Diagnostic Water Testing

By: Dominic L. Pusateri   

In order to evaluate wall components, various tests can be utilized. Methods for the evaluation of these components are outlined in ASTM E 2128, Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls. One of the methods described in this standard involves directing water in a targeted fashion by building a dam around suspect areas and applying water. Hydrostatic head pressure comes into play only if the water is retained at some level in the dam. However, when water exits the dam as fast as it is poured into the dam, then hydrostatic pressure is not necessary for water to enter the components, mere capillary conduction is all that is necessary and the dam acts then more as a funnel, isolating water to specific areas. The benefit of the approach is that it is more precise as to the locations where the defect lies. This helps with the inference of the results when comparing the test locations to section details. 

Water By-Passing Window Perimeter Joints

By: Dominic L. Pusateri 

Perimeter caulk, also known as sealant, is used to transition windows to adjacent claddings; we call this a perimeter isolation joint.  The windows and claddings resist water and air infiltration with the help of the weather resistive barrier (WRB) at the cladding substrate.  The area between the cladding and WRB is known as the drainage plain.  In a recent blog post, I defined and quantified the volume of water that the drainage plain should be capable of managing.   Water at the drainage plain is commonly referred to as incidental water.   The incidental water should be controlled and directed to the exterior.  The interfacing of the weather resistive barrier at openings in the wall is critical but, because the weather barrier interfacing occurs behind the surface of the cladding and abutting components, it is often undervalued.  

Door Blower Usage

By: Abdullah Khaliqi

The door blower is one of many versatile tools utilized by R. J. Kenney Associates, Inc. (RJK ). This blog post highlights one of the many ways it can be used.