Before & After Photos

The existing 6-mil vapor barrier in the crawl space does not fully cover the ground and is allowing moisture from the earth to rise into the crawl space. This is a concern because it raises the relative humidity (RH). When the RH is above 60% and there are warm temperatures, mold and mildew can begin to grow on the organic materials under the home including the wood floor joists. 

As part of an encapsulation system, we installed a 20-mil vapor barrier called CleanSpace. The heavy-duty vapor barrier is attached to the crawl space walls 6-8 inches above outside grade, wrapped around all piers, and sealed at all seams, sealing the crawl space off from the earth's moisture. CleanSpace is more durable than the previously installed 6-mil, which is about as thick as a trash bag, withstanding service persons crawling and working in the space. 

Open vents allow the outside into your crawl space. In the winter cold air is pouring into the crawl space, and in the summer hot and humid air floods in. The disheveled and damaged 6-mil vapor barrier has been allowing moisture from the earth to rise into the crawl space. Staining and efflorescence on the foundation walls indicate that moisture has been traveling through the porous cinderblock. The excess moisture in the crawl space has allowed mold to begin to grow on the floor joists. 

As part of the encapsulation system, we installed CleanSpace Vapor Barrier sealing the crawl space off from the earth's moisture. We sealed all vents and insulated the crawl space walls with a continuous R-10 of rigid foam insulation. Preventing outside moisture from entering the crawl space is a big step in controlling the environment. We also installed a dehumidifier to help control the relative humidity in the space and prevent future mold and mildew growth. 

Moving the crawl space insulation from between the floor joists to the foundation walls extends the thermal boundary of the home to the floor of the crawl space. Along with insulating the rim and band, this helps to reduce drafts and cold floors. 

Foam Board is installed by mechanically attaching it to the foundation walls leaving a viewing strip at the top of the foundation wall per building code for termite inspections. All seams of the foam board are sealed to create an air barrier. 

6-mil vapor barriers are most commonly installed when a home is built, they are lightweight, similar to a standard trash bag, they tear easily, and are simply laid out on the ground. As soon as someone or something moves through the crawl space, the liner is displaced, torn, and bunched up, offering very little protection to the home from the earth's moisture. 

Our homeowner opted to replace this 6mil with a CleanSpace 20-mil vapor barrier. This liner is similar to a pool liner, it's durable enough for service persons to crawl and work under the home, is overlapped and sealed at all seams, wrapped and sealed around all piers, and attached and sealed to the foundation walls about 6 inches above outside grade. It completely seals the crawl space from the earth's moisture, achieving the job vapor barriers are intended to do. 

Brad & Bryan did a great job helping this Newport News, VA, Homeowner with their attic! This client just moved into their new home and, during inspection, found that they needed more insulation in the attic. (Having enough attic insulation means being more comfortable in your home and a more energy-efficient home!) After reviewing their options, the homeowner insulated the attic with an R-49 of blown-in cellulose insulation and a David Lewis Pull-Down Stair Hatch Cover.