January 2, 2002—A recent report by CM Cleaning and Maintenance online indicates that building walls may hold the key to preventing outbreaks of toxic mold.
“We’re finding a connection between premature deterioration of buildings due to wind-driven rain penetrating the walls and the inability of the building walls to dry themselves out. We’re also helping to develop repair solutions,” said Jeff Christian of Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Building Technology Center. Oak Ridge is a Department of Energy multiprogram research facility managed by UT-Battelle.
In addition, walls that trap moisture may also reduce a building’s energy efficiency. “As moisture accumulates within a building’s walls, the apparent thermal conductivity of the insulation, wood and drywall increases substantially,” Christian said. “The result is higher energy costs.”
Evaporation and condensation in building envelope components can increase energy transfer across components by up to 150 percent compared to transfer if the materials are dry, Christian said. This results in additional wasted energy.
Oak Ridge researchers are working with groups in Seattle to develop building designs and strategies to achieve energy efficiency and moisture control. Collaborators identified in a press release from Oak Ridge are Washington State University’s Cooperative Extension Energy Program, the Seattle Construction Codes Advisory Board and several consultants and architects in the region.
