This image shows the potential effects of water intrusion in your home, this chimney was full of moisture, and so heavily deteriorated that there was a risk of collapse. This was caused by a couple of the more commonly known water intrusion issues. Improper flashings and a missing chimney cap, but did you know even if your home does not have any missing flashings, roof leaks, or plumbing leaks there is many other ways moisture may still enter your home!

there are a few sneaky ways moisture may intrude into your home through water vapor. The most common, and most damaging form of water intrusion is caused by air movement (this accounts for over 98% of all water vapor movement in building cavities). Air naturally moves from areas of high pressure, to areas of low pressure, generally through gaps or holes in the building envelope. This includes any gaps leading from the conditioned home to the non-conditioned space such as an attic or garage. Moisture transfer from air movement is very fast - in the range of several hundred cubic feet of air per minute. A one inch hole or gap between a conditioned and non-conditioned area can allow up to 30 quarts of water to enter through the wall per year!

Another sneaky way water may enter your home is through capillary action (also called rising damp), this happens when water is wicked up from the water saturated ground into your home. Concrete and brick construction are very porous this is usually where capillary action is found. This is why vapor barriers, gravel fill, weep holes, drainage planes, and other proper construction techniques are required when it comes to keeping moisture out of your home.

Vapor diffusion is also a factor that may let water enter your home. This happens when water molecules move through a surface due to differences in vapor pressure (most building materials allow some vapor diffusion). This is why properly installed vapor barriers are important, these slow down vapor diffusion, and help prevent water from condensing inside of building cavities.

Here are five general tips in preventing moisture intrusion issues and energy loss within your home:

[1] Seal any and all gaps between conditioned and non-conditioned areas in your home, common places include attics, garages, basements and exterior walls.

[2] Ensure your home has enough insulation where necessary, the insulation is installed correctly, and a vapor barrier is installed correctly.

[3] Take a look at the grading around your home, the ground around your home should slope down and away from the home at a minimum rate of 6" in the first 10 feet.

[4] Take a look at your gutters, they should slope towards downspouts. Water should not be leaking behind gutters or overshooting them, downspouts should extend 6 feet away from the home. No downspouts should discharge water onto your roof.

[5] Ensure all exhaust fans discharge to the exterior of the home (bathroom fans, kitchen fans, dryer exhaust), these connections should be tight fitting with no gaps or holes in them.

Written by, Spencer Troxell

Assured Inspections LLC

spencer@assuredinspectionsllc.net

240-469-7519