Apparatus, system, and method for extending an exterior wall surface below a debridge of a weep screed

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method extend the exterior surface of a wall below a debridge of the weep screed. An exemplary weep screed includes an upper vertical flange, a debridge, and a lower screed portion that allows an exterior surface material to be applied below the debridge. The lower screed portion includes a lower vertical flange that extends form a lower debridge member to a tool guide. In addition to application of the exterior surface material above the debridge, the exterior surface is applied over the lower screed portion. The resulting exterior surface extends the full height of the wall while damage due to moisture is minimized since the debridge facilitates the weeping of water from the exterior surface above the debridge. The “high tide” appearance is eliminated while meeting building code requirements and maintaining a dependable, weather resistant, and structurally sound building wall.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates in general to building construction and more specifically to an apparatus, system, and method for extending an exterior surface below a debridge of a weep screed. [0002] Buildings often include exterior surface materials such as stucco that are applied to the exterior of the building walls. Weep screeds are attached near the bottom of exterior wall to provide support for the exterior surface and maintain a moisture barrier between the exterior surface material and the interior structure of the wall. Exterior surface materials are typically porous and allow water to permeate through the exterior surface to a moisture barrier such as building paper. Water is pulled down the wall by gravity until it reaches a protruding portion of the weep screed which directs water toward the exterior of the wall where the moisture is dissipated by the environment. The protruding portion, sometimes referred to as a debridge, forms an air gap nea...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

An excessive accumulation of water in the exterior surface can lead to cracking and damage to the wall above the horizontal line of the debridge due to induced tension on the upper wall section caused by excess weight.

Conventional weep screeds, however, are limited in several ways.

As a result, conventional techniques result in a finished stucco wall having a “high tide” appearance where the bottom of the exterior wall is positioned above the finished grade.

The discontinuous surface is undesired by many building owners that prefer the stucco wall to extend to the surface of the landscape or hardscape.

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