The existing 6-mil vapor barrier in the crawl space does not fully cover the ground and is allowing moisture from the earth to rise into the crawl space. This is a concern because it raises the relative humidity (RH). When the RH is above 60% and there are warm temperatures, mold and mildew can begin to grow on the organic materials under the home including the wood floor joists.
As part of an encapsulation system, we installed a 20-mil vapor barrier called CleanSpace. The heavy-duty vapor barrier is attached to the crawl space walls 6-8 inches above outside grade, wrapped around all piers, and sealed at all seams, sealing the crawl space off from the earth's moisture. CleanSpace is more durable than the previously installed 6-mil, which is about as thick as a trash bag, withstanding service persons crawling and working in the space.