An improperly installed vapor barrier may allow dirt and soil to seep into your crawl space and could expose rodent droppings into your home. However, the right moisture barrier service will allow you to keep your home well-protected.
Moisture damage to wood flooring and home structures, and can foster mold and mildew growth that leads to musty odors throughout your home. Furthermore, moisture may rust out pipes carrying electricity into your crawlspace causing potential electrical hazards and creating musty smells throughout.
Prevents Wood Rot
Wood rot is an all too familiar problem that threatens the structure of any home, caused by fungi consuming the cellulose present in all wood materials and feeding off it to cause the decay of wood materials and produce organic growth such as moss and lichen. Furthermore, decayed wood traps moisture leading to mold growth, mildew growth, and insect infestation.
Moisture barriers help protect wood rot in your home by keeping its crawlspace dry, protecting joists and beams, and keeping water away from exposed areas of your house. Regular inspection of these vulnerable spots for signs of rot can save money in repairs and maintenance expenses down the line, not to mention keeping water and electricity pipes from freezing! Keeping your crawl space sealed also provides added protection to water and electricity services that run through it.
Prevents Pests
Moisture in a crawl space can attract pests that cause damage and present health risks to you and your family. Rodents, cockroaches, and other rodents flourish in moist conditions under your home, potentially entering living spaces to cause wood rot and structural issues while endangering health in general.
A vapor barrier completely seals off your crawl space eliminating this entry point for rodents as well as creating electrical safety risks posed by these creatures.
Prevents Mold and Mildew
Moisture can quickly cause wood rot in a crawl space, which compromises its structural integrity and leads to pest infestations such as rodents or raccoons that chew through wires or damaged wood, leaving costly repair bills behind them.
Mold and mildew thrive in environments with high moisture levels, creating the ideal conditions for them to form in your home. Not only is this harmful to your family’s health, but it can also leave musty odors that spread throughout.
Vapor barriers help stop mold and mildew growth by controlling moisture and humidity in your crawl space, and can save you money on energy costs by helping regulate temperature. Jerry’s Waterproofing offers thicker 6-mil plastic liners than what can be found at hardware stores for optimal protection in their vapor barriers.
Prevents Electrical Hazards
Moisture in your home can present many issues. Mold growth, increased HVAC system use and decay of wooden floor structures all are problems caused by excess moisture. Moisture also has devastating consequences for electrical wiring and plumbing systems as water mixes poorly with metal, leaving them more susceptible to damage than expected.
Unsealed crawl spaces can serve as entry points for rodents and other pests looking for food, shelter, or chewing through electrical wires. A properly installed vapor barrier closes off your crawl space by reducing moisture levels to protect you against this issue and improve comfort, health, investment protection, and value appreciation while saving on utility costs.
Prevents Water Damage
Vapor barriers (sometimes referred to as vapor retarders) prevent ground moisture from damaging your subfloor and inviting pests into your home. Without such protections in place, moisture damage could rot wood framing and allow rodents and insects entry.
Moisture in your crawl space can rot the wood joists and beams beneath your house, leading to serious structural issues and high repair bills. A vapor barrier helps reduce moisture levels for wood protection as well as saving money in repair costs.
Installing a vapor barrier begins with clearing and cleaning out the area under your home, and inspecting for obstacles that require removal before laying poly sheeting down. For optimal effectiveness, ensure 100% ground coverage by making sure no holes or rips exist in its structure; any holes could compromise its effectiveness and diminish its efficacy.
