Integrated Approaches to Control Moisture in Buildings

High-performance products integral with other systems can create better results
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Sponsored by Inpro, Xypex Chemical Corporation, and ZIP System® R-sheathing
By Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify and recognize the significance of water and moisture penetration in a building based on its effects on materials and people.
  2. Assess the means available to provide waterproofing of concrete for foundations and other building systems.
  3. Explain the importance of continuity of water-resistant barriers in wood-framed construction and integrated approaches to achieve it.
  4. Determine how to specify expansion joints and covers that are integrated into construction assemblies with attention to water and moisture control.

Credits:

HSW
1 AIA LU/HSW
IACET
0.1 IACET CEU*
AIBD
1 AIBD P-CE
AAA
AAA 1 Structured Learning Hour
AANB
This course can be self-reported to the AANB, as per their CE Guidelines
AAPEI
AAPEI 1 Structured Learning Hour
MAA
MAA 1 Structured Learning Hour
NLAA
This course can be self-reported to the NLAA.
NSAA
This course can be self-reported to the NSAA
NWTAA
NWTAA 1 Structured Learning Hour
OAA
OAA 1 Learning Hour
SAA
SAA 1 Hour of Core Learning
 
This course can be self-reported to the AIBC, as per their CE Guidelines.
As an IACET Accredited Provider, BNP Media offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.
This course is approved as a Structured Course
This course can be self-reported to the AANB, as per their CE Guidelines
Approved for structured learning
Approved for Core Learning
This course can be self-reported to the NLAA
Course may qualify for Learning Hours with NWTAA
Course eligible for OAA Learning Hours
This course is approved as a core course
This course can be self-reported for Learning Units to the Architectural Institute of British Columbia
This test is no longer available for credit

Moisture in buildings is probably one of the most investigated, discussed, reviewed, and researched challenges in building design and construction. There are good reasons for this. Consider the Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation (BASE) study that was conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the 1990s. It found that among the randomly selected public and private office buildings studied across all 10 climate zones in the United States, 85 percent had been damaged by water at some point, and 45 percent had leaks at the time data was collected. That data indicates that most buildings are likely to experience some form of impact from unwanted or excessive moisture accumulation. Those conditions can lead to serious problems, such as the degradation, deterioration, or even failure of building materials, development of mold and mildew, and possible risks to human health and safety. Repairing any of these conditions after the building is constructed and occupied typically involves opening up construction assemblies, which is disruptive, time-consuming, and costly. Hence, it is no wonder that there is great interest in understanding how moisture can be controlled in buildings at the outset to avoid any or all of these potential problems and risks.

60 Holborn Viaduct located in London

Photo courtesy of Xypex Chemical Corporation

Water and moisture can come from a variety of places and be a problem for multiple parts of a building. Controlling where moisture does and doesn’t go is critical to the successful performance of a building and achieved by focusing on products and systems with the right capabilities. Pictured is 60 Holborn Viaduct located in London.

The Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG), a program of the National Institute of Building Sciences, provides some of the best, objective, state-of-the-art thinking on this topic. It identifies three main causes of moisture movement, namely, water impingement or leakage (as in a roof, wall, or floor system), movement of moist air (through gaps or openings in roofs, walls, or floors), and vapor diffusion through materials that can occur slowly over time but saturate and damage materials nonetheless. The WBDG points out that solutions cover the gamut of design and construction activities, stating, “Preventive and remedial measures include rainwater-tight detail design; prevention of uncontrolled air movement; reduction of indoor air moisture content; reduction of water vapor diffusion into walls and roofs; selection of building materials with appropriate water transmission characteristics; and proper field workmanship quality control.” Listed all together, that may sound like a tall order, but in essence, it means that everyone involved in a building project has a role to play in managing moisture in buildings, starting with the design team.

In this course, we will look at three specific areas that are common to buildings, namely concrete foundations, wood-framed enclosures, and expansion joints. Each of these areas will be looked at for their general and specific issues related to moisture management, with some example solutions noted for each.

 

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Originally published in Architectural Record
Originally published in July 2018

Notice

Academies
Integrated Approaches to Control Moisture in Buildings
Buyer's Guide
Fireline Water Guard® System
One of the biggest failure points with traditional fire barriers is that they can never get wet. Fireline Water Guard® Systems are the only fire blankets with a U.S. patented, UL 2079 rated waterproof design. Water Guard protects the integrity and performance of the fire barrier from extended exposure to the elements.
Xypex Crystalline Concrete Waterproofing
XYPEX fills and plugs the porosity of concrete with a unique crystalline formation that becomes a permanent, integral part of the structure. It can be applied as surface treatment on existing concrete structures or used as an admixture for new construction. XYPEX is non-toxic and contains no VOCs.
Xypex Chemical Corporation
www.xypex.com
All-in-One Insulated Sheathing Panel
For a streamlined approach to controlling water, air, and thermal bridging, ZIP System® R-sheathing provides structure plus built-in continuous foam insulation, a rigid air barrier, and a water-resistive barrier. Available in multiple insulation thicknesses, ZIP System R-sheathing is an efficient way to increase exterior R-value for projects in any climate zone. Learn more at InsulateYourBuild.com.
ZIP System® R-sheathing
InsulateYourBuild.com