor Barrier
If your crawl space has a dirt floor, you need a vapor barrier! Don’t wait—the longer you let moisture issues take hold, the harder they will be to fix. Schedule a free crawl space assessment.
Other signs you need a moisture barrier for your crawl space include:
Musty odors coming from the crawl space or lower levels of your home
Visible moisture, condensation, or water puddles in the crawl space
Warped or buckling floors above the crawl space
High indoor humidity levels, even when using dehumidifiers or air conditioningMold on crawl space joists or subfloor
Pests in your house, especially insects that thrive in damp conditions
What Does a Vapor Barrier Do for Your Crawl Space?
Crawl spaces are a magnet for moisture. A vapor barrier stops water from getting in.
1. Stops Mold & Mildew
Mold and mildew will sprout up almost anywhere that moisture gets into your home, even if it’s just from humidity. A crawl space moisture barrier keeps it out, so you don’t have to worry.
2. Prevents Expensive Structural damage
If you don’t solve your crawl space moisture problem, you’re going to end up with structural damage. Moisture can cause wood rot, rust metal building materials, and bring on mold that eats away at wood and insulation.
3. Keeps Pests Out
Pests like termites and other insects and rodents are attracted to damp environments like wet crawl spaces. Once they get in, they can wreak havoc on your home, and they’re a pain to get rid of.
4. Improves Indoor Air Quality
By keeping moisture out of your crawl space, you can improve indoor air quality throughout your entire home. Most of the air in your house actually gets in through the crawl space. If your crawl space is wet, the air it feeds up into your house will be dank, moldy, and contaminated by pests.
Vapor Barrier vs. Crawl Space Encapsulation: What’s the Difference?
A vapor barrier is the baseline for crawl space moisture control. Crawl space encapsulation is more comprehensive and provides additional protection against moisture, heat loss/gain, and pests.
Crawl Space Vapor Barrier
A vapor barrier stops moisture from rising up through the ground and into your crawl space, but it has limitations.
Limitations:
Doesn’t stop moisture from coming in through vents and walls
Not as effective against humidity
Doesn’t address heat loss/gain through your crawl space
Crawl Space Encapsulation
Encapsulation seals your crawl space off from the surrounding elements completely, including the floor, walls, and vents. It creates an airtight, insulated, and waterproof barrier for the ultimate protection against outside temperatures, moisture, and pests.
Why choose encapsulation over a vapor barrier?
Better protection against moisture, pests, and mold
Improves energy efficiency and can reduce energy bills
Solves problems like cold drafts and cold floors
Can increase the value of your home
Sustainergy Cooperative is the crawl space expert Ohio homeowners trust. We can evaluate your crawl space for free and help you decide whether a vapor barrier or full encapsulation makes the most sense for your home and budget. We are a local, worker-owned, unionized crawl space company!
