Hello Forum,

Our house was built in 75, brick with studs. Only one layer of brick i think. So starting from the outside is a layer of brick a space of about 3" then OLD cement board stapled to the studs, insulation and drywall. My drywall started to mold in the closet about a foot above the baseboard.

I cut the wall apart took out the insulation and the paper on the OLD cement board was moldy. Some how water is getting in but once i figure out how its getting in what do I need to do? I live in central Texas. I'm worried that a lot of the cement board is moldy. Can I put plastic in between the stud cavity's tape it then re-insulate?

 

If only one layer of brick, it is probably brick veneer. But did you leave out a comma in your post?, when you mentioned about a 3 inch space, or are you saying the brick takes up a 3 inch space?

It's getting late and this should be an interesting topic of discussion for tomorrow. Do you know for a fact the source is from a water leak?, as oposed to say trapped humidity? If something like the latter is the cause, you may have it in more than just behind the closet.

 

It may be forced through the brick wall: Powered by Google Docs

Fig. 5 and 6: BSD-105: Understanding Drainage Planes — Building Science Information

Gary

 

Yes it is only one layer of brick, a space inbetween the brick and the cement board of about 3", then studs. I assume that is a brick venner but when I think of venner I think of a sliver of a brick and its defintily a whole brick.

Also about every 6 bricks on the bottom has a gap inbetween the bricks. What is the gap for? I think that is where the water is coming in.

I'm taking in the consideration of solar driven moisture, however it seems to only be in the closet under the electrical panal.

 

We love information, even if it comes in a little at a time. A veneer is generally any coating or surface that is not structural. Put there merely as a decoration, which your brick were, I'm sure.
The information you shot to us was "under the electrical panel"...see? On your roof you may have a bad seal where the weatherhead comes through, allowing water to penetrate, fall to the floor in the cavity and not be your friend. Can you check the seal on the roof without endangering yourself or others? If you don't feel comfortable doing that, contact an electrician to see if they can check it out and correct it if necessary.

 

Its an underground service and I put ductseal around the meter box so it may have come in there at one point but thats not the case anymore.

I cut holes in the same wall in different rooms and the cement board is a little moldy and feels like it has soaked up water.

I have a slope problem on that side of the house and I need to put in a french drain. Can I waterproof the painted brick??? What about the wall cavitys? If I tear out the drywall what product can I put on the cement board to help seal it???

 

A slope problem? But the ground isn't higher than your sill is it? ("Sill" being what the 1st floor joists sit on, ontop your foundation wall) How could water be getting in above the sill?

 

If the ground level, especially on the slope side is not the required 6" blow the level of the wood sill or plate this is a prime location for absorption of through the years that can spread horizontally and vertically.

Every home should a have moisture barrier (not just non-breathing poly) that is applied to to the sheating or insulatiob board. It meant to direct the moisture downward to a some flashing/weep screed or vent for drainage away.

Any opening is prime candidate for water entrance caulking may not be enough. Ofter windows them selves are not installed properly (about 65%) and can allow moisture to even get under a moisture barrier.

A brick veneer is not intended to be waterproof, but it is a lot better than things like vinyl.

If you have any fiberglas that is anywhere wood that may be moist or could get moist, throw it away and re-insulate.

Dick

 

Here is a link to pictures of my wall.

Picasa Web Albums - klockem2 - wall problems

 

Well the weatherhead thingy shot me in the foot. Thought we had it. You definitely have a slope problem. And I don't see any 3" between your veneer and the cement board. Is this a split level or is this in your basement or main floor?

 

Waht State is your house in? What side of the house is this on? You said you accessed and looked at other areas and they too had mold? -Where did you look? - same side of the house? Have you ever watched to see where the rain goes during a gulley washer? Surely, even though the brick is down to the ground, the sill is 8 inches or more up from that? So I wonder if it truly is water invasion, or maybe dampness wicking up the brick. But even if it were, I'd wonder why that be so different than houses with concrete block at the ground level. With that nice soft grond cover of grass, you woudn't think it be from hard driving rain bouncing up off the ground and up under somewhere it shouldn't be getting in, either.

It might be that rains come from that direction and are getting through the mortar maybe?

Depending on where you live, it might be a strange condensation issue, too.

 

I'm taking Dick's advice about there being at least 6" of foundation showing.
I live in central TX and it is the east side of the house. Definitely the side the rain comes from. I found wet cement board and garden variety mildew all along the same wall when I cut into the drywall. The house is a rancher (no basement).

Upon digging for a french drain I found that the hole for the AC lines goes into the foundation and the condensation from it was pooling up and running right into the wall.

Here are some new pics. I appreciate all the advice still could use more on what to do with the wall cavity's and if I can weatherproof the brick and mortar without stripping the paint off.
Thanks
Picasa Web Albums - klockem2 - wall problems

 

I missed it on the photos, but the gap every 6 brick or so is a "weep" (usually every 4') to allow the water from the cavity the be discharged. Onviously, it should not be underground where it can be plugged.

I did not see any sign of a moisture barrier in any of the photos, but that is intended to shed any moisture in the cavity to drain down and out of the wall through the weeps. In 1975, in Texas, it may not have been the standard. The classic wall with a moiture barrier, a cavity and a brick exterior is referred to as a "Cadillac" of walls, but "Mercedes" might be a better term (LOL). This stop moisture, shed it and allow it to drain away.

Dick