DIY Guide to Installing a Vapor Barrier

Moisture that leaks through the walls of the home can lead to numerous problems including mold and mildew which are both terrible for the health of you and your family. Installing an attic vapor barrier is one way that you can prevent this moisture from seeping in through the walls of your home and causing dampness. It's relatively easy to install a vapor barrier and the entire job should only take about an hour depending on the size of the attic or basement that you are installing the barrier in. Here's a step by step guide to getting that vapor barrier installed quickly and easily so that you can start enjoying a moisture free home in no time!

Materials for Installing an Attic Vapor Barrier

Staple Gun

Adhesive Tape

Insulation Vapor Barrier Sheeting (usually foil or plastic based)

Caulk

Caulk Gun

Scissors

Guide to Installing a Vapor Barrier

The insulation vapor barrier sheeting is very easy to install where ever there is moisture or a chance for moisture to be present through the walls of the home in the attic or the basement. Begin by determining the area in which you will be installing the vapor barrier and prep the surface by cleaning it thoroughly. This will entail a bit of soap and water for a block wall in the basement or just a broom and dust pan for an attic with wood framing. Just make sure that the surface area is completely free from debris before you begin the vapor barrier installation.

Once you have prepped the surface and the area is clean you can use the caulk in a caulk gun to fill any holes, crevices, or cracks that appear on the surface area. This will prevent the moisture from coming in from outside and will help the vapor barrier to be more effective.

Using adhesive tape, run a line of tape along the back top side of a sheet of insulation vapor barrier and adhere it to the wall at the lower end of the wall as close to the footers as possible. Then, using the staple gun (for a wood attic) staple the vapor barrier every 2-3 feet to keep it in place. The next sheet of vapor barrier will be installed the exact same way but it will go on the top of the first sheet with an overhang of about 3 inches. The overhang will assure that no moisture can leak through.

Continue installing vapor barrier sheeting in this manner with a 3 inch overhang on all pieces to assure complete moisture protection of the entire area. Always assure that you have placed the vapor barrier low (as low as you can in an attic or basement) and always make sure that you have overlapped the sheeting to maintain complete moisture protection.

Be sure to install the walls into the room within a month of the time that you installed the vapor barrier for best moisture prevention results. This will protect the vapor barrier sheeting from any damage that could occur from being bumped or pulled when it doesn't have drywall over top of it!