Roofs, Attics & Ceilings -

Water Management

Guide describing how to insulate a basement to improve the overall thermal performance of the building and provide more dry, usable conditioned space for home occupants and for HVAC equipment.

Guide describing blown insulation into exterior wall cavities of existing homes with minimal disruption to occupants.

Guide describing how to avoid using wet materials and reduce moisture exposure in construction.

Guide describing how to install a capillary break to help manage moisture in foundations.

Guide describing how to create a capillary break at all crawlspace floors using polyethylene sheeting to manage moisture in crawlspaces.

Guide describing how to install a capillary break under a slab foundation using either polyethylene sheeting or rigid insulation installed over aggregate or over sand and geotextile matting.

Guide describing how to install moisture-resistant materials on walls behind showers and tubs to help manage moisture.

Vapor retarders can be a crucial part of the building envelope and can help manage moisture issues to keep the home dry. However, before installing a vapor retarder, installers must be aware that in some instances vapor retarders can increase the likelihood of condensation issues.

Guide describing how ice dams form and how roofs can be constructed to prevent them.

This guide describes installation procedures for continuous rigid insulation to help provide thermal protection and reduce thermal bridging; depending on the product it may also serve as structural sheathing, or the moisture control layer.

Guide describing how to apply water management strategies to below grade walls.

Guide describing construction and insulation techniques for double wall framing.

Guide describing installation of sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.

Guide describing installation of a fully sealed continuous weather resistant barrier to provide a drainage plane to keep rainwater out of above-grade walls.

Guide describing how to repair or replace skylights in existing homes.

Guide describing how to insulate a new foundation wall or an existing foundation wall by adding rigid insulation to the exterior side.

Guide describing how to properly grade a site so water will flow away from the foundation.

Guide describing how to apply flashing to the bottom of exterior walls to create a continuous drainage plane.

Guide describing how to provide a continuous water control layer across the roof assembly by sealing all penetrations for pipes, vents, etc. in existing roofs.

Guide describing how to install and properly integrate flashing at the intersection of the wall and roof on an existing home.

Guide describing how to install flashing that is integrated with air and water control layers around piping, vents, and other wall penetrations as part of an exterior wall retrofit.

Guide describing how to help drain water away from the perimeter footing.

Guide describing the installation of gutters, downspouts, and alternate options for managing rainwater run-off from roofs.

Guide describing how to install insulated concrete forms to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.

Guide describing insulation of piping in exterior walls.

Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.

Vapor retarder plastic should not be installed over fibrous insulation on basement or crawlspace walls unless rigid foam or spray foam is installed directly against the concrete, behind the blanket insulation.

Guide describing how to correctly choose building materials.

Guide describing how to correctly slope solid surfaces outside a home so rainwater flows away from the home.

Guide describing how to apply an air control layer directly over existing wall sheathing and cover with two layers of insulating sheathing held in place by vertical furring strips.

Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.

Guide describing how to apply heavy membranes at eaves in cold climates to help guard against ice dams.

Guide describing how to install step and kick-out flashing on roofs.

Guide describing how to install stucco over rigid foam insulaiton in new and existing homes.

Guide describing the need for covers on sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.

Guide describing techniques for installing insulating sheathing as a continuous drainage plane on walls.

Guide describing methods for insulating an unvented crawlspace or conditioned basement with rigid foam on the interior side of the walls to provide an insulated space for HVAC equipment.

Guide describing the design and installation considerations for recladding of above grade walls using insulated vinyl siding.

This guide describes how to install a rigid air barrier to walls behind showers and tubs.

Guide describing how to insulate the sill beam or sill plate on the exterior side in a way that allows drying to the exterior, as part of an exterior wall upgrade.

Guide describing an approach to re-roofing an existing flat roof to improve thermal, water, and air control performance.

Guide describing how to re-roof an existing home with a sloped roof.

Guide describing how to retrofit an existing basement floor or slab to reduce moisture issues.

Guide providing information about treating bulk water drainage issues and moisture control measures in existing basements and crawl spaces.

Guide describing appropriate flooring for wet areas of the home.

Guide describing how to install flashings to help direct water down and out of windows and doors openings in exterior walls.