Vapor barrier do's and dont's

Think of your house as a living organism. Like your own body.

It is a big system, comprised of smaller systems that must all function properly and work together, or the consequences can be devastating.

If it makes sense to consult a specialist, rather than your primary care doctor to solve a problem with a specific system, it makes sense to seek the help of a specialist rather than a general contractor when a specific area of your home is at risk.

That couldn't be truer than when the problem area is the crawl space.
General contractors, some home inspectors and your neighborhood handy man will most likely recommend the same treatment for the crawl space: generic 6 mil poly sheet covering the ground to prevent evaporation, and open vents to allow air in the craw space.

Yet, everyday, we at DryZone, LLC, and the crews of hundreds of dealers in the Basement Systems Network pull out miles of filthy and shredded 6 mil sheets out of moldy decaying vented crawl spaces all across America.

The evidence that vented crawl spaces combined with ground vapor barriers are a bad idea but, it seems to happen almost everywhere. The picture in this post illustrates the results of this treatment: moisture buildup on top of the barrier, moldy insulation falling off the ceiling.

Generic 6 mil ground vapor barriers do nothing, or very little to control crawl space moisture, because moisture doesn't come just from the ground immediately underneath your crawl space. It comes from the air and the soil outside as well.

It is simple science. If you let air in, and if there is any moisture in it, differences of temperature between the outside and the crawl space will cause the moisture to condense over every surface.

The only proven way to protect your crawl space is by encapsulating and conditioning it with a system like our CleanSpace, installed by knowledgeable professionals.

The CleanSpace System is proven to control crawl space moisture, and make your home healthier and more energy efficient.

Contact us for a free estimate and you will find out it is also affordable!

Posted on: 2009/01/14 12:52:20pm by: Cynthia Freneey

Add comment to this post:

Your Name *
Email *
Website
Security	1 8 =
Comment*

Back to Previous Page

Areas we serve:

Delaware
Kent
Camden Wyoming, DE
Cheswold, DE
Clayton, DE
Dover, DE
Dover Afb, DE
Felton, DE
Frederica, DE
Harrington, DE
Hartly, DE
Houston, DE
Kenton, DE
Little Creek, DE
Magnolia, DE
Marydel, DE
Smyrna, DE
Viola, DE
Woodside, DE

Sussex
Bethany Beach, DE
Bethel, DE
Bridgeville, DE
Dagsboro, DE
Delmar, DE
Ellendale, DE
Fenwick Island, DE
Frankford, DE
Georgetown, DE
Greenwood, DE
Harbeson, DE
Laurel, DE
Lewes, DE
Lincoln, DE
Milford, DE
Millsboro, DE
Millville, DE
Milton, DE
Nassau, DE
Ocean View, DE
Rehoboth Beach, DE
Seaford, DE
Selbyville, DE

Maryland
Caroline
Bethlehem, MD
Federalsburg, MD
Goldsboro, MD
Greensboro, MD
Henderson, MD
Hillsboro, MD
Preston, MD
Ridgely, MD
Templeville, MD

Dorchester
Cambridge, MD
Church Creek, MD
Crapo, MD
Crocheron, MD
East New Market, MD
Fishing Creek, MD
Hurlock, MD
Linkwood, MD
Madison, MD
Rhodesdale, MD
Secretary, MD
Taylors Island, MD
Toddville, MD
Vienna, MD
Wingate, MD
Woolford, MD

Kent
Massey, MD
Millington, MD

Queen Annes
Barclay, MD
Ingleside, MD
Queen Anne, MD
Sudlersville, MD

Somerset
Crisfield, MD
Deal Island, MD
Ewell, MD
Manokin, MD
Marion Station, MD
Princess Anne, MD
Rehobeth, MD
Tylerton, MD
Upper Fairmount, MD
Westover, MD

Talbot
Cordova, MD
Easton, MD
Oxford, MD
Trappe, MD

Wicomico
Allen, MD
Bivalve, MD
Fruitland, MD
Hebron, MD
Mardela Springs, MD
Nanticoke, MD
Parsonsburg, MD
Pittsville, MD
Powellville, MD
Quantico, MD
Salisbury, MD
Sharptown, MD
Tyaskin, MD
Willards, MD

Worcester
Berlin, MD
Bishopville, MD
Eden, MD
Girdletree, MD
Newark, MD
Ocean City, MD
Pocomoke City, MD
Showell, MD
Snow Hill, MD
Stockton, MD
Whaleyville, MD