Tuesday, April 26, 2011
12:29 PM | 
Posted by
Domicile Consulting
Moisture intrusion can be the cause of building defects, as well as health ailments for the building's occupants.
Some common moisture-related problems include:- structural wood decay;
- high indoor humidity and resulting condensation;
- expansive soil, which may crack the foundation through changes in volume, or softened soil, which may lose its ability to support an overlying structure;
- undermined foundations;
- metal corrosion;
- ice dams; and
- mold growth. Mold can only grow in the presence of high levels of moisture. People who suffer from the following conditions can be seriously (even fatally) harmed if exposed to elevated levels of airborne mold spores:
- asthma;
- allergies;
- lung disease; and/or
- compromised immune systems
Moisture or water vapor moves into a house in the following ways:
- air infiltration. Air movement accounts for more than 98% of all water vapor movement in building cavities. Air naturally moves from high-pressure areas to lower ones by the easiest path possible, such as a hole or crack in the building envelope. Moisture transfer by air currents is very fast (in the range of several hundred cubic feet of air per minute). Replacement air will infiltrate through the building envelope unless unintended air paths are carefully and permanently sealed;
- by diffusion through building material. Most building materials slow moisture diffusion, to a large degree, although they never stop it completely;
- leaks from roof;
- plumbing leaks;
- flooding, which can be caused by seepage from runoff or rising groundwater; it may be seasonal or catastrophic; and
- human activities, including bathing, cooking, dishwashing and washing clothes. Indoor plants, too, may be a significant source of high levels of humidity.
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About Me
- Domicile Consulting
- Chicago, IL, United States
- Domicile Consulting’s Curriculum Vitae We have over 75 years of combined construction experience as carpenters, remodelers, engineering, insurance investigation, fire investigation and general contracting. We understand how buildings are put together and the materials and methods used. We are constantly and consistently educating ourselves in the latest construction methods and the ever expanding field of Building Science. Our most significant asset is the trust our clients place in us to educate them objectively about their property investment, whether residential or commercial. Here are some of their certifications and licenses: • State of Illinois Certified Home Inspection Education Provider • State of Illinois Licensed Home Inspector • Member of the American Society of Home Inspectors • Member of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors • Member of the National Fire Protection Association • Member of the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers • State of Illinois Certified Fire Investigator • RESNET and Building Performance Institute • National Air Balancing Institute Is YOUR inspector qualified?
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