20 - Friday, October 28, £988 - North Shore News LIFESTYLES Vapor barriers keep moisture out From page 16 moisiure from entering the air. Open your crawl space vents each spring and close them in the all. If condensation problems persist after you have reduced moisture production, you may want to con- sider increasing your home's ven- tilation. Measures can be as simple as opening a few select windows a crack and using bathruom and kitchen exhaust fans when bathing or cooking. At the more costly end of the scale, you can install a complete mechanical ventilation system, in- cluding a heat recovery ventilator “that warms incoming fresh air by extracting heat from outgoing stale air. Windows are the most obvious indicator of condensation pro- blems but they are not necessarily the most serious. Moisture build- up in wall spaces and attics can compromise the effectiveness of insulation and may cause rotting of the building structure. To ensure that warm, moist air is not escaping ‘into wall spaces or the attic, seal all areas where air leakage is possible, Ideally, a con- tinuous air-vapor barrier shouid also be installed and sealed at all edges. Special care should be given to sealing areas where moisture is routinely produced, such as the kitchen and bathrooms. Upper- storey ceilings should also receive close attention. In addition to sealing the air leaks, cover these ceilings with a ‘few coats of oil-based paint, spar varnish or a latex vapor barrier paint to help impede the passage of moisture from the living space into the attic. All air sealing should take place from inside the house and air- on the warm side of the insulation. This will allow moist interior air that does’ make its way into the wall spaces or attic to pass through to the outside. If. you have determined that condensation problems in your home are caused by moisture entering from the outside, you should take steps to remedy the “AT 15-25% of situation structural damage. For example, a leaky roof can contribute significantly to moisture buildup in your attic. To combat the problem, seal ‘the leaks and make sure your attic vents are in working order. Install baffles if in- sulation is blocking soffit vents. The basement can also be a pro- blem area for moisture production, especially if the foundation walls are prone to dampness. You can direct water away from the house by installing eavestroughs and sloping the ground appropriately. If the dampness persists, it may be necessary to excavate around the exterior of the foundation walls in order to repair any cracks, and treat the portion of the walls below ground with a waterproof- ing chemical or asphalt emulsion. Before backfilling, the drainage tiles should be checked to ensure that they are in good condition. 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