Moisture intrusion is a serious subject in most areas of the
country, but in a hot and humid climate, like we have here in Charleston, it’s especially critical to
ensure your home is properly waterproofed. We take extra concern with this
subject and make sure that all of our staff appreciates its importance – from
our sales/design people to our field personnel. We do so because we have seen
what happens when faulty waterproofing occurs, from wood rot and structural
damage to mold and mildew.
Appropriate prevention of moisture intrusion starts with the
roof. Underlayment material should cover the entire roof and overlap at joints.
Next, the roof surface material, either shingle or metal, should be properly
installed to provide maximum protection from leakage. In a high wind area such
as Charleston, we
must also consider the surface material and how it will hold up in the event of
a storm before making a decision about what to use. For instance, when using
shingles, we always recommend 50-year architectural shingles - not because they
last 50 years, but because they receive the higher 110 mph wind rating.
Another important component in waterproofing is making sure
that the vapor proofing wrap, such as Tyvec, is installed correctly behind siding
material. The material should be appropriately wrapped and sealed at any window
and door openings. This material prevents water vapor from passing through the
wrap and into the sheathing or any other wood material. At Classic, we believe
in the importance of this practice so much that we had our field personnel and
sales/design staff certified by the manufacturer.
Quality windows and doors also play a role in the prevention
of moisture intrusion. Windows and doors are designed and engineered to be waterproof,
but correct installation is a key factor in whether the design efforts succeed.
Windows and doors must first be properly installed with a pan, taped, and
flashed. Then, once the siding material is run, painters need to seal the final
gap between the siding material and the unit with caulk.
Exterior painting is the final component in sealing the
envelope of the building. This is the point at which small gaps in critical
areas are sealed with paint and caulk to repel any moisture and keep it on the
outside of the building. It is important to know what to look for in a good
paint job and a critical eye is necessary to make sure that the work has been
done with a great deal of care and skill.
As you can imagine, all of these components needs to come
together in a planned and organized way to prevent moisture intrusion. Because
we have witnessed so much damage caused to homes by moisture – and have
successfully repaired a great deal of it – we believe that this is a critical building
practice and that you should be educated about it as a customer. Without this
knowledge, the result could be costly repairs somewhere down the road.
