House Wrap As Vapor Barrier For External Concrete Walls

The purpose of using house wrap is to prevent the entry of moisture into the wall cavity from outside.

House wrap as vapor barrier for external concrete walls.

Polywall blue barrier liquid wrap 2300 is a spray applied fully adhered permeable air and moisture building envelope protection membrane developed utilizing the latest in silyl terminated polyether technology stpe. You want the vapor barrier as far away from the cooler wall surface as possible. As a result it can contribute to improved building durability by helping to protect homes against damaging wind and rain that can penetrate the exterior cladding. Whether or not you need a vapor retarder hinges on three main factors.

Moisture will find its way into these wall systems by way of cracked mortar joints gaps or cracks in the surface of the material. Vapor barriers are put on the inside face of wall studs in cold climates and they re put on the exterior of homes in hot and humid climates. Below grade walls and floor slabs transmit ground moisture through concrete walls or slabs. When building exterior walls with stone stucco brick when building exterior walls with stone stucco brick cedar eifs or fiber cement siding it is important to use an effective rain screen system that will provide a means for drainage and ventilation.

A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter. Dupont tyvek homewrap is the original house wrap incorporating unique material science that helps keep air and water out while letting water vapor escape. A vapor barrier against the concrete surface is generally recommended before wood framing or flooring materials are installed. Above grade exterior walls with semipermeable exterior finishes like brick over oriented strand board sheathing require the placement of an additional vapor barrier on the exterior side of the.

In hot humid climates the cool side of the wall is the inside of the home that s got air conditioning operating. Not every wall does. This thin mil seamless substrate coating can be applied with an approved airless sprayer power rolled or hand rolled. After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder sometimes called a vapor barrier if you need one.

While house wrap is water resistant it typically is not water impermeable or waterproof with good reason.