Vapor pressure can add up to big problems if home is left untreated

In this week’s article I will briefly discuss vapor pressure. I know at first blush you are probably thinking why do I need to know about vapor pressure. Well, for those of you who have suffered a property loss caused from either a fire or flood have seen firsthand physics at work in a real visual way.

Last week my company started working on two separate properties which suffered two different types of losses. One was cause by a broken water pipe which went undetected for two weeks and the other was a fire caused by a broken stove pipe; however, both homes turned into an ice dome because of vapor pressure. Each home is unique and therefore must be treated differently; however suffer from the same problem.

In the first home (fire), as the home heated up from the fire in the basement, the high internal temperature forced the humidity (moisture), soot and burnt chemical by-products through the drywall and insulation to the exterior sheathing. The exterior sheathing was below freezing causing ice to form in the vapor chambers (stud bays) of the home. This fact caused the entire home to become an ice dome.

In the second home (flood), as the home filled with water, the internal heat of the home (65 degrees) caused the water to off gas (humidity). As the humidity increased in the home vapor pressure forced moisture through the drywall and insulation to the exterior sheathing. The exterior sheathing was below freezing causing ice to form in the vapor chambers (stud bays) of the home. This caused the home to become an ice dome.

Last Thursday I received a call from a gentleman whom I’ve known for several years. He said last year his home suffered a fire. He said the insurance company told him that if he wanted to do the repairs himself, they would pay him for his labor and materials. Being a handyman sort of guy he eagerly took their offer.

Not understanding the physics of the situation, he made what he thought were proper repairs. On Nov. 1, he left and went back to California after repairing his home. On Dec. 29, he returned to Sandpoint and was shocked when he opened his front door. The entire internal cavity of his home is covered with black and green fungal growth (mold).

The mistake this gentleman made is he did not understand vapor pressure and how it worked. In his situation the humidity (moisture) caused by the fire went through the drywall and insulation which collected at the external sheathing, not removing it feed the mold growth. When he called his insurance company to file a claim, they told him it was caused by contractor error and therefore not covered under his policy. While the home is not a total loss, his out-of-pocket costs will exceed $40,000.

Folks, fires and floods are serious issues and should not be taken lightly. Finding the right contractor that fully understands the situation is imperative. The contractor should be fully certified in his/her field. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask his/her for their certification credentials.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (208-255-2266) or toll free at 1-877-311-NWES. E-mail them to nwees@hughes. ne. or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St. , Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed do. For more information about Ed’s company, check him out at www.nwesinc.com.

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is the president of Northwest Executive & Environmental Services, Inc.