Does basement insulation need a vapor barrier?

• <div><p>Yes, basement insulation needs a vapor barrier due to its susceptibility to moisture seeping in from the outside of the house. You should install a moisture barrier before you <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-to-install-insulation.htm">install insulation</a> or purchase insulation that comes prebuilt with a moisture barrier to avoid water damage in your insulation and costly mold and water remediation expenses. </p><p> </p></div>

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Q: Should I close my crawl space vents in winter?

• <div><p>In most climates, contractors recommend closing your crawl space vents in winter. Keeping them shut protects your crawl space from freezing temperatures, pests, and cool breezes that can lead to chilly floors in your home. However, it's often best to speak with a local crawl space team about your specific design and its relationship to the winter season.</p></div>

Q: What are the downsides to crawl space encapsulation?

• <div><p>Crawl space encapsulation can make repairs more complicated, particularly if you have plumbing or wiring surrounding your crawl space area. Additionally, some home designs benefit from the additional airflow that crawl spaces with vents provide. Vents are no longer an option after encapsulation. Always talk to your crawl space contractor to ensure the pros outweigh the cons before investing in the installation.</p></div>

Q: Do I need permits for flooded basement cleanup or repairs?

• <div><p>Permits may be required for major repairs, structural work, or electrical and plumbing restoration after a flood. Check with your local building department to determine permit requirements and associated fees for your flooded basement cleanup project. Obtaining the correct permits helps ensure work is done safely and up to code.</p></div>

Q: Can water seep through cracks in the basement floor?

• <div><p>Yes, water and water vapor can seep through cracks in your basement floor, which means you should address all basement floor cracks, even if they don&rsquo;t indicate structural issues. Sealing settling cracks and shrinkage cracks is a good idea to keep water and moisture outside where it belongs. Doing so can improve your indoor air quality, reduce the risk of mold growth, make your home more comfortable, and help prevent pest infestation.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Basement Waterproofing pros in Lake, MI

*The Angi rating for Basement Waterproofing companies in Lake, MI is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Basement Waterproofing needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Basement Waterproofing companies in Lake, MI is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Basement Waterproofing needs.

Last update on January 19, 2026

Reviewed in May 2025
He was very professional and personable. He worked with our mouse problem till we got it solved. We have a very old house with a “Michigan Basement”. It was a “tough nut to crack”, but Adam got it done. I have no problem recommending him.
ACDC Wildlife Services
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Reviewed in May 2025
We had John from RFL Painting repaint our barn. The old paint was peeling and faded. His estimate was excellent and he started working right away. The old paint was power washed and scraped. The new paint was sprayed and back-rolled. The trim was a contrasting color and the lines between the red...
RFL Painting
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Reviewed in February 2024
The electrician that showed up at my property is very knowledgeable! They were able to troubleshoot and repair the problems that had occurred back in December in less than an hour! The work this electrician did is very efficient and greatly appreciated now that part of my electricity is back in...
CRElectrical LLC
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Reviewed in November 2023
Very reasonable priced and dependable. Steven is fantastic to work with and I appreciated how he kept me up to date throughout the hiring process.
Futuristic Gardens
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Reviewed in October 2023
Excellent service with outstanding results at a reasonable price. This company is reliable, honest and hardworking. You definitely will not be disappointed using Northern Prestige Landscaping for any size job that you want or require superior results.
NORTHERN PRESTIGE LANDSCAPING LLC
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Reviewed in August 2023
They were on time and did a great job.
Bilt On Demand Gutter Solutions, Inc.
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Reviewed in April 2022
Quality service, great communication. Very pro-active about scheduling the job and answering questions, making adjustments as needed. Fair pricing. Provided written description and invoice when put half down for the job, after walking through the sites. We are already planning to hire them...
NRE Excavating
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Reviewed in August 2018
I am impressed. I have used WaterWorks for two jobs in the last month, one was major involving replacing drain line from basement to sink. price was half of what I thought it would be. Kris was much, much better than the two other plumbers I had used in the previous year. WaterWords are now...
WaterWork Plumbing
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Reviewed in April 2016
Company was great, Ron our systems design specialist listened to our concerns and was very knowledgeable. The company sent us info on basements and crawl spaces and called us before the project date and the day of to let us know their arrival time. Nick,Kyle and Josh were very pleasant and...
Ayers Basement Systems
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Reviewed in May 2013
He is a family business and he and his son are knowledgeable. I was impressed with the amount of detail he provided as the job progressed. He made a mess daily when repairing or ripping out walls, flooring, etc. But every evening he picked it up and vacuumed. Which was not necessary as it...
Degeer Builders
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Basement Waterproofing questions, answered by experts

Yes, basement insulation needs a vapor barrier due to its susceptibility to moisture seeping in from the outside of the house. You should install a moisture barrier before you install insulation or purchase insulation that comes prebuilt with a moisture barrier to avoid water damage in your insulation and costly mold and water remediation expenses.

In most climates, contractors recommend closing your crawl space vents in winter. Keeping them shut protects your crawl space from freezing temperatures, pests, and cool breezes that can lead to chilly floors in your home. However, it's often best to speak with a local crawl space team about your specific design and its relationship to the winter season.

Crawl space encapsulation can make repairs more complicated, particularly if you have plumbing or wiring surrounding your crawl space area. Additionally, some home designs benefit from the additional airflow that crawl spaces with vents provide. Vents are no longer an option after encapsulation. Always talk to your crawl space contractor to ensure the pros outweigh the cons before investing in the installation.

Permits may be required for major repairs, structural work, or electrical and plumbing restoration after a flood. Check with your local building department to determine permit requirements and associated fees for your flooded basement cleanup project. Obtaining the correct permits helps ensure work is done safely and up to code.

Yes, water and water vapor can seep through cracks in your basement floor, which means you should address all basement floor cracks, even if they don’t indicate structural issues. Sealing settling cracks and shrinkage cracks is a good idea to keep water and moisture outside where it belongs. Doing so can improve your indoor air quality, reduce the risk of mold growth, make your home more comfortable, and help prevent pest infestation.

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