Our walls are wetter than they’ve ever been. This is not because the physics have changed, but because new construction practices are not as easily allowing the moisture that’s getting in, to get out. We have a growing need for increased R-values in our building assemblies along with a steep reduction in air movement through the wall. While these efforts are great from an energy-efficiency standpoint, the lower rate of drying is now presenting our industry with new challenges that cannot be neglected; once these walls get wet, they are staying wet.
Not making things any easier is the advent of new business challenges: popular cladding products hold moisture, the rate of building failures due to moisture keeps increasing, building codes are driving tighter construction and enhanced energy efficiency, and there is a growing shortage of skilled labor and training available.