Is 6 Mil Plastic Good for Crawl Space?
Today we will be answering the question, “Is 6 Mil Plastic Good for Crawl Space?”
My professional opinion as a crawl space encapsulation and waterproofing professional is, No! 6 mil plastic is not a good option for a crawl space.
Can 6 mil plastic meet building code? Yes, but for several reasons, it is not a great choice for your crawl space.
Why is 6-mil Vapor Barrier Not Recommended?
For starters, 6 mil is too thin. Durability is going to be a major concern in a crawl space.
6-mil Plastic Doesn’t Hold Up
If a home is built with a crawl space foundation, it is likely to have HVAC duct work, plumbing, electrical, and other cable wires running through it. This makes for a high-traffic area for a variety of contractors. The future maintenance of these items or any home renovations down the road could damage the 6-mil plastic vapor barrier.
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Will Thin Plastic Tear or Shift in Low Crawl Spaces?
Since most crawl spaces are low to the ground it makes maneuvering in the space difficult. Using a thin 6 mil plastic may be friendly on the budget, but it will not withstand the test of time.
Thin Plastic Will Meet Code but Does Not Eliminate Moisture
Many thin vapor barriers we see installed are not overlapped and taped per building code which allows for high humidity.
What are 6-mil Plastics Made of?
From what I have seen, many 6 mil plastics are made from recycled materials. Recyclables have their place, but not when it comes to your crawl space vapor barrier.
Low Grade Plastics Degrade in Crawl Spaces Over Time
Even without a lot of wear and tear from traffic, recycled 6 mil plastic will break down and quickly deteriorate in a crawl space. I have seen it so badly decomposed the pieces had to be raked up in order to remove it.
A 6 mil plastic is an inferior product to use as a vapor retarder and I also do not find it aesthetically pleasing to the eye. I have only seen 6 mil plastic available in clear or black, neither of which make for a beautiful crawl space encapsulation.
Choose a High Grade White Vapor Barrier Plastic from a Professional Source
Instead, I recommend using a high-quality, white vapor barrier to help keep the crawl space dry and clean for years to come. Likely, a quality plastic like I described cannot be found in your local box store, but Crawl Space Ninja can certainly help!
Schedule a Consult with a Crawl Space Ninja Professional
Do you need help with crawl space encapsulation in Alabama, Georgia, Delaware, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, or South Carolina? If so, please contact us to schedule your assessment. Also, let us know in the comments below if you’d like to suggest a future blog post.
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