I would like to install wood flooring in 3 rooms of my recently purchased house. Under all three rooms is a crawlspace with only dirt and a stone foundation. I remember reading somewhere on this forum about laying down 6 to 8 mil Polyethylene sheeting as a vapor barrier BEFORE attempting to lay down wood flooring.

Can anyone tell me the proper way to lay out the plastic sheeting? How much overlap? Do I need to 'weigh' down the sheeting (with rocks or something?) Do I need to run the sheeting a certain distance up the wall?

Thank you for any replies....

Steve

Please read:

http://www.nofma.org/Portals/0/Publicat ... arders.pdf
http://www.nofma.org/Portals/0/Publicat ... owning.pdf

"In crawl-space or concrete slab subfloors, be sure all outside drainage moves rainwater away from the house. Water flows through many types of soil almost as rapidly as on the surface of the ground. If the building sits on a hillside the natural flow of water may take it under the foundation in large volume, where some will evaporate. Close this source by installing soil tile on the high side of the building to drain subterranean water around the house. Generally regrade if necessary to move water away from the house. In crawl-space construction lay 6-mil polyethylene film over the entire area of earth (or concrete or whatever surface exists), weighted down with bricks to prevent its shifting in a breeze. Be sure the entire area is ventilated on all walls and that vents are open. If there are dead ventilation areas provide mechanical means, either temporary or permanent, to circulate air. A humidistat-switched automatic fan, with a tunnel to an outside vent, is one such arrangement; coupling the fan to the air conditioning/furnace fan is also a good arrangement."