Moisture Control Handbook: Principles and Practices for Residential and Small Commercial Buildings - Hardcover

by Joseph Lstiburek (Author), John Carmody (Author)

In the climate-controlled buildings of today, moisture problemsaffect not only the useable life expectancy of the structure, butthe comfort and health of the occupants. This reference is thefirst to apply up-to-date moisture control and treatment techniquesin a problem/solution format. Opening with an introductoryexplanation of the nature and causes of mold, mildew, andcondensation, the book gives specific advice on heated, cooled, andcombination environments, plus a short course in the dynamics ofmoisture movement within buildings. Other invaluable coverageincludes:
* clear, detailed recommended practices for all United Statesclimates
* practices for cooling as well as heating climates (often, heatingclimate solutions are applied in cooling climates, where problemsand solutions are completely different)
* an overall, systematic view of moisture problems--including howmechanical systems and occupant lifestyles can create and alsoresolve moisture problems
* actual case studies of buildings with moisture problems thatillustrate the principles and practices presented in the book
This detailed, no-nonsense exploration of moisture cause andeffect--as well as its protection and remediation--will expandreaders' knowledge on this crucial subject. Moisture ControlHandbook will be welcomed by building contractors, architects, mechanical engineers, building science researchers, buildingproduct manufacturers, homeowners, and small commercial buildingowners.

Back Jacket

In the climate-controlled buildings of today, moisture problems affect not only the useable life expectancy of the structure, but the comfort and health of the occupants. This reference is the first to apply up-to-date moisture control and treatment techniques in a problem/solution format. Opening with an introductory explanation of the nature and causes of mold, mildew, and condensation, the book gives specific advice on heated, cooled, and combination environments, plus a short course in the dynamics of moisture movement within buildings. Other invaluable coverage includes:

• clear, detailed recommended practices for all United States climates
• practices for cooling as well as heating climates (often, heating climate solutions are applied in cooling climates, where problems and solutions are completely different)
• an overall, systematic view of moisture problems--including how mechanical systems and occupant lifestyles can create and also resolve moisture problems
• actual case studies of buildings with moisture problems that illustrate the principles and practices presented in the book

This detailed, no-nonsense exploration of moisture cause and effect--as well as its protection and remediation--will expand readers' knowledge on this crucial subject. Moisture Control Handbook will be welcomed by building contractors, architects, mechanical engineers, building science researchers, building product manufacturers, homeowners, and small commercial building owners.

Author Biography

About the Authors Joseph Lstiburek, an engineer, is a principal with Building Science Corporation in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. John Carmody, an architect, is Associate Director of the Underground Space Center at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.