7 Minutes of BS (#BuildingScience w/a BEAT)

A Drip edge is the leading edge of a flashing, sill, overhang or other linear, horizontal building element, designed to shed water. they’re commonly found at enclosure details such as flashings, overhangs, or transition details between enclosure elements. Like where one type of siding meets another. Or at the base of a wall where siding sets above a water table band.

"Science is a method of understanding how things work in the universe." Allison Bailles, Ph. D. is the gest for this episode of 7 Minutes of BS. We decided to back out of Building Science for a minute to talk about what science is, how it works, why it matters, and whether only ostrichs do not understand that climate change is a thing.

Three-pronged solution to indoor pollution: Isolate, eliminate, and ventilate. For today's topic, we have Jim Shelton, Vice President, Panasonic Eco Solutions of North America as he breaks down the nuts and bolts of cleaning the air inside a building and keeping that way.

Heat stress is a net heat load to which a worker is exposed from the combined contributions of metabolic heat, environmental factors, and clothing worn, which results in the increase in heat storage in the body. Too much heat stress can increase the risk for experiencing a heat-related illness such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat rash— and DEATH. Image: Guian Bolisay via Wikimed...

"You can't simply go down to the hardware store and buy a box labeled air barrier." This episode features Jonathan Smegal, M.A. SC a Senior Project Manager with RDH Building Science Laboratories breaking down the topic of air barriers in walls and roofs. "A layer in the enclosure that stops the air movement from the interior to the exterior, and it often requires many components that are put toget...

In this episode, we are joined by Sarah Gray, an engineer with RDH Building Science Inc. to talk about using simple physics to outthink simple physics. Using gravity to beat surface tension, and slope to beat gravity.

Vapor permeance is the property of a material – and in our discussions this will be building materials – which permits the passage of water vapor through it. Today's guest is Jonathan Smegal of RDH Building Science Laboratories... Some materials have high vapor permeance which means they allow a lot of water vapor to pass and other materials have significantly less vapor permeance, so they block w...

Thin foil can block massive amounts of heat transfer, but it needs a massive temperature difference to be effective. So, in residential construction, thermal insulation makes radiant barriers largely irrelevant.

Houses cannot expand and contract with changes in pressure like balloons can. Instead, they need paths for air to balance the pressure

Roof Ventilation by ProTradeCraft.com

Guest: Sarah Gray, P. Eng., RDH Building Science Inc. Reservoir claddings include brick, stone, terra cotta, and even stucco, that are all porous materials. When exposed to rain or vapor diffusion, those pores will absorb and hold water until, the pores dry out. Just like a dam holds back lake water, the damned bricks hold the rain.

Exhaust, supply, balanced, and backdrafting. How to visualize what you cannot see.

Physics vs physical structures and how salt can blow apart brick.

Building science with a beat

Stack effect is relentless: it is always working, when you’re awake or asleep, even during blackouts. And it feeds on itself.

A big problem, for roofs in cold climates, but what causes it and how can you fix it?