Why is there a weep screed at the bottom of stucco?
Stucco is designed to absorb water (most hard coat systems, anyways) and then the water evaporates but sometimes there is so much water that it actually will drain off of the stucco and, like everything else, water runs down hill and will end up running down the stucco wall. This is why the weep screed is at the bottom of the stucco.
What is screed in stucco?
Weep screed is a type of flashing installed at the base of an exterior stucco wall. It serves to keep moisture away from the framing of the walls. Typical screed is made from galvanized steel, but can be constructed out of copper to create a tougher, more resistant, flashing.
What is a weep screed?
Weep screed is a special piece of metal flashing that runs along the bottom of walls that wicks moisture out of holes that are located at the bottom of the flashing. It hangs below the lower sill plate to ensure that the water wicks past any material that could become damaged by excessive amounts of water. What Does A Weep Screed Do?
Does Lowes sell weep screed?
HD and Lowes will have three coat stucco weep screed (7/8") but usually only the #7 type and not the "J" type. A stucco supply yard is really the best choice because they will have both styles of weep screed in stock for a three coat and one coat system.
What is the purpose of weep screed in stucco?
The screed serves as a vent so that the moisture can escape the stucco wall finish just above the foundation.” It terminates the bottom of a cementitious-based thin veneer rainscreen & should allow liquid moisture that drains down the back side of a thin veneer rainscreen to freely exit the thin veneer.
Is stucco weep screed necessary?
Per Chapter 7 of the International Residential Code (IRC), a continuous weep screed is required to be installed at the bottom of exterior plaster (stucco) walls to allow moisture to escape.
What does weep screed mean?
What is a weep screed you ask? Well, it is a piece of metal flashing that is set at the bottom of the exterior walls of your home. Its main job is to pull the moisture out of the walls and provide an outlet for it to drain out.
How do you install weep screed stucco?
1:463:12Stucco Weep or Drip screeds, how why and where to install ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we put a staple. And that's it that's all there is to it when I come on this side the exact sameMoreAnd we put a staple. And that's it that's all there is to it when I come on this side the exact same thing. We will but up to the screed on this side.
How much does a weep screed cost?
7/8" x 10' #7 Foundation Weep Screed at MenardsEveryday Low Price$9.9911% Mail-In Rebate Good Through 6/5/22$1.10
Should stucco touch the ground?
When installing stucco, you should ensure that it never touches the ground, or in other words, is below-grade. There needs to be a minimum of two inches of space between the concrete and the stucco for houses that rest on concrete foundations.
Does a weep screed need holes?
The holes or slots in the weep screed helps hold the stucco in place when the stucco is being first applied and helps prevent the stucco from rolling out along the sloped edge of the weep screed. It provides a straight-line and stopping point for the base of the stucco wall.
How do you prep a wall for stucco?
When working with an existing masonry or brick wall, you're going to first need to use some fresh mortar to repair any cracks that exist, then wash the wall with a power washer (or use a trisodium phosphate-water mixture and scrub it). The wall should be thoroughly wet before you apply the first coat of stucco.
Does stucco need flashing?
Metal flashing, also called roof flashing, goes against a stucco wall to protect it from water damage. For areas where the walls meet the roof, you will need to use the step flashing technique, but you will need kickout flashing in other areas.
When did weep screed become code?
History: The weep screed was invented by an architect working for the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) in 1965 and first known as FHA screed. Weep screed was made part of the building code in 1970 with additional requirements added through subsequent code revisions over the years with the latest coming in 2001.
How do you bend a weep screed?
Bend the outer flange down a little bit so you can slide it under the existing piece of weep. The back flange of the new piece will go over the existing piece. Slide until the new piece of weep screed is overlapping 1″. You can always take a little more out of the notch to get a better overlap if you want to.
What is stucco mesh?
Stucco netting, a classical and basic material in wall construction as the supporting and reinforcing mesh. The stucco netting is mainly made of galvanized steel wire and then reverse twisted into hexagonal meshes.
How does weep screed work?
So, when adding the stucco, the weep screed acts as a grabbing material so that the stucco stays on the wall. Secondly, it is installed to reduce moisture issues from behind the stucco. Moisture can build up and needs a place to go. Using the weep screed provides an outlet for the moisture to drain at the bottom of the walls. Thus, keeping your stucco dry and free from bubbling up and cracking.
What is the purpose of a weep screed?
What is a weep screed you ask? Well, it is a piece of metal flashing that is set at the bottom of the exterior walls of your home. Its main job is to pull the moisture out of the walls and provide an outlet for it to drain out.
What to do if weep screed is not installed properly?
Call a professional if the weep screed is either not installed properly on your stucco home, or if it is missing or blocked. Also, if you have any questions about installation or are experiencing any leaking of water in the home. If this is something you don’t want to put in yourself, calling a professional is the way to go.
What is a weep hole?
Weep Hole – You might think the name weep screed sounds funny, but there is also a weep hole. A weep hole is in brick and some windows to let the moisture out. If it is not there, water can back up in the home. We all know that water backing up into the home can cause mold and other problems so always make sure the holes are open.
Why is weep screed important?
Weep screed is important to keep the moisture away from the home. Keeping moisture away is essential as it can wreak havoc on the home. The idea of the is to keep water out of the home, thus avoiding any damages. Inside and Out Property Inspectors can check the weep screed in your home to make sure it is working correctly in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, FL areas. If not, they can refer a professional.
Can weep screed cause moisture?
It is important to understand that blocking the weep screed will cause a massive moisture issue within your stucco walls. You might think it pipes are leaking in the walls when it is actually moisture building up.
Is weep screed required for stucco?
Installing a weep screed under your stucco is highly recommended and in many cases a local code requirement. When installing it you must follow the proper overlap and clearance codes if you expect to get project completion approval. The general opinion is that it is highly effective and a very useful tool in stucco application. It also allows for a clean break on your foundation and walls and a nicer look
Where is the weep screed on stucco?
The page top illustration, adapted from Dryvit Corporation's foundation weep screed specification details, shows the position of the stucco wall coating weep screed at the wall bottom where it serves to any wall water penetration to the building exterior. [Click to enlarge any image]
What is weep screed?
Definition of weep screed: A stucco wall weep screed is a component specified by stucco wall system manufacturers to assure that any water that penetrates the wall coating, such as at leaks around the mounts for exterior lighting or at windows or doors will be drained safely to the building exterior.
What causes water to get stuck in stucco?
Common mistakes that can lead to water trapped within the stucco wall system include. the omission of the weep screed entirely. anything that causes blockage of the weep screed drain bottom edge opening such as obstruction by backfill, decking, or paving.
How many layers of flashing should be used for a weep screed?
Click to enlarge the page top weep screed schematic and you will see that a proper weep screed installation must integrate this wall bottom flashing among (typically) seven layers of materials outside of the building's structural wall sheathing.
Where to put weep screed on a deck?
Unless instructed otherwise, a lather probably would attach the weep screed to the toe plate or bottom plate of the elevated framed wall above the deck or roof section, just as is done at the foundation plate line.
Does weep screed need to be installed?
On a project on which weep screed has not been installed where required by the Uniform Building Code or by project drawings prepared by the architect, the following remedial procedure is recommended.
Can weep screed be placed on a vertical wall?
The height to which the waterproof deck membrane is extended upward on an adjacent vertical wall may limit the elevation at which the weep screed may be placed . The reason for that possible limitation is that the weep screed, as well as the building paper weather-barrier installed behind plaster on the adjacent wall, must adequately overlap the top of the vertical segment of the waterproof deck membrane a safe distance.
The What and Why of Weep Screed
First, what is a weep screed and why is it necessary? A weep screed is a piece of (usually vinyl) trim found at the bottom of the stucco wall. It serves two essential purposes:
The Weep Screed Gap
Second, you need to have the right amount of space between the weep screed and the finish grade, so that water can effectively run away from your home. Too little space and you’ll have problems with your stucco. Too much space and the weep screed cannot serve its purpose.
Ai Restoration for All You Need to Know About the Weep Screed Gap
As exterior building envelope specialists, we’re here to answer your questions about proper siding installation and provide consultations to help determine the best course of action for your home. Reach out to us to speak with a professional and schedule an evaluation.
What is weep screed?
Weep screed allows the water that gets behind the finish and base coats of stucco to drain out through holes, this is a major component in how stucco functions. Installing it is very simple and requires basic tools and knowledge. Here is a few pointers to get you started in the right direction.
How to hold weep screed in place?
Now use a nail or staple gun to hold it in place. Be sure that the entire piece of weep is roughly 1″ below the sheathing before you nail. Try to keep the fastener in the middle or top of the weep screed for the best results and avoid nailing or stapling along the bottom.
How much overlap does a weep screed need?
Running continuous lengths of weep screed will require you to join them together with an overlap of approximately 1″. This is only for the "J" shaped piece of weep screed, the other type of weep will slide together, on top of one another nicely.
How many 45 degree angles on weep screed?
Do this same process on an opposite end of weep screed, so you have two 45 degree angles that align perfectly like the picture illustrates on the right.
How to join two pieces of weep at the corner of a wall?
In order to join two pieces of weep at the corner of a wall, you will want to cut 45 degree angles at an outside or inside angle, depending on which type of corner you are up against. There are a couple of ways to cut corners but I want to keep it simple and minimize confusion, so I chose to go this route.
Where is the back flange cut on a weep screed?
Do the same to an opposite end of weep screed and you will have two angles that meet up nicely. Notice how the back flange is cut right at the corner of the sheathing and the lower portion of the weep screed extends past it.
How far below the sheathing should I cut a weep?
So start off by cutting an outside corner like I described earlier and make sure the bottom of the weep is roughly 1″ below the sheathing.
Why are weep screeds needed?
Weep screeds are necessary. Weep screeds are required by code. Weep screeds are needed to discharge trapped moisture in exterior plaster systems. Just because buildings do not always rot in dry climates like California, does not mean it is proper or correct to omit weeps.
Does South Florida have a weep screen?
In South Florida the Architects decide how the Stucco is applied and I have NEVER seen a weep Screen in 30+ years of residential work. Not saying what is right or wrong just how they MAKE you do it in South Florida.
Is weep screed used in stucco?
As with most building practices, the installation of hard-coat stucco systems has evolved and progressed. There’s a reason weep screed is used in modern HCSS’s.
Do stick built houses have weep screed?
I’ve seen my fair share slab on grade, stick built homes that lack a weep screed and have their fair share of recurring moisture, cracking and other problems. Best case scenario on these houses was if the paper and lath terminated on the sole plate (forget going past) and then parged right down from there.
Does stucco need weep screed?
Stucco does not need weep screed. Had a conversation with a guy today that had been in the stucco business for 30 years. Said weep screed is not needed and is a waste. NO one around here does it and its still done improperly acording to astm standards.
Is stucco plastered on brick?
Not much stucco around here but when I see it it is usually just plastered on to a brick wall or board as a sort of parge coat and no flashing or as you guys call it weeps.
Do you need weep screeds on a house?
I have been doing inspections in Southern California for many years. Weep screeds appear to be very necessary. True, not every house without a weep screed will develop problems, but many do. I just inspected a 1951 built house in San Diego. There was a crawl space, which I once believed obviated the need for a weep screed. Not the case in this home. The dry wall around the house had moisture buckling. The garage, of course, was a concrete slab. It has no weep screeds and the damage was sufficient that the stucco around the perimeter will have to be replaced. I have also inspected many homes with weep screeds wherein the flashing was buried by soil or poured concrete. Many of these developed mold issues resulting from the capillarity of the stucco.
