DOUGLAS E. SMITH
        Smith Custom Builders

     Over the years we have found that different contractors waterproof many different ways. The only correct way to prevent water intrusion into the home is by following manufactures' specifica- tions on their specific waterproofing products.
  Areas that require a strict sequence of application are brick flashings, window and door installation, and balcony flashing systems. Homeowners should also have a scheduled maintenance plan, checking ant control and landscaping.
  Masonry brick does not stop water; in fact it does the opposite, it absorbs water. As the water travels through the brick, it runs down the back of the brick and should travel "out" through the weep holes. Weep holes are the small holes in the mortar between the bottom rows of brick
  When rainwater penetrates the brick, it should never come in contact with the home's frame. The home's framing normally has plywood nailed to the exterior; it then should be wrapped with a building wrap like Tyvek, Ammowrap, Typar or like product.
  At the base of every wall there should be a 2-foot-wide strip of plastic circling the complete home. This strip of plas- tic is nailed directly to the plywood 1 foot up the wall, and hangs down covering the brick ledge on the foundation.
  The brick is actually laid directly on the plastic. Building wrap on the plywood should hang over the plastic allowing the water to flow away from the frame. This sequence of application in a sense creates a "water slide" for the water to escape to the outside of your home.
  

  It is also very important that landscaping not exceed the height of your foundation. This can be another reason for bulk water intrusion.
  When having your remodeling contractor install new windows or doors, it is critical they follow the manufacturer's sequence of application provided for its many different products.
  Window and door wrap is vital to insure no water leakage. House wrap must be installed not only on the outside of the frame and plywood, but it must wrap around to the inside of window- and door- frame openings.
  Next a special type of flexible flashing should always be applied directly around these openings. If the "layering" of these products is not installed to manufacturer's specs, it will cause water intrusion into your home.
  Flexible wrap is normally made up of butyl rubber or rubberized asphalt/polyethylene. Ask your contractor for the type best suited for your application.
  Balconies are another common source of water intrusion - mainly where the upstairs wall meets the balcony surface. Balcony waterproofing can be accomplished in a couple of different ways.
  One is to install a custom fabricated metal pan; the other is to use different types of butyl rubber products like "Ice and Water Shield"
  Built correctly, either system will work. Remember, balcony pans and liners are only as good as the installation.
  Proper installation of bricks windows, doors, and balconies, using the correct layering of products available in today's
market, along with proper maintenance of landscaping and weep hole blockage, are a great place to start when working to avoid water intrusion into your home.
  

  One common problem I have seen can happen when the brick is installed Sometimes bricklayers allow mortar to fall behind the brick, blocking the water's ability to flow out through the weep holes.
  There are products available on the market today that are designed to help with this mortar problem. One product uses a stiff filter media, 2 inches thick, that can be placed behind the brick at the foundation level when the brick mason first starts. It is 1 foot tall and stops falling mortar, keeping the weep holes open.
  Most homes built in the '60s, '708 and '80s used exterior "Gyp-board" (type of exterior drywall) nailed to the outside of the frame, and did not have the plastic strip nailed around the base. This ex- poses the bottom of the frame to any water buildup behind the brick.
  Check to see if you have damp spots or mold around anyexterior walls, in the carpet, or tile. If you notice this or any cupping of your hardwood floors, then this might be a good time to have your remodeling contractor bring in his mason to remove a couple of bricks to inspect this critical area.
  Be sure your pest control is up to date. Ant mounds can block your weep hole exits. This is a maintenance issue that many homeowners overlook.