Why Hire a Professional for Vapor Barrier Installation?
One of the biggest worries of many homeowners is water getting inside the home. Many imagine flooding or heavy rains creating potentially costly situations for basements and roofs. While these situations can happen, another area to consider is the crawl space. Whether you rely on your crawl space to access wiring, ducts, and plumbing, for additional storage, or just to provide a dependable foundation, keeping the area free of moisture can help avoid more extensive crawl space repairs in the future. That’s why vapor barrier installation is a smart choice, and the waterproofing experts at Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions are here to help.
What Is a Vapor Barrier?
Vapor barriers are materials used to help reduce the amount of ground moisture entering your home. When installed in your crawl space, a vapor barrier helps prevent water in the ground from evaporating or condensing. You can find them in basements, crawl spaces, walls, floors, and more. They are generally membranes or coatings that can be adjusted to fit your space.
Vapor barriers come in several classes involving different materials. Each class is specifically designed to slow down a certain amount of water vapor, classified by a unit of measurement called “perms.” These classes are:
- Class I (glass, sheet metal, polyethylene sheets, and a rubber membrane), which offers 0.1 perms or less.
- Class II (unfaced, expanded, or extruded polystyrene, 30-lb. asphalt-coated paper, plywood, and bitumen-coated kraft paper), which offers more than 0.1 perms and less than or equal to 1.0 perms.
- Class III (gypsum board, fiberglass insulation (unfaced), cellulose insulation, board lumber, concrete block, brick, 15-lb. asphalt-coated paper, and house wrap), which offers more than 1.0 perms and less than or equal to 10 perms.
What Are the Benefits of Vapor Barrier Installation?
You may not realize just how much of an impact adding a vapor barrier to your space can make. Keeping moisture out of your crawl space can help prevent it from seeping up through your floor and causing much bigger issues.
Additionally, moisture in your crawl space can result in mold and mildew buildup, rotting structural wood, and rust and corrosion of metal components like wiring. These hazards may not only be costly but also dangerous for your home and family.
Vapor barriers also help keep pests at bay and make it easier for you to access your crawl space. Last, if you create an effective barrier against moisture, you’ll likely notice lower energy bills.
Why Choose Professional Installation?
Installing a vapor barrier requires some research and great attention to detail. The materials needed and the placement of the barrier will vary depending on the climate and the layout of your home. In general, milder climates will not need perm vapor diffusion rates as high as extreme climates. Colder climates also require installation toward the interior of the space, while hot or wet climates require installation toward the exterior.
Knowing where to install the vapor barrier is only the beginning. An installer must take the time to create a continuous barrier, making sure to seal any punctures or openings that arise during installation. If any tears are left unsealed, insulation could become damp, which creates a consistently wet space that invites mold and mildew. Homeowners might require additional mold remediation.
Choose Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions for Your Installation Service
Vapor barrier installation is a relatively cost-effective way to help prevent problems before they start. Keeping your crawl space free of moisture helps you focus on your next home renovation project without having to worry about moisture buildup. Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions is here to help, offering different basement waterproofing services, including crawl space encapsulation and repair.
Our team of experts has years of experience serving customers throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Between our advanced technology and reliable materials, we’ll leave your space looking and working exactly as it should. We offer zero percent financing and a lifetime warranty to protect you from day one to years down the road. If you would like a free estimate, contact us or call 1-888-537-9832 today.
