Sick of Mold? Try This!
I might be an Interior Designer, but what good is a beautiful new kitchen if you’re dealing with mold, rot, or pests? If you don’t invest in the infrastructure of your home, it doesn’t matter how pretty your kitchen is!
I had to lure you in with a pretty picture… because the rest of these are exactly the opposite!
Let’s design and build homes that are not just pretty on the outside; let’s make sure it doesn’t get old and moldy!
In the beautiful coastal climate in Santa Cruz county, we have a lot of moisture in our air, which (in my biased opinion) usually smells nice and fresh, but it can create a lovely environment for mold and mildew to grow… especially in the places you don’t enjoy in your home - like the crawlspace.
I’ve been on some jobsites lately and one of the contractors I enjoy working with has been installing crawl space vapor barriers on the whole house remodels we’ve been working on. (See the behind-the-design pictures below!)
I asked him if it was something the client asked for or if it’s something he includes in his project budgets for certain reasons and he told me anytime a client complains about a mildew smell, anytime there’s significant rot or mold in the floor framing, anytime the foundation is compromised by moisture in the soil or there’s a pest problem, he installs it and includes it in the project budget.
If you’re thinking about the longevity of your home, or worried about mold or rot growing in your space, the one area that may have the biggest impact on living a healthy life at home —and absolutely worth protecting— would be your crawl space.
So, take this as your sign and add this to your list of must-haves during your home renovation or new build.
While adding a crawl space vapor barrier, which is usually a plastic or foil material, can add $3,500 - $5,000 to your project budget (depending on the size of your home/project and your location), here are some incredible long-term benefits to consider:
Prevents Moisture Damage (like mold!) - the vapor barrier is exactly that - a barrier between your lovely home and the moisture in the soil that can work its way into your floor framing or subfloor, which would then create mold growth or decay the framing and cause expensive (like, more than $3k-$5k) structural damage.
Improves Indoor Air Quality - you guessed it, if the moisture can’t enter your home, you can literally breathe easier (no mildew or mildew smells!).
Boosts Energy Efficiency - In theory, when there’s moisture in the soil, it creates a cooler climate so when we can minimize the moisture exposure and create a dry crawlspace, we’re reducing the possible heat transfer from our warmer house to the cooler crawl space, so you can keep a more even and consistent temperature in your home without touching the thermostat.
Helps Pest Control - There are some nasty little critters (think mice, termites, beetles, etc.) that love a moist crawl space because the soil is softer and that makes it easier to enter both the crawl space and the home… but a dryer crawl space can be a deterrent for these critters to take up residence and invite their friends.
Provides Wiring Protection - What happens to metals when they’re exposed to moisture? They rust! If you have any wiring in your crawl space, then installing a vapor barrier can help minimize the chance that any wires will rust or corrode.
Obviously, we don’t live in a perfect world and there are pros and cons to everything - even moisture barriers!
It’s important that any moisture barrier be installed correctly, by a professional so that they don’t end up trapping more moisture in the soil and creating a bigger mold issue! (You know, that’s the opposite of why you install it in the first place!) In addition, it’s critical that you have proper crawl space ventilation for proper air flow, this is not a DIY type job unless you’re a trained professional.
Worth noting is that while there’s minimal maintenance involved on a vapor moisture barrier, there should be a routine inspection to make sure there are not tears or holes in the barrier itself and that the crawl space is remaining dry. These types of check-in inspections are easy to schedule and typically relatively affordable with a trusted contractor in your local area.
Not all geographic regions will warrant a vapor barrier, but if you’re curious about how your home could benefit, I’d recommend contacting a local, licensed building contractor and/or a home inspector to determine if a vapor barrier would improve the health of your home!
Did you enjoy this behind-the-design blog? You might also like these:
Designer Secrets to Making Pocket Doors Work! (With behind-the-scenes photos!)
Powerful Design, Simple Details (My favorite electrical upgrades for any home and kitchen!)
The Best Materials for Your Kitchen Countertops (My top 4 materials for durable and beautiful kitchen countertops!)
3 Things I Wish We’d Done Differently in Our Remodel (Yes, MY actual remodel. Take it from me, consider these ‘splurges’ when you’re doing your own renovation!)