BU587 Dealing with construction moisture in new buildings (2015)

New houses can experience high internal moisture levels for up to 2 years after construction. The source of the moisture is from construction materials - some have a high moisture content when initially installed, and some may become wet during the construction period. This bulletin describes ways to deal with the problems arising from it.

This bulletin updates and replaces Bulletin 447 Preventing construction moisture problems in new buildings.

The bulletin covers:

• Building Code requirements
• construction moisture sources
• effects of excess moisture, including damage, equilibrium moisture content and timber shrinkage
• avoiding problems due to construction moisture.