Plastic Sheeting Around New Construction Slab

This was verfied by some field studies conducted by concrete construction magazine.

Plastic sheeting around new construction slab.

Commonly used under concrete slabs as a vapor barrier and on top of freshly poured slabs as a curing blanket. Aci 302 1 guide for concrete floor and slab construction states that the minimum thickness of an effective vapor barrier is 10 mils. Today most experts feel very strongly that engineered films designed specifically for use as vapor retarders should be used as vapor retarders. In the recent construction of our pre certified passivhaus in nj we did exactly what peter above described.

Plastic sheeting is a general purpose plastic film for use in a variety of construction and diy projects. Thinking of installing 6mil plastic sheating around the perimeter of my walkout basement slab to help with waterproofing. This plastic can be used to cover crawl spaces and as a temporary cover for equipment and supplies. The order upwards for the slab is.

The plastic would start about 8 up the wall sheathing run down the exterior face of the slab turn over the top of the foundation and then run about a foot or two away from the house. A plastic polyethylene covering retains moisture in the concrete and improves temperature control. Condensed water pools wherever the plastic touches the slab but the concrete under the air pockets remains dry. Item 491792 model hslw12 400.

Undisturbed soil crushed stone 4 inches of type i eps 6 mil polyethelene sheet another 4 inches of type i eps and then the 4 inch concrete slab for a total insulation value of r30. If the temperature is below 60 f use dark colored plastic sheets to absorb more light and boost the temperature. Stretch the plastic sheet tightly across the top of the wall and staple it to the studs and plates with a hammer tacker a tool designed to install staples quickly and efficiently. Plastic the hdx 20 ft.

Thinner plastic can t stand up to the abuse of construction. Bulk water had previously been weeping onto the basement slab during after heavy rains. 12 ft x 400 ft clear 0 31 mil plastic sheeting. When plastic sheeting or curing blankets are placed atop a concrete slab much of the blanket is in direct contact with the concrete but there are also wrinkles and air pockets where the plastic remains suspended just above the slab.

The water is now diverted to a garden bed 25 30 down slope from the house with the assistance of a french drain and the bulk water intrusion has not recurred in the intervening 4 years despite some record downpours during that time frame.