MOISTURE
PROBLEMS:
FIVE CASE STUDIES
High moisture
levels and a
wrong-side
vapor barrier
ruined this
year-old
home. Note
the ice running
down the
logs.
The plywood
roof sheathing
turned black
from moisture.
The
source: a
kitchen fan
exhausted in
the eaves.
Firewood
stored in the
basement
contributed
to rotted
sheathing
and studs.
Confused Over Vapor Barriers
This New Hampshire house was a
year old when I saw it. The main
level was log cabin construction but
the second-story wall was framed.
From the inside out, the upper-story
wall consisted of v-groove 1x6 pine
boards, unfaced 6-inch fiberglass, 4-
mil poly, and vertical T&G plank
siding. There was water damage
everywhere. Ice ran down the exterior
of the logs (see photo, top right).
The contractor was obviously confused
about the vapor barrier, which
he installed on the cold side of the
wall, rather than