BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Proper installation of flashing for drainage

Publication Date

Sun, 10/01/2006 - 12:00

Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Guide describing techniques for installing insulating sheathing as a continuous drainage plane on walls.

Proper shingling of drainage plane materials

Publication Date

Thu, 11/01/2007 - 12:00

Drainage Plane Behind Exterior Wall Cladding

Guide describing installation of a fully sealed continuous weather resistant barrier to provide a drainage plane to keep rainwater out of above-grade walls.

Stucco is installed over rigid insulation, which is installed over a drainage plane consisting of a drainage gap and building wrap layer over the sheathing

Measure Guideline: Guidance on Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Author(s)

Grin Aaron,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

September, 2014

Measure Guideline research report providing simple, long term, and durable solutions when using tapes and flashing membranes in conjunction with the exterior face of rigid polymeric foam sheathing to create the drainage plane of a wall system.

Building Enclosure: Stone Veneer Installation Interior Drainage Plane

Drain the Rain…On the Plane…the Drainage Plane, BSI–112

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

November, 2019

Report covering the rainwater performance of building assemblies.

Wrong - Mortar is clogging 1" drainage gap behind brick wall.

Publication Date

Mon, 06/05/2023 - 12:00

Install a housewrap drainage plane between the SIP panels and the exterior cladding

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00

Wrong – There is no flashing installed at the bottom of the exterior walls to create a drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

The weep holes are spaced at the correct distance to provide a complete drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – There is no flashing installed at the bottom of the exterior walls to create a drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Right – There is flashing installed at the bottom of the wall to create a satisfactory drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – The corners are not properly flashed, leaving a vulnerable area in the drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Right - Basement slab with a capillary break of either gravel or a drainage mat.

Publication Date

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 12:00

The sheathing has rotted because there was not a sufficient drainage gap behind the stucco cladding

Right – Furring strips provide a drainage gap between the rigid foam and the siding.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Improving Drainage and Drying Features in Certain Conditions: Rain Screen Design for Absorptive Cladding

Author(s)

National Association of Home Builders

Organization(s)

NAHB

Publication Date

December, 2008

Guide detailing best practices on how to build wall assemblies with absorptive claddings such as brick, stone that drain and dry well.

Right – The building felt is installed on all exterior walls and provides a complete drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Right – The water-resistant barrier is layered over the step flashing to provide a complete drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Bees made a nest in the drainage plane behind a brick veneer wall by entering via unscreened weep holes

Publication Date

Thu, 06/03/2021 - 12:00

The water-resistant barrier, weep screed, and stucco lathe are properly layered and will create a complete drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Install all layers of the drainage plane to overlap, not underlap, to direct bulk water down and out of the wall.

Publication Date

Thu, 11/01/2007 - 12:00

Proper flashing around windows is especially important when the rigid foam serves as the drainage plane in the wall

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2007 - 12:00

Right – The water-resistant barrier covers the entire house and the seams are taped to provide a complete drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Right – The flashing is properly installed to create a complete drainage system with continuous rigid insulation sheathing/siding

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Standard Specification for Manufactured Polymeric Drainage and Ventilation Materials Used to Provide a Rainscreen Function, ASTM E2925–19a

Author(s)

ASTM International

Organization(s)

ASTM

Publication Date

August, 2019

Specification describing criteria for manufactured polymeric materials used to provide a rainscreen function, a means for the drainage of liquid moisture and the ventilation of vapor moisture that enters an above-grade exterior wall assembly which was published in the year 2019, and is available for...

Wrong – If the insulated sheathing will serve as an air barrier and drainage plane, any cuts and seams must be taped or sealed.

House wrap is sealed at all seams and overlaps flashing to serve as a continuous drainage plane over the exterior walls.

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Right – The rigid insulation covers all exterior walls and all seams are taped to provide a complete drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Wrong: The homeowner mistakenly filled in the weep holes in this brick wall with spray foam, preventing drainage from behind the wall

Seams in the ICF block are sealed so the EPS foam surface can serve as the drainage plane; no house wrap is needed.

Two layers of high-permeability house wrap are installed to provide a drainage layer between the SIPS and the homes external cladding

Wrong - Stucco has rotted and cracked above a window because of water damage due to lack of proper flashing and drainage.

Publication Date

Tue, 11/12/2019 - 12:00

A plastic fiber drainage mat rainscreen provides uniform support for the siding and allows moisture to flow horizontally and diagonally in addition to vertically.

Publication Date

Tue, 06/29/2021 - 12:00

Right – There is flashing installed along the top of the window and the water-resistant barrier is layered over to create a complete drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Right – This foil-faced foam sheathing has taped seams and proper flashing details so it can serve as a drainage plane.

Flashing at bottom of exterior walls with weep holes included for masonry veneer and weep screed for stucco cladding systems, or equivalent drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Flashing at bottom of exterior walls with weep holes included for masonry veneer and weep screed for stucco cladding systems, or equivalent drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Flashing at bottom of exterior walls with weep holes included for masonry veneer and weep screed for stucco cladding systems, or equivalent drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Furring strips provide drainage gap behind lap siding; screen is added at bottom and top to prevent entry of insects and wildfire embers.

Publication Date

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 12:00

Rigid foam insulation can serve as the drainage plane when all seams are taped. Furring strips provide an air gap behind the cladding.

Publication Date

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 12:00

Step and kick-out flashing at all roof-wall intersections extending ≥ 4 in. on wall surface above roof deck and integrated with drainage plane above

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Construct exterior walls with insulated concrete forms (ICFs) that provide insulation without thermal bridging, as well as air sealing, a drainage plane, and high structural strength.

Publication Date

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 12:00

Furring strips provide a mounting surface for siding over the smart house wrap membrane which serves as a drainage plane over cork insulation installed on the exterior of this home.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/29/2021 - 12:00

Right - XPS foam insulation is attached to the existing exterior wall with wood furring strips that serve as a nail base for the siding and are installed vertically to allow for drainage and drying behind the siding

Spray foam extends down the inside of the foundation wall to the uninsulated slab; because the wall lacked exterior perimeter drainage, the slab was cut and an interior footing drain was installed.

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

A drainage plane is created behind lap siding by installing furring strips on the exterior walls over house wrap which is overlapped and taped at all seams to serve as an air and water barrier.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/06/2023 - 12:00

A self-adhering weather-resistant barrier is installed over the existing sheathing of this retrofit home to provide air sealing and a drainage plane before installing new metal and wood siding on the home.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/29/2021 - 12:00

This basement is insulated on the exterior with rigid foam over dampproofing, with granular backfill and footing drains to facilitate drainage away from the foundation, a termite shield to protect from pests, and cellular PVC to protect the rigid foam.

Publication Date

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 12:00

A typical Las Vegas hot-dry climate home made of wood frame construction and insulated with R-25 expanded polystyrene externally over a drainage plane, with an unvented wood frame insulated attic and roof assembly.

Publication Date

Tue, 02/16/2010 - 12:00

Good water management practices like sloping grade away from house, and installing gutters, perimeter drain pipe, a capillary break, and free-draining soils or drainage mat protect the foundation from water saturation.

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00

Over the taped rigid foam board, 2x4 furring strips provide a ventilating air gap and drainage plane under the engineered wood lap siding. The furring strips were attached with structural screws to provide an attachment surface for the siding.

Right – The raised-slab, CMU block stem wall, above-grade walls, and roof of this house use flood damage-resistant materials, integrated water, vapor, and air control layers, and construction methods which promote good drainage and rapid drying

Publication Date

Sat, 01/01/2022 - 12:00

Right – The raised-slab, poured-concrete stem wall, above-grade walls, and roof of this house use flood damage-resistant materials, integrated water, vapor, and air control layers, and construction methods which promote good drainage and rapid drying

Publication Date

Sat, 01/01/2022 - 12:00

Right – The raised-slab, brick-and-block stem wall, above-grade walls, and roof of this house use flood damage-resistant materials, integrated water, vapor, and air control layers, and construction methods which promote good drainage and rapid drying

Publication Date

Sat, 01/01/2022 - 12:00

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

Guide describing how to install stucco over rigid foam insulation in new and existing homes.

Frame wall and install blocking

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Lower wall insulation installation

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Upper wall insulation installation

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Install minimum 6" wide self-adhered butyl Z-flashing

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Upper wall insulation installation with butyl z-flashing

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Tennessee 'Bee Whisperer' Removes 35,000 Honey Bees from Brick Wall

Author(s)

Farber Madeline

Organization(s)

Fox News

Publication Date

October, 2018

A story about bees building a hive in the drainage plane behind the brick veneer siding. The bees entered the wall through unprotected drainage holes.

Tape the joint between the top insulation sheet and the Z-flashing with 2" wide tape to improve air tightness

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Clean taping areas and install 3" tape on vertical joint of upper insulation overlapping the horizontal joint

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Tape horizontal joint with minimum 3" wide tape placing tape offset high on the joint, adhearing to the upper sheet without wrinkles

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Terminate 4" tape with 2" wide tape placing tape offset high on the joint, 2/3 of the tape should be adhered to the sheet of insulation

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Damp-Proof Exterior Surface of Below-Grade Walls

Guide describing how to apply water management strategies to below grade walls.

Karuna Passive House Rainscreen System

Publication Date

October, 2012

Video describing the rain screen system installed in a passive house.

Temporary dry floodproofing wall design concepts

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2007 - 12:00

Rainscreens: A Builder’s Experience

Author(s)

Peter Barrett,

Chris Donatelli

Organization(s)

Donatelli Builders,

Dorken Systems Inc.,

EEBA

Publication Date

July, 2021

Webinar from Peter Barrett of Dorken Systems Inc. and Chris Donatelli of Donatelli Builders discussing how rainscreens work to add drainage and drying capacity to residential walls, using a real-life example from a retrofit home in Chicago. Free EEBA login required.

Designing and Building Resilient Wall Systems with Engineered Rainscreen Products.

Author(s)

Lolley Keith,

Dalgleish Laverne

Organization(s)

Building Enclosure Moisture Management Institute

Publication Date

March, 2016

Conference paper describing the use of engineered rainscreen products to provide air flow and water drainage space in wall assemblies in residential and commercial buildings.

Nashville's Home Inspector reveals clogged "Weep Holes"

Publication Date

May, 2011

Video showing how the weep holes in a brick façade are sometimes filled by the homeowner or subsequent contractor who mistakenly thought the holes are the result of an installation error during the brick laying work. These holes are important to the drainage and ventilation of the wall, please don’t...