What are the benefits of a crawl space vapor barrier system?

Are you experiencing collected water on the pipes or concrete walls of your crawl space? If so, you're not alone. Dampness is a common side effect of crawl spaces that do not have a proper crawl space vapor barrier system. Without a crawl space vapor barrier system, 

your crawl space's ventilation openings carry humid air during summer months that condenses and settles on the cool pipes, walls, and even subflooring.

By installing a crawl space vapor barrier system, you'll be able to save money on energy by moderating the amount of time your furnace has to run; outside air infiltration will be kept at a minimum, which means your HVAC system doesn't need to operate quite as hard; and allergens, mold spores, and other irritants will have more difficulty making their way into your ventilation system, helping ensure the air in your home is as clean as possible.

The many benefits of installing a crawl space vapor barrier system include:

  • Having control of the temperature in rooms. When moisture is in your crawl space, it affects the temperature in your house, making it either too hot, too cold, too stuffy, or too dry. This happens because the moisture in your crawl space absorbs al the warmth from your house ... or it keeps it from escaping. A crawl space vapor barrier system seals those spaces, keeping your house at the temperature you decide to set.
  • Preventing mold growth and musty odors. One of the more common problems with crawl spaces that do not have a crawl space vapor barrier system is that they create high moisture levels, which may result in mold growth - as dampness creates the ideal environment for mold growth. By installing a crawl space vapor barrier system, you will greatly reduce the moisture levels, preventing mold and foul odors from growing and forming.
  • Saving on energy. Because high moisture levels in crawl spaces affects the temperature inside your home, a crawl space vapor barrier system will act as a sealant by controlling the moisture levels, making your home more energy-efficient and lowering your energy costs. Another way to look at it is that moisture making its way into your home makes it very cold, requiring the homeowner to spend more money on energy by installing room heaters. Electricity bills rise steeply because more electricity is being used to keep the heating appliances working. By installing a crawl space vapor barrier system, you'll keep your energy costs down.
  • Protecting your crawl space pipes. A crawl space vapor barrier system can help prevent your crawl space pipes from bursting. Your crawl space most likely houses a variety of pipes that supply the water and power to your home. If moisture infiltrates these areas and gets to your pipes, it's likely that they'll start rotting, which can lead to your pipers bursting or breaking. Installing a crawl space vapor barrier system keeps your pipes dry, thus increasing their lifespan - which means fewer repair costs to have to worry about.

How does a crawl space vapor barrier system work?

A crawl space vapor barrier system prevents ground moisture evaporation from entering your crawl space air. When you couple a crawl space vapor barrier system with a waterproofing system, moisture and water can be barred from the crawl space before it has a chance to cause problems - which means no more mold, foul odors, rot, rust, insects, rodents, and other humidity- or moisture-related problems.

A vapor barrier itself is designed to resist the flow of air. By stopping air movement, it turns your crawl space into a semi-conditioned area by making the temperature close to the living spaces in your home above the crawl space. When the temperature in your crawl space is similar to the temperature in your home's living areas, your floors feel warmer in the winter.

A crawl space vapor barrier system also has been known to slow the movement of harmful gases like radon from infiltrating the soil, helping the crawl space vapor barrier system greatly reduce the levels of radon found in the home.

Need a professional to install a crawl space vapor barrier system?

If you are experiencing mold in your crawlspace, there are several solutions you can look into for dealing with the moisture issue that led to the mold growth. Some solutions for dealing with crawl space moisture issues are as simple as installing a crawl space vapor barrier system, addressing the grade of your landscaping, or properly guttering rainwater away from the property; however, a crawl space service expert may be necessary to solve your issue.

AdvantaClean offers crawl space moisture control solutions:

  • Crawl space inspection
  • Moisture control products
  • Crawl space insulation
  • Crawl space vapor barrier
  • Crawl space encapsulation - AdvantaSeal
  • Controlling moisture and humidity in the home
  • Black mold removal
  • Drainage and sump pump installation - AdvantaDrain

More info? For more information about common places for moisture in your home, check out our related post: Crawlspace Moisture Problems. 

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