What Does A Vapor Barrier Do? Local Encapsulation Services | Smoky Mountain

How much do you know about vapor barriers in your home and what they are meant to do? If you have been looking into waterproofing measures for your home to help keep it protected from moisture damage, you have probably come across information about this vapor barrier. 

While you might know plenty about the damage you want to prevent from happening to your home, you might not know as much about the best way to do that. In this article, we will address some of the main points about vapor barriers that will help you better understand how to implement some effective waterproofing solutions.

Moisture is the most important thing to have control of for protecting your home. Air is also a very important factor, but the end product of poor air control simply results in moisture still being introduced into the home. Air can leak into our home from gaps around windows and doors, condensing moisture on inside surfaces and within the walls of our wood-framed home. 

Now it is possible for homeowners that have taken the measures to seal off the air from the outside by way of windows, doors, and any other communications from the outside to still experience moisture intrusion! You may wonder how this could happen after investing in such measures.

One of the most common ways this happens is through diffusion. For example, moisture can travel through a sheet of drywall. One study revealed that, over the course of one winter, as much as a third of a quart of water can have made its way into your home through diffusion. 

Believe it or not, as many as 30 quarts of water can come through a hole or gap that communicates with the outside over that same amount of time! Although vapor barriers can be installed all around your home, one particular place of interest is in the crawl space. 

A small hole might be a common occurrence in the wall of your living room that can be quickly and easily fixed. However, your crawl space could be completely open to the elements depending on how it has been built! This area might be the most significant for you to consider waterproofing options if your home is experiencing a problem.

A quality vapor barrier will, once communications to the outside have been sealed off, prevent moisture from entering the home. We here at Smoky Mountain Crawlspace Systems have developed a vapor barrier that stands out from any other on the market. 

Our team of professionals will install the vapor barrier and all other aspects of the encapsulation process to ensure the foundation of the home stays dry. If you believe your crawl space or basement is in need of waterproofing solutions, give us a call at (865) 299-2315 for a FREE evaluation and determine the best approach to your moisture intrusion problems.