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Elevated slab construction with no water sensitive materials on first level

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Builder's Guide to Hot-Humid Climates

Reference

The Builder's Guide provides the building industry with the latest and best practical information on how to apply building science principles to structures as systems in hot-humid climate regions.

Drain the Rain…On the Plane…the Drainage Plane, BSI–112

Reference

Report covering the rainwater performance of building assemblies.

Capillarity Sucks, BSI-123

Reference

Article describing the principle of capillarity in construction materials.

Understanding Drainage Planes, BSD-105

Reference

Guide providing information about controlling rainwater through use of drainage planes.

An uninsulated (or existing insulated) basement slab is retrofitted to reduce moisture transmission by sealing with epoxy paint.

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Brick wall assembly for a hot-humid climate with no Class I vapor retarder and with an air gap (drained cavity) to dissipate vapor driven into the wall by the sun.

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Right – Two-thirds of acrylic tape is offset above the joint and over and above the fasteners

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Wrong: Closed-cell spray foam roof insulation was not thick enough to meet IRC levels so the foam surface is colder than the dew point of the interior air and condensation formed on surface of the foam

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Right – two-thirds of the blue butyl flashing tape is above the sheathing seam; the top edge of the butyl flashing tape is covered with clear sheathing tape that is also offset so two-thirds is above the top edge of the butyl flashing.

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Cement Board Installed behind Tile and Panel Tub and Shower Enclosures

Guide

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

Class I Vapor Retarders Not Installed in Above-Grade Walls in Warm-Humid Climate

Guide

Guide describing vapor retarder permeability, insulation interaction, and example construction in a hot-humid climate.

Water-Resistant Flooring

Guide

Guide describing appropriate flooring for wet areas of the home.

Flooding Overview

Information Guide

Overview guide describing residential floodproofing steps.