Inspecting Manufactured Stone for Water Damage. New inspection article.

[Nick Gromicko]

Inspecting Manufactured Stone for Water Damage.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

A much needed article. Some comments, below.

• The base of wood-framed walls need weep holes, as do the tops of windows and door openings.

It's called a weep "screed", not weep "holes".

• Seams at windows, doors and adjacent trim need to be properly sealed.

How? With what?

• Seams and joints where manufactured stone meets another form of cladding need to be properly sealed.

How? With what?

• The veneer should not be in contact with the ground or pavement.
• The veneer should not be in contact with roofing materials.
• If the veneer has been installed correctly, there will be nothing other than mortar visible between the stones.
• Kick-out flashings should be installed everywhere they are needed, and should divert water away from the manufactured stone veneer and the building in general. If proper detailing and flashing are not installed, water may penetrate the cladding and cause structural damage from rotting.
• The manufacturer’s instructions for the particular AMSMV product installed should always
• be followed by the installer.

Perhaps mention that one of the hazards of extending the stone to the ground is that termites have a hidden path to the wood structures.

Installation should be according to this document and the manuf. specs.

http://www.aohomeinspection.com/pdf/mvma030909.pdf


Some code book references:


A Few Applicable codes (2006 International Residential Code):

R703.6 Exterior plaster. Installation of these materials shall be in compliance withASTMC926 andASTMC1063 and the provisions of this code.
"R703.6.2 Plaster. On wood-frame construction with an on-grade floor slab system, exterior plaster shall be applied to cover, but not extend below, lath, paper and screed."
Keyword: "screed". i.e, drainage system.
"R703.6.2.1 Weep screeds. A minimum 0.019-inch (0.5 mm) (No. 26 galvanized sheet gage), corrosion-resistant weep screed or plastic weep screed, with a minimum vertical attachment flange of 31/2 inches (89 mm) shall be provided at or below the foundation plate line on exterior stud walls in accordance with ASTM C 926. The weep screed shall be placed a minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) above the earth or 2 inches (51 mm) above paved areas and shall be of a type that will allow trapped water to drain to the exterior of the building. The weather-resistant barrier shall lap the attachment flange. The exterior lath shall cover and terminate on the attachment flange of the weep screed."
Keywords: "shall", "screeds", "2 inches above paved areas", "4 inches above earth"
"R703.8 Flashing. Approved corrosion-resistant flashing shall be applied shingle-fashion in such a manner to prevent entry of water into the wall cavity or penetration of water to the building structural framing components. The flashing shall extend to the surface of the exterior wall finish. Approved corrosion-resistant flashings shall be installed at all of the following locations:

1. Exterior window and door openings. Flashing at exterior window and door openings shall extend to the surface of the exterior wall finish or to the water-resistive barrier for subsequent drainage.

2. At the intersection of chimneys or other masonry construction with frame or stucco walls, with projecting lips on both sides under stucco copings.

3. Under and at the ends of masonry, wood or metal copings and sills.

4. Continuously above all projecting wood trim.

5. Where exterior porches, decks or stairs attach to a wall or floor assembly of wood-frame construction.

6. At wall and roof intersections.

7. At built-in gutters."

Keywords: "shall extend to the surface" i.e., shall be visible, "shall be installed at all of the following locations"

[Kate Tarasenko]

Thanks for your suggestions, Joe! I've made the correction from "weep holes" to "weep screeds" x 3.

The co-author is working on your other suggested changes, so thanks very much for your input.

He got the idea for the article from the Forum, so we're happy to accommodate and grateful for the feedback!

=D>

[John Evans]

Stone veneer has been a very popular builders option, I have not found one correctly installed. Most common installation errors include mortar placed tight to window and door trim without required backer rod and sealant to allow for expansion and contraction. Missing weep screeds and continuing the stone from the framed walls to the foundation without a capilary break. Below grade installation is all to common. Many homes will have future water damage, another EIFS like problem! The links provide some very good information.

http://www.masonryveneer.org/

http://www.culturedstone.com/literat...onryVeneer.pdf

Attached photos of new home construction, cracked mortar within the first few months. Stone below grade, no weeep screed or space for drainage.

[Bob Elliott]

Pretty good though it would be nice to have a comment section under these articles so they could go into more detail.
Guys could add illustrations and discuss in much more depth to make the articles a deeper resource that we could turn to.
Editing and moderation would serve well in this case, if used properly.