White Paper: "Moisture Problems in the Home"

Condensation can be a problem in both winter and summer.

Three conditions in the home increase the chances that condensation will occur. The first of these is a relatively recent phenomenon. Many homeowners have added insulation to cut heat loss and heat gain, while others have caulked and weather-stripped around windows and doors to reduce the infiltration of cold air into their homes. The same practices that trap heat in the home also trap high levels of moisture.

A second common condition contributing to moisture problems in Ohio homes is the existence of cool surfaces with which interior moisture vapor naturally
comes in contact. In less energy-efficient homes, certain locations are prime candidates for condensation problems because they commonly have cool surfaces. These include poorly weatherized and insulated windows (in winter), poorly insulated exterior walls and ceilings (winter), masonry or concrete surfaces (summer), toilet tanks
(summer) and cold water pipes (summer).

A third condition contributing to household condensation problems is excessively high humidity levels in the air within the home. The normal indoor humidity range in winter is 15 to 50 percent. In the summer, the humidity range may be higher because of the higher outdoor humidity levels we sometimes experience then.
         

High Humidity Level Problems

The first step to be taken in attempting to control condensation problems is simply to reduce the level of humidity in the inside air. During the winter, the humidity level you will want to attempt to achieve in your home will depend on the outside temperature. As outside temperatures drop, you need to lower inside relative humidity levels to minimize condensation. Monitor the interior surfaces of double-pane windows
during winter. If running water (condensation) is apparent on them, the interior relative humidity level is too high and should be lowered. Levels to achieve in summer are somewhat more arbitrary---they depend mainly on how uncomfortable you
are in high humidity conditions.

Summer Problems

During the summer, one of the major functions of an air conditioner, in addition to cooling warm interior air, is removing humidity from the home. A second alternative available to lower summertime humidity levels is to purchase and operate a dehumidifier. If humidity levels remain high in winter, you may need to run it then, too. Though both air conditioners and dehumidifiers are effective solutions to excessive moisture problems, they are relatively expensive to buy and costly to operate. Expect increases in your electricity bills during the months you use them.        

Houses on Crawl Spaces

In homes built on crawl spaces, evaporation of moisture from the earth is a major source of household humidity. The high levels of humidity in crawl spaces can
be a problem in both summer and winter. Foul odors in the home or crawl space, mold and mildew growth in the interior of the home (especially in closets) and growth
of fungi in the crawl space itself are signs of the problem. Covering the crawl space ground with a vapor retarder (polyethylene or heavy plastic sheets available
at lumberyards) is crucial in preventing moisture problems in crawl space homes. In addition to a vapor retarder covering the ground, crawl spaces should be
provided with adequate natural ventilation to facilitate air movement throughout the space.

If a vapor retarder is present in the crawl space, 1 square foot of free vent
area is required for every 1,500 square feet of crawl space ground area. Without a vapor retarder present, 1 square foot of free vent area is required for every 150
square feet of crawl space ground area. Most crawl space vents include louvers and/or screens to prevent the entry of insects and small animals. These coverings slow
air circulation and cut down on the vent's effectiveness. Thus, you will need to double the amount of ventilation needed in most cases to compensate for this reduction.
Locate vents near corners and across from one another to facilitate air movement through the crawl space.

Attic Ventilation

Adequate natural ventilation is important in the attics of homes as well. If a vapor retarder is not present in the ceiling to slow migration of moisture from the home's interior into the attic, attics require 1square foot of free vent area for each 150 square feet of attic area. An exception occurs when the attic vents are located in a high/low configuration (i.e., half of the vent area in the eave/soffit area and the other half in
the roof ridge area). In that case, 1 square foot for each 300 square feet is adequate. If a vapor retarder is present in the ceiling, attics require 1 square foot of free vent area for each 300 square feet of attic area.

A number of types of vents are available to provide attic ventilation. As with crawl space vents, most include louvers or screens to prevent the entry of insects and rodents, and these coverings slow air circulation. Therefore, twice the amount of ventilation is needed in most cases to compensate for this reduction. With or without a vapor retarder, circulation of the air throughout the attic space would be more effective if the vent openings were distributed equally between low areas (eave and soffit) and high areas (roof ridge).       

Mechanical Ventilation

A final method to reduce interior humidity levels is to control in-home sources of moisture vapor generation. The kitchen, bath, laundry and utility room are primary
moisture generation locations. Consider installing exhaust fans or vents in both the kitchen and the bathroom if they are not present. The vents should be ducted directly to the exterior of the home rather than to an attic or some interior space. Clothes dryers should always be vented to the outside as well. Removing moisture and depositing it outside is an effective way to control condensation problems in both winter and summer months.

Three additional sources of moisture periodically cause problems for homeowners: humidifiers, new construction or remodeling, and malfunctioning combustion
appliances. In less energy-efficient homes, cool surfaces are readily available for water vapor to condense and collect on. Warming these surfaces by adding insulation or
cutting down on the amount of cold air that can get to them by caulking and weather-stripping will lessen condensation problems.

Window Surface Problems

Condensation on window surfaces in cool or cold months can be controlled by adding layers of glass in the form of storm windows or using double- or triple- glazed
window units, installing a plastic film on the outside or inside of the window frame (a less expensive way to add storm window protection), repairing broken glass, and
sealing any leaks in and around the window with weather-stripping and caulking on both the inside and outside.      

Exterior Peeling Paint and Ceiling/Wall Discoloration Problems

Peeling exterior paint and discolored interior walls and ceilings (usually in the form of mold or mildew growth) are good indications that condensation is occurring inside wall cavities and attics. During winter, cold outside air collects in these areas and can cool
attic, ceiling, wall cavity and interior wall surfaces to the point where condensation occurs. Adding insulation to these areas will warm these surfaces and thus help
prevent condensation. Vapor retarders should be used in conjunction with the added insulation to prevent the migration of vapor into these areas from the interior of
the home. Note: specially formulated vapor retarder paints are available on the market. They seem to be the least expensive and the easiest way to create a vapor
retarder on the winter warm side of the ceiling or wall when insulation is added to these areas.

Sealing Interior Cracks and Holes

When you add insulation, be sure to repair, caulk or weather-strip any holes or cracks in ceilings, walls and floors and along baseboards. These are prime areas for
moisture migration to occur. Moisture vapor moves with air, and any cracks or holes that allow air to flow freely through them are potential trouble spots. Recent
findings indicate that the sealing of these small, often overlooked areas can be a major factor in solving moisture problems occurring in attics and wall cavities.  


Basement Wall Condensation Problems

Adding insulation to basement walls has advantages similar to adding it to wall cavities and the ceiling: it eliminates cold surfaces where condensation can occur,
and it cuts energy costs. Basement walls are often insulated by adding furring strips to the walls and installing rigid or batt insulation between the furring strips. If you use batt insulation, install a vapor retarder such as polyethylene film on the winter warm
side of the batt insulation to prevent future moisture migration into it. To achieve a finished effect, place drywall over the vapor retarder. (Note: There is some
question about using a second layer of polyethylene when batt insulation is used on basement walls.) Rigid insulation is relatively impervious to water and moisture vapor damage. Therefore, it does not require the addition of a vapor retarder over or behind it when it is added to basement walls. As with batt insulation, drywall can and should be used over rigid insulation to provide a finished look and, in accordance with building codes, to provide a fire protective covering over the material that separates it from a habitable living space.

Keep in mind, too, that if condensation is occurring in the basement during
humid summer weather, windows and doors to the basement should be closed to help keep the humid air out. Open doors and windows when outside humidity levels are low to introduce dry air into the basement.

Toilet Tank and Water Pipe Surfaces

Toilet tank surfaces are another common place for condensation to occur, particularly during warm, humid months. Warm toilet tank surfaces by either installing rigid waterproof insulation on the inside of the tank or adding a mixing valve to the cold water supply line. This introduces hot water into the tank water supply and can
help warm the tank to a level that prevents condensation. Install tubular or wrap insulation around water pipes to prevent condensation there.        


Seepage or Leakage

Seepage or leakage problems commonly occur in the basement or crawl space in the early spring when snow and ice are melting and frost is beginning to leave the ground. They can also occur in the spring, summer and fall during and after heavy rains. Seepage in a basement is the slow (non-pressurized) movement of groundwater through the basement walls. It may appear as a damp spot in an isolated area or in many spots. Leakage, on the other hand, is the fast (pressurized) movement of groundwater through the wall. In the case of leakage, the entry routes for the water are cracks or joints in the wall; with seepage, the water migrates through pores in the wall material.

Two conditions must exist for seepage or leakage to occur. First, the soil near the basement or foundation walls must be wet or saturated. Second, the basement or foundation wall must have a weak spot where water infiltration can occur.

Wet or saturated soil near basement walls can have several causes: improper disposal of roof water runoff, poor surface drainage away from the house, separation
between the basement or foundation wall and the soil surrounding it (this crack acts like a funnel), window wells collecting rainwater, lawn sprinklers located too
close to the house, an inadequate belowground footing drain system or a high water table. Once the soil is wet or saturated, cracks, weak joints or pores in the masonry
provide a route through the basement or foundation wall. Alleviate wet or saturated soil near the basement walls by minimizing or eliminating the moisture at its source.
If the seepage or leakage is occurring through a small, visible crack, use a wire brush to clean the crack and fill it with mortar cement or hydraulic cement.

For larger cracks, chisel out a dovetail groove and clean and fill the groove with either mortar or hydraulic cement. If leakage is heavy or under pressure, you may need to install weep pipes to direct the leakage to a sump pump or drain. A professional may have to be hired to help with these methods.

An additional solution for serious basement moisture seepage/leakage problems is installing a footing drain tile system around the exterior walls. While this is
being done, the exterior side of the foundation walls should be waterproofed. This solution involves excavating the soil around the exterior walls, installing a footing
drain tile system, waterproofing the wall, backfilling with clean and porous material, and sloping the backfill away from the walls.

Contact your local township or city building official to secure information about discharge of footing drain tile water. Finding solutions to moisture problems, be they
condensation or water problems, is often a difficult, time-consuming and expensive undertaking. The first step in any situation is to identify the source of the problem. This may not be easy because two and often more things may be working together to create the problem.

Summary

Once you know the source, rethink the basics about condensation and/or water problems. What are the no cost or low-cost solutions you can try first? Can the solution(s) attempted help you in other ways in addition to solving the moisture problem? The addition of storm windows, for example, can cut heating costs as well as
help prevent fogging or icing of windows. In such a case, the cost of the solution may be well justified. In some cases, you may find you have to rely on outside help,
such as contractors, engineers or architects.

Do look into the backgrounds of these people to ensure that you are getting the best help available and that the solutions they offer will indeed solve the problems.