{"id":3013,"date":"2014-12-07T03:09:26","date_gmt":"2014-12-07T08:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/woodshms.com\/wp\/?p=3013"},"modified":"2014-12-07T03:36:10","modified_gmt":"2014-12-07T08:36:10","slug":"crawl-space-vapor-barrier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodshms.com\/wp\/crawl-space-vapor-barrier\/","title":{"rendered":"Crawl Space Vapor Barrier"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Crawl Space Vapor Barrier
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A worthy maintenance investment for your home!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Does your home have a crawl space?\u00a0 If the answer is yes,\u00a0 installing a\u00a0 crawl space vapor barrier may be one of the best and least expensive maintenance tasks you can preform on your home.\u00a0 While many homes without a crawl space vapor barrier don’t suffer any ill effects, many more do and the potential damage, from excessive moisture, can cost thousands of dollars to repair.<\/p>\n

Why do I need a crawl space vapor barrier?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Crawl spaces are often too damp for a variety of reasons.\u00a0 However, no matter the reason, excessive moisture can cause BIG problems.\u00a0 One of the first signs of excessive moisture is \"A<\/a>mold and mildew, which not only look unsightly but has been associated with heath risks from breathing in the spores they produce.\u00a0 Homes with visible mold or mildew are less desirable to many potential buyers, who may demand a reduction in price or decline to purchase altogether because of potential health or legal issues.<\/p>\n

Excessive moisture can cause the small diameter metal insulation supports to rust through allowing the insulation to sag or become completely dislodged.\u00a0 Additionally rapid changes in temperature brought on by cycling of the HVAC system can cause excess moisture in the air to condense onto surfaces such as metal trunk lines, ducts and water lines.\u00a0 In areas where the insulation is dislodged or missing condensation may even occur on the underside of the sub-floor resulting in swelling or decay of the sub-floor and adjacent framing members.<\/p>\n

Dry rot often occurs when the wood framing of the floor and walls are exposed to persistent moisture that is often found in homes without a crawl space vapor barrier.\u00a0 Over time dry rot can weaken girders, floor joists and other framing members enough to cause them to collapse.\u00a0 Repairing dry rot is time consuming and expensive often requiring the temporary removal of HVAC ducts and\u00a0 plumbing supply lines and drain lines as well as rerouting of electrical wiring.<\/p>\n

Steps to prevent excess moisture in the crawl space<\/span>.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Installing a crawl space vapor barrier is the first and likely the most economical step in controlling excess moisture under a house.\u00a0 Often it is the only step required.\u00a0 For homes that have extreme moisture problems additional steps may be necessary. \u00a0 These steps include:<\/p>\n