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The North American building industry spends around $9 billion each year repairing and litigating damages from water and moisture.¹ Risk management companies note that new materials used in building construction over the last 20 years were energy-efficient, but ventilation poor, resulting in toxic mold claims of over $3 billion.² Air leakage can result in increased energy use of up to 30-40% in heating climates and 10-15% in cooling climates.³

 Sources:
1. www.buildingmedia.com
2. Risk Management for Mold Hazards to Commercial Building Owners and Managers paper, William Gallagher Associates
3. Air Barrier Association of America

Condensation is the change in matter of a substance to a denser phase such as a gas (or vapor) to a liquid.

External and Internal Climate

Condensation is the change in matter of a substance to a denser phase such as a gas (or vapor) to a liquid. Water vapor will only condense onto another surface when that surface is cooler than the temperature of the water vapor, or when the water vapor equilibrium in air i.e. saturation humidity is exceeded.

Effects of condensation and water intrusion on the building envelope can cause wood rot, swelling and distortion of lumber, corrosion of metal and reduction in insulation thermal performance.

Chart source: Indoor Air Quality and Mold Prevention of the Building Envelope, Roger Morse, AIA , Don Acker, PE, Morse Zehnter Associates, Whole Building Design Guide

Building Materials Moisture Risks 

Moisture can penetrate a building envelope through materials and exposure during construction. When building moisture capacities are exceeded the risk of mold, mildew, building deterioration, poor indoor air quality and health and safety risks to occupants occurs.