How to Install a Vapour Barrier
by Mark Row
What is a Vapour Barrier?
Vapour barrier is the type of barrier which will protect your walls from the water damage. The purpose of the barrier is to block the vapour and work as an outlet for the unnecessary water. This type of barrier is also energy efficient. Since the use of such barrier can improve your home insulation, I will try to explain how to install a vapour barrier in a few steps. You will see that it’s not that hard, yet it will be very beneficial.
Where They should be Used?
A vapour barrier can be very useful in many different places within a home, and those are the places with high moisture or humidity. The best place for the barrier is the place under the foundation of the house, however, that cannot be done if your house had already been built. Crawl spaces and attics are also some of the places which should have these barriers, since these places are prone to humidity building up in the walls which can further cause the mould in the walls. Mould can cause some health (respiratory) problems, furthermore it can cause damage to the home structure. The wine cellar is also another great place for these barriers since humidity may cause the corks damage, and your wine will be ruined.
Let’s Start Installing Vapour Barriers
Installing vapour barriers should be done by following these steps:
If you happen to see the water on the surface over which you plan to install the vapour barrier, clean it first, since that surface should be dry and clean. Apply caulk in the holes or gaps in the wall or around the windows.
Now measure your wall and note down the taken measurements. You should now add 10.16 cm to the taken measurements in order to prevent the water from getting in while you unroll the barrier all the way down to the flooring. All of the joints should contain a double layer of the vapour barrier installed with a total thickness of around 10.16 cm.
After all that, unroll the barrier onto the marked areas of the wall. You should probably use a staple gun to apply the barrier to the wall, and you shouldn't be afraid to use the staple gun until you think that the barrier is properly attached to the wall.
Apply the tape on the seams in order to seal the barrier. It’s crucial to use the tape which is designed for this purpose, since the use of other types of tapes may not close the barrier as it should be closed, and in that case the whole barrier will be useless.
Installing should be done within a month, since that will prevent the surface damage and also protect the barrier itself.
Important: If you plan to hire plasterers or builders to perform the installation process instead of you, it is also very crucial to supervise their work, since many of them don’t have the needed knowledge. It's also very important that the barrier is without gaps.
As you can see, each of us can learn how to install the vapour barrier on their walls or on any other surface which needs water protection. Hopefully you have managed to complete all of the steps with ease and success.
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