There are many benefits of installing a vapor barrier in your Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Houston. Unfortunately, not all of these benefits can be quantified in terms of dollars and cents. A Crawl Space Vapor Barrier (also known as a Crawl Space Dehumidifier) can be a huge life saver if it is properly installed, maintained, and installed by professionals. If you have the knowledge and skill to install your own dehumidifier or crawl space vapor barrier, it will save you a ton of money in the long run.
If you live in humid climates where daily temperatures rise above 100 degrees, it is very likely that you have a buildup of excess moisture in your home. Crawl space moisture is commonly caused by plumbing leaks, roof leaks, and ineffective HVAC systems. In addition, structures that were constructed poorly, such as old poorly insulated wood homes, may also contribute to humidity problems. While structural repairs to your crawl space may be necessary to fix other issues, the majority of structural repairs can be done quickly and inexpensively using a Crawl Space Vapor Barrier.
Crawl space vapor barrier systems were initially designed for industrial applications, but now homeowners use them successfully for their crawl spaces and even for their foundations. If you've ever had the feeling of walking on a "can" of mold or feeling your basement floor start to "grow warm" during the winter season, you have probably experienced air infiltration of this unhealthy condition. The growth and expansion of the soil in your foundation walls, roofing, and floors create pockets and pores through which excess moisture and airborne allergens can travel. By sealing these pockets, a Crawl Space Vapor Barrier can help prevent mold from occurring.
A properly installed crawl space vapor barrier can significantly reduce energy costs. On an annual basis, your heating and cooling costs will decrease due to air sealing and efficient ventilation. If you currently are not using a vapor barrier or are using defective insulation, your heating and cooling expenses may be increasing because your current system is allowing conditioned air to escape, which allows increased moisture and activity in the unventilated areas of your crawl space. Even in homes with properly insulated foundations, the walls can still experience leaks. Unfortunately, leaks in crawl space frames can not usually be repaired, so sealing the area will eliminate the need for costly repairs. Energy efficiency regulations for heating and cooling may also increase over the next several years, which means that more money from your household utility bill will go toward reducing energy costs.
Because most commercial buildings have some type of ventilation system, proper ventilation of a crawl space vapor barrier installation process should be anticipated before construction begins. Properly installed crawl space vapor barriers will effectively discourage the growth of mold, mildew, and damp walls. Once sealed, the moisture barrier will effectively prevent water from penetrating the walls of your crawl space, so it will be virtually maintenance free. Proper ventilation will improve indoor air quality by eliminating unhealthy indoor air particles, which can promote the growth of mold and mildew.
Improperly sealed and installed crawl space insulation can also increase your heating and cooling costs by allowing heat to escape through poorly vented spaces, which may cause the formation of mold and mildew. An effective crawl space vapor barrier will completely block heat loss and allow in only the necessary amount of heat. An invisible vapor barrier will completely eliminate the need for attic ventilation and ceiling insulation, as well as attic dehumidification. Ceiling dehumidification can reduce perceived temperature in an environment that is very humid, by reducing relative humidity within the building. A properly installed and sealed crawl space vapor barrier will prevent moisture from entering the spaces between the wall frame and the ceiling.
A properly installed crawl space vapor barrier will also prevent moisture from entering through the walls of your home by acting as a vapor barrier, even when partially open. It will effectively seal off the space between the wall frame and the ceiling, ensuring that any moisture that may enter will be trapped inside. When properly installed, a crawl space vapor barrier will provide excellent indoor air quality by eliminating airborne pollutants, such as mold and mildew, from entering your home. By sealing off the moisture in your home, you will save money on heating and cooling costs as well as improving the indoor air quality.
Crawl space insulation can also be installed on your own using joist slip-on fasteners that attach to the floor joists directly above the drain pipes. The best method to install a vapor barrier is to first install a vapor barrier wall sheet over the floor joists. Then, remove the old insulation (if applicable) and cut and tape the new one to the floor joists. You should leave approximately four feet of space between the wall sheet and the floor - this will allow the insulation to settle and stay in place. Finally, apply glue to the top of the vapor barrier, followed by a plastic strainer to keep water from leaking out.
