Memorial Day weekend means one thing in Northeast Arkansas: humidity season is officially here. And if your crawl space doesn't have proper vapor barrier protection, you're about to learn why the hard way.
Without a 6-mil polyethylene vapor barrier on your crawl space floor, ground moisture will start pumping into your home within weeks. We see it every June in Jonesboro and Trumann — crawl spaces hitting 80-90% humidity while outdoor levels are only 60-70%.
That excess moisture doesn't stay put. It rises through your subfloor, making your HVAC work 15-25% harder all summer. Your energy bills spike, and worse, you're creating perfect conditions for mold growth on floor joists and subflooring.
The IRC requires vapor barriers in crawl spaces for good reason. A properly installed 6-mil poly barrier, sealed at seams and penetrations, drops crawl space humidity by 30-40%. Add perimeter venting or encapsulation, and you're looking at year-round humidity control.
We installed vapor barriers in three Trumann homes last week. All three homeowners reported immediate improvements in upstairs comfort and basement mustiness. The investment typically pays for itself in energy savings within 18 months.
Don't wait until July when the real heat hits. May and early June are perfect for crawl space work — cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and you'll be ready when summer peaks.
Reply or DM us for a free crawl space assessment. We'll show you exactly what your humidity levels are doing down there.