Table of Contents
Why does weep screed have holes?
The weep screed, typically installed at the foundation sill line or about six inches above the grade, is a place where excess moisture can drain out of the exterior. It will contain drainage holes for the moisture to “weep” out of, so that it does not damage the wall.
Is a weep screed necessary?
Weep screed is usually required for all buildings that have wood framing construction, especially if it is a new build. There are certain circumstances where an older building that did not have weep screed installed may be exempt from having weep screed installed when doing renovations due to aesthetics.
Does siding need weep screed?
Weep screed is required by the IRC. You can transition to a different material, which is easier on the eye or you can continue with stucco below the weep screed.
Is a weep screed necessary for stucco?
Weep screeds are generally only used on walls constructed with wood framing, and are not required on stucco-coated masonry structures or when adhered stone is installed over masonry.
Does EIFS need weep screed?
Moisture Drainage MD-EIFS PVC accessories are permitted but not required. Most systems have a weep screed (PVC starter track with weep holes), but not all systems.
What is weep screed flashing?
What is a weep screed you ask? Well, it is a piece of metal flashing that is set at the bottom of the exterior walls of your home. Its main job is to pull the moisture out of the walls and provide an outlet for it to drain out.
How does stucco weep screed work?
The screed serves as a vent so that the moisture can escape the stucco wall finish just above the foundation.” It terminates the bottom of a cementitious-based thin veneer rainscreen & should allow liquid moisture that drains down the back side of a thin veneer rainscreen to freely exit the thin veneer.
Can you pour concrete against stucco?
None. The concrete should slope away from home. If you have the option to go an inch down then fine so you don’t mess up the stucco while pouring.
Can water seep through stucco?
Despite what many people think about stucco walls, stucco walls are not water-resistant. As a matter of fact water actually absorbs into the stucco. In most cases, the problem with water leaking through stucco is that the building envelope has been breached.
What does stucco below grade mean?
Stucco Below Grade: What Does It Mean? In the case of stucco installation, “below grade” means that the stucco material was applied below where the home’s foundation meets the ground. If your home is on concrete, there should be at least 2 inches of space between the bottom of the stucco and the foundation.
Should stucco touch the ground?
When installing stucco, you should ensure that it never touches the ground, or in other words, is below-grade. There needs to be a minimum of four inches of space between the soil and the stucco for houses that rest on soil, but six to eight inches of space is recommended.
Should stucco go all the way to the ground?
When stucco is installed, it should be above grade, allowing for a 6-8 inch gap between the stucco and soil. If your house rests on concrete, there should be about 2 inches between the stucco and the concrete foundation. When the minimum distances between stucco and ground are not met, serious issues begin to arise.
How can you tell EIFS stucco?
The easiest way to identify synthetic stucco (EIFS) is by touching the material with your bare hand. When you touch the wall where the stucco is installed, it will feel like plastic. You can also knock gently on the wall. If it sounds hollow and thin, you have EIFS on your home.
Does EIFS use wire mesh?
The Installation Process Stucco and EIFS are installed in two different ways. When installing stucco, a wire mesh structure is created. On the other hand, EIFS uses a baseboard that is installed in the desired location. In most cases, this board will be made of styrofoam.
What is the most common type of EIFS?
The most common type of EIFS is the polymer based (PB) system. This system has a nominally 1/16 inch thick reinforced base coat applied to the insulation prior to application of the finish coat.
When did weep screed become code?
Weep screed was made part of the building code in 1970 with additional requirements added through subsequent code revisions over the years with the latest coming in 2001.
How does stucco work?
Stucco is a cement-type mixture made of Portland cement, lime, sand and water. It is a thin finish coat that goes on the outermost layer of residential and commercial constructions. Modern stucco has polymers and other agents for increased flexibility that improves its resilience.
What is a screed tool?
A flat board (screed board, floating screed) or a purpose-made aluminium tool used to smooth and to “true” materials like concrete, stucco and plaster after they have been placed on a surface or to assist in flattening; The material itself which has been flattened with a screed (screed coat).
What do weep holes do?
The Masonry Design Manual describes weep holes as, ‘Openings placed in mortar joints of facing materials at the level of flashing, to permit the escape of moisture, or openings in retaining walls to permit water to escape.
