Does your crawl space get wet, damp, or musty? There’s a good chance that your crawl space is experiencing moisture problems. Originally, crawl spaces were designed to separate your living space from soil moisture.
Unfortunately, the old thinking about crawl spaces and their open vents that would allow moisture to escape out was incorrect. These open vents, dirt floor and porous concrete walls only created extra access for moisture to enter. Crawl spaces became traps for water and moisture – leading to moisture-related problems. These problems can extend from the crawl space to your home. But, with the help of a crawl space vapor barrier and sealed vents, you have a protective shield against invasive moisture.
The question is, what type of vapor barrier should your crawl space be sealed with? In this post, your local crawl space encapsulation experts at ’58 will answer that for you!
Crawl Space Vapor Barriers Come in Different Types
There are several types of vapor barriers – which also vary in thickness. These types are generally categorized as Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 vapor barriers.
Class 1 vapor barriers measure at 0.1 perm or less, offering the highest level of moisture resistance.
Class 2 vapor barriers measure at 1.0 perm or less but greater than 0.1 perm, providing moderate resistance.
Class 3 vapor barriers measure at 10 perm or less but greater than 1.0 perm, providing the least moisture blocking.
Perm is a vapor barrier’s measurement of permanence. The lower the perm, the better the vapor barrier is at keeping moisture from getting through.
Which One is Usually the Best Option?
Class 1 is the best vapor barrier for crawl spaces, as it offers the highest resistance possible. Class 1 vapor barriers are especially recommended in areas with high humidity or frequent rainfall, as they deliver the greatest protection.
Moreover, the vapor barrier must be thick enough to withstand wear and tear. A torn vapor barrier in a crawl space is like not having a vapor barrier at all. So yes, the Class 1 category is usually considered the best!
However, the selection of a vapor barrier class depends on the specific conditions of your crawl space. In this respect, having an expert inspect your crawl space and make recommendations is beneficial.
Fire Rating
Safety should always be a priority. When it comes to fire safety, focus on the classification of fire ratings. Look for a vapor barrier with a Class A fire rating. The rating shows that the barrier has undergone testing for flame resistance. This way, you can rest assured that an extra protective layer has been added, in case a fire breaks out.
What Homeowners Should Lookout For?
Some homeowners encapsulate their crawl space with a big-box-store vapor barrier. But often, these vapor barriers are either:
1- Not thick enough and tear easily.
2- Don’t offer the proper perm rating to protect a crawl space from moisture.
Having an experienced local crawl space encapsulation contractor with you means:
1- Your crawl space will be perfectly sealed, keeping that troublesome moisture away.
2- You get vapor barriers that are thick and tough.
Such are the local crawl space encapsulation systems you can get from ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing. With us, your crawl space will be more than just safe and dry, meaning you can turn that extra space into anything you want!
How to Know If a Crawl Space Encapsulation Contractor is Right for You?
Since 1958, ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing has been offering five-star local crawl space encapsulation services for communities in the eastern U.S., from Knoxville, TN, and Baltimore, MD to Atlanta, GA, and Spartanburg, SC. Our crawl space encapsulation system offers a comprehensive solution:
– Class A Fire-Rated for the highest level of fire safety.
– Availability of the most high-performing combo in vapor barriers i.e., 20-mil thick for the floor and 90-mil thick for the walls.
– Vent fans, specially designed to comply with the vapor barrier code requirement. This translates to proper airflow for a sealed crawl space – creating a healthier indoor environment for your home.
– Along with high-quality vapor barriers, our Energy-Star Rated HumidiGuard crawl space dehumidifier maintains your crawl space’s environment, keeping moisture down to a more optimal level.
For a Local Crawl Space Encapsulation Contractor, Call ’58!
With thousands of five-star reviews for our services, it’s easy to see why ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing has been in business for over 65 years! And for your added peace of mind, you get a life-of-the-structure warranty and the industry-unique money-back guarantee!
We have local offices throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Whenever you need help with crawl space encapsulation, you can always count on us!
Call us or fill out this short form to schedule a free inspection and price quote! We use a fixed price sheet for every customer, so you won’t have to worry about any surprises.