Excess moisture and poor air quality in your crawl space should be a concern of any homeowner. Due to a condition known as the “Stack Effect,” the air in the lower levels of your home will naturally flow to the upper levels. As a result, as much as 50 percent of the air that you breathe on the first level of your home may have originated in the crawl space below. Excess moisture retained in the dirt floors of crawl spaces can support the growth and propagation of various toxic molds and create a haven for pests such as dust mites. Allergens caused from dust mite droppings and mold spores in this environment are two of the biggest factors affecting the indoor air quality of homes today.

Installing a vapor barrier on the floor of your crawl space will greatly slow or entirely prevent the evaporation of ground moisture into the crawl space air. It is important to install a high quality, durable vapor barrier to ensure it’s long term effectiveness.

At Preferred Basement Solutions, we recommend installing an Emeseal 90-mil polyethylene floor liner. This antimicrobial liner will not support the growth of mold while acting as a form of insulation helping to reduce energy costs. With zero permeability, the Emeseal floor liner will not only stop the moisture infiltration, but will also greatly reduce the infiltration of soil gases into your home. To further your “peace of mind,” take a look at our full Emeseal Crawl Space Encapsulation System!