Novabrik System Fights Moulds

Typical Novabrik project

Over the last decade, mold problems have been emerging as the latest "sick building" horror story. Wide media coverage and several well-publicized lawsuits and settlements have occurred in the US and Canada because of this problem. Energy efficient construction techniques, new building technology, as well as poor installation training has led to costly repairs for moisture-related damages.

Novabrik system will help you, the building professional, design your next building project or solve moisture related problems on an existing structure.

What is mold?

The term mold refers to various kinds of fungi, or spores bearing micro-organisms that grow on animal and vegetable (organic) based sources. Mold can also occur on building wood. Building wood is a potential food source for a variety of fungi and is provoked to grow by specific circumstances such as temperature, oxygen and water (liquid or vapor). Mold may cause dramatic building failure and is also known as a health risk.

Novabrik system, a success story in moisture control in Wilmington, North Carolina

Building envelope failure with EIFS

EIFS, also known as synthetic stucco, has been the source of building failure all over North America. Failure of the rain screen and the lack of drainage have caused structural damage to buildings, and has triggered mold growth.

In Wilmington, Novabrik system was chosen to replace the existing EIFS siding which had failed to protect the building structure, thus creating multiple mold colonies. No foundation ledge was required thanks to Novabrik's stack and screw technology.

After a six month period, our Novabrik system was removed to let inspectors search for mold colonies. The entire wall was dry and free of any mold or fungi. The Novabrik system has proven once again its ability to balance and control moisture in building envelopes, thereby protecting your investment against any premature decay. The Novabrik system's is based on the fundamentals of water control and good construction design.

Fundamentals of water control (4D'S).

Mortarless brick system

The Novabrik system is specially designed to accommodate the 4D'S in moisture control of the building envelope.

Deflection is the first principal and main priority of water management. This first line of defense, called the "water protection" system, should provide a watertight surface and prevent water from entering behind the surface. Novabrik has succeeded with some of the most severe rain tests. The watertight interlocking brick system does not provide a path for water to infiltrate even under unbalanced pressure conditions.

Drainage is the building's capacity to collect and return water beyond the exterior face of the cladding. Novabrik design includes a 3/4" minimum air cavity behind the rain screen. This cavity helps prohibit rain penetration by the pressure forces and give a path to water that may pass the cladding. This drainage path allows water to flow quickly down and finally out of the building envelope. The Novabrik mortarless properties provide no restrictions for water to run out of the wall as compared to conventional brick where mortar build up at the bottom of the wall may obstruct water run-off.

Typical mortarless project

Drying is the mechanism by which wall assemblies remove moisture accumulations by venting and vapor diffusion. Studies have found that air flow behind the cladding can control and improve the drying capacity of the drainage cavity. Novabrik offers no resistance to wind gust. Air flows through bricks and creates permanent ventilation into the cavity. The 1998 Rimouski's University report on Novabrik's ability to balance moisture content in the building envelope concluded that Novabrik can sustain any weather conditions and will not contribute to mold growth in the cavity of on the furring strips (Pine or fur).

Decay resistance could also be termed as moisture tolerance or safe storage of water. Wood is a hydroscopic material, which means it naturally gives or takes off water to balance with its surrounding environment. Outdoor wood used for structure and strapping will not show any signs of decay if the moisture content of the wood is above fiber saturation (around 30% for fur and pine). The 1998 Rimouski's University study also showed that excess water in the wood or accidental leaks in the building envelope which result in the increase of moisture content are balanced by the breathing ability of the Novabrik system

For any of your future veneer siding projects in new construction or renovations, we recommend the use of the Novabrik system. For more information visit our website at www.premarc.com or contact our technical staff from the R&D department at 1-866-678-2745.

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