Moisture Barrier For Basement Walls

Vapor barriers are materials that combat moisture diffusion through walls ceilings and floors.

Moisture barrier for basement walls. It provides the best coverage and r value and and functions as a moisture barrier in and of itself. Aquastop wall liner is flexible so it can cover irregular walls including areas with large obstacles like rocks. With fiber insulation and a vapor barrier moisture can get trapped in the insulation leading to moldy insulation and decay in the wood framing. Whether or not you need a vapor retarder hinges on three main factors your climate your home and the location of the wall you re insulating.

Building codes usually require a vapor barrier 4 mil plastic sheeting on exterior basement walls if the framing is attached to masonry or concrete surfaces or if the wood framing butts up against the outer basement walls. With a 25 year warranty for wear and tear it s durable washable and has anti microbial protection built in. The best option for insulating a basement is to use spray foam insulation. A vapor barrier is also helpful to keeping a basement insulated and warm.

You should then use fiberglass insulation that has a vapor barrier between the studs with the vapor barrier facing in toward the living space. Usually that is right behind the drywall. Hence it must always be located on the warm in winter side of any insulation. The material is stapled to the frame of a basement wall before it is finished with plaster or drywall.

The vapour barrier is more properly called a vapour retarder. They are most commonly made of vapor retardant paint treated paper or foil or polyethylene plastics but there are other options. We offer exclusive crawl space encapsulation and basement waterproofing systems that meet building code standards and create worry free spaces for years to come. After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder sometimes called a vapor barrier if you need one.

Not every wall does. A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter. But if you use. Aquastop wall liner is a 100 waterproof plastic vapor barrier that s perfect for unfinished basement walls.

The foam layer should be continuous and sealed at joints to keep indoor air away from the concrete. Polyurethane sheeting is a typical vapor barrier that contractors use to prevent moisture from penetrating the walls of a basement.