Vapor Barriers: How They Work and Does Your Crawl Space Need One

Vapor barriers are key at defending your home from excessive levels of moisture, humidity, and mold growth. Every day, ground water evaporates and rises due to the stack effect. This rise of water vapor penetrates the wood structure within the crawl space, while raising the relative humidity within the crawl space and throughout your home.

What is a vapor barrier?

A vapor barrier is a thick plastic sheet that is laid throughout the crawl space of the home. They come in a variety of thicknesses, but most people agree that 6 mil is the way to go. The plastic keeps moisture from coming up underneath the ground and getting into the area underneath your home.

How do they work?

Crawl space vapor barriers provide adequate protection from rising moisture within the crawl space environment. The vapor barrier helps mitigate the flow of water vapor into your home’s environment, limiting your pest, rodent and termite activity, large scale repairs, and risk for structural damage.

Does my crawl space need one?

Some homes may not necessarily need a vapor barrier, but it’s easy to figure out if you do. If your house has a dirt floor crawl space, then you should have one installed as soon as possible.

What does a vapor barrier help prevent?
  • Costly moisture related issues
    • A crawl space vapor barrier provides adequate protection from rising moisture within the crawl space environment. The vapor barrier helps mitigate the flow of water vapor into your home’s environment, limiting your pest, rodent, and termite activity, large scale repairs, and risk for structural damage.
  • Mold growth
    • Lowering your relative humidity and limiting moisture intrusion in your wood structure helps to prevent mold growth in your crawl space. A moisture barrier also protects your wood structure from absorbing large amounts of water throughout the year leading to mold growth.  
  • Musty odors
    • Ever notice musty odors following rain, or humid days? Living over exposed soil poses certain challenges within your home, and odors just so happen to be one of them. By ensuring your home has an adequate vapor barrier installed, you can be sure to reduce annoying odors at the source by reducing the flow of water vapors into the living quarters of your home.
  • Damage to your flooring
    • Humidity problems can cause warping, cupping and squeaky floors. Protect your investment into your home’s health.
  • High heating & cooling costs
    • Did you know you can save up to 17% on average by encapsulating your crawl space? A string reinforced vapor barrier installation by Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement allows your heating and cooling systems to work less by reducing the relative humidity within your home. This allows your heating and cooling systems to work less, saving you money!
Vapor barriers by Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement

At Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement, we are proud to offer vapor barrier installation services to help you keep your home healthy and protected. Please fill out our form below to find out more information regarding our vapor barrier installation process and our extensive warranties!