Typar. Part of the maker's Weather Protection System, Typar Flashing RA is a rubberized asphalt-based flashing that seals cracks and breaks in rough openings. Suitable for vertical and non-roofing horizontal applications, the self-adhesive membrane guides water away from windows, doors, and other wall penetrations, directing it instead to drainage points in the wall. 800.284.2780. www.typar.com.
Pactiv. Build up a home's defenses with a secondary weather barrier. Green Guard DC14 Drainage Board is designed with large channels that allow the flow and escape of trapped water behind exterior walls. Made of extruded polystyrene, the material's closed-cell structure does not absorb water, and an R-value of 1 helps increase a wall system's efficiency. DC14 is most effective behind claddings that fasten tightly to the wall sheathing, such as fiber-cement, wood, or foam-backed vinyl. Behind stucco and stone cladding, it functions as the drainage component of a two-layer weather-resistive barrier system. 888.828.2850. www.green-guard.com.
Flir Systems. Available at a lower pricepoint than other infrared cameras, the entry-level BCAM thermal imaging camera helps distinguish wet and dry materials by revealing their thermal characteristics. Identifying areas with excess moisture lets building professionals track leaks to their source and more effectively repair damage. The BCAM features a 3½-inch color LCD screen, and is powered by a lithium-ion battery that offers up to 7 hours of inspection time. The built-in Laser LocatIR lets users easily associate hot spots on the image with their physical positions behind the wall. 800.464.6372. www.flirthermography.com.
Trotter Co. Created by basement waterproofing professionals Mike and Clay Trotter, the patented Vac-U-Dry Foundation Drying System incorporates a floor-level aqueduct, wall drainage channels, and a fan to draw moisture away from foundations to the home's exterior. Basement gutters and other systems can direct water back into the soil beneath the subfloor, where it evaporates into the basement, increasing humidity and the potential for mold. Vac-U-Dry works in conjunction with existing water control systems, operating continuously to remove this excess moisture. 770.458.0810. www.trottercompany.com.
Benjamin Obdyke. When used in combination with a water-resistive barrier, Home Slicker creates a continuous air space behind exterior cladding. The materials' three-dimensional matrix creates the necessary air space for drying, channels for drainage, a thermal break, and pressure equalization, allowing moisture to escape before causing damage to the sidewall materials. Home Slicker is suitable for use under wood, fiber-cement, or EIFS systems, as well as brick and vinyl. 800.523.5261. www.benjaminobdyke.com.
Laticrete.Hydro Ban waterproofing and anti-fracture membrane bonds directly to drains and pipe penetrations and does not require the use of fabric in the field. The thin, load-bearing membrane can be flood-tested after as little as 24 hours. Brush- or trowel-applied, Hydro Ban bonds to steel, copper, stainless steel, and PVC. The material features Microban antimicrobial protection to prevent mold and mildew, and its light color offers easier inspection. 866.226.2742. www.cambriausa.com.
Humidex Atlantic. Lack of adequate ventilation can create a breeding ground for mold, dust mites, rot, and other problems associated with moist air. A Humidex Crawl Space unit alleviates problems by creating a continuous, controlled exchange of air, preventing growth of biological contaminants and drying out existing structural members. Using less than 40 watts with no filters or buckets of water to change, the unit measures 30 inches high by 11 inches wide. Standard crawl-space models ventilate up to 1,800 square feet. A heavy-duty model accommodates up to 2,400 square feet. 866.486.4339. www.humidexatlantic.com.
CertainTeed. Used in place of traditional polyethylene vapor retarders with unfaced fiberglass insulation, MemBrain smart vapor retarder changes permeability as conditions require. In low humidity, the polyamide film has permeability of less than 1 perm, compared with greater than 20 perms at high relative humidity. Ideal for regions with seasonal temperature and humidity changes, MemBrain allows closed building envelope systems to increase their drying potential, and can help reduce excess moisture in homes. 800.233.8990. www.certainteed.com.
