Vapor Barrier Bathroom Interior Walls

Between tub and shower sinks and toilet a bathroom has a high potential for water damage not only from leaks of liquid water but also from water vapor that can collect inside exterior walls and condense.

Vapor barrier bathroom interior walls.

It s usually a thin layer of plastic that sits between the drywall and the studs. There is no need to vapor barrier the non exterior walls. Not every wall does. When a vapor barrier is on the side of a wall where the dry air is i e outside in winter or inside in summer moisture problems can occur.

A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter. A vapor barrier reduces the movement of water vapor by diffusion. Interior bathroom and kitchen walls for example are areas. Whether or not you need a vapor retarder hinges on three main factors your climate your home and the location of the wall you re insulating.

Interior walls normally interior walls do not require a vapor barrier but there are some situations where it is highly recommended. Most authorities recommend vapor barriers in certain situations. A vapor barrier s job is to keep water vapor in humid air from diffusing through one side of a wall and finding a cool surface inside the wall. The traditional approach to preventing water vapor from penetrating walls in homes is a 6 mil polyethylene vapour barrier or vapor barrier for our southern neighbours.

Run the height of the vapor barrier from the top all the way down into the shower pan make sure not cut too short before the water barrier. If the tub shares this exterior wall i would put vapor barrier behind it if you can as the plastic tub surround will not give you a vapor barrier i don t think. Use a minimal amount of staples to secure the vapor barrier to the walls studs. Vapor retarders are there to slow the diffusion of moisture so the building inspector is off base argues senior editor martin holladay.

This is an ideal building practice in the extreme northern communities of canada less so as you come further south. The vapor barrier should be on the inside between the insulation and drywall. After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder sometimes called a vapor barrier if you need one. In areas with high humidity such as greenhouses rooms with spas or swimming pools and bathrooms vapor barriers are often recommended.