What can I use for a crawl space cover?

Use plastic sheeting to control moisture in your crawlspace.

We use foil-faced rigid insulation to keep the space under the house dry. The plastic and the insulation will eliminate any moisture problems you have in the crawlspace, such as water droplets collecting on the concrete walls and pipes.

What can I use to cover my crawl space opening?

How can I cover my crawl space dirt?

Dirt floors allow moist air and water to enter the crawl space. You need to hold back this moisture. And the best way of doing this is by encapsulating the crawl space. It involves laying down a 20-mil polyethylene plastic vapor barrier over the crawl space floor and walls.

Should crawl space be covered?

Because much of the air you breathe in your home comes directly from your crawl space, most contractors today agree that the crawl space should be treated as part of your living area—in other words, it should be sealed, insulated and kept free of moisture.

Should I keep my crawl space vents open or closed?

Your crawl space vents should always be closed and sealed off from the outside elements. Venting your crawl space leads to a variety of issues. First and foremost, open vents allow moisture to enter your crawl space. This creates the perfect environment for mold growth and mildew.

Crawl Space Cover with a Bonus Project

How do I reduce moisture in my crawl space?

Should I cover my crawl space with plastic?

A: The plastic cover or vapor barrier is definitely needed, especially in a dirt-floor crawl space. Without a vapor barrier, moisture will migrate to the surface of the soil and eventually cause serious problems in the crawl space, including mold and possibly structural rot. The plastic should cover the entire floor.

Can I use plastic sheeting as a vapor barrier?

Reinforced polyethylene plastic sheeting (poly) comes in a variety of thicknesses and strengths. A 6 mil thick poly is commonly used as a vapor barrier and offers short-term savings to the homeowner.

Can you spray foam over dirt?

Applying spray foam to the dirt floor of your crawlspace may be one of the easiest and most effective solutions, and if so, then you would be best not to insulate the joists over your head and just heat that space instead.

Can you use house wrap as a vapor barrier?

For example, House wrap by itself is not an air barrier, it is a vapor barrier. However, IF installed properly, which is rare, with taped seams, bottom, top edges, and no tears, it acts as an air barrier. So primarily it acts as a vapor barrier, but installed properly can do both; vapor barrier and air barrier.

Can you use roofing felt as a vapour barrier?

A great benefit to roofing felt is that it can also act as a moisture barrier. When the hot air is rising through the house and reaches the roof, any moisture in the air that condenses on the underside of the shingles, will get caught by the roofing felt.

What flooring is best over a crawl space?

Does mold grow under crawl space vapor barrier?

Moisture from the ground and from crawl space vents combine to create all sorts of problems under your home. This moisture can create mold, mildew, dry rot and allows insects and other pests to thrive. A vapor barrier is key step to reducing this moisture.

What can I put under my house to absorb moisture?

Sandbags are an excellent way to assist with basement waterproofing for your home. Placing sandbags within your crawl space drain system area will help absorb any moisture that might occur and it will help keep your crawl space dry.

Is spray foam good for crawl space?

Because closed-cell foam is resistant to moisture and rodent activity, many well-intentioned handymen and homeowners have started to use it as an insulation material in basements and crawl spaces. Don't get me wrong, spray foam, when used in moderation to seal gaps, can be effective.

Is a dehumidifier necessary for a crawl space?

Moisture can build-up inside the crawl space from duct-work condensation, ground moisture evaporation, high outdoor humidity, and more. The dehumidifier is needed to condition the crawl space and ensure healthy humidity levels are kept all year.

Is it OK to cover crawl space vents?

Even if you aren't planning on using your crawl space for storage, consider installing crawl space vent covers along with sealing and insulating your crawl space to create warmer floors, prevent frozen pipes, and manage your heating costs.

Is kraft paper a vapor barrier?

The facing on kraft-faced insulation is made of kraft paper with an asphalt coating that makes the paper impermeable to water vapor. The paper creates a vapor barrier that helps keep the water vapor in the warm, moist, heated indoor air from migrating outward into the wall or other structure.

Is tar paper considered a vapor barrier?

Fortunately a number of materials, including traditional asphalt felt (tar paper) have this ability to stop liquid water while remaining “permeable” to water vapor.

Can I use plastic instead of Tyvek?

You can use plastic if you put polyethylene between your drywall and the wall studs. This way, you should get a tighter wall without trapping moisture inside the exterior walls. If you are framing out a below-grade basement, however, do not use plastic as a vapor barrier.