A vapor barrier is a material that you install beneath a building to prevent vapors from entering. Everyday use for vapor barriers is in construction when construction workers put them beneath new slabs.
Vapor barriers force soil gas that would otherwise enter the building to travel laterally beyond the structure’s footprint. A vapor barrier is frequently installed as a preventative measure. It can be modified so that there is only a minimal risk of vapor infiltration.
Now let’s look a little further into what you should know about vapor barriers.
Is It Hard to Install a Vapor Barrier?
Due to the risk of perforations, punctures, partial seals, and tears, vapor barriers are difficult to install correctly. A single opening might negate the entire barrier’s purpose. Thus, vapor barriers are not a foolproof solution on their own.
Most regulatory bodies regard barriers as beneficial, yet they are ineffective as stand-alone mitigation in the long run. However, if subsurface conditions are shown to be suitable for natural venting, they can be placed as a stand-alone solution.
Do Membrane Flaws Occur Easily?
Such flaws are common. Investigations of flexible membrane liners used for liquid containment in impoundments have found that even putting sand and other earth components can induce puncturing.
A vapor barrier can worsen a vapor intrusion problem by diverting vapors accumulated beneath a huge slab via one incision into a smaller area. As a result, vapor barriers should be evaluated before and after occupancy.
However, some vapor manufacturers produce an exceptionally strong yet flexible vapor intrusion membrane now.
How to Find Flaws in Vapor Barriers?
There are many types of vapor barriers. A common way to find vapor barrier flaws in most types is to blow tracer gas or smoke through the membrane.
The vapor barrier will not protect you if smoke is detected within the structure. As a result, you need comprehensive quality control processes, including construction worker training, to avoid barrier damage during installation and further construction. You should also conduct tests after you’ve installed a vapor barrier.
Vapor Barrier Installation Tips
It can be challenging to get a good seal around pipes and other projecting structures. Most spray-on membrane manufacturers advise against mixing the two types of barriers.
You should use impermeable but flexible material to patch fractures or holes in the slab in all circumstances.
You can utilize a vapor barrier in conjunction with installing a sub-membrane depressurization (SMD) system in structures with a crawlspace foundation.
Should install the barrier across the whole floor surface, and fill the penetrations and seams. Don’t pull the sheeting too tight during installation. This is because you will end up dragging the membrane down when you turn the depressurization system on. This will put a strain on the seals.
Also, if using an SMD system, you should install the vapor barrier one foot below the foundation slab. Also, place it about six inches above the gas collection piping.
Understanding Vapor Barriers
Now you should have a much better grasp of how vapor barriers work and the flaws they can have. However, we did mention that new stronger, and flexible barriers are being produced now. So, you should check them out!
Anyhow, thanks for stopping by. Also, please check out our blog for further helpful tips on similar subjects.
