Water Entry Prevention and Moisture Control in Buildings Roofing Systems, Exterior Walls, Plaza Decks, Below-Grade Waterproofing

Water and moisture damage in buildings occurs all too frequently. The results can be disastrous, and corrective measures can be difficult and extremely costly. Moisture and water damage-related building failures can also result in costly construction claims. This course will improve the knowledge and skills of individuals in design, installation, maintenance, and repair of moisture control components and systems for all building types. 

• Owner’s representatives
• Architects and engineers
• Construction managers
• Sub-contractors and suppliers 
• Facility management personnel
• Operations & Maintenance staff
• Plan reviewers and code officials
• Commissioning authorities

Day One

Properties and Processes of Moist Air

• Temperatures and humidities
• Enthalpy, density, and pressure
• Using a psychrometric chart
  • Plotting of state points
  • Sensible and latent heat
  • Mixing of two air streams
• Design conditions and dew-point

The Basics of Building Science and the Fundamentals of Building Moisture Control

• Water control
• Airflow control
• Thermal control
• Vapor diffusion control
• Combined heat, air, and moisture transfer
• Air barriers and vapor retarders
• Moisture and building materials
• Prevention of mold growth

Moisture Control Guidance for Building Design, Construction and Maintenance

• Moisture control principles
• Designing for moisture control
• Constructing to prevent moisture problems
• Operating and maintaining controlled environments

Day Two

Code Issues Related to Air Infiltration

• Model building codes
  • ICC
  • NFPA
• Enthalpy and pressure
• Reference standards
  • ASTM
  • ABAA
• Product types

Architectural Wall, Window and Door Details

• Construction theories
  • Mass
  • Hybrid
  • Cavity
  • Rain screen
• Material properties
  • Compatibility pitfalls
  • Installation limitations
  • Redundancy, constructability, inspect-ability, serviceability
• Detail theories
  • Where to put the insulation
  • AVB as exterior upholstery
• Openings
  • Window and wall flashings
  • Sealing the operating features

Overview of Below-Grade Waterproofing                                                                            

• Definitions of terms used in water control:
  • Waterproofing
    • Positive side
    • Negative side
  • Damp-proofing
  • Vapor barrier / retarder
  • Air barrier
    • Vapor permeable
    • Vapor impermeable
  • Where is the waterproofing placed in construction?
    • Under-slab waterproofing
    • Foundation walls
      • Blind side waterproofing
    • Plaza systems
      • Split slab
      • Pedestal and pavers
      • Earth covered
      • Sand set pavers
    • Categories of waterproofing and where it is used:
      • Crystalline growth materials
      • Fluid applied materials and systems
        • Cold applied
        • Hot applied
      • Sheet membrane systems
        • Fully or partially bonded
        • Loose laid systems
      • Bentonite based systems
        • Sheet systems
        • Mastic systems
      • Foundation drainage
        • Where should drain tile be placed?
        • How drain tile should be installed

Day Three

Classic Waterproofing Systems            

• Crystalline growth and Portland cement-based materials
• Where are these materials used?
• Integral treatment
• Floors, walls and slabs, and tanks
• Fluid applied materials and systems
• Cold applied
• Hot applied
• Sheet membrane systems
• Fully or partially bonded
• Loose laid systems
• Bentonite based systems
• Sheet systems
• Mastic systems

Interior Methods of Water Control

• Five (5) classic methods of restoration
• Grind, rout and seal cracks and joints
• Chemical grouting
• Interior liners
• Water management
• Electro-osmosis
• Chemical grouts
• Polyurethanes
• Polyacrylates
• Acrylamides
• Microfine cements
• Rubberized asphalt

Moisture Control in Roofing Systems

• Low slope roof moisture control guidance
• Steep slope roof moisture control guidance
• Air barrier requirements
• Vapor retarder recommendations
• Attic ventilation and ice dams
• Unvented, conditioned attics

Mechanical Systems and Humidity

• References and ASHRAE standards
• Ventilation and indoor air quality
• Estimates of air infiltration rate
• Air handling units and distribution

“Absolutely Fantastic!  Great presenters, engaging, immediately usable info. for my work.” Nick, Lincoln NE

"Great job!  Will send staff to your course.” Bob, North Platte NE

“Very well explained on ventilations, pressure & related leaking & how they work together.” Jacob, Peru NE

"Broad range of topics on the subject matter and the interactivity." – Landon, Forensic Engineer, Nederveld, Granger IN

"Good balance of theoretical and practical information." – Jeff, Forensic Engineer, Nederveld Inc., Dodgeville WI

"The course was very well structured.  Slide deck was very good.  Instructors were very knowledgeable and personable." – Travis, Forensic Engineer, Nederveld, Woodville OH

Brent Anderson

Brent D. Anderson, PE, is principal at BDA Associates, LLC, heading a company that offers numerous services in construction and repair of buildings, with an emphasis on waterproofing. His projects include Los Angeles Subway; Pink Palace Museum, Memphis, Tennessee; United Airlines Terminal, Chicago; and First Hawaii Center, Honolulu. Anderson is the author of a book on waterproofing and has written articles on the subject for Concrete Construction, Architecture Minnesota, and The Construction Specifier. He has lectured at more than 300 events nationwide for groups such as The World of Concrete and the National Association of Homebuilders.

John Davis

John G. Davis, PE is the owner of The 2nd Law, an engineering consulting firm located in the stunningly beautiful Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin. His firm provides design and forensic engineering services related to moisture management and humidity control. John retired from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2020. At the UW, John taught coursework in the areas of HVAC, refrigeration, building science and building commissioning. John holds a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University and graduate engineering degrees from Purdue University and Northwestern University.

Joe Chadwick

Joe Chadwick is an architect licensed in Connecticut whose current practice is involved primarily in the Northeast. He has over 35 years’ experience as a licensed Architect with ten prior years as a design-build contractor. Eighteen years were dedicated to academic facilities including contract development, procurement process management, and project management. His current professional practice involves trouble shooting during construction administration, failure remediation, building code consultation, document reviews, and the preparation of specifications. He has designed and managed academic research laboratories, historic preservation projects, and medical facilities. He received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Temple University and a Master’s in Architecture from Yale University.

Mark Malkin

Mark P. Malkin, PE, is a Program Director in the Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs in the College of Engineering at UW-Madison. He is a registered Professional Engineer with over 25 years of experience in university facilities project management and HVAC systems design. His course offerings include HVAC, plumbing and fire protection fundamentals, building code reviews, and design and operation of science labs, data centers, museums and libraries. Mark received his bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, and his MS in Mechanical Engineering from UW–Madison.