Roof leaks and even water in wall assemblies is not good for the building. The first reaction is let’s fix the leak, but then you realize that it is not raining. If there is no rain, you should not get bulk water entry. We overlook the real reason for water in building assemblies because we do not consider all means of moisture transport. Many people then jump to the conclusion that the material used as a water restive barrier does not have a high enough Perm rating. This presentation will cover all the ways that moisture moves in a building, show why you should not rely on the Perm rating of a single material and show you where you will get thousands of gallons of water into the building envelope.

Learning Objectives:

1.  Determine how moisture moves in building envelopes
2.  List top two reasons why moisture shows up in buildings
3.  Explain why water vapor transmission rate is overrated
4.  Discuss why moisture problems in buildings will grow

Laverne Dalgleish

Executive Director, Air Barrier Association of America

Mr. Laverne Dalgleish is the Executive Director of the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA). As such, he works to champion energy conservation in buildings while educating the building owners and designers about the benefits of energy conservation such as durability, comfort, reduced maintenance, reduced HVAC equipment costs and the positive impact on the environment.

Mr. Dalgleish travels North America on a weekly basis to educate building owners and designers on the benefits of effective and working air barrier systems in buildings. This education mission includes working with standards development organizations, training and education groups, government policy departments, and quality assurance program developers for the construction industry. Mr. Dalgleish is the Secretariat of two ISO Committees, ISO TC61 SC10 Cellular Plastics and ISO TC163 SC3 Thermal Insulation Products. He is also Chair of the ULC Thermal Performance in the Building Environment Standards Committee.

Mr. Dalgleish was the key developer of the ABAA Quality Assurance Program for the installation of air barrier systems in buildings. This program is based on ISO9000 and ISO 12576-2 but brings the ISO requirements together with practical applications for the air barrier industry.