Recent Articles
Smoothing Moisture Troubles at Rough Openings
Windows are common problem areas for moisture. History & building science show we can't seal perfectly, but we can create a path for drainage, and divert moisture away from sensitive areas. MTI provides a belt-and-suspenders approach for rainscreen assemblies to reduce the risk of water …Read More »
Natural Stone Moisture Management
Buildings constructed today with natural stone function differently from those of centuries past in many ways. Much like how unit masonry changed from mass construction to masonry veneers, stone based construction no longer relies on stone for structural strength. Anchored stone and adhered thin stone …Read More »
Through-Wall Flashing Gets an Update (and Upgrade)
Improved Single-Wythe Through-Wall Flashing System Saves Money, Builds Stronger Walls Published By: MTI | Date: March 2017 | Author: Tyler LeClear Vachta Through-wall flashing is a pain. Save materials, drain better, and build a stronger wall with MTI's slope-to-drain tool and Cavity Weep. To address moisture …Read More »
More MTI Published Articles
Better Brick Mortar Control is Better Moisture Control
Published By: MTI | Date: December 2016 | Author: Tyler LeClear Vachta Cavity masonry construction is rooted in a theory of moisture control by draining water to the exterior. …Read More »
Gutting Brick Walls Post-Flood: Repair Recommendations
Note: The most updated flood retrofit information can be found at MTIdry.com/rebuildRead More »
Getting to the Bottom of Moisture Management
There are numerous factors/phenomena that create misunderstandings that result in improper or inadequate moisture management design for the exterior building envelope. Let's take a look …Read More »
Knowing the Unknown – Insights on the Ostrich Syndrome
In the construction industry, many premature failures are a result of shortcuts taken to circumvent good standard practices. The reasons or excuses for taking these …Read More »
Living At The Edge
Large dimension material panels raise exterior building enclosure moisture management concerns. All the components of the exterior building envelope are connected and have an impact …Read More »
Weeps – The Why, When and Where
The why part is easy; it's just a good standard practice to follow and not that expensive. The where part should be obvious - at …Read More »
The Temperature and Moisture Management Relationship
Wet insulation is not a thermo insulator; it is a thermo conductor! Different types of insulation materials absorb moisture at different rates. The problems of …Read More »
Exterior Rigid Insulation Moisture Management Issues
Use great caution when specifying and installing rigid boardstock insulation exterior of WRB’s and exterior sheathing on the exterior building envelope! This is not “crying …Read More »
The Three Part Rule of Moisture Management
The three-part rule of moisture management is "Get moisture off of, out of and away from a construction detail as quickly as possible!" However, we …Read More »
Moisture Management Strategies for a Second Floor Deck above a Living Space
A comprehensive moisture management plan for any construction detail must include the following: *Moisture Resistant Materials (damp proofing, WRBs, waterproofing, etc.) *Slope-to-Drain (a designed elevation …Read More »
Weep Now or Weep Later
With the old weep technology and its spacing, the water got out of the cavities and cores of masonry walls; however, it wasn't necessarily through …Read More »
Drainable is Sustainable
Most exterior surfaces of a vertical wall system do allow some moisture to penetrate deeper into the exterior building envelope. Why do building professionals allow …Read More »
Rainscreen Drainage Planes vs Furring Strips
The construction industry and more specifically, the building envelope sector of the construction industry, seems to embrace the status quo with exceptional tenacity. There are …Read More »
Moisture Management of Parapet Walls
Although though parapet walls perform a number of important functions, they are moisture management headaches! The phrase 'Out of sight out of mind" is, unfortunately, …Read More »
Below Grade Moisture Management
Building on a strong foundation has been a well-recognized principle of construction for thousands of years, but we still continue to violate the concept. One …Read More »
Window Rough Opening Moisture Management
"Leaky, drafty windows" is a common phrase in the construction industry and unfortunately, it seems too often true. However, the perception may not be the …Read More »