What's your BuildIQ: Mold Prevention - Walls

Mold, caused by water intrusion, negatively affects a home's durability, the customer's satisfaction and health, and the builder's reputation and bottom line. To grow into mold colonies, mold spores need three things: a food source, a temperature above 32ºF and moisture. All of these are found in a home, which is made with organic materials and is kept at a temperature conducive to mold growth. Controlling moisture is key to preventing mold growth.

You can't depend on the exterior finish to prevent water intrusion through the walls because it isn't entirely waterproof. Stucco can crack, brick is porous and courses of siding have gaps between them. Making the exterior surface as weather-resistant as possible is only part of the drainage solution, though. To prevent water intrusion, you must think of the wall as a water management system and apply a second line of defense, consisting of the drainage plane and the proper flashings, to drain away any water that penetrates the wall cladding.

Do you know the best practices for preventing mold in walls? The following questions will test your BuildIQ. Stumped or want to learn more? Visit hz.buildiquniversity.com