Wood rot, mold growth, and other problems could result if your crawlspace isn't encapsulated.Older homes may not have used modern construction materials.It seems like a lot, but it's relatively simple to do over a long weekend.You can protect your home for years to come by assessing your crawlspace, cleaning it out, and laying down a vapor barrier.
Step 1: Provide lighting in your home.
Natural light is best and many crawlspaces have vents that can be opened or removed to let light in.If you place several crawlspace lights, battery-powered lanterns, or other light sources under your home, you will have plenty of light when you start working.Without light, you won't be able to fit a vapor barrier and do other work.
Step 2: Foundation insulation and old vapor barriers should be removed.
If you have an older vapor barrier or other material in your home, you need to remove it.Roll the material up on one end of the house.If it is torn into small pieces, take a contractors garbage bag with you and put the barrier into it.Dirt, dust, and other debris can get in your eyes, nose, or mouth if you don't wear a face mask.
Step 3: Take care of your crawlspace.
From left to right, use a garbage bag or wheelbarrow to move through your crawl space.Pick up everything you see.The dirt should be left on the bottom of the crawl space.Old construction debris like concrete, nails, and pieces of metal may need to be removed.Rocks.There are leaves, sticks, and anything else that may have washed into your home.
Step 4: There are holes and level areas that aren't completely flat.
To fill in holes with sand or gravel, use a short-handled shovel.There are holes that are more than 2 inches deep.Water could pool in the holes if you don't fill them.It's okay if your house is on a slant.It is good for drainage.
Step 5: Make sure the holes in your foundation are secure.
Entranceway doors should be repaired if they're damaged.Animals or the elements can enter your crawlspace if you replace rotten wood.Animals could enter your home if you put wire mesh on small areas.It's a good idea to make sure that animals don't damage your vapor barrier in the future.
Step 6: Measure your crawlspace with 100 ft (30 m) tape.
To record your data, bring a clipboard or electronic device.Measure the width of your home.Measure the length of your house.pylons or support pillars may impact the process.If your home is an L shape, make sure to get proper measurements for all sides of the foundation.Measure indoors.This could give you an incorrect account of the space you need to cover.Measure the length and height of your foundation.Vapor barrier and insulation are required for the foundation walls.
Step 7: It's a good idea to map out your home.
Sit down with your data and sketch your house.You should include the length, width, height and other features of your foundation.The foundation should be labeled with its length.It is possible to be as specific as possible.
Step 8: Add 10% to calculate the total area.
Measure the area of your crawlspace.If it is a square, you can use the length times width to do this.If your foundation is in a L shape, you should calculate the area of each part and add the values together.If you have another shape, add it to the other portions.10% is added to the total area.Measurement errors and waste will be accounted for.Determine the area of the bottom 6 inches (15 cm) of your foundation walls in addition to the ground area.If you have a 10 ft section of foundation, you'll need to add another 6 feet to your total.
Step 9: Purchase a barrier that is at least 12 mil thick.
Thinner barriers are available, but you should use a 12-mil barrier.Good insulation can be provided by the thickness of the vapor barrier.If you choose a thinner barrier, it may degrade.
Step 10: Take one line at a time.
Start on one side of the building.If you want to move straight across the crawlspace, unroll your roll of vapor barrier.You can cut the vapor wrap with a box cutter when you reach the far end of the crawlspace.The bottom portion of the foundation should be covered with a 6 inch (15 cm) vapor barrier.
Step 11: The other structures should be covered with a vapor barrier.
As you roll your barrier across the ground, cut the vapor barrier around the structures.Tailor cut pieces of vapor barrier to fit around the structure.To create a seamless barrier, tape your barrier to the ground.
Step 12: Landscape fabric stakes can be used to secure your vapor barrier.
You need to stake the sides of the line every 4 feet.If someone needs to work under the house in the future, this will secure the barrier to the ground.Before securing the barrier, make sure it's as flat as possible.You may need to make more cuts.
Step 13: The lines of vapor wrap are 2 inches in length.
If you want to start a new line of vapor barrier, you need to overlap the existing line by about 2 inches.This will make sure that there is no movement between the lines.
Step 14: You should tape the seams of your barrier.
To tape the seams of your vapor barrier, use seaming tape.You can create a seamless barrier between the ground and the crawlspace by taping the lines of the vapor barrier.This will make your home less humid.
Step 15: The vapor barrier needs to be fastened.
Foundation pins can be purchased at a home improvement store.You can buy 100 for about 20.The cinder block or brick foundation is where the vapor barrier should be.One pin should be used every 2–3 feet.
Step 16: 1.5 in of insulation is placed on the exposed parts of your foundation.
If your foundation is made of cinder block, cut the insulation to fit.Foundation pins are used to attach insulation to your foundation.This will limit the amount of water that enters your home.It's okay to overlap insulation over the 6 inches (15 cm) of vapor barrier.