Vapor barriers are sheets of plastic installed behind walls and ceilings that help to make a home energy efficient. You can install vapor barriers so they'll go behind the drywall in your bathroom. Installing an additional vapor barrier over the drywall section that will house your tub or shower is vital. Moisture can become trapped behind the drywall, causing it to rot.
Instructions
1. Unroll a sheet of polyethylene plastic vapor barrier and cut a section large enough to stretch from one end of the bathroom wall area to the other with a utility knife.
2. Hold the top, right corner of the plastic sheet up to the top, right corner of the framing stud in the corner of the bathroom wall. Working from the top down, use a staple gun to attach the sheet, every 6 to 8 inches. Staple the vapor barrier to every framing stud along the wall.
3. Use a utility knife to trim any excess. Cut out any window openings that were covered with the vapor barrier. Patch any tears with vapor barrier tape.
4. Cut another piece of the polyethylene plastic to cover the remaining wall if necessary. Overlap adjoining pieces by at least 2 inches. Continue with the stapling process.
5. Apply a line of vapor barrier tape along any sections of the plastic that overlap and around any window or door frames as well to secure the plastic.
6. Load a tube of acoustic sealant into a caulking gun and run it over any corners of the bathroom walls to secure the plastic and make the seal tight.
7. Install furring strips over the plastic vapor barrier to prepare the wall for the drywall installation. Cut the furring strips to fit horizontally between the framing studs, leaving approximately 1 foot of vertical space between each one. Nail into the studs to secure. The furring strips provide a point above the vapor barrier on which the drywall rests.
Tags: vapor barrier, furring strips, barrier tape, bathroom wall,