PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Over 5000 sq. ft of WrapShield RS Rain Screen was installed in the remediation of a Texas-area residence that suffered extreme stucco failure.

Prior to final occupancy, a sprinkler line in the ceiling of the second-floor butler kitchen ruptured—flooding most of the 2nd and 1st floor on the North end of the property.

PIE Consulting & Engineering was brought on the project to provide QA/QC engineering services throughout the remediation; working closely with VaproShield to create a rainscreen solution and oversee the entire installation process. WrapShield RS Rain Screen was selected as the material of choice, due to its built-in rain screen drainage matrix and integrated tape at the horizontal seams. The material properties offered an unimpeded vertical drainage plane behind cladding, as well as high drying capacity—both which would facilitate material dry out.

VaproShield’s technical team was instrumental in the success of the retrofit and repair, as they were available to provide installation coaching 24/7. Vaproshield’s technical team reviewed the installation as shown by pictures and provided the final sign off for every step of the project.

VaproShield offered key installation recommendations that resulted in the removal and re-install on several occasions. PIE Consulting provided daily observation until installation method was understood and performed per specification and documentation.

Although the substrate will inevitably become vulnerable to water infiltration due to the stucco façade material, WrapShield SA successfully dries out wooden substrates due to its high material permeances, which increases drying capacity.

The following key stucco failures were addressed and solved with WrapShield RS RainScreen Solution:

• Biologic growth at interior face of exterior walls behind casework.
• Deteriorated wall sheathing
• Deteriorated floor sheathing
• Deteriorated wall studs
• Improper roof sidewall flashing and no kick-outs
• No bond break layer behind stucco
• No stucco casing beads, weeps, control joint, corner trims, drips and flashings
• Inadequate house wrap