Mold and water damage? Check your vapour barrier.

A continuous vapour barrier is necessary to prevent moisture from passing through walls, floors, and roofs, which can cause damage and compromise the building envelope. Without a continuous vapour barrier, moisture can accumulate within the building envelope, leading to mold growth, rot, and structural damage. It also prevents warm, moist air from entering cool areas, which can cause condensation and damage to building materials over time. Therefore, a proper installation of a vapour barrier is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of a building and ensuring a comfortable, healthy indoor environment.

Vapour barriers can be categorized into three types: polyethylene sheeting, asphalt-coated paper and foil-faced paper. Polyethylene sheeting is a plastic material that is commonly used as a barrier in residential and commercial construction. Asphalt-coated paper is a more traditional material, often used in older buildings. Foil-faced paper includes a thin layer of aluminum that reflects radiant heat and can also act as an air barrier. The type of vapour barrier used depends on the construction and environmental conditions of the building.

The commonly used polyethylene vapour barrier is a great moisture insulator, however, it is a common practice to make alteration to the exterior walls of a building envelope, such as window and door replacements or substitutions of building materials such as brick to siding etc. By making such alterations, some inexperienced contractors can potentially damage the seal your vapour barrier provides, by making cuts through the wall to place the new elements in. This type of damage could potentially lead to large repair costs due to water damage, mold, and even long term structural damage.

The barrier is typically installed on the warm side of the wall or ceiling insulation and helps to prevent moisture from entering the building envelope. In addition to preventing moisture damage, the use of a vapor barrier can also improve the overall energy efficiency of the building by reducing heat loss due to air infiltration. It is important to consult with a building professional to determine the appropriate placement and type of vapor barrier for your specific building and climate conditions.

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Today’s construction methods demand the installation of a vapour barrier in a comprehensively continuous way, in order to maintain the air tightness of a new home, and new heating equipment is sized exactly with this consideration. The air-tight home requires a lesser sized duct work and even smaller sized heating equipment, since most of the home’s heat loss comes from a loose barrier system and construction methods. Also, an HRV/ERV is a required piece of equipment on every new construction in Canada.

Take breath of fresh air! Connect an HRV to your ductwork to remove the stale air from your home

To sum up, check your vapour barrier. This is your home’s first line of defense against potential life threatening in-house air conditions, and structural damage that may lead to a homeowner’s bankruptcy.