Water is a vital resource to our existence. We cannot survive without it, but there are some places we don’t want water. Over 90% of all damage to building components in structures is from water, which is why we implement building science best practices for all flashing details, drainage planes and rain screens, in order to help manage moisture.
Using proper building paper behind the siding is essential to keeping moisture out of the home. This is something your contractor should be aware of, but not all contractors are looking out for your best interest. Skimping out on building paper between the building envelope can cause some major water damage over time.
This is a direct result of vapor diffusion, or the transport of liquid through a solid. AKA: Water getting under the siding.
Great Lakes Carpentry understands the phenomena that wind and vapor driven moisture will find its way behind any cladding that we install, so we insure that we have a drainage plan beneath any siding that we install. We take it to the next level by installing a rain screen on top of the drainage plane (house wrap) in order to create a slight air gap that will allow this driven moisture to drain and then dry. We also make sure all flashing’s are installed in a fashion that will provide a drainage path away from any building components that could be compromised by moisture.
Proper ventilation in areas where there is high moisture, such as in the bathroom is crucial to expelling moisture out of the home. Water vapor in the air can cause just as much damage to wall assemblies. In cold climates, humidity in the home will find its way into wall cavities through unsealed openings, such as electrical outlets. As a result moisture builds inside the wall, where it can saturate exterior wall sheathing on the inside where mold can form contaminating the air. This water vapor can soak framing members and cause rot. Wet wood also attracts termites and carpenter ants, as they need wood to be moist for digestion.
Air-sealing the home is every bit as critical as exterior moisture management.
This is what happens when building paper is not installed between wall sheathing and cladding.
As a green building expert, Great Lakes Carpentry understands and implements building science principals in all that we do. By installing these building practices, we increase durability of all exterior components to framing, sheathing, and siding to exterior coatings of paint or stain.
If you have any questions about how to prevent moisture in your home or need some moisture damage repaired, don’t hesitate to contact us! Visit our website, find us Facebook, or find us Twitter!
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