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Guide to Moisture Control in Buildings InspectAPedia®  -     How to identify causes of high indoor moisture How to eliminate sources of un-wanted moisture & condensation indoors Recommendations for use of dehumidifiers Insulation & Heat Loss Inspection Guide; Insulation R-values, Types, & other characteristics Attic, basement, & crawl space condensation - mold problems, mold solutions Ventilation of building attics, crawl spaces, & other

This website discusses how to inspect, diagnose problems in, and install or repair building insulation & ventilation systems including heat loss, moisture, & interior stains. Readers should also see INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE which includes details about whole house ventilation systems, and see WATER ENTRY in BUILDINGS where we discuss the cause and prevention of water leakage into buildings.Our page top photo shows that a leaky building foundation can form a major source of indoor building moisture problems.

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Guide to Building Moisture Causes & Cures

The websites and articles listed here explain the sources of unwanted building moisture or high humidity as well as the effect of high indoor moisture levels on indoor air quality and on buildings, such as indoor air quality and mold contamination.

Links at page left organize our articles on building insulation inspection, hazards, and insulation properties. Additional building moisture and leak articles are listed just below. Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

• Brick "Insulation" in Building Walls how inspect, report, and repair this material
• DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE - how to find the dew point in building cavities & on surfaces
• FLAT ROOF MOISTURE & CONDENSATION - how to design a flat roof to avoid moisture, condensation, and related mold and rot problems
• Foam Insulation Spray Product Guide: If you are having trouble determining what type of foam insulation product has been installed in a building, see How to Make a Sure Distinction Among UFFI, Icynene, and Latex Foam Insulations for detailed on the identification of these products in the field.
• HEAT LOSS CALCULATIONS, Insulation Properties, Definitions of R, K, U values, Insulation Design
• How to Choose an Air Conditioner - BTU Chart useful when buying or replacing an air conditioner, this chart helps select the proper sized air conditioning unit - improperly sized A/C means inadequate dehumidification or moisture removal in buildings.
• How to Detect and Correct Attic Condensation & Prevent Ice Dam Leaks in Buildings
• How to Inspect Building Interiors and Building Insulation/Ventilation list of articles about building insulation inspection, defects, design, and ventilation requirements
• Indoor Air Quality Investigations: Fiberglass in Indoor Air, HVAC ducts, and Building Insulation
• Insulation Properties, Table of R-Values, density, moisture permeability, fire safety, aging effects on various insulation materials
• Insulation Values of Log Home Walls - discusses the insulation value of solid log wall homes compared with other structures, and it explains the principal errors people make when evaluating the cause of chilly log cabins.
• LP or Natural Gas Pressures & BTUH per Cubic Foot how to properly install, inspect, and test gas piping and gas installations. LP or natural gas burning appliances are often sources of high indoor moisture levels.
• MOISTURE PROBLEMS: CAUSE & CURE - an explanation of moisture sources and movement in building
• Mold in Fiberglass in Insulation hidden mold can be a serious contamination problem in fiberglass insulation that has been wet, even though mold is not visible
• Un-Vented Roof Solutions - How to Prevent Attic Condensation, Ice Dam Leaks, Roof Mold, & Roof Structural Damage in Buildings with Un-vented Roof Cavities
• Vermiculite Building Insulation & Asbestos
• Whole House Ventilation Strategies, including Guide to Sizing House Ventilation, Whole House Ventilation Table, Installation of Whole House Ventilation, Exhaust-Only Ventilation, Single-Port Exhaust Venting,, Multiport Exhaust Venting, Ventilating Heat-Pump Systems,, Supply-Only Ventilation, Forced-Air Supply Ventilation and Multiport Supply Ventilation

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Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

AIR SEALING STRATEGIES
BASEMENT WATERPROOFING
BATHROOM VENTILATION
BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION
BRICK LINED WALLS
BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?
CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION
CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
COMBUSTION AIR for TIGHT BUILDINGS
CRAWL SPACES
  Crawl Space Dryout Procedures
  Crawl Space Safety Advice
  Crawlspace Mold Advice
  Media Blasting for Mold Removal
  Mold on Dirt Floors
DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS
DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE
ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR
ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS
ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES
ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT CASE STUDY
ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT LEAK SEALING GUIDE
ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT OPTIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
FIBERGLASS INSULATION
FIBERGLASS HAZARDS
FIBERGLASS MOLD
FIREPLACE Damage & Unsafe Hearths - Settlement
FLAT ROOF MOISTURE & CONDENSATION
FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
FLOODS IN BUILDINGS-mold
FLOORING TYPES & DEFECTS
FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING
FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION
FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES
FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING
HEAT LOSS in BUILDINGS
HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS
HEAT LOSS INDICATORS
HEAT LOSS R U & K VALUE CALCULATION
Heat Tapes: Use on Roofs for Ice
HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS
HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET
ICE DAM PREVENTION
Ice Dams: Comparing Two Houses
INSULATION CHOICES
INSULATION FACT SHEET- DOE
INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
INSULATION LOCATION for BASEMENTS
INSULATION LOCATION for CAPES, CRAWLSPACES
INSULATION for GREENHOUSE or SOLARIUM
INSULATION MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
INSULATION MOLD
  MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
  Mold Growth Resistance of Foam Insulation
INSULATION R-Values & Properties
INSULATION & VENTILATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT
  ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE
  Air Bypass Leaks, Thermal Tracking
  Blocked Soffit Intake Vents
  BRICK VENEER WALL INSULATION
  CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION
  ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS
  ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES
  ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT CASE STUDY
  ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT LEAK SEALING GUIDE
  ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT OPTIONS
  FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION
  FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES
  Inspect Attics for Moisture or Mold
  Inspect Basements for Moisture or Mold
  Inspect Building Exterior
  Inspect the Ridge Vent System from the Attic
  Inspect the Soffit Vent System from the Attic
  Insulation Air & Heat Leaks
  INSULATION R-Values & Properties
  Insulation Values of Log Home Walls
  POLYISOCYANURATE FOAM INSULATION
  POLYSTYRENE FOAM INSULATION
  RADIANT BARRIERS
  RIGID FOAM USE INDOORS
  Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation UFFI
  URETHANE FOAM Deterioration, Outgassing
  Vermiculite Insulation
LOG HOME GUIDE
MOBILE HOME INSPECTIONS
MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS
  Attic Moisture or Mold Sources
  BASEMENT HEAT LOSS
  BASEMENT LEAKS Moisture or Mold
  BASEMENT WATERPROOFING
  Chimney Leaks
  CRAWL SPACE Dryout Procedures
  DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS
  DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE
  EFFLORESCENCE, Salts & White / Brown Deposits
  FLOOD Damage Assessment & Repairs
  FLOOD DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS
  FLOOD VENTS
  FLOODS IN BUILDINGS-priorities
  FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING
  HUMIDITY CONTROL & TARGETS INDOORS
  HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
  LOG HOME Leak Diagnosis & Cure
  LOG HOME Condensation &Moisture
  MOISTURE CALCULATIONS
  MOISTURE PROBLEMS: CAUSE & CURE
  MOLD in BUILDINGS
  Soffit Intake Vents & Attic Condensation
  WATER ENTRY in BUILDINGS
  VENTILATION DESIGN PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS
  WHOLE HOUSE VENTILATION Strategies
MOISTURE PROBLEMS: CAUSE & CURE
Mold Growth Resistance of Foam Insulation
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
  MOLD PREVENTION
  MOLD RESISTANT DRYWALL
  MOLD ON or IN CARPETS
  CARPET TEST GUIDE
  MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS
ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE
PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION
PLASTER & BEAVERBOARD & DRYWALL
RADIANT BARRIERS
RADIANT HEAT
RADIANT HEAT Floor Mistakes to Avoid
RADIANT SLAB FLOORING CHOICES
RADIANT SLAB TUBING & FLUID CHOICES
ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS
  Inspect the Ridge Vent System from the Attic
  Inspect the Soffit Vent System from the Attic
  Insulation Air & Heat Leaks
  Roof Venting: Intake - Outlet Area Ratios
  Roof Venting: Proper Locations
  Roof Venting: Both Ridge & Eaves Venting Needed
  Roof Venting: Eaves Intake if no Overhang
  Roof Venting: Soffit Intake Vent-Continuous
  Roof Venting: Un-Vented Roof Solutions
  ROOF VENTING ENERGY SAVING DETAILS
  ROOF VENTING NEEDED?
  Soffit Ventilation
ROT, FUNGUS, TERMITES
  TERMITE SHIELDS vs TERMITICIDE
ROT, TIMBER FRAME
SAFETY HAZARDS & INSPECTIONS
SEARS KIT HOUSES
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
  PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN METHOD
  PASSIVE SOLAR HEAT PERFORMANCE
  PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS
  SLAB INSULATION, PASSIVE SOLAR
  SOLAR COLLECTOR AIR or GAS COLLECTION
  SOLAR COLLECTOR FILMS
  SOLAR COLLECTOR WOOD HOUSINGS
  SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
  SOLAR HOT WATER HEATERS
  SOLAR HOUSE EVALUATION
SOUND CONTROL in BUILDINGS
STAIN DIAGNOSIS
STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS
STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION
STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS & DEFECTS
SUMP PUMPS GUIDE
THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS
THERMAL MASS in BUILDINGS
THERMAL MASS in UPSTAIRS
THERMAL TRACKING Indicates Heat Loss
VAPOR BARRIERS & AIR SEALING at BAND JOISTS
VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS
VAPOR BARRIERS & HOUSEWRAP
VAPOR CONDENSATION & BUILDING SHEATHING
VENTILATION in BUILDINGS
  Air Bypass Leaks, Thermal Tracking
  ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE
  BATHROOM VENTILATION
  Blocked Soffit Intake Vents
  BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION
  BRICK VENEER WALL INSULATION
  CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION
  CRAWL SPACE VENTING & Dryout Procedures
  HEAT LOSS: How to Calculate Heat Loss in a Building
  HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
  HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET
  ICE DAM PREVENTION
  Inspect Attics for Moisture or Mold
  Inspect Basements for Moisture or Mold
  Inspect Building Exterior for Moisture Problems
  Inspect the Ridge Vent System from the Attic
  Inspect the Soffit Vent System from the Attic
  Insulation Air & Heat Leaks
  MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS
  MOISTURE CALCULATIONS
  MOISTURE PROBLEMS: CAUSE & CURE
  ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS
    Roof Venting: Intake - Outlet Area Ratios
    Roof Venting: Proper Locations
    Roof Venting: Both Ridge & Eaves Venting Needed
    Roof Venting: Eaves Intake if no Overhang
    Roof Venting: Soffit Intake Vent-Continuous
    Roof Venting: Un-Vented Roof Solutions
  ROOF VENTING ENERGY SAVING DETAILS
  ROOF VENTING NEEDED?
  Soffit Ventilation
  VENTILATION DESIGN PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS
  WHOLE HOUSE VENTILATION Strategies
WATER ENTRY in BUILDINGS
  ATTIC LEAKS Moisture or Mold
  BASEMENT HEAT LOSS
  BASEMENT LEAKS Moisture or Mold
  BASEMENT WATERPROOFING
  Chimney Leaks
  CRAWL SPACE Dryout Procedures
  DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS
  DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE
  EFFLORESCENCE, Salts & White / Brown Deposits
  FLOOD Damage Assessment & Repairs
  FLOOD DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS
  FLOOD VENTS
  FLOODS IN BUILDINGS-priorities
  FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING
  HUMIDITY CONTROL & TARGETS INDOORS
  HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
  LOG HOME Leak Diagnosis & Cure
  LOG HOME Condensation &Moisture
  MOISTURE CALCULATIONS
  MOISTURE PROBLEMS: CAUSE & CURE
  MOLD in BUILDINGS
  SEWAGE CONTAMINATION
  SUMP PUMPS GUIDE
  WATER ENTRY in BUILDINGS
WIND TURBINES
WINDOWS & DOORS
  SKYLIGHT LEAK DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
  SITE BUILT DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS
  SLOPED GLAZING DETAILS
  VERTICAL GLAZING DETAILS
  WINDOW / DOOR ENERGY EFFICIENT, DOE
WINTERIZE A BUILDING

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Our recommended books about building design, inspection, and repair, and about indoor environment testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
• ...

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• Ice Dam Leaks in building attics and roof cavities, how to inspect for evidence of leaks, identify causes, and correct bad attic ventilation, improper roof venting, and these causes of attic mold or roof structure damage
• Mobile Home Inspections common defects unique to factory built housing, inspection methods
• Mold Cleanup, How to clean or remove mold in buildings
• Mold Resistant Drywall is mold-resistant or "mold proof" Sheetrock^R from US Gypsum or Georgia Pacific worth it?
• Mold Prevention: Avoiding Mold Problems in Buildings by Using Mold-resistant Construction Products & Practices
• Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold, mold action plan, valid and invalid test methods, mold remediation
• Rot, fungus, termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, & other wood destroying organisms
• Stairways: A Checklist for Stair, Railing, Landing Safety Inspections
• Links to our list of additional information sources: Interior Defects in Buildings

InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.

The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems

Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab

Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.

Building Inspection, Problem Diagnosis, Forensic Investigation & Testing, Repair Consulting

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