How to Install Vapor Barriers

Vapor Barriers, Stego

A 15-mil vapor barrier can handle heavy construction equipment, like this laser screed. Stego Industries in San Clemente, CA

To be effective, a vapor barrier must be installed in a way that prevents any water vapor from getting to the slab. ASTM E 1643, "Standard Practice for Installation of Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Earth or Granular Fill Under Concrete Slabs," provides details, but here are a few tips:

  • Most exterior slabs do not need a vapor barrier. If you are going to seal an exterior slab, find a sealer that transmits water vapor (breathes). For some tips on this, see Sullivan's Corner. .
  • In general, place the concrete slab directly on top of the vapor barrier, with the subbase below. If the subbase is sharp angular gravel, a thin layer of sand can be placed on top of the gravel subbase next to the vapor barrier. See below for more discussion on this.
  • The vapor barrier can be placed under the subbase, if the building is closed in when the dry subbase material is placed.
  • Never punch holes in the vapor barrier to allow bleedwater to escape.
  • Do not pound form stakes through the vapor barrier. Some supports come with wide bearing pads. Another solution is the new VaporStake that seals to the vapor barrier and is then cut off and left in the slab.

VaporStake

Form stakes sealed to the barrier prevent vapor intrusion. VaporStake in Chino Hills, CA

  • Seal all vapor barrier seams with the tape provided by the barrier manufacturer. Seams should overlap 6 inches.
  • Seal around all pipe penetrations and blockouts; Howard Kanare's book (available from the Portland Cement Association) provides some details on this and Stego's web site has a nice detail drawing.
  • Run the vapor barrier up onto the footing or seal it to the foundation wall—or both.
  • Protect the vapor barrier as much as possible during construction and repair any damaged spots with the manufacturer's tape.

Vapor Barrier, Fortifiber

Install boots around all penetrations and blockouts. Fortifiber in Reno, NV

Where to position the vapor barrier has been argued about for years. For a time in the 1980s and 1990s, ACI recommended using a "blotter" layer, on top of the vapor barrier. In 2001, the recommendation changed to typically placing the concrete directly on the vapor barrier. The argument is that putting the concrete directly on top of the vapor barrier prevents water from leaving through the bottom, which leads to longer bleed times and to slab curling. While this is true, we've shown in other parts of this article that the subbase will end up damp and a continuous source of water vapor into the slab. Today, most slabs experts recommend placing the slab directly on the vapor barrier unless the subbase is protected and can be assured of staying dry. Curling can be controlled with well-graded aggregate and a little more reinforcement in the lower part of the slab.

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