The Critical (And Most Overlooked) Issue of Moisture Management
Example of a roof leak using a thermal imaging camera
Today we were discussing renovation plans with a customer and as we walked through the house and her upcoming plans, we noticed some fairly pervasive and significant moisture issues. As we discussed this in the context of the other work she wanted us to bid on, a recent article in the local Chapel Hill News came to mind.
The article entitled “Home Inspector’s Top 10″, listed the top 10 most common problems inspectors find when examining homes. Two of these were moisture related and the #1 issue was “inadequate drainage”. For anyone who has built any kind of structure, understanding moisture management has always been a critical and sometimes vexing element of successful construction.
We have always maintained that durability is the first principle of ”Green Building” and the single most important element to durability is moisture and water management. You can build the most energy efficient home with the most “green certified” materials out there, but if it isn’t built to last, you’re not doing anyone any favors including the planet. Lately as have taken on more and more renovation and repair projects, it is seems that in our race to the bottom, always seeking the most for the least has driven experience and pride out of the craft of construction. More and more we are seeing work performed by contractors with little knowledge or experience. Often this leads to costly repairs down the road or even complete project “do-overs”. Often this evident only years after the project is over and the contractor long gone. In fact, moisture management is so critical to a building’s health that we include it in all of our energy audits.
When it comes to selecting a contractor to complete work, do your homework, check references and ask a lot of questions. Often in our rush to get started or our desire to please we may make hasty choices and regret them later. As building sciences evolves and we continue to understand more and more about buildings as a system, you should seek a contractor with both experience and a desire to continuously learn. Continuing education is key to the success of our industry and to the success of your projects. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
