Liquid water gets the headlines. Water vapor causes most of the long-term damage. Moisture vapor migrates up out of the soil, through gravel, through concrete, and into the structure where it condenses on cold surfaces, soaks into framing, and feeds mold.
Controlling moisture under your foundation is critical to protecting your property from mold, radon, and long-term structural damage. A properly installed barrier protects the structure and the people inside it, for the life of the building.
Heavy-duty plastic sheeting installed beneath the slab is the standard call for stopping vapor migration on a residential or commercial pour. It also pairs with under-slab radon piping to give the gas a path to the vent rather than into the structure.
►Heavy-duty plastic sheeting rolled out across the compacted gravel base
►Sheets overlapped at every seam and taped to manufacturer spec
►Plumbing, conduit, and any other slab penetrations sealed individually
►Concrete poured directly over the protected surface
►Stops ground moisture before it enters the structure
►Protects under-slab insulation from getting wet and losing R-value
►Reduces the risk of slab cracking from vapor pressure
►Helps mitigate radon when paired with under-slab piping
►Required by most current commercial codes and green building standards
Crawlspaces are the worst-case scenario for moisture: cool air, exposed soil, low ventilation, and a wood structure overhead. Without a sealed vapor barrier, the crawlspace becomes a source of moisture problems that work their way up into the rest of the building.
►Plastic vapor barrier rolled out across the soil floor
►Sheets overlapped, sealed, and run up the foundation walls and around piers
►All penetrations and seams taped to create a continuous moisture barrier
►Optional drainage layer or sump system integrated when the site calls for it
Cuts crawlspace humidity. Protects wood framing from rot and insect damage. Stops mold and allergen buildup before it travels into the conditioned space above. Improves overall home energy efficiency and indoor air quality.