There’s no way around it: you’re going to need a crawl space plastic vapor barrier if you want to preserve that space as well as your house. What do you need it though? What does it do for you? The truth is that it does a lot more than you think.
Keeping the Mold Away
If you don’t have a vapor or moisture barrier in place, you could encounter quite a few problems. For example, it is entirely possible for mold to start growing within your crawlspace and that isn’t something you want to deal with. Getting rid of it is difficult, so why not prevent it in the first place?
Keeping the Moisture to a Minimum
Moisture can create a mold, but it can also damage your crawlspace. A good vapor barrier will keep the area dry and will keep your foundation from becoming cracked.
Choosing a Good Vapor Barrier
There is an unfortunate and common misconception hat thicker moisture barriers and even reinforced barriers will last longer than others, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Today there are more advanced barriers out there that will be able to provide you with significant protection even if they are a bit thinner than you were expecting. The best thing you can do is choose a barrier that comes from a trusted manufacturer and meets the specifications you need. You might find yourself spending a bit more money than you expected, but you will also find that your crawlspace is in much better shape. It’s a worthy compromise for increasing the longevity of your crawlspace and the home that you live in.
