Inadequate Vapor Barrier
This 6-mil liner is the standard vapor barrier installed during the construction of a home in McKenney, Virginia. It is a flimsy, easily torn vapor barrier typically chosen for its cheapness by builders. It does not get sealed around piers or mechanically fastened to the foundation walls, and service people who need to do work within the crawl space often tear it while crawling on top of it. The exposed sections allow the earth's moisture to freely rise and cause problems in the crawl, such as increasing the relative humidity and allowing mold growth to thrive. The vapor barrier will need to be replaced with a more durable liner to help mitigate outside and ground moisture from leaking in.