rockies
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# Posted: 29 Mar 2019 07:30pm
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I've been reading a lot about hydrostatic pressure (who hasn't?) and a lot of the articles talk about how water and vapor pressure can build up between materials on the exterior of your home.
Most wall assemblies call for plywood or OSB sheathing, a moisture barrier or housewrap like Tyvek, and then the cladding. In this case the best thing to do is add an air gap between the Tyvek and cladding using 1/2" furring strips. This stops the hydrostatic pressure from forcing water into your walls.
But what to do if your wall has sheathing, rigid insulation board and then cladding (you still use the air gap between the insulation board and the cladding)? Water can become trapped between the Tyvek and the insulation board causing moisture problems.
The solution is to use a housewrap like Tyvek Drainwrap.
http://www.dupont.com/products-and-services/construction-materials/building-envelope- systems/brands/water-barrier-systems/products/tyvek-drainwrap-moisture-barrier.html
This product has vertical ridges across the field which are just enough to break the hydrostatic pressure and stop moisture from migrating through to your walls. It's an added layer of protection in a cold climate if you use exterior rigid insulation boards.
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