Vapor Barrier

[Michael]

So I had a water main break last year and caused my 83 DW to sink a little bit...
I had a company come out to give me a bid on re leveling the house which has been in the same place for 20 years. They said it would cost me $550 to re level and they use a water level...they also said they could put extra blocking and stabilizers and a vapor barrier down for $1800...
I'm not sure if I should have this extra work done or not...it has always been as dry as a bone under the house for as long as we lived here...
So guys what says you?....should I?....house is in Oregon around the Metro area of Portland....Thanks guys!

[Dean3]

Personally,I would hold on to the $1800. Sounds like the most important work is done and the 2nd most(leveling)is in the works.

"Dry as a bone" is pretty hard to argue with in My book.

Dean

[Greg]

$1250 sounds to like a lot of moisture barrier & extra support.

I would look at the frame rail, If there is only light rust on it after 20 years I woul not worry a lot about it, plus that is a job you could do on a nice warm summer day. After 20 years unless you have changed or remodeled something I would not worry about extra support. Greg

[JD]

I would agree with Dean. Hold on to the cash if the extra repairs are not needed. If there has never been a moisture problem under the home, then the vapor barrier on the ground would not really be needed. It is rare for me to see plastic under a home here in Fresno, but we have a very dry climate. 11"-12" a year.

I would check the pier pads though. Many times when I am asked to relevel an older home, I will find old treated plywood pads or regular pressure treated pads that have rotted. Trying to level a home on rotted pads is probably a wasted effort.

It is possible that stabilizers are a current requirement for your area. Generally, this type upgrade would only be an issue when it comes time to sell the home.

The $1800 sounds like a good price to do the work, but again, if it is not necessary, why spend the money.

JMO
JD

[Dean3]

Curiosity overload on My part;;

If it is normally ummm normal under a home could installing a ground vapor barrier add to dry rot possibility?

Dean