Masonry Magazine February 2010 Page. 27
MASONRY COMPUTER ESTIMATING
Missing flashing, obstructed cavities, and missing design details are a few of the factors that can contribute to moisture penetration. These issues can be compounded by settlement cracking, leading to efflorescence, spalling face shells, corrosion of reinforcing, and damage to the occupied spaces within the building.
Protection starts with design
When it comes to protecting buildings from moisture, redundancy in design is a good thing. There are two primary types of wall design utilized in masonry buildings today: cavity wall and single wythe construction. The goal of both designs is to protect the building from moisture; however, the degree and method of protection differs with each approach.
Cavity Wall (rain screen)
* Double layer of protection
* Built in redundancy
* Moisture management
* More expensive
Single Wythe (barrier wall)
* Single layer of protection
* Relies on perfection
* Moisture barrier
* Less expensive
Both walls rely on good design and quality construction to perform well; however, a cavity wall has built-in redundancy that can compensate for design or workmanship errors. A single wythe wall relies on the exterior of the masonry as the primary line of defense against moisture. As a consequence, single wythe walls require perfection in design and construction.
With both types, protective wall coatings can be used to protect buildings from moisture infiltration, preventing costly damage. Wall coatings are generally defined as high build coatings (10-20 dry mils) versus thin film paints (3-5 mils).
Protective wall coatings
Protective wall coatings are effective tools in the fight to protect buildings from moisture. Generally, wall coatings are defined as high build coatings (10-20 dry mils) versus thin film paints (3-5 mils). The difference in film build is primarily related to higher solids and polymer type, allowing for thicker film build without cracking of the coating. The benefits that high build coatings provide over paints are numerous. These benefits include:
* Properly applied high build coatings provide waterproof protection to masonry buildings.
* Properly applied high build coatings provide protection from carbonation of mortar as well as chloride ion ingress.
* High build, elastomeric coatings have the ability to bridge moving cracks up to 1/16 inch.
Masonry Computer Estimating
That Does It All... in 3D!
by TRADESMEN'S SOFTWARE
On-Screen 3D Take-Off
Just point and click on the digital blueprint and see your walls displayed. Our new On-Screen 3D Take-Off Engine makes it simple and fast.
* Runs on Windows PCs and Bootcamp/Windows on Intel Macs.
* 30 day money back guarantee.
* Support available 7 days a week.
* Comes with more than 400 items in material database.
* See the actual building being displayed in 3D as you do your take-off in either PLAN mode, PERSPECTIVE mode, OUTSIDE mode, INSIDE mode or at any ELEVATION.
* Complete your take-off, then walk through or around and see the actual finished building(s).
* Calculates CMU: HALF and FULL BULLNOSE, DOUBLE BULLNOSE, CHAMFER, or SASH for any or all OPENINGS, JAMBS, CORNERS, CONTROL JOINTS and any SPECIAL CUTS.
* Integrate with Accounting Software and transfer data to Microsoft Excel,
Negotiating projects with a 3D image
will win you more contracts and
enhance your professional image
TRADESMEN'S SOFTWARE, Inc.
1-800-494-4899
See for yourself at:
www.tradesmens.com
SEE US AT WOC 2010 MASONRY SHOWCASE BOOTH #S12407
READER SERVICE #163
February 2010
MASONRY 25