Who’s the Culprit in WRB-AB Leakage?
Learning Objectives:
- Explore how fasteners attached to sheathing become a point of vulnerability during extreme weather events, which can stress wall assemblies and cause water to enter the building envelope.
- Review the differences between standard test methods and the extreme conditions that were introduced by RDH Building Sciences in order to test several fastener options.
- Understand the differences between thin-mil and thick-mil fluid-applied versus an integrated WRB/AB sheathing solution. Know which option performed the best when exposed to high-wind and heavy-rain simulations.
- Discover best practices for cladding attachment options depending on factors like climate, building form, and architectural complexity, among others.
Credits:
This course is approved as a Structured Course
This course can be self-reported to the AANB, as per their CE Guidelines
Approved for structured learning
Approved for Core Learning
This course can be self-reported to the NLAA
Course may qualify for Learning Hours with NWTAA
Course eligible for OAA Learning Hours
This course is approved as a core course
This course can be self-reported for Learning Units to the Architectural Institute of British Columbia
Extreme weather events can stress wall assemblies, causing water to enter the building envelope. Fasteners attached to sheathing are a point of vulnerability requiring specific attention in order to avoid leaks and compromise building integrity. With some minor exceptions, the standardized test methods for water-resistive barriers (WRB) and air barriers (AB) do not consider the range of adhesive and mechanical cladding attachments. These standardized methods also do not include simulations of extreme wind and rain on the cladding attachment penetrations. In this course, we will examine parameters and outcomes of water-penetration testing, specifically on adhesively adhered cladding attachments using ASTM E331 methodology. The intent of this testing is to determine the seal-ability of two distinct cladding attachment clips in three different WRB/AB configurations. The WRB/AB configurations include thin- and thick-mil fluid-applied barriers over glass mat gypsum sheathing and an integrated sheathing system, which integrates the WRB/AB into the fiberglass mat and core. Testing simulated extreme water and wind that pushed the tested WRB/ABs to the point of failure. The results demonstrate how the tested WRB/ABs performed and the main source of leakage occurring at the fastener. Based on this information, best practices for addressing cladding attachment penetrations are offered under different scenarios and with specific climate and construction risk factors considered.
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