Moisture Barrier For Exterior Concrete Walls

Moisture barrier between the sole plate the concrete slab.

Moisture barrier for exterior concrete walls.

Below grade walls and floor slabs transmit ground moisture through concrete walls or slabs. Whether or not you need a vapor retarder hinges on three main factors. A vapor barrier against the concrete surface is generally recommended before wood framing or flooring materials are installed. Finished basements often receive a vapor barrier layer between the concrete and the floor treatment to prevent damage from heavy rains or other moisture seepage.

In any case the vapor barrier must point to the warm side. But the odds are it will be a constant flux of condense and reabsorption back into the. The first design concept is the barrier system where all moisture is resisted by the exterior surface material also often. Vapor barriers are sheets of plastic or other material placed on one side of insulation sheets.

A concrete vapor barrier is any material that prevents moisture from entering a concrete slab. This barrier is meant to keep moisture from getting to the insulation in the walls and ceilings and it is required by building codes when insulating most houses. In exterior walls that are below grade like basement walls. The other option is to set the 2 4 wall framing in 4 from the masonry or concrete basement walls and use just the vapor barrier on the insulation facing toward the living space.

Either design strategy can be applied to load bearing or non load bearing walls. The standard installation of a plastic vapor barrier is between the studs and the drywall but there are some exceptions to this. Here are three different types explained. Not every wall does.

Very hot and humid climates may benefit from an exterior vapor barrier that keeps outside humidity from penetrating into walls. Vapor barriers are applied to the interior walls in climates which are predominantly cold while they are best applied to exterior wells in predominantly hot climates. Well as the joint between the foundation and the exterior of the wall assembly. After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder sometimes called a vapor barrier if you need one.

Or some how or another insulate the exterior of slab that is exposed to the crawlspace to keep that moisture from wanting to stick to the cool wall of slab. Or similar moisture and air barrier on top of. A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter.