EOW 2008 Moisture

8/7/2019 EOW 2008 Moisture

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Moisture & Weatherization

Management & Control


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Energy Out West 2008 Weatherization, Mold and Moisture - RHA Inc. 2

Moisture-Caused Problems

Mold/fungal growth Stains/discoloration

Increased energy use

Degradation of building materials

Discomfort from high humidity levels


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Moisture Terminology

Humidity =

Amount of moisture

the air can hold

Relative Humidity =Amount of H2

0 in Air

Amount of H2

0 Air Could Holdat a given Temperature

Absolute Humidity = 3 lb./1000 lb. = .003

Relative Humidity = (3 lb./10lb.) = 30%


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How Vapor Moves Air currents -

Air, with vapor, moves from high pressure to lower

pressure.

Fast transport

98% of all water vapor movement in building

Vapor diffusion Vapor moves from areas of high vapor pressure to

areas of low vapor pressure.

Through building materials (paint, drywall, insulation,siding, etc.)

Heat transfer


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Moisture Transport Understand how moisture moves in a house.

Many crawl spaces are damp moisture canmove into the living space through the floor,

floor penetrations, duct work, up walls, etc. into

the house and/or into the attic.

Stack effect draws warm moist air up into the

attic.

Vapor condensates on cool attic components

and starts mold growth.


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Condensation Process

Warm air holds moremoisture than cold.

When air cools, vapor turns

to water. Condenses on cold surfaces.

An air mass at

75 deg. F. and 25% humidity isdry.

40 deg. F. will be 100% humidand saturated!

75 F25% RH

40 F100%

CooledHeated


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Sources of Moisture

External Sources

Leaks

Capillary action Cement slabs

Cement block

Internal Sources

Lifestyle

Condensation Windows

Cold surfaces

** Picture courtesy of MOLD-KILL.com


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External Sources of Internal Moisture

Leaks

Roofs Windows & Doors

Wall penetrations

Pipes Vapor Diffusion

Capillary Action

High water table (slab)

Crawl space moisture


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Internal Sources of External Moisture Vents terminating in

attic

Dryer

Bathroom

Kitchen

Chimney effect

Vapor diffusion


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Internal Sources of Moisture Leaks

Water and waste piping

Condensation of WaterVapor Washing & drying

clothes Cooking

Showering

Breathing

AC condensate Aquariums


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Daily Household Moisture Production

Household with 4 people produce: Cooking, steam

4 qts

8.3 lbs

Clothes dryer 1 qts

2.1 lbs

Dishwasher

2 qts

4.2 lbs

Dishwashing, hand

1 qts

2.1 lbs

Laundering

5 qts

10.4 lbs

People, metabolic

12 qts

25.0 lbs

Showers, baths (4) 2 qts 4.2 lbsAverage Daily Production27 qts

58.3 lbs

7 gallons


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-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Single Glazed Double Glazed

Clear

Double Glazed

Low-E

Window

Type:

Ou

tdoorTemperature(F

)

52F

19F

-10F

Internal Condensation on Windows


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Internal Condensation on Cold Surfaces Cold Surfaces

Windows

Un-insulated

walls

Cold Spots


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Sources of External Leaks Windows

Missing/broken panes

Poor installation

Roof

Around attic vents

Poor roofing


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Other Sources of Moisture Improperly flashed

roofs.

Improperly installed

window and door

flashing.

Unprotected work

sites.


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Before You Weatherize Assess the mold situation.

How bad is it? Will it interfere with Wx activities?

Will Wx activities make it worse?

Can or should you make it better?

Pressurize or depressurize with your blower

door?

Walk away or stay?


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Identifying Mold Problems First Sign: Persistent health problems

Odor: Use smell to locate sources ofmusty, moldy, or "earthy" odors.

Visual Inspection: Look for mold colonies

Appearance: white, gray, brown, black, yellow, green

Texture: cottony, velvety, granular, or leathery

Look for sources of moisture


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Identifying Mold Problems


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Sampling Molds

No guidelines or regulations for

"safe" or "normal" spore levels. No certified mold experts!

Types of Sampling

Air Sampling

Cultural Volumetric

Surface Sampling

Tape lift

Swab Bulk Sampling


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Preventing Mold Growth Molds cannot be stopped they can only

be controlled. Reduce or eliminate moisture.

Rule #1: Keep it Dry -

it is easier to

prevent mold growth than to stop it! Properly seal windows, doors, roof penetrations,

bypasses, and other potential leak spots.

Stop leaks. Dry, dry, dry!


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Preventing Mold Growth Rule #2: If it gets wet, dry it out

immediately! Remedy water disasters immediately -

24

to 48 hours!

Rule #3: Identify and eliminatesources of moisture. Eliminate moisture sources

Dry the air

Circulate air Ventilate


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Controlling Mold The following activities can be achieved

by Wx crew to reduce moisture. Ventilation

Bathroom and kitchen venting

Dryer duct venting Direct venting gas heaters

Insulate

Shell sealing stop the chimney effect! Low misting low flow shower heads


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Ventilation

Bathroom (8 ACH*)

Kitchen fans (15 ACH*)

Laundry (6 ACH*)

Ventilate to the outside Not to attic

Not to crawl space

Use humidity or timecontrols*Home Ventilating Institute (HVI)


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Vent to the Great Outdoors! Bathroom and kitchen vents

must exhaust outside!

Dryer vents must exhaust

outside.


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Control Ventilation

Controlled ventilation system for a house in a cooling climate.

Supply Exhaust

Exhaust

Supply

Return

Fan

Central

Exhaust

Fan


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Duct Sealing Prevent Negative Pressure


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Seal Supply Leaks

Negative Pressure

Unconditioned Air& Pollutants


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Proper Flashing & Sealing Windows & Doors

Install flashing

properly around doors

and windows.

Properly seal

replacement windowsand thresholds.


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Seal Return Leaks

Positive Pressure

Unconditioned Air& Moisture


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Balance Thermostat Programming

Cooler temperatures increasethe amount of moisture that

condenses into liquid water

inside the house.


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Control Air Temperature

Absolute humidity = .005 (5/1000)

Relative humidity = 25% (5/20)






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Wall Furnaces Major source of moisture and

air pollutants! Replace with direct venting

furnaces or forced air units!


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Insulation Cellulose

Mold loves cellulose!

Cellulose dries easily

when not soaked.

Will grow mold when

soaked. Wet-applied insulation

Fiberglass

Molds cant eatfiberglass.

Retains water.


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Control Shower Misting

Installing low-flow

showerheads to save energyand water?

Use lowmist rated

showerheads.

Up to 70% disparity in

moisture levels between

lowmisting and standard

showerheads


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Roof Vents Installing roof vents

can cause water

leaks!

Increases stack effect

Moisture entry paths

through the vent. Poor workmanship

caused leaks.


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Roof Vents Covering roof vents in winter?

Decreases stack effect


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Shell Sealing Reducing exfiltration increases moisture.

What to do? Seal critical pathways

to the attic and from

the crawl space.

Increase controlled ventilation.


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Controlling Moisture & Mold Fix Moisture Problems

Must be fixed and dried in 24

48 hours to prevent mold

growth!


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Controlling Moisture & Mold Dry and Circulate Air

In areas of high humidity relyuse an air conditioner to dry air

in the summer.

Use a dehumidifier in the winter. Ensure air moves across

windows and walls.

Moving air will not condense.


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Controlling Moisture & Mold

Things to Avoid

Ozone Generators

Delayed Investigation of Water Problems

Aggressive Removal without Containment


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Mold Remediation Contain affected area.

Dry the affected area properly.

Thoroughly clean area. Remove discardable contaminated

materials

Wash with detergent solution

Use HEPA vacuums Use exhaust ventilation

Disinfect

15-minute chlorine-water solution

Anti-microbial chemicals (may becontrolled substances)

Paint (anti-microbial or alcohol-based)


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Worker Protection Workers should wear HEPA-filtered

respirators (100 series filters) Goggles to prevent mold getting in the

eyes.


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Mold ResourcesCalifornia Department of Health Services (CDHS)

http://www.dhs.cahwnet.gov

CDHS Indoor Air Quality Program

http://www.cal-iaq.org

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

http://www.epa.gov

New York Department of Health (NYDH)http://www.health.state.ny.us


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Moisture Intrusion Resources

Moisture Control Handbook

Joseph Lstiburek and John Carmody

Moisture Control in Buildings

Heinz R. Treschel, Ed. (ASTM) Fundamentals of Moisture in Houses

Home Energy Magazine, Nov./Dec. 1995.

Energy Efficient Building Association,Builders Guide, Building Science Corporation(www.buildingscience.com)
http://www.buildingscience.com/http://www.buildingscience.com/


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Toxic Mold: The New Environmental Crisis

Caused by moisture, no moisture no mold!

Newest highly publicized health threat.

Hundreds of mold lawsuits filed.

State and Federal legislation has been passed

or is being passed.


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Weatherization, Mold, & MoistureWeatherization

Activity

Moisture

Problem

Mold

Growth Reduce Infiltration Increases internal

moisture.

Reduces drying

effects of air flow.

Increase

Insulate to reduce

heat flow

Building materials

can create cold spots

Decrease in insulated

areas.

Increase in un-

insulated areas

Venting (attic & crawl

space)

Increase moisture

transport into attics

and crawl spaces.

Increase or decrease


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Weatherization, Mold, & MoistureWeatherization

Activity

Moisture

Problem

Mold

Growth Low-Flow

Showerheads

Misting increases

moisture content of

air inside house.

Increase

Set-back T-Stats

Reduce capacity ofair to hold moisture.

Increase

One-Warm Room Cool off parts of

homes.

Increase


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Toxic Mold LawsuitsIn 2000 -

9,000 Mold Lawsuits Filed

5,000 against insurers for failure to cover claims 2,000 against homeowner associations for improper

maintenance

2,000 against builders for construction defects

1,000 against former owners for failure to disclose


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State & Federal Legislation

SB 732 (Ortiz) California"Toxic Mold Protection Act"signed by Governor Davis,

October 2001.H.R. 5040 (Melina Bill)

United

States Toxic Mold Safety &Protection Act of 2002"signed by U.S. House ofRepresentatives, June 2002.


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What are Molds?MOLDS:

Are microscopic organisms that

digest organic (plant and

animal) matter.

Are in the Fungi Kingdom, which

includes: Yeasts

Mushrooms

Molds

Make up 25% of Earths biomass More than 100,000 species, over

1,000 species in the U.S.


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Molds & Mushrooms They are all

around.

They grow

everywhere.

Cant be

eliminated.


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Mildew

What is MILDEW? A micro-organism similar

to molds/fungi.

Common plant diseases.

The term mildew is often

used interchangeably with

mold.


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Life Cycle of Molds Spore stage


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How Big are Mold Spores?

Mold


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What are Toxic Molds? Toxic Molds are any molds

that cause an adverse humanhealth effect.

Not all molds are toxic!

At least 100 species of mold areconsidered toxic.

Common household molds can

be toxic.


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What Makes Molds Toxic? What causes

reactions? Spores (viable and

dead)

Cell membrane material Microbial Volatile

Organic Compounds

(MVOCs) Mycotoxins


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Mycotoxins Powerful chemical released by fungi to help

in competition for food. Penicillin & aflatoxins; originally studied as

feed and food poisons (peanuts).

Explain some, but not all of hazardousproperties of airborne molds.

Hallucinogens

Deadly toxins Angels Cap Mushroom


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Common Toxic Household Molds

Alternaria

Aspergillus

Cladosporium

Fuarim

Memnoniella

Mucor

Penicillium Stachybotrys chartarum

Trichoderma


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Aspergillus species Common black mold (can be

many other colors)

Over 185 species 20 species are considered

toxic.

Produce aflatoxins (poisons)

in food crops (i.e. peanuts)

Health effects:

Allergies and allergic

reactions to Life-threatening generalized

infections


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Stachybotrys chartarum (atras) A greenish-black slime mold

that

Wet and slimy to the touch. 15 different species.

Grows on materials high in

cellulose and low in nitrogencontent, such as: Carpet

Wallpaper

Thermal insulation

Dry wall and gypsum board


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Penicillium sp. One of the most common

household molds.

Found in or on: soil, food, cellulose and

grains.

carpet, wall paper, and ininterior fiberglass ductinsulation

also found in paint andcompost piles.

It is reported to be allergenic

Some species can producemycotoxins.


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Mycotoxin Producing MoldsStachybotrys chartarum ** Aspergillus fumigatus **

Aspergillus flavus/parasiticus ** Aspergillus versicolor **

Fusarium moniliforme ** Fusarium graminearum

Fusarium sporotrichioides Paecilomyces varioti

Penicillium ochraceus Penicilliumbrevicompactum

Penicillium aurantiogriseum Penicillium expansum

Penicillium crustosum Trichoderma viride

Penicillium verrucosum

Memnoniella echinata

** Moulds requiring urgent risk management, AIHA Guide 96


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Health Effects

Inflammation (sinuses, lungs, etc.)

Allergic reactions

Asthma

Infections

Toxic reactions (CNS problems -

headaches, loss of memory, andmood changes)


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Symptoms Allergic reactions

Rhinitis (nasal and sinus congestion)

Mucous membrane irritation

Rashes and hives

Persistent cold and flu-like symptoms Eyes - burning, watery, reddened,

blurry vision, and light sensitivity

Chronic sinusitis (15% of population)


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Exposure Pathways

How is one exposed? Inhalation (breathing) is

the primary pathway

Skin/eye contact

Ingestion (eating)


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Mold Sensitivity

When will symptoms develop?

Depends on: Type of mold Extent of exposure

Short-term, high-level exposures Long-term, low-level exposures

Susceptibility of the individual

People react differently Depends on exposure and individuals

sensitivity


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Who Is Most At Risk?

Individuals with:

Pre-existing respiratory conditions (allergies,multiple chemical sensitivity, and asthma)

Compromised immune systems

And Infants and children

Pregnant women

Elderly


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What Molds Need to Grow?

Oxygen

Organic food

Moisture (70% RH)

Warm temperatures

(50 100 deg F)

Shelter (protection)


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Food for Molds

Molds digest dead organic material.

Construction materials: Cellulose materials

Drywall backing

Wall paper

Cellulose insulation Vinyl flooring backing

Processed Wood

OSB

Plywood

Glues (organic)

Paint (with organic content)


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Food for Molds Bio-films Bio-film

Mold cant eat metals

but can grow on thebio-film that is on

interior household

surfaces where

condensate occurs!


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Molds & Moisture Molds need moisture not

liquid water to grow.

65

99% Relative Humidity

Molds require a specific

amount of moisture content

on or in a material to grow.

Different molds species grow

on the same surface as the

moisture content changes.

Molds will not grow underwater.

Documents

EOW 2008 Moisture