The key to a healthy and long-lasting building project is protection from the elements, beginning at the base. Crawl space encapsulation plastic is a simple way to meet compliance requirements and avoid expensive repairs to building walls in the future. Crawl space liners last 10+ years, cutting your cost of repairs,” says Americover expert Jason Trieger. “The material is only degraded by direct UV sunlight; so if it is installed properly, no light will reach the plastic sheeting and your foundation will be protected.” When builders and contractors contact Americover’s friendly and knowledgeable staff, they’ll be put in touch with the foremost experts on crawl space encapsulation plastic sheeting.
Contact our crawl space experts today at 760-388-6294.
What Does Crawl Space Encapsulation Plastic Do?
In the same way that water droplets condensate on the outside surface of a cool glass of water, water can condense on all types of surfaces where cool air meets warm, moist air. Condensation happens when the water droplets in the air cool to their dew point, forming moisture on the surface. Condensation is essential to forming clouds but can cause moisture buildup in crawl spaces and in walls, making buildings vulnerable to mold, fungus, and rot.
Crawl space encapsulation plastic sheeting creates a vapor barrier to ensure that water condenses on the low-permeable plastic sheeting instead of in the walls of the building, keeping crucial structures and those inside safe from harmful intoxicants like gas and moisture.
Where and how crawl space encapsulation plastic sheeting is installed depends greatly on different factors, especially the climate zone of the building project. Cold and very cold climates have different considerations and installation tactics than warm-humid, warm-dry, or warm-mixed climates.
In addition to subduing moisture buildup, a vapor barrier can prevent gasses from entering the building and prevents pests from infecting the structure and compromising its safety. We suggest consulting a qualified professional, especially when dealing with Radon and methane.
What Tools Do I Need to Encapsulate My Crawl Space?
In addition to the crawl space plastic, encapsulating your crawl space will require Double-Sided Butyl Tape and Vapor Tape. You typically will not require electric machinery to install your vapor barrier unless you’re installing Christmas Tree Fasteners. It may be helpful to have a pair of heavy-duty scissors and a partner to keep the sheeting still while you install it into place.
How Do I Choose the Best Plastic Sheeting for My Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Because encapsulation needs are diverse between climate zones, and compliance requirements are different from state-to-state, builders and contractors should rely on their partner in plastic sheeting expertise, like the team at Americover, to suggest the best sheeting for their encapsulation needs. Here are just a few from our selection:
Pro Crawl Anti-Mold Vapor Barrier with MPT™ meets ASTM E1745 and ASTM G21 standards, giving it a low permeability to vapor and non-nutritive to fungal growth. This plastic sheeting’s multilayer design makes it the ideal choice for crawl space encapsulation.
Pro Crawl Barrier is a 10 mil Class 1 Vapor Barrier with a high gloss white finish offering low permeability and excellent tensile strength to protect the building fabric from moisture vapor damage.
20 mil VAPORBLOCK® PLUS is a dual-sided gold and white, seven-layer, coextruded barrier with EVOH resins resistant to radon, methane, and moisture transmission.
Trusted by Growers, Builders, and Distributors
Americover is the smart source for plastic and polyethylene sheeting. Trusted by contractors and distributors across the construction and agriculture industries, our American-made products combine reliability with quality and innovation.
As an Americover customer, you will receive the personalized support of a dedicated account manager to simplify the ordering process and ensure the best solution for every one of your projects. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is here to answer your questions and fulfill orders Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. If you would like to speak with a representative, call us at 760-388-6294 or contact us.