Design your landscaping to keep flowerbeds away from the house. If you have a flowerbed next to the house, make sure that the soil underneath slopes away from the house and is a clay type material.

Keep your rainwater leaders (downspouts) directed well away from the house, and use concrete or other hard materials (called a splash pad) at the end of these to prevent water from “drilling” into the ground as it comes out. You can get as much as 150-200 gallons per hour coming out each rainwater leader (downspout), so always put some kind of pad in place when it rains.

Check to ensure any window wells can freely drain. Basement windows will not stop water that rises in a window well from coming through into your basement.

Additionally, builders have access to designs and materials that can reduce if not eliminate many moisture problems, but many consumers don’t want to pay the extra cost these can add to their new home.

So you will need to ask questions and get some information.

Materials and designs are available during the construction process that will also reduce future problems with moisture. Here are a few examples:

Foundations –If water in your basement is your worst nightmare, use an air gap membrane or a waterproofing spray material.

The air gap membrane provides several advantages. It prevents pressure around the foundation, which is what causes the water to be pushed in. It also allows moisture in the concrete wall to dry to the air gap, providing dryer basement air.

Sump Pumps – sump pumps are handy especially if you build in a community where there are no storm sewers. A sump pump requires some maintenance each year, but is well wroth the time invested.

Window detailing – each builder has their own way of installing windows. However some work better than others.

I don’t usually plug products, however there are a few very good window sealing materials. One is called Envelope Seal. It is a rubber material that seals the window to the sheathing.

I would use this in conjunction with another material that works well and will help in the winter as well. That is foam insulation around your windows.

These two components alone can cost an additional $400-500 but in my opinion are money well spent to eliminate problems with moisture in all seasons.

Shingles – Many builders in Calgary and Edmonton don’t use a roof edge flashing under the shingles. This material hides the edge of the roof sheathing and directs water into your eavestroughs.

It will keep water from dripping between the fascia and eavestroughs and extend the life of your roof sheathing considerably. The additional cost for this component is minimal, but again well worth the expense.

These are just a few areas of concern that you should be aware of. Check to see if the builder is MoistureSmart® accredited, which means he and his staff have had special training in these areas and have a MoistureSmart® checklist they use for building each home.

Additionally, find out exactly what is warranty and what you need to do to maintain and protect your home.

Many people don’t realize that they are responsible for many of the maintenance issues that lead to water problems. Your builder will be more than happy to help you with checklists and don’t forget to consult your homeowner manual.

In the meantime remember the four simple moisture prevention rules or four-D’s
    •    Deflect it
    •    Drain it
    •    Dry it or use a
    •    Durable material.

Helpful websites:
www.cwc.ca
www.buildingscience.com
www.cmhc.ca

Darrell Paul, Building Consultant, has dedicated his entire career to the residential building industry. He is president of Building Science Resources, is a director with the Professional Home Builders Institute of Alberta (PHBIA) and is an accomplished speaker/presenter in addition to instructing home building and building science courses with SAIT.