Thicker isn’t always best for crawl space covers

Question: I want to cover my crawl space with a plastic moisture barrier, but I can find only the type that is 6 mil in the store. I want to buy the new 20-mil kind, but the companies that carry it won’t sell it to me. What do I do?

Answer: Companies that sell the 20 mil (20 thousandths of an inch in thickness) plastic vapor barrier material do their own installations.

If the moisture problem in your sub-area crawl space is normal damp soil and random water puddling -- even if it is year-round -- you would do just as well to install 6-mil material. It may not last as long if you find yourself repeatedly crawling in the sub-area, but it will hold back the moisture effectively.

By covering the ground in your crawl space with a sheet of plastic, you contain potentially damaging evaporation, thus preventing moisture from causing rot to the wood floor immediately above.

If you live in a particularly wet area, you should cover the entire sub-area all the way up to the foundation; however, if you live in a drier climate, it is wise to keep the plastic about 6 inches away from the foundation so the earth can breathe. The floor of your home does require a small amount of moisture.

When sunshine’s in, mildew’s out

Question: It flooded underneath my wood floor recently. The water is gone now, but my hardwood floors smell like mildew. What should I do?

Answer: Your sniffer has indicated the problem, and now it’s time to take action before the mildew runs rampant and you end up with a $10,000 hardwood floor replacement.

Mildew thrives in moist dark areas, so to kill it you must brighten things up and dry them out. Prune back the vegetation outside your windows, pull up the blinds, open the curtains and drapes and flood your house with natural light. Prune shrubs away from foundation vents, and start a fan or three going under the floor and as many above it as well.

It may also be advisable to rent a dehumidifier. The fast-moving air above and below your floor will dry out those impossible-to-reach places where only vapors travel. Keep this up all day every day for several days after the smell has disappeared.

For more home improvement tips and information, visit www.onthehouse.com.