It’s easy for most homeowners to spend time and money on the visible parts of their homes such as the rooms, furniture, and the home exterior. The problem is that the not-often-noticed parts can quickly turn into a nightmare when not well-maintained.
For example, moisture in the crawl space can become a great cause of health and structural problems in the home. One way to ensure that your crawl space is well-maintained to prevent serious issues for your home is through the installation of a vapor barrier in the home.
In this article, we explain why you should install a vapor barrier in your crawl space.
Why You Need a Crawl Space Vapor Barrier
The presence of moisture in your home makes it difficult to maintain a healthy environment. Damp air is one of the factors that encourage mold growth within the home. Moisture also forces the heating and cooling system to work harder than necessary.
If the floor of your home is made of wood, then moisture can cause it to decay. As soon as deterioration sets in, the wood in your home starts to become a haven for pests and insects of all sorts.
Even with a vapor barrier installed in your crawl space, it is important that it is inspected from time to time. The average lifespan of a vapor barrier is between five to ten years, after which the vapor barrier starts to get weak and eventually breaks down. So, it is important that you check the condition of the vapor barrier in your crawl space. If you see signs that something is not right with you, then waste no time in contacting a reputable contractor to fix it.
With the replacement of a failing crawl space vapor barrier in Peoria, you most likely will notice an instant improvement in the quality of air within your home. The humidity level within your home will drop instantly. You are also likely to see a decrease in your monthly utility bills.
How Do Vapor Barriers Work?
The main function of vapor barriers is to prevent moisture from gaining access to your space. This is achieved by installing thick plastic materials all across the crawl space at every point where moisture can permeate the space.
It is important to note that the work of vapor barriers is limited to ensuring that ground moisture doesn’t find its way into the crawl space and the building. The implication of this is that if you have leaking pipes or water runoff within your home, then your crawl space may still be invaded by moisture and water. That is why it is best to accompany the vapor barrier with a waterproofing system.
Signs That You Need a Crawl Space Vapor Barrier
There are many warning signs that you may notice that will let you know that you need to install a vapor barrier in your crawl space; the following are a few of them:
- Increased utility bills: While there are many reasons why there could be a gradual or sudden increase in your energy bills, a water-impacted crawl space is definitely one of them. When your crawl space is heavily moist, the humidity levels within your home rise, and your HVAC system will have to work harder to compensate for it. Once you can’t seem to link the high temperatures in your home to no external factor, then a vapor barrier in your crawl space might be the way out.
- Rodents and insects: Humid environments help pests to thrive. When left unaddressed for long enough, pests such as termites can find their way into the home’s foundation and cause unimaginable damage. Rodents also thrive in a dark and moist environment.
- Mold and mildew growth: Vapor droplets that are not taken seriously can quickly encourage the growth of mold and mildew in your crawl space. This makes you and your family open to health problems such as allergies and respiratory issues.
- Standing water: Noticing stagnant water on the floor of your crawl space is a clear sign that a vapor barrier needs to be installed. Given enough time, standing water in your crawl space will cause wood to rust and metals to rust. This means that joints and beams could suffer as a result of this. If you have HVAC units and fuse boxes close to your crawl space, they may also be affected.
Final Thoughts
The benefits of crawl space vapor barriers are many. They help to keep the structural integrity of your home, keep your utility bills under control, and most importantly, protect you from health problems associated with mold and mildew by ensuring that the air quality in your home is good.
Don’t forget to verify the credibility of the contractor that will be installing your vapor barrier on the Better Business Bureau.
