Moisture Control in Buildings

Summary

This 2009 second edition, edited by Heinz R. Trechsel and Mark T. Bomberg, contains 28 chapters organized around moisture fundamentals, practical applications, construction recommendations, and implementation. It examines moisture transport and storage in building materials, condensation, climate data, ventilation, insulation, measurement techniques, moisture-damage investigations, and case studies. It also addresses moisture control in residential, commercial, high-rise, manufactured, and historic buildings. The book emphasizes coordinated design, construction quality, appropriate detailing, and building-specific analysis as essential parts of moisture management.

Key takeaways

• Moisture control is essential to building durability, indoor environmental quality, and the prevention of mold growth.
• Moisture can enter buildings through rain penetration, ground moisture, air leakage, vapor diffusion, and moisture generated by occupants.
• Condensation occurs when surface or material temperatures and moisture conditions allow water vapor to condense.
• Mold risk depends on factors including temperature, relative humidity, exposure duration, material properties, and ventilation.
• Building-envelope design must consider the combined performance of roofs, walls, foundations, windows, insulation, and joints.
• Air leakage can transport significant amounts of moisture into building assemblies, making airtightness an important design consideration.
• Insulation changes temperature distributions within building components and can influence condensation risk.
• Climate data and hygrothermal analysis help architects evaluate how building assemblies respond to local environmental conditions.
• Moisture measurement and systematic investigation are necessary to identify the source of building damage before selecting remedial measures.
• Roofs, façades, flashings, window interfaces, and waterproofing details require careful design and execution to reduce water intrusion.
• Ventilation and heating or cooling systems affect indoor humidity and must be coordinated with the building envelope.
• Construction defects can result from poor coordination between drawings, specifications, materials, and trades.
• Existing buildings may require different moisture-control strategies depending on their construction, condition, and historical significance.
• Moisture-control recommendations should be evaluated for the specific building and climate rather than applied as universal details.
• Quality management during design and construction helps prevent moisture-related failures before they become costly repairs.

Practical application

Façade design: Review wall assemblies, joints, flashings, and drainage paths to reduce rain penetration.



Roof design: Coordinate waterproofing, insulation, drainage, and junction details to minimize leakage and condensation risks.



Residential design: Assess bathroom, kitchen, laundry, and other moisture-generating spaces for suitable ventilation.



Material selection: Evaluate moisture sensitivity, vapor permeability, and drying potential when selecting construction materials.



Building-envelope analysis: Investigate thermal bridges, air leakage, and condensation risks in wall and roof assemblies.



Climate-responsive design: Consider local temperature, humidity, rainfall, solar exposure, and seasonal variations.



Building diagnostics: Trace visible dampness or mold to its underlying cause before recommending repairs.



Retrofit projects: Evaluate existing walls, roofs, and insulation before introducing new layers that could restrict drying.



Construction supervision: Inspect waterproofing, sealants, penetrations, and critical interfaces before they are concealed.



Technical documentation: Include appropriate moisture-control requirements in drawings, specifications, and quality-control checklists.

Good to know

Who it's for: Architects, building scientists, civil engineers, building-envelope consultants, construction professionals, facility managers, and researchers

ISBN: 978-0-8031-2089-4

Topics

Moisture Control Mold Prevention Building Envelope Condensation Water Vapor Transmission Hygrothermal Performance Indoor Air Quality Waterproofing Building Durability Ventilation Thermal Insulation Building Defects