In the 1st century BC, Vitruvius was clear on the role of the building's roof to protect the walls and foundations from rainwater (Vitruvius Pollio et al., 1914, p. 177, Book VI, Chap 3) and the removal of the water by the use of drains (Vitruvius Pollio et al., 1914, p. 156, Book V, Chap 9). Recognised as an issue since antiquity, there has been a great deal of fragmented research on building moisture, but the topic still represents a problem area in too many buildings. Research has tended to focus on local problems, and as a result the lessons and associated knowledge are either not relevant, or more dangerously used inappropriately, for other locations or climates. This eBook brings together a wide range of international research into moisture in buildings. There are six papers from around the globe, including Europe, North America and Oceania. Three papers explore moisture issues in roof spaces, two deal with moisture in the floor and sub-floor, and one paper is about moisture in walls. The results and models reported in this eBook will contribute to a better international understanding of issues of moisture in buildings, as well as providing improved guidance to practitioners faced with either not wishing to create future moisture problems or to resolve current problems.

Nigel Isaacs; Steve McNeil; William Rose

2024-09-11