What material can be used as a vapor barrier?

The Real Seal uses 10 to 20-mil thick impermeable polyethylene sheeting.

Vapor Barriers | The Real Seal LLC

What Is A Vapor Barrier?

A vapor barrier is a thin layer of impermeable polyethylene sheeting that prevents moisture from seeping through your basement or crawl space walls (and floors). This barrier is around 10 to 20 millimeters thick and catches water and moisture seeping through your concrete, channeling it downwards to a connected drain tile system. If you have drywall or paneling on your basement walls, this will protect them from being ruined by mold, moisture, or rot. Note: In order to apply a vapor barrier to a finished basement, we will need to remove any finishes.

A vapor barrier will lower the temperature in your basement or crawl space, reduce humidity, and prevent moisture from damaging stored items, including structural supports such as joists.

When To Use A Vapor Barrier With Insulation

Insulation will prevent air from entering or escaping your basement, but it will not stop moisture diffusion. A vapor barrier will stop moisture diffusion and should be applied directly to your concrete walls (plus crawl space floors). If you decide to add insulation in your basement, it should be applied after you install a vapor barrier.

How Do We Install Vapor Barriers?

The vapor barrier installation process is straightforward. First, we make sure your crawl space is clear of any debris. If you have a basement, we’ll need to remove any finishes on your walls, such as drywall or paneling. The next step involves wrapping the sheet along your walls (and crawl space floors) and sealing the edges using waterproof seam tape.

What Is A Vapor Barrier — A vapor barrier is a thin layer of impermeable polyethylene sheeting that prevents moisture from seeping through your basement or crawl space walls (and floors). This barrier is around 10 to 20 millimeters thick and catches water and moisture seeping through your concrete, channeling it downwards to a connected drain tile system. If you have drywall or paneling on your basement walls, this will protect them from being ruined by mold, moisture, or rot. Note: In order to apply a vapor barrier to a finished basement, we will need to remove any finishes. A vapor barrier will lower the temperature in your basement or crawl space, reduce humidity, and prevent moisture from damaging stored items, including structural supports such as joists.

Our Basement And Crawl Space Waterproofing Services

Contact The Real Seal For Basement and Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Services In Chicagoland

If you live in Chicagoland, call The Real Seal today. We’ll inspect your foundation and find out why water is seeping into your basement or crawl space. Vapor barriers are just one part of our complete foundation waterproofing system, which also includes a drain tile system and sump pump. Schedule your free foundation inspection today and receive your personalized estimate.

What Our Customers Are Saying

Vapor Barrier FAQs

The Real Seal Basement Waterproofing and Foundation Repair uses 10 to 20-mil thick impermeable polyethylene sheeting.

Yes, you can install a vapor barrier yourself. But if you want the job done correctly without stressing and crawling in a confined space, call The Real Seal.

Our vapor barriers will last for life and can even outlast the foundation.

The terms vapor barriers and moisture barriers are used interchangeably.

Without a vapor barrier, your foundation is at risk of increased humidity, condensation, water damage, and more.

Mold does have the ability to grow under a vapor barrier if there is organic matter. A professional company should clear that material before installation so there is nothing for mold to grow on. Additionally, Real Seal’s vapor barrier has an anti-microbial additive to help prevent the growth of mold.

Yes.

If you notice your vapor barrier is ripping or falling apart, call The Real Seal for an inspection. Our vapor barriers come with a lifetime warranty.

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SERVICE AREA

Waterproofing basements in Chicagoland and surrounding areas.

Google Rating

4.9

Based on 462 reviews

Real Seal Basement Waterproofing & Foundation Repair

4.9

review us on See all reviews

Sarah Deans

1736429478

Great work, super friendly service and very communicative.

Carol Marr

1736215898

Good professional service!

Philip Buhrmann

1735829243

Great communication with their team and excellent quality of work. Their specialist went the extra mile on site which we all appreciated. Would definitely rely on them again.

Georgina Mhlanga

1735247876

George Ledezma is a very hard worker! He pays attention to details, make sure the jobs are completed to customer satisfaction and is a leader. He deserves a promotion for his loyalty towards Real Seal.

Christofer Bendik

1734895334

the most dependable and thorough waterproofing company in the Chicagoland area. Been using them since we moved into our house in 2011. Austin and his team consistently crush it.

Jim White

1734457584

I can't recommend this company enough. Theirs is by far the best customer service I've ever experienced from any company regardless of the business they're in. There are a lot of choices for basement waterproofing, especially in Chicagoland, but Real Seal is a standout.

Nick

1733776066

The crawlspace to basement conversion was great! The crew clearly knew what they were doing and paid close attention to detail. For such a large project, we had a lot of anxiety going in, but Real Seal went above and beyond to make sure the project went smoothly. Every contractor and inspector who stopped by was also impressed by their work!If you have a crawlspace want to add square footage to your home (or have a nice new spot to wait out tornados), I highly recommend reaching out to Real Seal about a conversion.

J. P. Berres

1733497139

Great job and performance!

Dennis

1733332181

Sal and Omar arrived on-time and did an excellent job repairing the cracks in the foundation and installing the new piping for the crawlspace sump pump. Sal completed the exterior work in the dark nd cold and took the extra time to make sure it was just right ! The whole process from quote to completed job was what was promised.

Dorothy Deemer

1733160648

I'm so grateful that I got The Real Seal to solve my basement water issues. They sealed several cracks and did drainage work outside to get the water away from my foundation. The guys that did the work were very friendly and knowledgeable.

Steve M

1732897900

Jason Lawrence

1732569891

I never used them personally but they respond to all the comments on their website and offer whatever help they can which is very helpful for DIYer’s like me. If they were in Philadelphia I would undoubtedly use them. Great people.

Thomas Schneider

1732384683

Great job RealSeal. This is my second sidewalk leveling project. Both have been performed very well.

Joshua Johannpeter

1732205643

Solution worked, good price

Anna Van Orden

1732040729

Real seal has been very helpful with all the projects that I had completed this summer. I had foundation cracks repaired, two basement windows and wells replaced at a reasonable price. The work was completed as promised and area cleaned of the debris. They also referred me to a contractor who completed the foam spray for insulation in my crawl space who completed the work as I requested.

Sam Seyller

1731932106

Inger Britt

1731687054

Did a great job of explaining whats needed, what's less important, and happy with results so far.

pat mast

1731464054

Used real seal for 2 foundation cracks. From the estimate to having the repair done was great. Very fast and efficient. I was called to schedule and I lucked out did repair same day. Now that's Service.

Henry Gut

1731163196

This sump and battery backup are a great value. It was purchased for my mom which lives 1 hour away. I like the feature that if there is a failure ( highly unlikely ) it will notify my phone.

Jeff Hagopian

1730600301

Rob Jones

1730217420

I had some previous work done by a waterproofing company. I haven’t had any issues with it other than feeling like a I paid too much. When I had another basement crack that needed to be repaired, my contractor recommended Real Seal. I am glad he did and I wish I would have known about them sooner. The communication from the time I made the appointment until the work was complete was spectacular. The fees they charge for work is black and white and incredibly reasonable. I’ve hired them for a third job and would recommend them to anyone in need of their services. I’ve also gotten to know the owner of this outfit and some of the other employees and I couldn’t be more excited to see where a company goes in the future. Hats off to Austin and his whole crew!

Joseph Page

1729613059

Jim was very friendly and knowledgeable during the initial visit. He made sure to explain everything he was seeing and what he would recommend and why. He even looked into ways to reduce the financial burden a project like this would be. When it came time for the installation, Tomas and his crew were great and made sure the project was completed correctly. When they were done, they went above and beyond cleaning up and making things look the best they could. I hope no one needs to fix the issues our foundation had, but if they do Real Seal is highly recommended!!!

Tim Hauswirth

1729351257

Dan Raymond

1729188783

andrea zable

1728831496

Excellence all around. Professional, great pricing and awesome work

Dr. Luke Greenwell

1728506417

Quick and concise with their foundation repair. We had a helical pier stabilization performed on our 25 year old home with a cracked foundation and the team from Real Seal were beyond professional with the whole experience from the sales associate, case assistant, repair team, and follow-up. Highly recommend them for your foundational repair needs!

Steven Strunk

1727878629

My house was built in 1956, split levels with an English basement. When Pete came out to assess my situation, he made quick notes of common issues with a house like mine, and we came up with a couple of solutions. I opted for doing my own demo. I really liked that Pete was was down to earth about the project and what to expect. More than that, he expressed a real pride and appreciation for the whole team of people that would be involved along the way.First, Polyjacking was required for front and rear exterior concrete areas of the house. That was done on a separate visit. They did a great job of leveling the concrete, which will really help to keep the water away from the house.Next was interior installation of the Drain Tile and Sump Pump with batttery backup. My project was completed in 2 days, but I expected 3 days. Permit process depends on township, but in our case we only had one hiccup.On the big day, the guys showed up as scheduled and got right to work! I wish I had all of their names because I want to say thank you to them all. They were all INCREDIBLE! Thank you all so much for your hard work!!!Side note: I appreciated the management of dust created while breaking up the concrete with jack hammers. They had these cool air vacuums that collected the dust while jackhammering the floor, which really helped keep the dust to a minimum. Also, I'm grateful the guys were taking precautions with face protection during that part of the process to protect themselves.Exterior drainage entailed the installation of a french-type drain, evacuating sump pump water and integrating gutter downpipes. There was lots of digging on a hot day,. They carefully handled the routing of drain pipes in an area with lots of tree roots and hedges. I really appreciate their care for my plants while helping to improve an outdated water management setup.I would recommend this company strongly! Real Seal did a fantastic job of getting my project done right, and making the process as seamless as possible.

Ron Kern

1727628178

I spoke to the owner, Austin Werner, about my basement leaks and flooding in FL. He was very helpful giving me advice even though he would not be able to do the job. He was very knowledgeable and I would be hiring him immediately if he was local to me.

Chris Morgan

1726588460

Real Seal did some foundation repair for us (to stop a column from sinking further on our house). The process was clear from the beginning and there were no surprises. Miguel and the team doing the work was on-time every day, called ahead to let us be prepared, got the work done on-time, and were courteous throughout. The whole thing was just smooth and easy, which should be the case but isn't always!

Warren B

1726504586

Susan (account manager) and Jim (who came to my home to provide an estimate to repair my basement leak) were very courteous and easy to work with.

Marlee Griek

1726327482

Very efficient.

Jake Kumar

1725830381

Manny and his Team at RealSeal did a phenomenal job at evaluating, recommending the best solution, waterproofing and installing a new high mil membrane in my crawl space. There is no more water, no more smells, and super clean and bright. It's now not only safe from moisture, it's also a great place to store items. Highly recommend TheRealSeal.

Nancy Messman

1725540900

A new leak in our foundation appeared and water was seeping in. Several clean ups were required. A new friend recommended The Real Seal to me and I'm so glad he did. Within a week the crack was patched. They were careful to find the source of the problem and correct the issue in its entirety. The next rain proved that their work was completed with care and precision for no water appeared inside our home.I am very grateful to the kind and knowledgeable man who came out to initially talk with me, for the fine workmanship of the job, for responding so quickly, and for the fair price given. I highly recommend The Real Seal!

Dominic

1725189890

Work was completed a few weeks ago and has withstood multiple storms! Dealing with the company has been easy and they are no nonsense no hassle. They are knowledgeable and focus on the problems rather than extracting every last penny from you. George was fantastic completing the work. Definitely pick his brain to learn more about your basement!

Scott McDonald

1725136292

Diane is a no-pressure and super knowledgeable advisor who offered a range of options and worked within budget to find a solution for the seepage we had in a crawlspace. Cristian arrived on time, was so courteous, and did a thorough and professional job. When he wrapped up, he explained his work and showed us everything he completed. To top it off, the basement has remained dry since the work was done. Real Seal is the real deal for basement waterproofing. Highly recommend!

J Shaw

1724791364

Manny and his team did an outstanding job with our drain tile installation. The crew was clean, efficient, and professional, taking the time to walk me through each step. Highly recommend!

Craig Myers

1724416725

Technician took great pride in his work and did an excellent job.

Mary Ann Skweres

1724337090

Professional from start to finish.

Christine Nece

1723813506

Extremely satisfied. Serviceman was very knowledgeable and professional.

Brandon Garcia

1723223232

George Amparan

1722733400

Jeanette Pawletki

1722524898

The service and care we received from Real Seal was outstanding. Our foundation was sinking and Real Seal came to the rescue. After reviewing and getting several quotes. Real Seal was the one company that took their time and explained every process to us and made us feel safe and secure in our decision. They explained everything throughly and in detail. I knew every step that was done and they even went above what was expected. Austin was always available if we had any questions and if he didn't have the answer he knew who to refer us to for extra assistance. I would Highly recommend Real Seal if you want the job done honestly and throughly. It was well worth the money to have the sense of security that they gave me as a home owner.

Charlie Petrauskis

1722443890

Professional, thorough, timely, and affordable compared to other companies.

Michele Eichhorn

1722395880

Real Seal is a great company! Omar and Diane provided us with excellent service. They showed great teamwork. They were in contact with us throughout the whole process. Omar was the team member who came out to our house. He was kind, friendly and very professional. He worked very thoroughly and efficiently. He cleaned everything up when he was done. We would, definitely, recommend Real Seal.

Chris W

1721823936

My patio looks much better than it did before. Water no longer drains towards the foundation. Do not be put off by the initial quote, the service is well worth it. They are a very professional team.

Lindsey Sterczek

1721494311

We had a wonderful experience with The Real Seal in July 2024. They installed a drainage tile system and waterproofed the basement for future finishing. Their team was prompt, respectful, organized and thoroughly educated us on the drainage system, installation process and prevention. Thank you, Real Seal for being the flawless first step to our dream basement/family space!

Mikki Mistal

1721482228

Great job of leveling and filling my sidewalk crack

Aprile Jones

1721430018

They did a great job polyjacking my sinking front stoop. I definitely recommend them.

Mary Herrold

1721403604

Real Seal is the real deal. I didn’t have the budget for concrete replacement, but I had significant sinking, cracking, and heaving causing water and rodent issues in my garage and around my home. I researched companies, got bids, and chose Real Seal. Why? Punctuality, professionalism, personalized attention, personality and process. I trusted them immediately and I made the right choice. The work was done as agreed. The price was fair. The team was personable and deliberate in their work. I feel I got a solid value for my investment and I would recommend them to anyone.

Vapor Barriers

What Is A Vapor Barrier?

When To Use A Vapor Barrier With Insulation

How Do We Install Vapor Barriers?

Our Basement And Crawl Space Waterproofing Services

VAPOR BARRIERS

DRAIN TILE SYSTEMS

SUMP PUMP
(WITH BATTERY BACKUPS)

WINDOW WELLS, DRAINS,
AND COVERS

FOUNDATION CRACK REPAIR

DISCHARGE LINES/GUTTER EXTENSIONS

HONEYCOMB/ROCK POCKETS

EGRESS/BASEMENT WINDOWS

Contact The Real Seal For Basement and Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Services In Chicagoland

What Our Customers Are Saying

Vapor Barrier FAQs

What material can be used as a vapor barrier?

Can I install a vapor barrier myself?

How long does a vapor barrier last?

What is the difference between a vapor barrier and a moisture barrier?

What happens if you don't install a vapor barrier?

Does mold grow under a crawl space vapor barrier?

Will a vapor barrier reduce humidity?

When should I replace my vapor barrier?

REQUEST A FREE ESTIMATE

SERVICE AREA

Real Seal Basement Waterproofing
& Foundation Repair

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