Masonry Magazine September 2004 Page. 36
Drainage.
THE CHANGING THEORIES IN MASONRY: THE COMPLETE DRAINAGE SYSTEM
By Jennie Farnsworth
THROUGH THE YEARS, THE WAYS THINGS ARE DONE in masonry may not change, but new theories may arise. Just as mason contractors are no longer content with thinking of the brick veneer as an entity unto itself rather the veneer and CMU backup wall as the complete, functional masonry system - another change in theory has entered the industry as well.
While previous generations were content with throwing maybe a weep hole here, some netting there, with a dash of flashing on the side, there's a growing trend to think of the complete drainage system as a whole entity, rather than the individual parts. With this theory, a complete drainage system includes the backup wall, air/vapor barrier, insulation, air space, a mortar collection device, flashing weep vents and the veneer, but without one of these parts, the system will not function properly.
34 Masonry
September 2004
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