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Calculating Moisture Risk in Roofs

Feb 20, 2025   |   1:00 PM – 1:50 PM ET
Virtual Event

The prevention of moisture accumulation in roof decks is a tale as old as roofs. Designers have traditionally used dew point analysis or the Glaser method to determine steady-state moisture risk in roof assemblies of buildings around the globe. However, building systems have become more complicated, and highly technical analysis software has become easier to access.

More designers are turning to hygrothermal analysis to get a more in-depth look at the performance of a roof assembly as components or building usage change over time; this helps account for future climate change or when sensitive materials or building occupants are involved.

This presentation will highlight the critical assumptions that go into different types of roof moisture models. It also will look at the impact of variables incorporated only in hygrothermal analysis, such as air leakage, moisture content of materials and reflectivity. Finally, this presentation will review previous research to show how the changing of basic assumptions can impact the results of both types of analysis – for better or worse.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the key differences between the Glaser method and hygrothermal modeling.
  • Identify the impacts different variables have on roof hygrothermal models.
  • Determine when to use a Glaser method analysis versus a hygrothermal model to evaluate moisture risk.
  • Recognize how to hygrothermally model roof assemblies to reduce the risk of moisture issues.

Speaker

 
Andrea Wagner Watts
Andrea Wagner Watts

Building Science Education Manager, GAF

02/20/2025 01:00 PM 02/20/2025 01:50 PM America/New_York Calculating Moisture Risk in Roofs Virtual Event

Accredited by

AIA Learning Units:

1

ICC CEU:

0.1

Sponsored by

Building Enclosure Technology and Environment Council (BETEC)