IEQ and Building Investigations

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IEQ and Building Investigations

• Case Study
• Rowhouse, Trenton NJ

J. Ponessa, Ph.D.
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3 Story Brick Rowhome
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First Floor

• Living room
• Moderate water damage to ceiling at wall
  otherwise in good condition
• Where was water coming from?

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First Floor (cont.)

• Kitchen
• Stove, sink clean walls dirty, areas behind
  stove filthy

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First Floor (cont.)

• Bathroom
• Epic mold

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First Floor (cont.)

• Bathroom (cont.)
• Rotted sill at back of tub-shower

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Second FloorAbove Living Room

• Bedroom
• Severe water damage to wall, ceiling

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Where is this coming from?

• Lets take a look outside

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An outside walkaround is always a good idea,
especially when there is a moisture problem
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More Exterior Clues
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Recall the Floor Plan
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Exterior, Side Alley(adjacent to damaged rooms)
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A Closer Look

• Flashing missing
• Mortar erosion in wall, sill missing

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And Below

• Broken concrete, depression (also note missing
  mortar)

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Conclusion

• This building is on a serious downward spiral
  and will soon become uninhabitable if corrective
  action is not taken soon

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Other Common Places To Find Moisture Problems

• Sink cabinets

• Behind tub shower walls