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"Controlling Unwanted Moisture" an Historic Preservation Brief December 1, 2008


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Controlling Unwanted Moisture
in Historic Buildings

Sharon C. Park, AIA
Controlling Unwanted Moisture

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Introduction

Remedial Actions within an Historic Preservation Context

How and Where to Look for Damaging Moisture

        Factors Contributing to Moisture Problems

Looking for Signs

Uncovering and Analyzing Moisture Problems

        Above grade exterior moisture

        Below grade ground moisture

        Leaking plumbing pipes and mechanical equipment

        Interior moisture

        Moisture from maintenance and construction materials

Transport or Movement of Moisture

        Infiltration

        Capillary action

        Vapor diffusion

Surveying and Diagnosing Moisture Damage: Key Questions to Ask

        How is water draining around building and site?

        How does water/moisture appear to be entering the building?

        What are the principal moisture dynamics?

        How is the interior climate handling moisture?

        Does the moisture problem appear to be intermittent, chronic, or tied to specific events?

Selecting an Appropriate Level of Treatment

        Level I Preservation Maintenance

              Exterior

                    Roofing/guttering

                    Exterior Walls

                    Window and door openings

              Ground

                    Grade

                    Crawl space

                    Foliage

              Basements and foundations

                    Equipment

                    Piping/ductwork

              Interior

                    Plumbing pipes

                    Mechanical equipment

                    Cleaning

                    Ventilation

        Level II Repair and Corrective Action

              Exterior

                    Roofing

                    Exterior Walls

              Ground

                    Grade

                    Crawl space

              Foundations and Basements

                    Mechanical devices

                    Foundation Walls

                    Framing

              Interior

                    Plumbing

                    Ventilation

                    Climate

        Level III Replacement/Alterations For Chronically Damp Conditions

              Exterior

                    Roofs

                    Exterior Walls

                    Windows

              Ground

                    Grade

                    Foundations

                    Foundation Walls

              Interior

                    Windows and skylights

                    Mechanical systems

                    Control devices/Interior spaces

                    Interior Walls

Ongoing Care

Conclusion

Selected Reading

Glossary

        Air flow/infiltration

        Bulk water

        Capillary action

        Condensation

        Convection

        Dewpoint

        Diffusion

        Evaporation

        Ground moisture

        Monitoring instrumentation

        Permeability

        Relative humidity (RH)

        Survey instrumentation

Acknowledgments


Return to the Knowledge Base

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Selected Reading

  • Conrad, Ernest A., P.E. "The Dews and Don'ts of Insulating." Old-House Journal, May/June, 1996.
  • Cumberland, Don, Jr. "Museum Collection Storage in an Historic Building Using a Prefabricated Structure."
  • Preservation Tech Notes. Washington, DC: National Park Service, issue PTN-14. September, 1985.
  • Jessup, Wendy Claire, Ed. Conservation in Context: Finding a Balance for the Historic House Museum. Washington, DC: National Trust for Historic Preservation (Symposium Proceedings March 7-8, 1994).
  • Labine, Clem. "Managing Moisture in Historic Buildings" Special Report and Moisture Monitoring Source List. Traditional Building, Vol 9, No.2, May-June 1996.
  • Leeke, John. "Detecting Moisture; Methods and Tools for Evaluating Water in Old Houses." Old House Journal, May/June, 1996.
  • Moisture Control in Buildings. Heinz R. Trechsel, Editor. Philadelphia: American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM manual series: MNL 18), 1993.
  • Museums in Historic Buildings (Special Issue). APT Bulletin. The Journal of Preservation Technology, Vol 26, No. 3 . Williamsburg, VA: APT, 1996.
  • Oxley, T.A. and A. E. Gobert. Dampness in Buildings: Diagnosis, Treatment, Instruments. London, Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann, 1994.
  • Park, Sharon C. AIA. Preservation Brief 24: Heating, Ventilating, and Cooling Historic Buildings: Problems and Recommended Approaches. Washington, DC: Department of the Interior, Government Printing Office, 1991.
  • Park, Sharon C. AIA. Preservation Brief 31: Mothballing Historic Buildings. Washington, DC: Department of the Interior, Government Printing Office, 1993.
  • Rose, William. "Effects of Climate Control on the Museum Building Envelope," Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, Vol. 33, No. 2. Summer, 1994.
  • Smith, Baird M. Moisture Problems in Historic Masonry Walls; Diagnosis and Treatment. Washington, DC.: Department of the Interior, Government Printing Office, 1984.
  • Tolpin, Jim. "Builder's Guide to Moisture Meters," Tools of the Trade Vol 2, No. 1 (Quarterly Supplement to The Journal of Light Construction). Richmond, Vermont: Builderburg Group Inc. Summer, 1994.

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