Moisture penetration prevention manifold

Abstract

A moisture penetration preventing manifold protects exterior walls from moisture entry into a wall cavity when wires, cables and pipes must penetrate the wall. The manifold is a solid, waterproof material having a tubular sleeve with a plate at one end sealed to the sleeve. The plate is placed on the exterior of a wall with an upper portion of the plate underneath an exterior moisture barrier sheet, and a lower portion of the plate on an exterior of the same moisture barrier sheet to provide a continuous drainage plane on the exterior. A building service element such as a wire, pipe or the like is passed through the sleeve and the sleeve central passageway is filled with a sealant such as expandable foam to prevent moisture from moving through the passageway.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a building wall moisture penetration prevention system comprising a manifold that provides a passageway through a building wall for wires, cables, pipes and other service elements for structures that must pass through the wall of a building between the interior and the exterior. The manifold is water impervious and substantially reduces or eliminates moisture penetration into the wall cavity through the openings for such service elements. [0002] The prior art efforts to provide various flashing systems to reduce moisture intrusion through an exterior building wall structure illustrate the recognition of the problem of moisture intrusion through wall openings. These openings that are flashed include windows, doors and the like. However, providing a passageway through a wall for relatively small service components such as wires, pipes and the like can pass without permitting water intrusion has posed a problem. Openin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] The present invention relates to a manifold structure that has a tubular sleeve and a flat plate or flange perpendicular to the sleeve that is sealed against moisture transmission where the plate joins the manifold sleeve. The manifold is effective when used with rigid exterior foam board insulation as well as with conventional building wall constructions for reducing moisture penetration at the wall opening.

[0010] Another use of the present invention is for providing passageways for necessary service elements through interior walls from one apartment or room to another in row house construction. The plate, which forms the flange on the tubular manifold sleeve, gives stability to the manifold sleeve to prevent it from “working” relative to the opening made for the sleeve in the wall structure. A sealant behind the manifold plate or flange secures the flange to the backing wall, and the sleeve will not tend to “work” to deteriorate the seal or wall.

[0011] The sleeve also would be foamed closed when used on interior partition walls to prevent moisture, odors air and smoke transfer through the sleeve passageway, and also the foam is a sound deadener to aid in reducing noise transmission, and can be a fire stop.

Problems solved by technology

However, providing a passageway through a wall for relatively small service components such as wires, pipes and the like can pass without permitting water intrusion has posed a problem.

In each instance when the wall is penetrated, that is, when there is an opening through an exterior wall, there is a potential for moisture intrusion into the wall cavity.

Moisture penetration has been recognized as a problem that will cause deterioration of the wall structure.

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