Installing Vapor Barrier In Basement Floor

Also be sure to use treated lumber for the bottom plate on the wall framing.

Installing vapor barrier in basement floor.

Record the wall measurements. Cut any excess vapor barrier away and seal the slit with some tape. A basement vapor or moisture barrier is installed during the new construction of a home or the remodeling of a basement. 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.

Vapor barriers are usually best installed on the side of the wall that experiences the hotter temperature and moister conditions. 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. Any kind of persistent moisture will allow mold to get a foothold and soon ruin carpet or wood flooring. 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.

The water vapor can come through the concrete from the soil or from indoor air that comes in contact with the concrete. With fiber insulation and a vapor barrier moisture can get trapped in the insulation leading to moldy insulation and decay in the wood framing. 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. See what goes into waterproofing a basement too.

In existing spaces oil based paints or vapor barrier latex paints offer an effective moisture barrier. You can use caulk to fill in any gaps or cracks. Cut a slit around pipes drains conduit rebar and other penetrations sticking up through the floor to install the initial layer of vapor barrier. 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 inner surface in colder climates and the outer surface in hot humid climates. That way you have the extra layer of protection and don t have to worry about potential leaks. 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 area on which you are installing the vapor barrier should be clean and dry. Good luck with your project.