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Most people might not know that it's natural for some moisture to penetrate building walls, which is fine as long as it can get out again.  New technologies in vapor-permeable air barriers can achieve the balance necessary for a safe and healthy structure.

Any developer or builder will tell you that a perfect scenario for wall assemblies would be that they never get wet.  And they would also tell you that this perfect scenario does not exist.  Even in the event conditions are ideal during construction, the cycle of air and moisture leaking in and out of a building begins almost immediately upon tenant occupancy.  

Moisture can enter a wall assembly in several ways.  Walls may start off wet in prolonged rainy conditions during construction.  It can enter by leaky pipes or faulty roof flashing.  Openings in brick veneer can create an entry point.   Water entering through the masonry can easily migrate to the interior at unsealed laps and openings.  Poorly sealed or lapped sheets in old felt paper barrier technology may allow water and moist air to flow into the building. 

Warm air moving through the walls can create condensation where it meets colder temperatures, settling around electrical conduits or pipes.  In summer, warm moist air leaking into the building and encountering surfaces chilled by air conditioning leave residual condensation.  In winter, escaping heated air can have the same effect when it meets colder exterior surfaces.
   
The key is to strike a balance between moisture entry and evaporation, ensuring that too much moisture cannot accumulate within the wall.  Once this occurs, the nightmare of mold developing and the process of remediation ensues.  At this point it may be necessary to remove the brick veneer and replace the underlying faulty barrier. 

There are other costs associated with improper air flow.  Air leaking in or out of a building can make the HVAC system work harder as it over compensates, causing an increase in energy costs and reducing the life of the unit.   New technology in vapor-permeable air barriers prevents harmful air flow but still allows for proper evaporation in the event water does get in.  Combined with appropriate through-wall flashings they will provide a continuous air and vapor barrier seal.