lebeau building diagnostics and mitigation wed · 2020. 1. 31. · michael lebeau conservation...

Building Diagnostics and Mitigation

Better Buildings By Design Conference 2010

Michael LeBeauConservation TechnologiesDuluth, MN

Burlington, Vermont February 10, 2010

•Efficiency Vermont is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Creditearned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-AIA members are available on request.

Better Buildings By Design 2010

This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

Learning Objectives – AIA Slide

• Building Diagnostics and Mitigation• At the end of this program, participants will

be able to:– Implement a process for identifying building

performance problems.– Analyze findings to track building-

performance problems to their source.– Understand non-invasive testing techniques. – Select and apply mitigation strategies for

building performance issues.

The Plan

• Some common problems we work on• The tools and methods we use• Some barriers we encounter• Our drive to design solutions• Some solutions we’ve implemented• Discussion

Introduction

• From Duluth, MN - 9724 HDD • Burlington has – 7665 HDD

Relevant Background

• Construction• Remodeling• Design

Experience:

What you get when you don’t get what you want.

The List Grows

• Moisture• Ice dams• High energy bills• CO alarms• Comfort• Freezing pipes• IAQ• Back drafting stoves or fireplaces

Key Tools

Other Tools

Moisture

• Bulk (Down, up or sideways)– Leaking windows, walls, roofs, flashings, pipes,

high water table• Interior condensation• Envelope assemblies• Attic moisture / frost• Unvented roofs

Multiple Issues Simultaneously

Serious Responsibility

• Lawsuits• Other suits• Big money• Proportioning blame• Breaking the cycle• Owner often the least represented

Previous Research Syndrome

Window Condensation

• Excessively high RH?• Too many plants?• Wet basement?• Other bulk leakage?• Inadequate window performance?• All of the above?

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Or Something Less Obvious

Pressure Related Problems

• Back drafting or spilling flue gases.

– Poor chimney design.– Blocked flue.– Mechanically induced.– Stack / leakage induced.– Wind driven.

Attic or Vault Moisture / Frost

• Sometimes bulk leakage.• More often / also bypasses.• Storage as frost during cold spells.• Flush of liquid during thaws.• One of our hardest problems to eliminate

from the trade.

Thank You

• Questions?

Michael LeBeauConservation TechnologiesDuluth, MN

mlebeau@conservtech.com