the vapor barrier in my crawl space (about 1300 sq ft) is the 4 mil poly builder special stuff with gravel (57’s) over top. Pretty torn up after installation of elec/plumbing/radiant floor. I want to put down one of the cross linked barriers but with the gravel I’m sure the cross linked would eventually get torn up. Need to put down something (like indoor/outdoor carpet) to smooth out the gravel before putting down the vapor barrier. the access to the crawl area is from the basement and is about 3.5 ft square.
any ideas?
Replies
Sand
Buy it in bags for easy carry in.
Cut 'm open to spread
Lay real vaporbar
Eventually it would get torn up. How often do you go down there, though? Bag the sand, definitely bag the carpet, but get yourself a set of decent kneepads for spreading the new plastic.
If, however, you're thinking of spending any significant time down there, consider hiring a good mental heralth professional {G} (From someone who spends far too much time in crawlspaces!)
I'll bet your wife gets you new kneepads every birthday!Excellence is its own reward!
I'll bet your wife gets you new kneepads every birthday!
That's one of the reasons she's my ex.
What is your climate? Are you on high or low ground, damp or dry? Bottom line, are you sure you need to replace the plastic? Out here most crawls are just plain bare dirt.
-- J.S.
I'm in the mountains of western MD. Moisture is definitely an issue in this area. I'm in the process of gluing foam board to the block walls.
Roll landscape fabric out over the gravel. Then lay down the 6 mil poly.
After that, for any trips back in there, just get a piece of cardboard, and use it as a sled.Cut me some slack here
Quittin' Time
I have a 6' tall "crawl" (don't start about the basement!!!). It's got 6 mil poly over a sandy gravely stuff , and, has been heavily used and abused for two years. That 6 mil is tough, I give it another 10 years...I run a dehumidifier down there(protecting tools and such) and I think the pin holes in the plastic help with slow moisture extraction...
Are you using the crawl space? If not, why not just some more plastic? It shouldn't be sealed up tightly, ya know that, of course..."It's okay, I can fix it!"