Guides A-Z

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 HVAC equipment.

Guide describing methods to manage groundwater in and around urban multifamily buildings.

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 provide a strong continuous load path from the roof through the wall to the foundation to ensure a structurally sound building and increase racking resistance in hurricanes, high winds, tornados, and earthquakes.

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

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

Guide describing how to install slab edge insulation when retrofitting existing slab-on-grade foundations.

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 design or retrofit a crawlspace to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.

Guide describing how to construct flood-resistant homes using pier, pile, post, or column foundations.

Guide describing ways to construct a raised-slab foundation to increase a home's resistance to floods.

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

Guide describing sizing and installation of foundation heat exchangers, which can be connected to a heat pump system used for spacing conditioning as well as domestic water heating.

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

Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with basement foundations, crawlspace foundations, or crawlspace foundations with a "cripple" wall.

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

Guide describing steps to take to minimize indoor humidity in preparation for cold winter weather.

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 slope solid surfaces outside a home so rainwater flows away from the home.