Head joint drainage device, wall system and method for draining moisture from a head joint

Abstract

A wall system, head joint drainage device and method adapted to allow drainage of moisture from a head joint of a structure meeting a horizontal interruption when the wall system is formed with a plurality of building products set with mortar forming a mortar joint between adjacent ones of the plurality of modular building products. A spacer has a top portion, having a length approximately equal to a depth of the plurality of building products and a width approximately equal to a width of the mortar joint, adapted to block the mortar from reaching the horizontal interruption and has a side portion adapted to keep the portion a distance away from the horizontal interruption, the distance allowing moisture drainage from the head joint.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates to moisture drainage products and, more particularly, to moisture drainage products intended for incorporation in wall systems and methods for providing moisture drainage in wall systems. BACKGROUND [0002] Warm, moisture-laden air can exist in buildings including buildings in colder climates. A significant amount of moisture can be placed into the air through common household activities, such as cooking, bathing and showering. [0003] Especially in colder climates, insulation in a wall structure helps to reduce heat loss from buildings which are heated due to the cold climate. As moisture-laden air passes through the wall structure of such buildings, the moisture-laden air encounters steadily decreasing temperatures. As the air is cooled while moving from the interior of a wall structure to the exterior of the wall structure, the air can eventually reach its dew point and water vapor in the air condenses to form moisture. The result can b...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a solution for preventing moisture interruptions in walls made with modular building products, such as bricks, which can be caused by mortar used to set the bricks. The invention provides a head joint drainage device that allows moisture to escape from the wall through a channel formed by a spacer. The spacer blocks the mortar from reaching the horizontal interruption, while still allowing moisture drainage. The invention also includes a method for providing drainage from a head joint meeting a horizontal interruption in a wall of a structure. The invention can be used in various types of structures, such as buildings, and can help prevent damage to the walls caused by moisture."

Problems solved by technology

This problem is exacerbated when the exterior veneer of the wall structure is formed with modular building products, such as brick.

Such mortar can interfere with the proper flow of moisture wall through the wall cavity and, ultimately, outside of the wall cavity.

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