How to Install Crawlspace Vapor Barrier

Do you need a vapor barrier in your crawlspace? If you have strange smells, odors or moisture concerns coming from your crawlspace or just lingering in your house, then you probably do.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 6 Mil Plastic
• Sharp Utility Knife
• Flashlight
• Spray Bottle with Bleach
• Staple Gun with staples

1. 
    

   A crawlspace is full of unwanted moisture and odors that penetrate through your floor and “discolor” the health and well being of the living area of your home. It is easy to counteract these unwanted elements. Just follow these directions to end this.

2. The single best thing you can do to eliminate moisture and odors coming from the crawlspace is to apply a heavy sheet of plastic. Plastic wrap comes in clear or black and in different thicknesses. Purchase either color and with a thickness of at least 6 mil or better yet 10 mil.

3. Roll out the plastic so that all of the crawlspace floor is completely covered with plastic. When you have to cut the plastic to go around something, be sure to cover the cut with additional plastic or lap the original layer over the cut out. It’s ok to use duct tape on the plastic vapor barrier as well. Just be sure to not have any voids in the plastic where moisture and odors can still get through.

4. The walls of the crawlspace should be covered as well to better eliminate moisture concerns as they can harbor condensation, a major source of moisture issues.

5. Feel free to rate and vote on this article so I'll know what to write about next.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a sharp utility knife when cutting plastic.
• One additional helper will help greatly when rolling the plastic out in the crawlspace.

Resources

• Other Helpful Information