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Water Managed Walls

Building Science-to-Sales Translator

Water Managed Walls = Wall Moisture Control System

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Technical Description

Most exterior wall cladding systems leak. Wind pressure and capillary action can drive rainwater through the many cracks, joints, and small gaps in a building's exterior. With typical residential siding systems, it is nearly impossible to seal all those holes. Even if a builder succeeds in sealing a majority of the holes, using caulk on the exterior of the wall is not a long-term solution; the caulk will need to be reapplied fairly often. A more practical way to protect building exteriors from rainwater relies on a drainage approach. With this approach, any water that leaks through the cladding will run into a water-resistant surface and safely drain down and out of the wall. The water-resistant surface could be house wrap or rigid foam that is securely taped or sealed at all seams. . House wrap should be lapped over any exterior wall flashings installed around window and door openings or where roofs intersect walls. Any holes through the wall, such as for water spigots, exhaust vent outlets, HVAC line sets, or wiring for outdoor light fixtures and receptacles, should be carefully sealed or gasketed.

Alternate Terms

Dry-by-Design Walls
Moisture Managed Wall Technology
Professionally Installed Wall Water Protection

Wall Moisture Control System
Sales Message

Wall moisture control systems help drain water away from above-grade walls. What this means to you is peace-of-mind knowing your home has a comprehensive set of measures that minimize the risk of water damage in your home. Wouldn’t you agree every home should have full water protection?

Disclaimer

This content is a work created with funding provided by the United States Department of Energy under Contract no DE-AC05-076RL01830 for the operation of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The information and guidance provided by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the content are intended solely for educational purposes only and do not constitute formal training or certification. It is provided with the explicit understanding that neither the United States Government nor the United States Department of Energy, nor the Contractor, nor any or their employees, nor any jurisdiction or organization that has cooperated in the development of these materials, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness or any information, apparatus, product, software, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or Battelle Memorial Institute. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Viewers assumes full responsibility for all actions that they may take from information provided in this content including ensuring the safety, code compliance, and proper functionality of any products they choose to install. Installation and use of such products should be performed in accordance with local regulations and manufacturer instructions.