How to Install a Vapor Barrier Under Flooring
- 1). Clean the surface of your subfloor. Use a putty knife to scrape off any dried sheetrock mud or paint that dropped to the floor during new wall construction. Hammer down any nail heads that extend above the surface of the wood. Sweep up any small particles of dust, sawdust and dirt, leaving the wood clean and free of debris.
- 2). Start at one corner of your room, placing the roll of vapor barrier in the direction that allows you to roll it out along the longest expanse of your floor. Place the lip end of the roll firmly against the wall. Reach below the roll and begin peeling back the detachable strips of paper that cover the adhesive sticky strip on the edges of the barrier. Peel back the tape as you roll out about 6 feet of the vapor barrier.
- 3). Staple the rolled-out section of vapor barrier to the floor, placing a staple about every 2 feet. The thickness of your vapor barrier helps determine the correct size of staple. Consult the specifications on the label instructions to determine the required size of staple for your particular type of vapor barrier. Continue rolling and stapling 6 feet of the vapor barrier at a time.
- 4). Cut the section of vapor barrier from the roll when you reach the far wall. Use a sharp utility knife to slice off the section against the edge of the wall. Roll out another section of vapor barrier in the same manner, laying the lip of the new strip over the lip of the previously installed strip. Continue in this manner until you cover your entire floor with vapor barrier. Sweep off the top of your installed vapor barrier, and finish your flooring project by installing your wood flooring or laminate flooring over your vapor barrier, following the manufacturer’s instructions.