Building on a strong foundation has been a well-recognized principle of construction for thousands of years, but we still continue to violate the concept. One of the most violated areas of below-grade construction is the failure to include moisture management. Joseph Cubby said, “Learn the past. Decide the present. Build the future.”
One of the key components of sustainable homes and buildings is a thermally efficient and dry building envelope that minimizes the leakage of air through the home. Air leaks in walls and attics decrease occupant comfort by permitting the entrance of cold or hot air, depending on the season.
Water testing is complicated and as a contractor, if you have never had to be subjected to it, you can count yourself lucky. Water testing has made exterior plaster and EIFS work anything but business as usual.
As building materials and methods become better at sealing air leaks, the question arises, “How tight is too tight?” In terms of energy efficiency, one cannot build too tightly. Reducing air leakage is critical to lowering heating and cooling energy consumption.
