Advice Available on How to Build Moisture- and Mold-Resistant Apartments

Published in late September, the “Best Practices for Reducing Moisture Intrusion and Excessive Mold Growth During Construction and Renovation” white paper offers advice on materials and techniques for property developers. The paper is the latest effort to create healthy indoor environments in apartments from the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) and National Apartment Association (NAA).

According to Eileen Lee, NMHC/NAA vice president of environment, “Mold is an all-too-familiar problem for anyone who owns, manages, or develops real estate.” The advice in the white paper aims to help professionals maximize a building’s potential to resist damage from excessive moisture and mold growth. “While it is impossible to make a building ‘mold-proof,’ building owners and design and construction professionals can minimize the risk of mold growth through proper planning and the use of appropriate building materials and construction techniques,” Lee explains.

Included in “Best Practices for Reducing Mold Intrusion and Excessive Mold Growth During Construction and Renovation” are chapters on new mold- and moisture-resistant building materials. The white paper also shares information on sophisticated new computer modeling programs that can be used to estimate the likelihood of moisture intrusion in a building based on its design, height, location, exposure to wind, in addition to other factors. Among the most helpful information included is a discussion checklist for use by building owners with their architects and contractors to mitigate possible risks.

The “Best Practices for Reducing Moisture Intrusion and Excessive Mold Growth During Construction and Renovation” white paper, as well as the 2002 NMHC/NAA Operations and Maintenance Plan for Mold and Moisture Control, are available at no charge to members at (www.nmhc.org/content/Servecontent.cfm?contentItemID=3633). For more information, contact the NMHC at (202) 974-2300 or ([email protected]).