Installing Vapor Barrier In Basement Floor

The other option is to set the 2 4 wall framing in 4 from the masonry or concrete basement walls and use just the vapor barrier on the insulation facing toward the living space.

Installing vapor barrier in basement floor.

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. Also be sure to use treated lumber for the bottom plate on the wall framing. Any kind of persistent moisture will allow mold to get a foothold and soon ruin carpet or wood flooring. Cut a slit around pipes drains conduit rebar and other penetrations sticking up through the floor to install the initial layer of vapor barrier.

Add 2 inches to allow enough of the barrier to stop water from entering as it rolls towards the floor. Vapor barriers are usually best installed on the side of the wall that experiences the hotter temperature and moister conditions. See what goes into waterproofing a basement too. For a dry mold free finished basement floor always install a vapor barrier before laying a wood subfloor or carpet pad.

In existing spaces oil based paints or vapor barrier latex paints offer an effective moisture barrier. Good luck with your project. A basement vapor or moisture barrier is installed during the new construction of a home or the remodeling of a basement. You can use caulk to fill in any gaps or cracks.

Of foam against the wall this should not be a problem in your climate. 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. Record the wall measurements. The inner surface in colder climates and the outer surface in hot humid climates.

Polyurethane sheeting is a typical vapor barrier that contractors use to prevent moisture from penetrating the walls of a basement. Cut any excess vapor barrier away and seal the slit with some tape. 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. With fiber insulation and a vapor barrier moisture can get trapped in the insulation leading to moldy insulation and decay in the wood framing.

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.