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Protects From Electric Shock
The grief caused by damaged electrical wiring is not just limited to calling an electrician. Northwesterners will also have to keep in mind that damaged electrical wiring can cause an electric shock. Often, these problems go undetected unless a family member unknowingly touches the compromised part of the wiring and gets severely hurt.
Vapor Barriers Vs Crawl Space Encapsulation
A vapor barrier is a retardant, slowing down moisture from doing damage, mainly sealing the ground. Meanwhile, crawl space encapsulation completely seals the entire crawl space, including the walls, in thicker sheeting that is usually 10 mils or more.
The entire area is contained and clean professional installers do encapsulation. Included in the encapsulation is a dehumidifier and sump pump to drain away any water. Once encapsulated, the space is sealed from water and safe to use as additional storage. This option is the best way to preserve the crawl space and protect the home from moisture, but it is very pricey.
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Scenario : Plastic On The Outside Hot Humid Weather
A vapor barrier can cause problems if it prevents drying to a drier space. In a building with air conditioning during hot humid weather, the drier space is indoors. The humid air is outdoors. Putting a vapor barrier on the inside, as we saw in Scenario 1 above, can lead to problems because any humid air that gets into the wall cavity is blocked from drying to the inside.
If the vapor barrier is on the outside, it prevents the humid air from diffusing into the wall cavity and finding the cold surface on the other side of the cavity, the back side of the drywall. So, like a vapor barrier on the inner surface in cold weather, putting one on the outer surface in hot weather isnt likely to have a moisture problem due to vapor diffusion. It doesnt mean you wont have a moisture problem, though, because moisture can get into the walls by means other than diffusion.
Double Vapor Barrier Dont Do It
What is a double vapor barrier? The insulation in Photo A was installed by an inexperienced insulation installer. Additionally, the brown paper on the fiberglass is a vapor barrier. By putting poly plastic over everything, the installers created a double vapor barrier. Not to mention that this type of installation creates future moisture, mold, and rot problems. Moreover, in Photo B the cellulose netting is not strapped and it is starting to sag. Furthermore, the staples are ripping out and the ceiling could come down at any time!
In conclusion, if you need insulation, contact us and let us decide what type is best. Let us do the thinking for you!
Building Science . BSD-106: Understanding Vapor Barriers. Retrieved from buildingscience.com. Wikipedia . Vapor Barrier. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org. Energy.gov . Vapor Barriers or Vapor Diffusion Retarders. Retrieved from energy.gov. Energy.gov. Vapor Barrier
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Is Rockwool Insulation Worth It
If youre looking for an insulation material that can stand up to high temperatures and provide excellent soundproofing, rockwool insulation is worth considering. This type of insulation is made from melted rocks that are spun into fibers, so its incredibly durable. Its also nontoxic and fire-resistant, making it a safe option for both residential and commercial buildings.One of the main advantages of rockwool insulation is its ability to withstand high temperatures. This makes it ideal for use in industrial applications where traditional fiberglass insulation would be damaged or degraded by the heat. Rockwool can also be used in fireplaces and wood stoves to help contain the heat and prevent fires from spreading.In addition to its heat resistance, rockwool provides excellent soundproofing properties. This makes it a good choice for use in office buildings or other places where noise levels need to be kept low. The dense fibers of rockwool absorb sound waves, preventing them from echoing through a space.While rockwool has many benefits, there are a few things to keep in mind before using it. First, because its made from rocks, it can be dusty when first installed. Be sure to wear a dust mask when handling or cutting the material to avoid inhaling the particles. Second, rockwool tends to settle over time, so it needs to be reinstalled every few years to maintain its effectiveness.
Wildlife Damage To Vapor Barrier
You may have noticed some rodents or other critters making a home in your crawl space. These pests will tear the surface of your vapor barrier while also leaving droppings that can make their way into the air system.
You dont have to go into your crawl space yourself to see what your home needs. In these particular cases, a professional can observe the state of your vapor barrier and advise the best course of action for your crawl space.
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Leave The Poly In Or Take It Out
Heiser writes about a house near Buffalo, N.Y., that is ready for drywall. She describes the exterior wall assembly as follows: vinyl siding, 1 in. of rigid polyisocyanurate foam, 1 in. of sprayed closed-cell foam, fiberglass batts, and, finally, clear plastic.
Im thinking has to go, she writes. What are our options? Is it
Why Is There Mold/condensation Under Vapor Barrier
Moisture in the crawl space is a common problem for every house with crawl space vents. That moisture eventually leads to other problems like mold and mildew growth.
Not just the crawl space vents, several other factors are responsible for such problems. You need to figure out the reasons first before you can take any preventive measures.
Lets talk about those factors that are responsible for the white and black mold under vapor barrier one by one:
- Through Crawl Space Vents
Homebuilders used to add crawl space vents to the foundation to prevent moisture problems. But recent studies have shown that such vents actually do more harm than any good.
Not just by letting water in, such vents will let hot and damp outside air in the crawl space and lead to mold and mildew problems.
So, if your house has crawl space vents, seal them up to prevent the outside damp and hot air to get inside the crawl space.
Also, cover the crawl space floor and walls with a vapor barrier to prevent moisture and water from coming through the foundations walls.
Now, if you have a vented crawl space, there can be still moisture issues. So, the following reasons can be responsible.
- Through Plumbing Leaks
There can be leaks and cracks in the water supply pipe or drain pipe. Water from those leaky pipes can form puddles on the crawl space floor.
This will ultimately lead to mold growth and invite other pests.
- Leakage of Groundwater
- From Exposed Dirt
Let me explain how
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Are All Homes At Risk
Normally, moisture from outside moves through the walls in the form of water vapor, and evaporates into drier indoor air. This moisture would then be removed from the air and expelled out of the house as a byproduct of the HVAC system heating or cooling the air.
Many older homes were constructed without an adequate vapor barrier in the walls. Homes without vapor barriers absorb more moisture from the outside air than newer, more energy efficient homes.
How Do I Get Rid Of The Mold Behind The Wallpaper Then
Normally, by the time a homeowner realizes that they have a problem, the solution involves removing the wallpaper and affected drywall, and cleaning mold off of wall studs and other framing components. This probably will be more than you want to tackle a homeowner.
If the problem has gone undetected for quite a while, the wooden framing components may have rotted. The moisture inside the walls may also attract termites.
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Where Do I Need A Vapor Barrier
The IRC divides North America into eight climate areas. This is done for the purposes of determining when a vapor barrier might be needed in a building. Additionally, the IRC recommends builders install a Class-I or -II vapor barrier on the interior side of homes in climate zones 5 and above, and in the Marine 4 zone. However, if you air condition your house in the summer, you might trap condensation in your roof or walls for part of the year. If this is the case, be sure to use a Class-II vapor barrier on the interior of the wall. Moreover, you can use a Class-III vapor barrier on the interior. Pair that with spray foam insulation on the interior of the wall or roof. Furthermore, when building in hot, humid climates , you should not have a vapor barrier on the interior side of the wall.
Can You Install A Water Vapor Barrier On Your Own
As a homeowner, you may be tempted to cut costs by purchasing a vapor barrier and installing it yourself. This is not recommended.
Water damage caused by improper water vapor installation will be far more expensive to fix than hiring a professional to install your vapor barrier correctly in the first place.
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Does A Vapor Barrier Cause Mold
- Post published:August 19, 2022
Adding vapor barriers to homes is one way of protecting them. But in your effort to protect it, have you ever wondered, does it cause the growth of mold and mildew? We researched this subject for you, and here is what we discovered.
Yes, installing vapor barriers on the structure’s inside prevents inward drying. When the walls become damp during construction or, more commonly, throughout the home’s lifetime, this issue can also result in serious moisture problems and mold infestations.
There are a few more important considerations when installing a vapor barrier. So, bear with us while we clarify what a vapor barrier is and how you might use it. Keep reading!
Were Here When You Need Us
Branch Environmental is a full-service mold inspection, assessment, and remediation company. Contact us today if you see, smell or think you have mold. Were experts not only at mold removal, but at determining and remediating the underlying causes. From hidden mold sources to major contaminants, we can identify exactly what is going on in your home and rid it of environmental toxins, often for good. So you can get back to living your best life in your best health! Call us today!
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How Wallpaper May Lead To Mold
Wallpaper on exterior walls, especially in older homes, is a bad idea! As we discussed in earlier posts, a mold problem is really a moisture problem. Trapping moisture inside walls can lead to a big mold problem. So how exactly can wallpaper lead to mold? Keep reading to find out!
Drying Buildings Building Materials And Furnishings
Buildings and building furnishings will often get wet. They must be dried or “allowed to dry” quickly in order to avoid mold growth. In general, increasing air circulation and temperature will increase the speed of drying.
Commercial firms that do mold remediation work or work on water- and fire-damaged buildings often use large fans, dehumidifiers and other equipment to dry wet buildings and items quickly before mold has a chance to grow. This action can save money in the long run, because if the building or furnishings are dried completely and quickly, mold will not grow, and a mold remediation will not be needed.
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Common Causes For An Inefficient Duct System
A lot of people have heard advice about vapor barriers and vapor retarders. Many of them have walked away confused. A big part of the problem, I think, is that theyve been told what to do Put it on the warm-in-winter side, or Never use one but they havent had the physics of what happens explained to them.
In this article, Im not going to get into the details of vapor barriers or all the possible scenarios of different wall assemblies and moisture loads. Im simply going to explain what happens in a wall cavity with and without a plastic vapor barrier installed.
So Why Do New Houses Rot While Old Ones Are In Great Shape
It should be no wonder that a house full of air leaks with durable materials and very little insulation could remain in almost the same condition today as it was 100 years ago. While trying to stay warm with our roaring fires we effectively kiln dried houses from the inside. It should also come as no surprise, for a number of reasons, that we cannot afford to keep building or heating houses like that.
So is the answer to not insulate?
- No, there isn’t enough energy for that.
Is the answer to not use composite wood materials?
- No, there aren’t enough trees for that.
What we need to do is acknowledge these changes, and design walls to handle moisture effectively.
As most new North American homes are now equipped with air conditioning, the first and most important step in new home construction would be to stop including polyethylene vapor barriers in wall assemblies in all but the coldest of climates, or at least change their location within the wall assembly to avoid the possibility of interstitial condensation damaging wall structures.
Moisture-impenetrable vapor barriers work great in winter and, before air conditioning and heavily insulated walls, they were relatively harmless in summer. But as homes are now better insulated and also cooled during hot months, that vapor barrier is on the wrong side of the wall assembly for several months of the year.
Increasingly easy meals: Board lumber > plywood > OSB > hardboard > particle board > paper.
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Locate The Crawl Space Entrance
The entry hatch to a crawl space is not always obvious. Sometimes it is located outdoors, along the perimeter wall of the crawl space. In other instances, you will find an indoor entry hatch in a closet, pantry, or utility area. If your floor has wall-to-wall carpeting, look for a square seam in the carpeting that indicates a hatch door.
We Offer Vapor Barrier Installation In And Around Atlanta Ga
A vapor barrier is an important addition to any crawl space in the Atlanta area. This liner blocks out vapors and moisture from the soil, which can seep in and cause mold growth. Damp air in the crawlspace also causes wooden flooring and framing to decay and attracts damaging insects. By installing a vapor barrier, you can help protect your home from these potential problems.
Not only will it keep the area dry and free of pests, but a vapor barrier can also help reduce your air-conditioning costs. Moist air requires more energy to cool than dry air, so by preventing moisture from infiltrating your home, youll use less energy, and save on your utility bills.
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Contact Ideal Expert Installers Of Vapor Barriers In Altanta
Is mold starting to grow on the walls of your basement? Thats certainly not a good sign. But dont worry, because the experts at Ideal Insulation have got you covered. Our technicians have years of experience installing vapor barriers in the Atlanta area, and well do it right the first time. Dont settle for anything less than ideal. Call us today and get the best results with a vapor barrier.
Building In A Cold Climate While Adhering To Building Codes
Is a vapor barrier required in New England? Yes! Not to mention that as a builder your first step is to consult your local and state building codes. In many colder North American climates, vapor barriers are a required part of building construction.
You may find that vapor barriers are often not required in warmer climates. And, if installed in the wrong climate or on the wrong side of building materials, a vapor barrier can cause more harm than good. By the same token, this circumstance may prevent water vapor from drying, which in turn can cause rot and mold.
If you dont know the building requirements for your area, ask an expert!
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Enhancing Drying Vs Preventing Wetness
If designers and builders want buildings to do their jobs properly and not fail prematurely, its important to understanding moisture. We know now that mid-twentieth century building science incorrectly ascribed magical properties to vapor barriers. Water vapor from indoor air wasnt the source of most moisture problems. Bulk water from deficiencies in drainage planes, flashing, and other moisture management details caused most of the problems.
Building science has progressed since then. We know that vapor barriers can cause problems, but we still have homes like the one in Charleston with poly in the walls. And we have $4 million dollar homes with poly on the walls, too. I saw the one shown in the photo below when Martin Holladay came to Atlanta last year. The photo was taken in the basement, and the kneewalls in the attic also were covered with poly.
Our understanding now is that its generally more important for wall assemblies to be able to dry than it is to block water vapor with materials like polyethylene. In most cases, youre fine with the vapor retarding ability of the materials already in your walls, and you dont need to use Class I vapor retarders.
Heres what Bill Rose wrote in his book, Water in Buildings: Given the fact that a very small percentage of building problems are associated with wetting by water vapor diffusion, the argument for enhanced drying potential becomes much stronger.
