When to Install a Moisture Barrier in Your Toronto Home

When to Install a Moisture Barrier in Your Toronto Home

Dampness and excess moisture in your home can lead to health problems and damage your property. So how do you protect both your home and family?

Installing a moisture barrier is a simple solution that also saves you tons of money on expensive home repairs.

At AA Floors, we believe the more you know the better, so let’s look at installing a moisture barrier.

Everything You Need to Know When Installing a Moisture Barrier

Water damage is a serious issue that can create serious health risks. Installing a moisture barrier is a great step towards making your home moisture-proof.

Here are some of the most popular moisture-resistant barriers used in construction.

• Plastic sheets
• Builder’s foil
• Gypsum board
• Foam board insulators

When Do You Need a Moisture Barrier?

What is the purpose of a moisture barrier? Is it required? When should I install it?

Moisture damage can cause serious infrastructure problems. The best way to prevent it is to install moisture barriers in areas that are generally prone to moisture, such as basements, crawl spaces, and ceilings.

Moisture barriers are placed underneath the underlayment. You can install it separately or get underlayment with a built-in moisture barrier. We suggest that you hire a professional for this, as it requires thorough knowledge of the products and an assessment of the area in which the barrier is to be installed.

Classification of Vapour Barriers

Perms, also known as permeability, are the units used to measure water vapour. There are essentially three classes of vapour barriers, as follows:

• Class I: These vapour barriers are impermeable, making this the strongest vapour barrier class because it prevents fluid from passing through. Glass, sheet metal, plastic sheeting, and rubber are all examples of Class I vapour barriers.
• Class II: These materials are semi-permeable which means some fluid can move through. Plywoodand expanded or extruded polystyrene are some examples of Class II vapour barriers.
• Class III: These vapour barriers are permeable, meaning water vapour can pass through. Gypsum board, unfaced fiberglass insulation, brick, and concrete blocks, are a few examples of Class III vapour barriers.

Factors That Influence Your Home’s Need for a Moisture Barrier

There are three main factors that determine the need for installing a moisture barrier in your home.

1. Climate: Toronto experiences freezing winters with snow and ice, with a rather comfortable summer season that doesn’t last long enough. This means your floors – especially hardwood floors – could benefit from a moisture barrier.
   If your home is showing signs of water damage, consult the professionals at AA Floors right away.

2. Check the Grade Level: Not all the floors in your home are similar. Different floors, like the ground level, the basement, or the attic, will require different approaches when it comes to moisture barriers. When installing a moisture barrier, it is crucial to keep this factor in mind.Installing a moisture barrier is a wise choice because below-grade-level rooms like basements are susceptible to moisture. You can do without it if your room is on a higher floor and does not have a moisture problem. It is best to install flooring that is appropriate for such an environment because wood floors are not advisable for areas that are susceptible to moisture.

3. Identify the Subfloor Material: Subfloors are not all constructed from the same substance. When installing hardwood over concrete, it is advised that you put in a moisture barrier. This is because moisture tends to move from high-humidity areas to low-humidity areas. Having that extra layer of protection is a good idea because concrete is porous.Tape a plastic sheet over your concrete floor and leave it for 24 hours to determine its moisture content. If you see tiny beads or droplets of condensation after peeling off the plastic sheet, then you definitely need a moisture barrier. If you’re not sure, contact the experts at AA Floors.

Make sure your moisture barrier is in perfect condition for a successful installation; even the smallest amount of damage will prevent it from working. For the best results, we strongly advise hiring experts. If you are unsure whether you need to protect your floors from moisture, speak with the experts at AA Floors to help you find the best solution. Protecting your floors from moisture can save you a lot of headaches in the long run.