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Comments
Adem
27 Dec 2007, 07:09
Thanks for the helpful article. I'm currently having an addition with a
crawlspace built in Illinois. Does it make sense to pour gravel then place
a vapor retardant over the gravel? There will be a 4" slab poured over the
retardant. Then, I will install insulation between the joists for the above
floor space. Is this overkill or ideal?
AsktheBuilder
27 Dec 2007, 07:40
Adem,
It is not overkill.
Kerry
29 Dec 2007, 18:24
Thanks for all the great articles. I have a 33 year old home and the crawl
space smells stale/moldy. I looked behind some of pink insulation against
the crawlspace wall and found the wood wet with some mold. That section of
the wall became dry after an hour of removing the insulation. To tackle
this moisture problem, would I need to take up the concrete in the
crawlspace and install the vapor barrier, and pour new concrete over top?
Or, would venting the crawlspace be an option here? Thanks.
AsktheBuilder
30 Dec 2007, 06:00
Kerry,
Just install one of the high-performance vapor barriers as I describe in my
other columns right over the top of your existing slab. Limit your access
to the crawlspace so as not to tear the membrane.
Adem
30 Dec 2007, 14:18
My contractor intends to use visqueen vapor barrier under the concrete
slab. From what I've read, this is usually used in walls over insulation.
From your experience, and if installed properly, is this adequate and
sufficient for preventing moisture from infiltrating a crawlspace?
AsktheBuilder
30 Dec 2007, 14:33
Adem,
Did you read the above column?????? :-> Did you see the photo?
Kerry
30 Dec 2007, 14:40
My crawlspace is heated (2 heat registers), has about 4 1/2 ft clearance,
and ideal for storage, which is what I'm using it for now. The foundation
wall goes up about half the height of the crawlspace and the rest is just
wood with that pink fiberglass insulation. I'd hate to lose the crawlspace
as my storage room by installing the vapor barrier over the existing slab.
But, if I want the moisture issue gone is this my only option?
Jim Bob
30 Dec 2007, 15:46
We recently purchased a 2500 sq ft home in southern Misouri built over a
generous crawlspace. The 2 year-old home has crawlspace vents on the south
and west, but none on the east or north. The crawlspace floor is dirt
covered wih gravel. There is no mould in or under the home. Humidity
inside the home and crawlspace has hovers near 65% rain or shine.
I have read all of the related articles with great interest but still am
pondering the best option for lowering the humidity in and under the house.
1) Vapor Barrier over existing gravel; 2) Whole house dehumidifer
intigrated in HVAC system; 3) Additional crawlspace vent; or, 4) add crawl
space vent fan to promote better circulation in the crawl space.
Thanks in advance for our opinion(s).
AsktheBuilder
30 Dec 2007, 16:14
Kerry,
Yes. Put the right vapor barrier down then put down carpet scraps in the
high-traffic areas to protect it.
AsktheBuilder
30 Dec 2007, 16:20
JimBob,
High-Performance Vapor Barrier
Adem
02 Jan 2008, 08:47
Is it advisable to also use these high performance vapor retarders for
insulated living space walls. I have a roll remaining after using it
underslab of the crawlspace.
AsktheBuilder
02 Jan 2008, 08:52
Adem,
Yes.
Gregg
03 Jan 2008, 23:21
I had to put two holes in my family room ceiling to run some Romex. The
builder put in a clear poly vapor retarder. Unfortunately I cut through it
when I made my holes. Should I put a small patch of poly vapor retarder
behind my drywall patch? If so how do I treat the joint between the
builder's poly sheet and mine?
Thanks for all the help.
AsktheBuilder
05 Jan 2008, 07:21
Gregg,
Patch it and just tape the seams.
Phil Jackson
08 Mar 2008, 14:28
I am a contractor and am working in a log cabin with a concrete slab that
was poured without a vapor barrier. The owner did not get an inspection.
I had the building inspector out and said this needs to be corrected. What
can I do? Do they make a sealer that can be applied over the concrete?
AsktheBuilder
12 Mar 2008, 08:04
Phil,
I am not aware of one and have asked manufacturers for YEARS to make this
magical product. Can you imagine how many older homes could use this - ones
that were built before 1950? Contact Concrete Supply houses that sell
supplies to large concrete contractors. Google Concrete Sealers
irene y tarlac
15 May 2008, 06:39
i have already my slab and i intend to use wood planks on top of wood
joists in the master's.i am worried of the moisture that could affect the
wood flooring..the current floor is planned to be elevated for abt 2 inches
more of concrete mix.can i put vapor barrier between the existing concrete
and the planned 2 inches of topping made of concrete mixture? i also
thought of an alternative of putting vapor barrier on top of slab before
installing wood joists and wood planks on top of it.
Rosie Kirkwood
03 Jul 2008, 12:49
When we viewed pipe area of a bathtub, via access opening made by termite
inspector in guestroom, we discovered an open area in our slab exposing
bare soil (about 8" x 6")in front of the tub. Can a quality vapor retardant
material be placed over this area to prevent water vapor from entering
inside walls of home? (The bathtub wall is an outside wall of home.)
Rosie
Ramon Bueno
07 Jul 2008, 12:01
I have a cement slab foundation, with floors with parkay tiles on top of
the slab but underneath carpet padding and carpet. Due to water seepage
problems, the tiles are bulging up . I am fxiing the outside drainage
problems by. among other things, having vapor barrier around the perimeter
of my house's foundation, with french drain to send the waterr to deep
wells.
I am removing all the parkay tiles and reinstalling the carpet padding and
carpet after. QUESTION: Do I need to put a vapor barrier on top of the
foundation before re-nstalling the padding and carpet, given that I am
having a barrier place around the perimeter of my house?
Thanks a lot in advance for your response.
Ramon
cleveland oliver
05 Aug 2008, 08:55
Our newly install hardwood floor is starting to buckle. I have a raised
house and the floors under the house
are installed with faced fiberglass.
What could possible be the source of my problems.
Thank You
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