Is 6mil Plastic Sheet Ok For Crawl Space

Codes for residential applications often cite a 6 mil 0 006 inch thick minimum reinforced poly vapor barrier.

Is 6mil plastic sheet ok for crawl space.

Barricade s 6 mil plastic sheeting is a general purpose plastic film for use in a variety of construction gardening and diy applications. While some sources may recommend a thickness of six mil a thicker grade of material is preferable. Additionally six mil sheeting can easily be damaged during other crawl space work including pouring concrete or reinforcing supports. Thinner sheeting may be more pliable but generally is not sufficient as a barrier against vapor or moisture.

Clear vapor barriers are typically constructed of polyethylene. Cut the sheets to size allowing 12 inches or more along walls. The perm rating represents how readily water vapor will pass through a material. Overlap the seams by no less than 12 inches and secure them together with the poly pvc tape.

This heavy duty plastic is commonly used under concrete slabs as a vapor barrier on top of freshly poured slabs as a curing blanket and as a temporary cover for equipment and supplies. 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. Free shipping for many products. For best results remodeler tim carter of the online site ask the builder recommends 10 mil high density cross laminated virgin polyethylene which lacks the pinholes and imperfections of 6 mil.

However americover recommends 10 mil or higher for crawl space applications. The polyethylene is shaped in thin sheets commonly sold in a roll form. Dura skrim 6wb 6 mil white on one side and black on the other is an economical reinforced film plastic designed for applications requiring puncture resistance and high tear strengths. The majority of vapor barriers are 6 mils thousandth of an inch thick although 8 mil sheets are recommended by various wood flooring manufacturers according to wood floors online.

Americover offers thicknesses all the way up to 20 mil. Beginning at one side of the crawl space lay down 6 mil or thicker polyethylene plastic over the entire crawl space. Roll out and cut plastic sheets.