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Interstitial condensation is a type of condensation that may occur within an enclosed wall, roof or floor cavity structure, which can create dampening.
When moisture-laden air at dew point temperature penetrates inside a cavity of the structure, it condenses into liquid water on that surface. The moisture laden air can penetrate into hidden interstitial wall cavity through the exterior in a warm/humid outdoor period, and from inside the building during warm/humid indoor periods. Groundwater soaking the basement foundation walls from wet soil is common. This can result from a high water table or from improperly drained rainwater runoff soaking into the ground next to the basement walls. Moisture saturated basement walls will add moisture directly into basement interstitial spaces leading to interstitial condensation with cool basement temperatures.
All interstitial condensation can cause uncontrolled mold and bacteria growth, rotting of wood components, corrosion of metal components and/or a reduction in the thermal insulation's effectiveness.[1] The resulting structural damage, along with mold and bacteria growth, may occur without any visible surface indications until significant damage or extensive mold and bacteria growth has occurred. HVAC ducts within interstitial spaces (chases) can leak out cold air through unsealed joints/connections which produces dew point surfaces. Unsealed duct joints/connections can also create suction that pulls humid air into interstitial spaces and chases. This can promote more mold and bacteria growth on the condensed cool surfaces of the interstitial spaces. In addition, the cool ducts themselves can condense humid air and “sweat” even more liquid water into the interstitial spaces thereby exacerbating mold and bacteria growth.
Since most building materials are permeable and many joints are not completely sealed, it's critical in controlling interstitial condensation to control indoor moisture at its sources (venting out shower vapor), through HVAC dehumidification, ventilation and by adding an impermeable vapor barrier in the interstitial cavity. In addition, since the air in interstitial cavities can communicate with interior spaces through tiny cracks and unsealed joints, any airborne mold, aerosolized fungal fragments and bacteria growth in the interstitial cavity can travel into the building's air to then be breathed in by building occupants.
Interstitial condensation is differentiated from surface condensation in buildings which is known as "cold-bridge condensation" or "warm front condensation"[2] where the condensation forms on the interior or exterior surfaces of a building rather than inside wall, floor or roof cavities.