Near East University Environmental Control Systems (II)

Faculty of Architecture
(ARC 307)
Dept. of Architecture

Moisture, Water Insulation & Condensation

Prepared by:

Presented to: Abul Qasim (20205846)

Ms. Elnaz Farjami Laith Mansour (20213278)

Ms. Ümran Duman Mohannad al Hariri (20194482)

 What is Moisture?

The easiest way to define moisture is to

relate the situation where we humans
can visually observe the presence of a
liquid, typically water, but in small
amounts.

When it comes to meteorology,

moisture refers to the presence of the
amount of water vapors that are
physically present in the air.

This in turn gives us the term we know

as humidity, where moisture and
humidity have a direct relation. More
moisture means the weather is humid
and damp.
 Real-life example:

We can consider two situations where we take a bath during summer (more humidity
in air) and in winter (less humidity in air)

During summer, our skin will be damp after the shower, and so is the air around us,
which basically prevents the quick escaping of water vapors from our skin, to the air
around us. This is because the air already contains moisture, which doesn't accept the
new moisture that is trying to escape off our skin.

Similarly, during winter, when our skin is wet and the air around us is dry, we tend to
feel colder after a shower than we would feel in summer. This is because the water
vapors are able to escape our skin easily, leaving our skin dry.
 What is Condensation?

Condensation can be defined as that physical scientific condition when

hot vapors of any liquid, typically water, come in contact with a cooler
surface, while they move upwards due to evaporation, in a gaseous
state.

After coming in contact with the cooler surface, they turn back into
their liquified form of vapors and can be seen on the surface.
 Real-life example:

During COVID-19, most of us who wear

glasses would encounter a major issue
while wearing a mask with it.

While breathing under the presence of a

mask, our glasses would get foggy with
every breath we took.

This happened because the air we exhaled

(warm in nature, therefore acts like steam),
came in contact with a cool surface (the
lens of our glasses) and formed condensed
steam on the surface, thus leaving us with
translucent visibility. Had there been any
other path for the exhaled air to escape or
any other cooler surface, we would observe
the condensed steam, forming over there.
 What is the relation between What is the relationship between
moisture & condensation? Moisture & Architecture?

Condensation can be defined as a form of moisture. This is because condensation is one of Moisture and Architecture, are very interwoven terminologies as both go hand-in-hand.
the states which causes moisture on a surface. In other words, it is condensation that allows Moisture can be a dominant issue in any designed space. It can prove to be a flaw in the
us to observe moisture physically or visually. design, hence making a place seem uncomfortable.

Moisture can be tackled using 'Water Insulation' methods that help prevent the growth of
moisture, in a space.
 What is Water Insulation? There are two ways in which water
insulation can be executed:
Water Insulation refers to using methods
that help protect a structure from water and Water Insulation to prevent water from
its negative impacts. penetrating

Water insulation to prevent the departure

of water
 What is Water Insulation? There are two ways in which water insulation can be executed:

Water Insulation to prevent water from penetrating

Water Insulation refers to using methods that help protect a structure from water and its
negative impacts.
Water insulation to prevent the departure of water

Where can water insulation be implemented

Roof and terrace

Foundations and pavements

Walls and facade

Bathrooms and toilets

Water tanks

Pools, etc
 Risks Involved in Absence of Water Insulation

Countless risks come with the absence of water insulation in a

designed space. They are as follows:

Snow and rain

The soil humidity or groundwater (from rain and utility water)

Water being used in bathrooms and toilets

The groundwater which is under the foundation of the structure

 Rainwater:

Accumulated rainwater can be a major threat to the safety of a

building. Usually, in most cases, the roofs of a building get exposed to
accumulated rainwater, as the water finds no path to get drained. This
water continues to seep through the cracks of the roof that it finds and
weakens the roof in process, eventually trying to make its way out,
which shows up as cracks with dripping water or flakes of roof plaster
falling down. Similarly, this water can easily find its way through the
walls of the building, as long as it can locate an opening. Here it
causes the same damage.

2) Cracks in a wall due to seepage

3) Dry flakes in a roof, due to seepage

1) Image shows seepage in a wall, in the form of dry flakes

 Snow:

When snow and ice accumulate, they tend to become heavy and cause
building damage or water damage.
Snow and ice can collapse roofs, especially on older buildings. Older
buildings have a greater risk of corrosion, which can weaken their
structural integrity. Newer buildings that have roofs made of light-
weight metal, roofs that are flat, or roofs that do not have a lot of
supports are more likely to give in under the pressure of excess snow
and ice. Snow drifts on a flat roof that have projections, a lower roof,
or other equipment can accumulate snow that has drifted with the wind.
This can cause vulnerability unless additional strengthening supports
are added.

5) The weight of the snow from Blizzard Evelyn caused the roofs of houses to collapse

6) Weight of the snow caused a house collapse up to the core of its wall

4) A collapsed roof due to the snow being thawed

 Soil Humidity:

The main issue with moisture is that it expands the soil around your
property, when it's in access. On the other hand, the soil will contract
if there is insufficient moisture. Your foundation is under stress as a
result of this cycle of contraction and expansion.

The foundation's concrete slabs can develop fractures due to dampness,

which is a second issue. The metal structures inside the concrete may
corrode if water penetrates the latter. Mold growth is another
consequence of retained moisture in concrete. In fact, it only takes 24
to 48 hours for mold to start growing on a damp surface.

It’s normal for a building’s foundation to settle over time. However,

the repeated contraction and expansion of soil around the foundation
can cause exaggerated effects. These can lead to numerous problems
that can affect the building’s structural integrity.
7) Building walls with cracks due to moisture in walls 8) An off-kilter door with moisture

Some symptoms of foundation problems include:

· Cracks in floors

· Cracks in walls 9) Concrete Slab with cracks due to water leakage

· Water leaks

· Water pools around your foundation that aren’t draining out

· Cracks in the concrete slabs

· Off-kilter doors that don’t close properly

· Gaps in the soil surrounding your property’s exterior

 Water in Bathrooms and Kitchens:

The main source of problem is water leakage occurring in bathrooms

and kitchens. These are two such designed spaces in a house that make
use of a lot of water. The plumbing needs to be particularly accurate
and well-devised, as failure to do so can lead to furniture, wooden
floorings, cabinets, doors, etc getting damaged. Ultimately this can
lead to mold growth which is a serious health hazard if left untreated.

9) A crevice in a bathroom, due to exposure of water for long

periods it has mold growth

9) Kitchen wall with mold growth

10) Bathroom drainage with mold around it

 Groundwater Under Building Foundation

The most common form of foundation failure can be due to improper

drainage. Many homes do not come equipped to properly drain the
water from around a house. A home lacking gutters or with downspouts
pointing in the wrong direction will create oversaturation of the soil.
This will lead to the foundation becoming unstable as a result.
Landscaping around a house should also slope away from the
foundation to reduce the risk of water pooling near concrete.

Too much water can cause the soil to expand, which puts pressure on
the foundation and causes cracks in the concrete. It is best to be
mindful of the weather and set up a schedule for irrigating to avoid
watering too much during certain parts of the year and too little during
others.

10) Wall with vegetation around it.

The irrigation or roots could have been a
possible reason for the cracks in wall 11) Brick foundation of a building with cracks due to water leakage.
 Benefits of Water Insulation

Following are the benefits of water insulation:

Protects the structures

Provides long-term protection against corrosion (sustainability)

Provides comfort

Saves money

Provides a healthy environment

 Ideal Materials for Water Insulation

For covering purposes, following materials can be used:

Bitumen covers: oxide bitumen covers, polymer bitumen covers (with

APP/SBS additives)

Synthetic covers: PVC, EPDM, TPO, ECB/ECO, etc.

For smearing purposes, following materials can be used:

Concrete based materials

13) Liquid Bituminous Membrane Waterproofing 14) Membrane Waterproofing

Acrylic-based materials
(bitumen rubber-based materials) (bitumen rubber-based materials)

Bitumen based materials

Polyurethane based materials

11) Cement-based Waterproofing 12) Liquid Waterproofing 15) Polyurethane Liquid Membrane Waterproofing

(Cement-Acrylic Based, Two-Component, Full- (Bitumen-SBS Rubber Based, Elastomeric Liquid (Polyurethane - Bitumen Based, Two Component,
Elastic Waterproofing Material - CHIMEX 127) Membrane - BLM 117) Liquid Waterproofing Material - PU-B 2K)
 Case Study for Water Insulation

Name:
Replacement of District Energy Chilled Water and High-Temperature Hot Water Distribution Line Insulation. Project awarded to Anchor Insulation Company, Rhode Island.

Location:
Brown Univeristy, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

Aim:
The specification called for removal of existing insulation, brushing the pipe surface clean for inspection, and applying new insulation and jacketing.

Highlighted region of issue:

1. Two manholes about 80 feet apart, exposed in what looked like four 6-foot 8-in. pipes running through a dark 18-foot-deep tunnel.
2. Existing insulation and jacketing were damaged from 30 years of moisture, foot damage from repairmen, and insufficient maintenance.
3. Two of the lines were 345°F high-pressure hot water, while the other two were 40°F chilled water pipes. The manholes contained vertical risers of each pipe in addition
to the horizontal runs

Material type used:

Flexible silica aerogel blanket insulation

Results:
1. Post installation, both the insulation team and workers of the university found it easier to maneuver and a safe environment to work in. They were more efficient and
spent less time in the tunnel
2. Future maintenance, which all insulation systems require, also will be facilitated by the expanded space for passage of personnel in the tunnel due to reduced pipe
insulation thicknesses.
3. This work earned Anchor Insulation the 2010 “Excellence In Construction” award from the Rhode Island chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
association for outstanding performance in the following areas: safety, complexity, timeframe, and challenges that needed to be overcome.
16) Conditions prior to project. 18) Evidence of pipe corrosion that needed inspection. 20) Work underway with insulator, in a confined space.

17) Insulation degraded by age and moisture. 21) Tunnel before insulation replacement. 22) Final result. Increased spacing between pipes and improved view and
available room for routine maintenance.