Mold & Water Damage

Mold and water damage often occur because of “building envelope” and drainage defects.

Building Envelope

The “building envelope” is the outside barrier of the building. It includes the roof, windows, exterior cladding (e.g., the stucco, siding, EIFS and/or stone that covers the building), and the flashings and sealants that integrate these building components with each another. The building envelope should keep water and air from getting into the building cavity (framing, insulation, etc.) and the interior of the home.

Building envelope defects allow water in and may not be visible to the naked eye. For example, the absence of critical membrane flashing around the windows may be undetected because the siding covers those areas and hides the defect. Water that penetrates the building envelope can lead to serious problems including framing decay, insulation damage, dry rot and mold growth. The damage can be even worsen if undetected over time.

Drainage

The area around the structure should slope away from the building so that water does not penetrate near the foundation. Improper drainage can cause serious structural damage.

Improper drainage can also allow water to pond against the building and seep into basements and crawl spaces. These conditions cause damage to the building exterior, mold growth and damage to framing, drywall and interior finishes.