Installing Vapor Barrier In Basement Floor

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Installing vapor barrier in basement floor.

Cut any excess vapor barrier away and seal the slit with some tape. Cut a slit around pipes drains conduit rebar and other penetrations sticking up through the floor to install the initial layer of vapor barrier. For a dry mold free finished basement floor always install a vapor barrier before laying a wood subfloor or carpet pad. Add 2 inches to allow enough of the barrier to stop water from entering as it rolls towards the floor.

The other option is to set the 2 4 wall framing in 4 from the masonry or concrete basement walls and use just the vapor barrier on the insulation facing toward the living space. In existing spaces oil based paints or vapor barrier latex paints offer an effective moisture barrier. A basement vapor or moisture barrier is installed during the new construction of a home or the remodeling of a basement. Polyurethane sheeting is a typical vapor barrier that contractors use to prevent moisture from penetrating the walls of a basement.

Any kind of persistent moisture will allow mold to get a foothold and soon ruin carpet or wood flooring. With fiber insulation and a vapor barrier moisture can get trapped in the insulation leading to moldy insulation and decay in the wood framing. Vapor barriers are usually best installed on the side of the wall that experiences the hotter temperature and moister conditions. Record the wall measurements.

Of foam against the wall this should not be a problem in your climate. Because excessive dampness in a crawlspace or basement can condense you can install a vapor barrier to protect floor framing from becoming damp and covered with fungus efflorescence and rot. No need to bother with large fold out low quality off spec construction grade films which can be bothersome and hard to use before the floor is installed. Also be sure to use treated lumber for the bottom plate on the wall framing.

A vapor barrier consists of one or more layers of sheet plastic 6 mil visqueen on top of the soil in the crawlspace or basement. The water vapor can come through the concrete from the soil or from indoor air that comes in contact with the concrete. That way you have the extra layer of protection and don t have to worry about potential leaks. See what goes into waterproofing a basement too.

You can use caulk to fill in any gaps or cracks. The area on which you are installing the vapor barrier should be clean and dry.