Why Weather Barriers Matter so Much
Construction is not an exact science because the materials the industry uses are not precision quality. Weather barriers are essential because the the best brick wall admits moisture unless it is properly sealed.
Despite this, there is no 100% guarantee it will be totally impermeable. Moreover, as long as siding covers it, it is effectively impossible to inspect. Siding does not have a lifetime either.
It may be completely waterproof at first when correctly installed. However, the sealing on the corners, edges and joints does eventually dry and crack. A piece of debris flying in the wind could crack the actual siding too.
The Logic behind Weather Barriers
One possible workaround would be to inspect the siding regularly. Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t bother on account of the cost of reaching the high points. Therefore some moisture eventually penetrates past the siding during rainstorms.
This moisture could eventually enter the inner wall if left unattended, and cause a damp smell and mold inside the home. The only way to fix a leak is at the source before the damp causes more serious damage.
For practical reasons the best place to do so is immediately after the moisture penetrates the siding and that’s where weather barriers come in. We also need a way to remove the moisture from the cavity later.
Applying This Theory in Practice
There are various proprietary barriers on the market. Here we think of traditional felt paper, rain screen systems, caulks, sealants, and self-adhesive flashing membranes. These all add value depending prevailing weather conditions.
SilverLine Exterior Solutions provides free advice on your best option. We generally prefer to use synthetic house wraps because they go on faster and perform consistently over time.
However they have one more advantage which we believe is the clincher. The old-style bitumen-based weather barriers trapped moisture inside a wall that managed to penetrate. However, the house wraps we use are semi permeable.
While water cannot pass through them, water vapour can. This means if the rain does find a way past, its water vapour can escape to the outside. SilverLine Exterior Solutions stays abreast with latest trends so we can offer our clients the very best that’s available.
Speak to us soon by calling 604-942-0488 if you need advice on keeping your home warm and dry despite what’s happening outside. We can’t guarantee a storm may never come through. However we do promise to provide a sterling siding service in Vancouver.
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