Although quality moisture protection is a crucial part of protecting all buildings, we are often guilty of not taking the time to fully research vapor barrier products and suppliers. Then, after the project is finished and the moisture-related problems begin, we scratch our heads in frustration, wondering how this could have happened.

My job is to talk to contractors about the materials and products they use on a work site. I ask lots of questions about their processes so I can understand how to design materials that make their labor more efficient. I often hear that timeliness and a long lasting, quality outcome are two things these contractors strive for. Believe it or not, a lot of these things can be boiled down to the kind of seaming tape they use when putting up vapor barriers in crawl spaces.

I get a fair amount of calls from homeowners with various descriptions of crawl space odors.  One homeowner was complaining about an odor coming from his crawlspace, so I was able to refer them to a local contractor who I’d had experience with in the past. The contractor headed over to the home and reported finding an old rusty drum of oil stowed away in the crawl space. The home was old and no one knew how long it had been down there, but thanks to moisture in the crawl space, the barrel had finally rusted through. The odor of exposed oil was being drawn into the home via stack/chimney effect.

If you’re considering renovations in your crawl space or basement, it’s important to know some commonly used terms. That way, whether you’re doing the work yourself and need to pick up some supplies at the hardware store or you want to be able to discuss the installation process with your contractor, you’ll be on solid ground (pun intended).  

To maximize energy efficiency at home, houses with crawl spaces should insulate, seal, and dehumidify this often neglected space. | Image Source: Stego® Industries, LLC

When homeowners want to prevent energy loss and reduce utility costs, they’re apt to replace drafty windows and doors or insulate walls and ceilings, but the crawl space may not immediately come to mind. Compared to the rest of the house, the crawl space is seldom seen, rarely used, and often neglected. And that neglect is a shame, because your crawl space is actually quite crucial to the overall energy efficiency of your home.