Moisture control apparatus

Abstract

A system and a method for controlling or reducing moisture levels in building cavities. Desiccant is used in combination with various containers for placing the desiccant into building cavities to control levels of moisture and mold in the cavities.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A desiccant implant comprising: 
 a permeable body for insertion into a wall cavity; and    a cavity within the permeable body.    
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1  further comprising a removable cap at a distal end of the implant.  
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 1  further comprising a flange at a proximal end of the implant such that the flange has a diameter greater than a diameter of the permeable body.  
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 3  wherein the flange has a sealant member on a side facing a distal end of the implant.  
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 1  wherein the cavity is filled with a desiccant.  
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 5  wherein the desiccant is a mixture of an indicating desiccant and a non-indicating desiccant.  
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 5  wherein the desiccant is a mixture of a fast-acting desiccant and an extended duration desiccant.  
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 1  wherein the cavity is filled with a media indicator.  
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 1  further comprising a rounded distal end.  
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 1  further comprising a wedge-shaped distal end.  
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 1  further comprising a transparent faceplate at a proximal end of the implant.  
     
     
         12 . A moisture control apparatus comprising: 
 a first receiver providing access to a first wall assembly cavity, the first receiver configured to receive a first desiccant;    a first permeable receptacle coupled to the first receiver, the first permeable receptacle configured to enclose the first desiccant; and    a second receiver providing access to a second wall assembly cavity, the second receiver being adjacent to the first receiver and configured to receive a second desiccant.    
     
     
         13 . The moisture control apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the first wall assembly cavity is a wall cavity and the second wall assembly cavity is a barrier cavity.  
     
     
         14 . A wall assembly comprising: 
 a wall assembly cavity;    a receiver providing access to the wall assembly cavity;    a permeable container configured to be inserted through the receiver and into the wall assembly cavity; and    a permeable receptacle coupled with the receiver, the permeable receptacle configured to enclose the permeable container.    
     
     
         15 . The wall assembly of  claim 14  wherein the wall assembly cavity is a wall cavity.  
     
     
         16 . The wall assembly of  claim 14  wherein the wall assembly cavity is a barrier cavity.  
     
     
         17 . The wall assembly of  claim 14  further comprising a support member configured to support the permeable receptacle within the wall assembly cavity.  
     
     
         18 . The wall assembly of  claim 17  wherein the support member is a bar attached at each end to a wall stud.  
     
     
         19 . The wall assembly of  claim 14  further comprising a decorative cover covering the receiver.  
     
     
         20 . The wall assembly of  claim 14  wherein the receiver is located near a bottom portion of the wall assembly cavity.  
     
     
         21 . The wall assembly of  claim 14  wherein the receiver is located near a top portion of the wall assembly cavity.  
     
     
         22 . A moisture control apparatus for controlling moisture within a building comprising: 
 a means for containing a desiccant; and    a means for delivering the desiccant to a building cavity.    
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22  further comprising a means for determining a moisture level within the building cavity.  
     
     
         24 . A moisture control apparatus for controlling moisture within a building comprising: 
 a means for containing a desiccant; and    a means for adsorbing moisture within a sealed building cavity, 
 wherein the moisture is voided from lumber forming the building cavity.  
   
     
     
         25 . A moisture control apparatus for controlling moisture within a building comprising: 
 a first strip means for adsorbing moisture from a first wall cavity;    a second strip means for adsorbing moisture from a second wall cavity; and    a receiver means for receiving desiccant within the first and the second wall cavities.