Plastic under house in crawlspace?

Is there any value in putting plastic down underneath your home? Does it eliminate or reduce exposure to insects or termites? Is it supposed to prevent water vapor from rising up to the joists and subfloor?

I have it and it seems to be more of a nuisance. I don’t mind crawling around on the dirt, but I have to retidy or fix the plastic because it moves every time I slither across it.

Remove it or leave it?

I don’t know but want to

Perhaps it’s to prevent moisture from comming up through the ground

It is to prevent moisture from coming up through the ground but I’m not sure that much moisture comes up out of the ground under a house. Does anyone have any data?

Are you ever going to sell the house ?

-bobvila

I’m not sure what the rules are but this google on “Crawlspace Vapor Barrier” can probably tell you.

I had a bunch of dew/water collecting on the attic trusses and falling all over stored possessions until I put the plastic vapor barrier down. They work if you have a lot of moisture in the soil that is being trapped in the house.