Water Intrusion : 4 Ways to Protect Your Home from Water Seeping in from Outside

What is Water Intrusion?

The definition of water intrusion is the uncontrolled movement of water, water vapor, or moisture to areas of a building that is unwanted or undesirable. Water intrusion in buildings, manufacturing plants, construction sites, or residential areas can come from numerous sources.

Exterior Flood Damage

An important aspect of the durability of a home is the effective management of water like water intrusion. Having an attractive exterior finishing makes a home look good, but you cannot rely on those to give flawless protection from flood damage. None of the exterior finishes, be it stucco, siding or brick is waterproof. Stucco and brick are porous while siding contracts and expands creating the gaps between boards. Water from snow and rain will penetrate all kinds of exterior finishes. That is why there is a need for a drainage plane in every home.

A drainage plane is a layer of water-resistant material that completely covers the exterior of the home. It integrates with the flashing in order to give drainage a path from the roof to the ground. When the water penetrates the exterior finish, the drainage plan works with interconnected flashing to guide the water back to the exterior. Framing and sheathing are protected by the drainage plane from getting wet and the drainage plane also prevents the buildup of moisture in the exterior wall cavity. Here is how you can secure different parts of a home’s exterior from water:

Water Intrusion Through Wall Cavities:

The house wrap has a design specially made to keep the water out of the wall cavities. In case some small quantity of water does get through, it is allowed by the house wrap to dry to the exterior. The important thing in having the effective installation of house wrap is to provide continuous coverage through lapping every piece shingle-style; the individual pieces should be lapped from the bottom to the top. Windows, the utility penetrations, and the intersecting roofs are a few of the critical areas of houses that need special attention.

Windows:

The openings of windows are quite vulnerable areas as they interrupt the continuity of the drainage plane. In order to help with the prevention of water intrusion, the window opening should be sealed and flashed properly. It is important to correctly layer the pieces of flashing, in order to prevent the water intrusion from seeping behind the window flashing. The window flashing is layered in shingle style so that the water can be guided downwards.

 

Utility Penetrations:

When a dryer vent, hose bib, or any other fixture is installed in the exterior, a hole is created in the drainage plane. It is important for the drainage plane to be continuous so that water intrusion can be prevented. The continuity of the drainage plane is maintained by flashing as it integrates with the drainage plane and it directs the water away from the penetrations. Installing the pre-formed flashing panels is effective for flashing penetrations.

Despite the best efforts, some of the water may still penetrate through the exterior finish. When this happens, there is a need for a second line of defense against intrusion of water so that the water is drained back to the exterior. By installing the house wrap properly and by integrating it properly with flashing, the water is guided downwards and away from the home, protecting the walls from water intrusion and flood damage.

Do you have a water intrusion problem with your home or business?  Get it corrected by calling the water intrusion experts of Gold Coast Flood Restorations at (619) 449-9611.  Find a water intrusion specialist near me in the cities listed below.

Gold Coast Flood Restorations has been serving San Diego and San Diego County for over 30 years with quality work and great service in flood restoration and mold remediation. We also service these cities – Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa, Spring Valley, and Lakeside, California. Poway, Ramona, Alpine, Julian, Santee, Coronado, Imperial Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, University City, Tierrasanta, Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Leucadia, Sorrento Valley, Miramar, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Vista, Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Marcos, Lemon Grove, Bonita, Valley Center, Borrego Springs, Escondido, Fairbanks Ranch, Rancho San Diego 4S Ranch, Sabre Springs and Pine Valley.