Installing Vapor Barrier In Basement Floor

Record the wall measurements.

Installing vapor barrier in basement floor.

See what goes into waterproofing a basement too. 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. Polyurethane sheeting is a typical vapor barrier that contractors use to prevent moisture from penetrating the walls of a basement. For a dry mold free finished basement floor always install a vapor barrier before laying a wood subfloor or carpet pad.

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. A basement vapor or moisture barrier is installed during the new construction of a home or the remodeling of a basement. That way you have the extra layer of protection and don t have to worry about potential leaks. The inner surface in colder climates and the outer surface in hot humid climates.

With fiber insulation and a vapor barrier moisture can get trapped in the insulation leading to moldy insulation and decay in the wood framing. Any kind of persistent moisture will allow mold to get a foothold and soon ruin carpet or wood flooring. In existing spaces oil based paints or vapor barrier latex paints offer an effective moisture barrier. 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.

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. Our moistureblock is a 6 mil polyethylene film vapor barrier that is used during the installation process with floating laminate luxury vinyl planks and engineered wood floors. Of foam against the wall this should not be a problem in your climate. For concrete basement floors that give off large amounts of moisture it might be worth considering installing a 6 mil vapor barrier with an underlayment that has an attached pad.

The water vapor can come through the concrete from the soil or from indoor air that comes in contact with the concrete. Add 2 inches to allow enough of the barrier to stop water from entering as it rolls towards the floor. You can use caulk to fill in any gaps or cracks. Vapor barriers are usually best installed on the side of the wall that experiences the hotter temperature and moister conditions.

The area on which you are installing the vapor barrier should be clean and dry. Good luck with your project.