Design, Construction and Maintenance: Factors in Home Moisture Damage in the Southeast

AbstractInappropriate design, poor construction, and improper homeowner maintenance were leading factors in home moisture damage to houses studied in one southern state in the U.S. Additional factors were inadequate building codes, violation of building codes, and inadequate specifications and standards of materials and components. Data from two state regulatory agencies were studied to (a) learn the proportion of houses with moisture damage, and (b) identify the probable cause(s) of such damage and preventive measures. Data were comprised of consumer complaints filed during a 12 month period with the two agencies, and from site inspections to houses identified from these records. Types of moisture problems in U. S. housing vary by region, with total annual damage over $1 billion. These costs are in addition to other repair and maintenance costs of housing, and contribute to total residential housing costs.