For starters, is it Class I or Class 1? Fun fact: it’s actually Class I.  

Weigh Your Options Before Committing to Your Next Home Improvement Project

Installing the vapor barrier in the crawl space as it’s being built eliminates the need for your contractor to have to maneuver in a cramped space down the line.

Oftentimes, new homes are built with floor-to-floor insulation, including insulation in the crawl space. But while insulation helps to regulate temperature and conserve energy, it doesn’t provide enough moisture protection. Crawl space encapsulation with a vapor barrier is a great way to ensure a drier, safer, and more energy efficient environment, but many new homeowners mistakenly overlook this crucial component to a healthy home.

It would be a mistake to spend the time, money, and effort to rehabilitate your crawl space, only to find out afterwards that the work you did isn’t even up to code.  Code is complicated for many reasons including but not limited to:  finding which codes are applicable to your project and interpreting code the same way as your local inspector.  Determining local code is difficult because there is the overarching International Residential Code (IRC) that acts as a baseline for proper building code requirements, but there are also local building codes that may differ from the national requirements. 

Why Eliminating, Sealing, or Closing Crawl Space Vents in Conjunction With a Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Can Help Contribute to a More Durable, Efficient, and Healthy Home.

When choosing a crawl space liner for your home, asking a few key questions at the beginning will help ease your decision and give you the best long-term value in the end.

Whether you’re doing your research online or hoping to stumble upon the right crawl space encapsulation materials at your local hardware store, knowing what comprises the “right” materials in the first place is really the best place to start. 

Just because your local store carries 6-mil poly that doesn’t mean that product is the best crawl space vapor barrier choice for an educated buyer like yourself who is hoping to do this right the first time.  By taking some extra time to identify and select the right materials for the job and also researching the proper installation techniques, you can significantly reduce future crawl space moisture-related issues.

Here are the questions that you should be asking or researching to make sure you’re getting the right crawl space encapsulation products:

Whether from a natural disaster or a busted pipe, flood damage can cause major problems for your home. Crawl spaces can take the brunt of this damage, and in many cases are left completely submerged in sitting water teeming with bacteria. That’s why it’s important to implement preventative measures, ensuring that you have a properly encapsulated crawl space that will diminish the likelihood of floods causing major damage to your home.