Crawl space needs new barrier (Home Depot, high school, contractor)

[bnbatkins]

The plastic sheeting in my crawl space is old, torn, and moved around so much that there are large areas of exposed dirt. So, I have a few questions:

What is a good barrier product? Is just plain old plastic good? If so, how thick? I heard someone say 6mil. Does the edge need to be weighted down along the walls, or sealed, etc?

Does anyone have a recommendation for a reliable person to do this type of job? I don't want to contract a crawl space "specialist" if there is a reliable handyman who will do a good job and charge a more reasonable price.

Tia

[jjg39069]

I bought a roll of plastic from Home Depot or Lowe's and did it myself. You can easily do this in under an hour. No weights required to weigh down the sides either. If you want to go the sealed crawl space route I'd contract a specialist...and from what I've heard I'd make sure you contract a very reputable sealed crawl space contractor.

[J. Trent Hicks]

Hire two high school students for two hours to install vapor barrier that must be totally flat, with cutouts around supporting piers. Use 6 mil or heavier plastic ($40 from Lowe's or Home Depot), lapped at least 12 inches, running continueously from wall to wall secured with metal landscape staples (less than $10) pounded into the ground.

Don't pay until you inspect their work. If it is not flat, tight, and secured, then don't pay until it is.

[sacredgrooves]

Originally Posted by J. Trent Hicks

Hire two high school students for two hours to install vapor barrier that must be totally flat, with cutouts around supporting piers. Use 6 mil or heavier plastic ($40 from Lowe's or Home Depot), lapped at least 12 inches, running continueously from wall to wall secured with metal landscape staples (less than $10) pounded into the ground.

Don't pay until you inspect their work. If it is not flat, tight, and secured, then don't pay until it is.

I agree with the above...aside from using high school students lol.