BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Spray foam extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by adding dimple plastic drainage mat and rigid foam insulation.

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Construct exterior walls with insulated concrete forms (ICFs) that provide insulation without thermal bridging, as well as air sealing, a drainage plane, and high structural strength.

Publication Date

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 12:00

Furring strips provide a mounting surface for siding over the smart house wrap membrane which serves as a drainage plane over cork insulation installed on the exterior of this home.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/29/2021 - 12:00

Right – Vertical and horizontal furring strips are installed over a breathable membrane weather resistant barrier to create an air gap and drainage plane behind the wood siding that will be installed next.

Publication Date

Fri, 12/31/2021 - 12:00

Right - XPS foam insulation is attached to the existing exterior wall with wood furring strips that serve as a nail base for the siding and are installed vertically to allow for drainage and drying behind the siding

The exterior of the home is wrapped in a continuous layer of rigid foam with all seams taped to provide a thermal, air, and moisture barrier and serve as a drainage plane, eliminating the need for house wrap.

Spray foam extends down the inside of the foundation wall to the uninsulated slab; because the wall lacked exterior perimeter drainage, the slab was cut and an interior footing drain was installed.

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Wrong - A typical vented crawlspace in North Carolina exhibits water leakage, poor drainage, and a low-quality vapor retarder that does not cover all of the ground surface and is not sealed to the walls.

Publication Date

Sat, 01/01/2005 - 12:00

Small spacer strips consisting of ¼-inch plastic strips provide a drainage gap behind wall cladding with a gap that is too small to pose a fire risk from embers entering the gap.

Publication Date

Mon, 06/28/2021 - 12:00

Stucco wall assembly with a drainage mat providing a small vented gap (experience has shown that ≤ 3/8 inch is effective), and a water-resistant barrier house wrap serving as a vapor throttle.

Publication Date

Mon, 06/28/2021 - 12:00

A drainage plane is created behind lap siding by installing furring strips on the exterior walls over house wrap which is overlapped and taped at all seams to serve as an air and water barrier.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/06/2023 - 12:00

A self-adhering weather-resistant barrier is installed over the existing sheathing of this retrofit home to provide air sealing and a drainage plane before installing new metal and wood siding on the home.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/29/2021 - 12:00

The builder installed a rain screen product that provides an air gap and drainage plane between the coated OSB sheathing and the cladding; the fabric layer folded over the bottom edge forms an insect screen.

Right – A dimpled plastic rainscreen product is installed over liquid-applied waterproofing on the exterior of the ICF foundation walls, directing water down the wall to the perimeter drain tile, thus encouraging drainage around the foundation.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

This basement is insulated on the exterior with rigid foam over dampproofing, with granular backfill and footing drains to facilitate drainage away from the foundation, a termite shield to protect from pests, and cellular PVC to protect the rigid foam.

Publication Date

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 12:00

Stone cladding system with a drainage mat provides a small, vented gap (≤ ¾ inch), over a water-resistant barrier house wrap that has a perm rating of 10 to 20 perms so it can serve as a vapor throttle.

Publication Date

Mon, 06/28/2021 - 12:00

A typical Las Vegas hot-dry climate home made of wood frame construction and insulated with R-25 expanded polystyrene externally over a drainage plane, with an unvented wood frame insulated attic and roof assembly.

Publication Date

Tue, 02/16/2010 - 12:00

Good water management practices like sloping grade away from house, and installing gutters, perimeter drain pipe, a capillary break, and free-draining soils or drainage mat protect the foundation from water saturation.

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00

Over the taped rigid foam board, 2x4 furring strips provide a ventilating air gap and drainage plane under the engineered wood lap siding. The furring strips were attached with structural screws to provide an attachment surface for the siding.

Wrong - Class I vapor retarder over framed basement walls can cause condensation, mold, and rotting because plastic prevents drying to the inside; the outside should have waterproofing and vertical drainage, and the framing should be spaced from the wall.

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00

Spray foam insulation extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by cutting the slab to install drainage mat against the wall and a new perimeter footing drain, along with rigid foam plastic above the slab.

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Right – The raised-slab, CMU block stem wall, above-grade walls, and roof of this house use flood damage-resistant materials, integrated water, vapor, and air control layers, and construction methods which promote good drainage and rapid drying

Publication Date

Sat, 01/01/2022 - 12:00

Right – The raised-slab, poured-concrete stem wall, above-grade walls, and roof of this house use flood damage-resistant materials, integrated water, vapor, and air control layers, and construction methods which promote good drainage and rapid drying

Publication Date

Sat, 01/01/2022 - 12:00

Right – The raised-slab, brick-and-block stem wall, above-grade walls, and roof of this house use flood damage-resistant materials, integrated water, vapor, and air control layers, and construction methods which promote good drainage and rapid drying

Publication Date

Sat, 01/01/2022 - 12:00

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

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

Below-Grade Water Management for Urban Sites

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

International Plumbing Code (IPC)

Author(s)

International Code Council

Organization(s)

ICC

Publication Date

January, 2025

Website with all versions of the International Plumbing Code (IPC), code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

The “down” and “out” approach to flashing – metal flashing directs water down and out of building assemblies

Publication Date

Sun, 10/01/2006 - 12:00

2021 International Plumbing Code - IPC

Author(s)

International Code Council

Organization(s)

ICC

Publication Date

September, 2021

2021 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

Frame wall and install blocking

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

2009 International Plumbing Code - IPC

Author(s)

International Code Council

Organization(s)

ICC

Publication Date

September, 2018

2009 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2012 International Plumbing Code - IPC

Author(s)

International Code Council

Organization(s)

ICC

Publication Date

October, 2018

2012 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2015 International Plumbing Code - IPC

Author(s)

International Code Council

Organization(s)

ICC

Publication Date

October, 2021

2015 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2018 International Plumbing Code - IPC

Author(s)

International Code Council

Organization(s)

ICC

Publication Date

November, 2021

2018 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

Lower wall insulation installation

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Upper wall insulation installation

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Taped vertical joint of lower wall insulation

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Install minimum 6" wide self-adhered butyl Z-flashing

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Upper wall insulation installation with butyl z-flashing

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Tennessee 'Bee Whisperer' Removes 35,000 Honey Bees from Brick Wall

Author(s)

Farber Madeline

Organization(s)

Fox News

Publication Date

October, 2018

A story about bees building a hive in the drainage plane behind the brick veneer siding. The bees entered the wall through unprotected drainage holes.

Tape the joint between the top insulation sheet and the Z-flashing with 2" wide tape to improve air tightness

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Clean taping areas and install 3" tape on vertical joint of upper insulation overlapping the horizontal joint

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Tape horizontal joint with minimum 3" wide tape placing tape offset high on the joint, adhearing to the upper sheet without wrinkles

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Terminate 4" tape with 2" wide tape placing tape offset high on the joint, 2/3 of the tape should be adhered to the sheet of insulation

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Footing Drain Pipe

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

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.

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.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Fire-Resistant Wall Assemblies

Guide describing wall assemblies and materials that are resistant to destruction from wildfires.

Damp-Proof Exterior Surface of Below-Grade Walls

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

Stone Exterior Installation for Durability and Water Management

Publication Date

August, 2020

Author(s)

Todd Usher

Organization(s)

Addison Homes

Video describing how to properly install exterior stone on a house by providing a drainage plane to prevent moisture from infiltrating the wall assembly.

Gutters and Downspouts

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

Water Managed Wall Systems, PA-0301

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

March, 2003

Document outlining a well-detailed drainage plane and flashings.

Karuna Passive House Rainscreen System

Publication Date

October, 2012

Video describing the rain screen system installed in a passive house.

Temporary dry floodproofing wall design concepts

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2007 - 12:00

Erosion & Sediment Control Requirements

Publication Date

December, 2014

Author(s)

LGL Archive Page

Organization(s)

City of Lexington Kentucky

Video from LGL Archive Page (City of Lexington Kentucky) explaining the steps needed to take to ensure proper site drainage prior to new home construction.

Madrona Passive House | Ventilated Rainscreen System

Publication Date

May, 2015

Video describing the ventilated rainscreen system installed on a passive house.

Moisture Management in Residential Construction Series - Building Enclosure: Foundation Overview

Publication Date

January, 2011

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Video from Home Innovation Research Labs providing recommendations for constructing foundations that direct water away from the structure, focusing on site grading, damp proofing, and foundation drainage.

Rainscreens: A Builder’s Experience

Author(s)

Peter Barrett,

Chris Donatelli

Organization(s)

Donatelli Builders,

Dorken Systems Inc.,

EEBA

Publication Date

July, 2021

Webinar from Peter Barrett of Dorken Systems Inc. and Chris Donatelli of Donatelli Builders discussing how rainscreens work to add drainage and drying capacity to residential walls, using a real-life example from a retrofit home in Chicago. Free EEBA login required.

Some species of native prairie plants have much deeper root systems than Kentucky blue grass, increasing the ability of those plants to retain and filter stormwater

Publication Date

Wed, 06/01/2005 - 12:00

Designing and Building Resilient Wall Systems with Engineered Rainscreen Products.

Author(s)

Lolley Keith,

Dalgleish Laverne

Organization(s)

Building Enclosure Moisture Management Institute

Publication Date

March, 2016

Conference paper describing the use of engineered rainscreen products to provide air flow and water drainage space in wall assemblies in residential and commercial buildings.

Rain Screen Acknowledgement Form

Author(s)

City of Newberg

Organization(s)

City of Newberg

Publication Date

February, 2010

An example of a form a building codes department created to ensure builders are fully aware and have taken steps to provide drainage so that water doesn’t accumulate behind siding. This example is from the city of Newberg, Oregon.

Nashville's Home Inspector reveals clogged "Weep Holes"

Publication Date

May, 2011

Video showing how the weep holes in a brick façade are sometimes filled by the homeowner or subsequent contractor who mistakenly thought the holes are the result of an installation error during the brick laying work. These holes are important to the drainage and ventilation of the wall, please don’t...

Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding - A Guide for Communities, FEMA 511

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

June, 2005

Report from FEMA on how to reduce damage from localized flooding including planning, drainage, building codes and retrofits, and regulations.

Flashing at Bottom of Exterior Walls

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

This fastener schedule for metal panel siding shows denser spacing for the end panels to resist stronger wind pressures. Some manufacturers specify that panels be installed with the prevailing wind - in this example wind direction is right to left.

Publication Date

Mon, 12/01/2008 - 12:00

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.

Insulation for Existing Crawl Space Floors

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

Slab Edge Insulation

Guide describing how to insulate slabs on grade in climate zones 3 and higher.

Foundation Wall Water/Damp-Proofing

Porous concrete foundations should be treated to avoid water seepage into the home. Builders treat below-grade walls with a damp-proof coating such as an asphalt emulsion. For more reiorous protection, a plastic drainage plane may be used instead of, or in addition to, the damp proof coating. This...

Blown Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

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

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.

Final Grade Slopes Away from Foundation

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

Moisture-, Impact-, Fire-, and Pest-Resistant Exterior Siding

Guide describing how to select the siding materials best suited to withstand hazards the home is likely to face within its lifetime.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Crawlspaces and Basements

Information guide describing things to consider in the basement or crawlspace before attempting retrofits of adjacent items including HVAC, wiring, or structural systems.

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.

Water Managed Walls

Most exterior wall cladding systems leak. Wind pressure and capillary action can drive rainwater through the many cracks, joints, and small gaps in a building's exterior. With typical residential siding systems, it is nearly impossible to seal all those holes. Even if a builder succeeds in sealing a...

Vented to Unvented Crawl Space

Where homes have crawl spaces, they are commonly unvented allowing excessive heat in summer, cold in winter, and humidity year-round. Converting a crawl space from vented to unvented provides an opportunity to create a temperate space for heating and cooling equipment located there to operate more efficiently while also reducing the infiltration of moisture, dust, pollen, pests, and soil gases year-round. However, critical installation best practices need to be followed to ensure a successful project. Use this checklist to get the significant energy savings, enhanced comfort, and health benefits possible from a quality installed unvented crawl space.