[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” fullwidth=”on” specialty=”off”][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” saved_tabs=”all” title=”Preventing Moisture Issues” background_color=”#003366″ text_orientation=”left” header_fullscreen=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” header_scroll_down=”off” image_orientation=”center” background_layout=”dark” content_orientation=”center” custom_button_one=”off” button_one_letter_spacing=”0″ button_one_use_icon=”default” button_one_icon_placement=”right” button_one_on_hover=”on” button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ custom_button_two=”off” button_two_letter_spacing=”0″ button_two_use_icon=”default” button_two_icon_placement=”right” button_two_on_hover=”on” button_two_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n
Properly controlling moisture in your home can improve the effectiveness of your air sealing and insulation efforts\u2014in turn helping to control moisture. The best strategies for controlling moisture in your home depend on your climate and how your home is constructed. Proper ventilation should also be part of a moisture control strategy.<\/p>\n
Keep in mind that this section aims to provide a general overview of moisture control, and should not be taken as definitive. For moisture issues related to thermal or acoustic insulation, contact your selected insulation supplier. For other moisture issues, contact a qualified building professional<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n Before you decide on a moisture control strategy, it helps to understand that moisture or water vapour moves in and out of a home in three ways:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n Air naturally moves from high-pressure areas to lower pressure areas through the easiest pathway available, such as holes or cracks. To effectively control moisture, you must carefully and permanently air seal any unintended paths for air movement into and out of the house.<\/p>\n Moisture movement by diffusion through materials and through heat transfer are much slower processes. Most common building materials slow moisture diffusion to a large degree, although they never stop it completely. Insulation also helps reduce heat transfer or flow.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n Air\u2019s ability to hold water vapour increases as it warms, and decreases as it cools. Once air has reached its dew point\u2014the temperature and moisture concentration at which water vapour condenses\u2014moisture in the air condenses on the first cold surface it encounters. If this surface is within an exterior wall cavity, the result is wet insulation and framing.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n Because moisture is transferred predominantly by air currents, air sealing your home is essential. You can also control temperature and moisture content. Installing insulation reduces heat transfer, so it also moderates the effect of temperatures across your home.<\/p>\n In most Canadian climates, properly installed vapour diffusion retarders can be used to reduce the amount of moisture transfer. Except in deliberately ventilated spaces, such as attics, insulation, and vapour diffusion retarders work together to reduce the opportunity for condensation in a house\u2019s ceilings, walls, and floors.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n The potential for moisture problems exists anywhere building components are below grade, whether you have a basement, crawlspace, or slab-on-grade foundation. Most basement water leakage results from water flowing through holes, cracks, and other discontinuities into the home\u2019s basement walls or water wicking into the cracks and pores of porous buildings materials, such as masonry blocks, concrete, or wood. These tiny cracks and pores can absorb water in any direction, even upward.<\/p>\n To create an energy efficient and comfortable living space in your basement, you\u2019ll need to insulate as well as properly control moisture.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n The best approaches for preventing foundation moisture problems will depend on your local climate, type of insulation, and style of construction. If you need to correct moisture problems in your existing home, consult a qualified builder, basement designer, and\/or insulation contractor in your area for specific basement moisture control measures tailored to your climate, type of insulation, and construction style.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n If you\u2019re building a new home, pay particular attention to how water will be managed around the foundation. The following guidelines will apply in most circumstances:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n It\u2019s a myth that installing vapour barriers is the most important step for controlling moisture in walls. Vapour barriers only retard moisture due to diffusion, while most moisture enters walls either through fluid capillary action or as water vapour through air leaks. Most climates require taking specific moisture control steps.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n To control moisture within a wall, you must seal any pathways that allow for air movement. Depending on the building code and local climate zone, you may also have to install a vapour retarder along with insulation. Without a vapour retarder, warm indoor air moves into the colder building envelope, where it could condense<\/a>.<\/p>\n Additionally, you must control heat transfer. The purpose of insulation is to retard the flow of heat from one place to another, and to maintain temperatures such that condensation doesn\u2019t occur inside a wall\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\nWhat Contributes to Moisture in Your Home<\/h4>\n
\n
Moisture Transfer by Air Currents Happens Quickly<\/h4>\n
What Causes Condensation?<\/h4>\n
How You Can Help Control Moisture<\/h4>\n
Foundation Moisture Control<\/h4>\n
Preventing Foundation Moisture<\/h4>\n
In a New Home<\/h3>\n
\n
Moisture Control in Walls<\/h2>\n
Steps to Control Moisture in Walls<\/h4>\n
What To Do With Wet Insulation<\/h4>\n