Description
Guide describing how to retrofit an existing basement floor or slab to reduce moisture issues.
Showing results 1 - 55 of 55
Description
Guide providing information about treating bulk water drainage issues and moisture control measures in existing basements and crawl spaces.
Description
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.
Organization(s)
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
A builder checklist guide for the water management of properties with appropriately-designed building technologies.
Description
Guide describing methods to manage groundwater in and around urban multifamily buildings.
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing water management in a residential building.
Organization(s)
HIRL,
NAHB
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing design and construction practices to reduce the likelihood of water intrusion in walls and foundations in residential construction.
Description
Guide describing steps to take to minimize indoor humidity in preparation for cold winter weather.
Description
Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate a new foundation wall or an existing foundation wall by adding rigid insulation to the exterior side.
Organization(s)
UMN,
NorthernSTAR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Case study describing novel technique for installing exterior spray foam on foundation walls that uses high-pressure water sprayer and a “hydro vac” to remove dirt along the foundation wall.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate an existing foundation wall by adding spray foam insulation to the interior side of the wall.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report about the fundamental concepts that must be understood at the planning or initial nspection of existing homes regarding surface and ground water management.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.
Description
Guide describing steps that builders can take to reduce the likelihood of standing water and localized flooding around the foundation of a home during rainy conditions, with links to several full guides providing detailed instructions for improving water management in new and existing homes.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document providing information on basement insulation, air sealing and water management retrofits.
Publication Date
Organization(s)
UMN,
NSTAR
Description
Video describing an “excavationless” retrofit technique developed by the University of Minnesota to install exterior insulation around the foundation of an existing home by using high-pressure water to cut a trench through the dirt along the edge of a concrete foundation, remove the mud with a...
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet providing an overview of the FEMA document Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings.
Publication Date
Organization(s)
Cold Climate Housing Research Center,
CCHRC
Description
Video describing typical problems in crawl spaces and how to manage moisture and increase the energy performance in existing Alaskan homes.
Description
Guide describing how to correctly slope solid surfaces outside a home so rainwater flows away from the home.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document with important building science considerations, designed for members of the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers who work in affordable housing.
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
Applied Technology Council,
ATC,
URS Group,
DK Low and Associates,
Atkins,
TLSmith Consulting
Publication Date
Description
Volume 1 of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, and risk management for homes constructed in coastal environments.
Organization(s)
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Case study describing a basement retrofit of a 1916 home in Madison, Wisconsin that involved installing dimple drain mat and closed-cell spray foam on interior of basement wall and an interior footing drain to manage moisture before finishing an existing basement.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Case study describing foundation wall moisture studies at a research facility in Minnesota run by Building America team NorthernSTAR.
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
UMN,
NSTAR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Presentation describing the challenges of insulating an existing basement, presented to the Building America residential energy-efficiency stakeholder meeting.
Description
Guide describing the need for covers on sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.
Description
Guide describing how to properly grade a site so water will flow away from the foundation.
Organization(s)
HUD,
PATH,
NAHB Research Center
Publication Date
Description
Report describing how to construct a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as a practical alternative to a deeper, more-costly foundation in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave.
Description
Guide describing installation of sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.
Description
Guide describing how to help drain water away from the perimeter footing.
Description
Guide describing how to create a capillary break at all crawlspace floors using polyethylene sheeting to manage moisture in crawlspaces.
Organization(s)
PNNL,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 45 without PV and 32 with PV and is the first home in the world to use a tri-generation system to supply electricity, heating, and cooling on site.
Description
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.
Description
Guide describing the installation of gutters, downspouts, and alternate options for managing rainwater run-off from roofs.
Description
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.
Description
Information guide describing constructed flood protection measures to minimize damage and increase structural resilience during a flood.
Description
Guide describing the use of swales, French drains, and site grading to minimize saturation of foundations and ponding of stormwater runoff on sites.
Description
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.
Description
Guide describing techniques and measures for increasing the termite resistance of a home's foundations.