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Water Management of Existing Basement Floor

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

Water Management of Existing Crawlspace Floor

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

Water Managed Existing Sill Beams and Sill Plates

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.

Below-Grade Water Management for Urban Sites

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

Water Managed Roof – Re-roofing and Adding Insulation over a Flat Roof

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

Water Managed Roof – Re-roofing and Adding Insulation Over a Sloped Roof

Guide describing how to re-roof an existing home with a sloped and add insulation above the roof deck.

Managing Indoor Humidity and Ventilation in Cold Weather

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

Flashing of Penetrations in Existing Roofs

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.

Flashing of Wall Penetrations in Existing Homes

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.

Managing Snow Loads on Roofs and Decks

Guide describing how to construct homes and decks to manage heavy snow loads in winter weather.

Existing Skylights Repaired or Replaced and Fully Flashed

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

Flashing of Roof-Wall Intersections in Existing Homes

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

Insulation for Existing Crawl Space Floors

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

Exterior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

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

Spray Foam Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate an existing foundation wall by adding spray foam insulation to the interior side of the wall.

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed over Existing Foundation Slabs

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

Multi-Family Water Metering

Guide describing water metering in multi-family buildings.

Above Deck Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide describing the installation of insulating sheathing above the roof deck on existing homes. This retrofit assembly is appropriate for homes with conditioned attics or where the retrofit is intended to create a conditioned attic.

Water-Resistant Flooring

Guide describing appropriate flooring for wet areas of the home.

Adding Boiler Controls to an Existing Boiler in Multifamily Buildings

Guide describing the installation of boiler controls in multifamily housing.

Spray Foam Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to insulate the walls of an existing home with spray foam insulation.

Service Water Pressure

Guide describing service water pressure requirements for EPA's WaterSense Program.

Vinyl Siding with Integrated Rigid Foam for Existing Walls

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

Water Softeners

Guide describing how to determine an efficient and effective water softener.

Rigid Foam Board Insulation for Existing Band Joists

Guide describing principles of insulating and air sealing band joists as a stand alone energy upgrade, or as part of creating a closed crawlspace.

Blown Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

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

Steam System Balancing for Multifamily Existing Buildings

Guide describing best practice venting strategies for existing steam heating systems in multifamily buildings.

Water-Efficient Landscape Design

Guide describing how to design a water-efficient landscape that will minimize the need for supplemental water by using the WaterSense® Water Budget Tool.

Water Heater Elevated and Secured

Guide describing how to elevate a water heater above the base flood elevation to protect it from flood damage.

Rigid Foam Board Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate closed crawlspace walls and band joist areas with rigid foam board insulation.

Retrofit of Existing Roofs for Hurricane, High Wind, and Seismic Resistance

Guide describing ways to retrofit an existing roof to increase its resistance to damage during hurricanes, high winds, and earthquakes.

Anti-Freeze – Solar Hot Water

This measure guide describes basic steps for designing and installing an indirect (anti-freeze) solar hot water system.

Gas-Fired Tankless Water Heaters

Guide describing the installation of a tankless hot water heater to provide domestic hot water that is heated on demand without the standby losses associated with tank storage water heaters.

Whole House Ventilation Strategies for Existing Homes

Guide describing how to select and install whole-house ventilation systems for existing homes.

No Visible Signs of Water Damage or Mold on Materials

Guide describing how to correctly choose building materials.

Central Heat Pump Water Heaters for Multifamily Buildings

Guide providing an overview of central heat pump water heater applications in multifamily buildings.

Patio Slabs, Porch Slabs, Walkways, and Driveways Slope Away from House

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

Sump Pump Cover Gasket

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

Flashing at Bottom of Exterior Walls

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

Final Grade Slopes Away from Foundation

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

Drain or Sump Pump Installed in Basements or Crawlspaces

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

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

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

Footing Drain Pipe

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

Insert Replacement Window

Guide describing how to insert a replacement window in an existing home.

Window Sash Retrofit

Guide describing how to modify an existing window sash for high-efficient windows.

Cement Board Installed behind Tile and Panel Tub and Shower Enclosures

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

Capillary Break at Crawlspace Floors - Polyethylene Lapped Up Walls and Piers or Secured in the Ground

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

Complete Window and Frame Replacement

Guide describing a complete window replacement in existing homes.

Window Rehabilitation

Guide describing how to rehab a window in an existing home.

Window Sash Replacement

Guide describing how to replace a window sash in an existing home.

Building Materials with High Moisture Content Not Enclosed

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

Step and Kick-Out Flashing at Roof-Wall Intersections

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

Windows and Doors are Fully Flashed

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

Capillary Break Beneath Slab - Polyethylene Sheeting or Rigid Insulation over Aggregate or Sand and Geotextile Mat

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.

Drainage Plane Behind Exterior Wall Cladding

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

Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

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

Roof Deck Sheathing and Sealing for Sloped Roofs

Guide describing requirements for sheathing and sealing the roof decking in accordance with the requirements of the IBHS Fortified Home Program's Hurricane and High Wind Standards, and other roofing considerations to increase the roof's disaster resistance.

Gutters and Downspouts

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

Condensing HVAC has Corrosion-Resistant Condensate Drain Pan

Guide describing how to install a corrosion-resistant drain pan in condensate-producing HVAC equipment.

Mulching

Guide describing how to properly apply mulch to landscaping.

Air Sealed, Insulated Basements

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.

Bathroom Faucets

Guide describing how to select efficient bathroom faucets for single-family homes and multifamily buildings.

Chimneys Connected to Roof Structure

Guide providing information about flashing around a chimney to protect the intersection of the roof and chimney walls from water intrusion and anchoring of a chimney to prevent collapse in high winds.

Roof Eaves Sealed with Self-Adhering Membrane in Cold Climates

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

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

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

Erosion Control for Slopes, Stream Banks, and Dunes

Guide describing methods for short-term control of erosion during construction and long-term measures for controlling erosion on sloped sites or sites with river banks or shore lines.

Swales, Drains, and Site Grading for Stormwater Control

Guide describing the use of swales, French drains, and site grading to minimize saturation of foundations and ponding of stormwater runoff on sites.

Low-Slope ("Flat") Roofs

A guide describing how to install low-sloped ("flat") roofs with insulation above the roof deck that resist wind pressures during high-wind events.

Asphalt Shingle Roofs

Guide discussing disaster resistance related to asphalt shingle roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.

Emergency Supplies Storage

Guide describing space planning for emergency supplies storage.

No Vapor Retarders on Interior Side of Air-Permeable Foundation 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.

Cisterns for Fire Suppression

Guide describing construction of cisterns for fire suppression installed on private residential property.

Fuel Tanks Anchored for Disaster Resistance

Guide describing fuel tank anchoring practices for disaster resistance.

Indoor Sprinklers for Fire Protection

Guide describing the design and installation of indoor automatic fire sprinklers in residential settings.

Oil-Fired Boilers

Guide describing oil-fired boilers and hot water heat distribution systems used for home heating.

Condensing Boilers

Guide describing condensing boilers and hot water heat distribution systems used for home heating.

Pest-Resistant Ground Cover at Foundation Perimeter

Guide describing methods for installing pest-resistant ground cover around foundations to resist borrowing rodents and other pests.

Basement Blanket Insulation

Guide describing Installing blanket fiberglass insulation on the interior walls of a conditioned, unfinished basement as an alternative to best practice solutions.

Condensation Control for Walls in Cold Weather

Guide describing ways to construct wall assemblies in cold climates to minimize the likelihood of condensation formation inside the walls.

Gas-Fired Boilers

Guide describing gas-fired boilers and hot water heat distribution systems used for home heating.

Air Sealing Doors Adjacent to Unconditioned Space

Guide describing how to air-seal doors that are next to unconditioned spaces.

Air Sealing Plumbing and Piping

Guide describing how to air-seal around plumbing and piping penetrations through walls, ceilings, and floors.

Unvented, Insulated Crawlspaces

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.

Roof/Attic to Exterior Wall Air Control Upgrade

Guide outlining how to retrofit an exterior wall and/or attic to provide continuous air sealing.

Construct Roofs and Attics for Ice Dam Prevention

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

Landscaping to Reduce Cooling Load

Guide describing ways to use landscaping to keep a home cooler.

Safe Rooms and Storm Shelters

Guide describing design for shelter-in-place spaces during windstorm storm events.

Inverter, Meter, and Shut-Off Mounting Surface for Solar PV Systems

Measure guide describing the need to install a mounting surface for equipment related to a future solar photovoltaic installation, and how to prepare a space for the installation.

Reduce Pest Intrusion

Guide describing ways builders can block off entry points and otherwise make homes inhospitable to all manner of pests.

Unvented Insulated Sloped Roofs

Guide describing construction of sloped roofs that are unvented and are insulated above the roof deck.

Walls Behind Showers and Tubs

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

Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) Testing

Guide describing how to conduct combustion appliance zone testing.

Flood-Resistant Raised-Slab Foundations

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

Roof Edge Protection

Guide describing designs and construction retrofits for roof assemblies to resist pressures at roof edges during high-wind events.

Metal Roofs

Guide discussing disaster resistance related to metal roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.

Framing of Gable Roof Overhangs

Guide describing construction of gable roof overhangs to resist uplift pressures in high winds.

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing

Guide describing continuous rigid insulation installation procedures to reduce thermal bridging and help provide thermal protection.

Combustion Furnaces

Guide describing combustion furnaces with selection and installation guidance.

Condensation Control in Attics and Roofs in Cold Weather

Guide describing causes of condensation in attics and roof assemblies during cold weather and ways to reduce this condensation.

Termite-Resistant Foundations and Walls

Guide describing techniques and measures for increasing the termite resistance of a home's foundations.