New Construction Code Question
Hello everyone,
I'm in the process of building my first spec home on my own as a broker/builder. While installing windows yesterday, I looked over at the project next door and noticed the inspectors "red" tag on the garage door. Knowing red is flunk, green is pass, my nose brought me over to read the tag. It read, brick front failed inspection due to ACI 530 requiring 15# felt be used under brick. My mason will be doing the brick work on the spec sometime in the next few weeks. I called him, he never heard of it. I wrapped the whole house in Tyvek, and all homes built prior to this one, we always used Tyvek as a moisture barrier. Has anyone ran across this? I talked to the building inspector today, he's new and has been doing research. He can't find this rule anywhere in the code book for the town, but found it in the American Concrete Institute guidelines and feels anyone from this point with an incomplete project must meet these guidelines. I did some research, but it looks like I must purchase/and or join to find out more info. For now I'll meet his requirement. Any builders/Masons out there that have run across this. Thanks for the info! Rick
Brick is one of the most porous siding options you can find, make no doubt about that! It is absolutely guarenteed that you will have water behind the brick and that is why they require the air gap between the veneer and the framing, w/ weepholes, etc. Tyvek is a standard substitute for felt. I would talk with the inspector directly prior to proceeding so as to cut off any issues before hand. It is a LOT easier to add felt BEFORE the brick is installed. It is not so easy afterwards. As is often the case, a lot of building is learning what inspectors want to see to sign off.
If I am not mistaken, Tyvek advertises it product as WRB - weather resistant barrier. This is not the same as a moisture barrier as is #15 pound felt.
Codes may vary from county to county........most NC counties I have built in, do not permit Tyvek as moisture barrier for the use of masonry products.
Vaproshield has the backing of engineers in Wisconsin for your needs and is a better product then Tyvek.
When using such barriers, it is a must that when an interior barrier is required per code......it should be one that is breathable..........REGARDLESS what your local or state codes requires.
There is a problem with house becoming to "tight" which can lead to mold problems when moisture becomes trapped in the wall.
Some counties I work in.....such as Stanley and Rowan
have morons for inspectors.......as is the case with the NC state law on this topic. Putting a moisture proof barrier on both sides of a wall is asking for trouble.
I have spoken with our state insurance commission that has instructed me to do such nonsense yet have told me if it results in a mold problem, they are NOT responsible...........I am.
Hope this helps........again, check out Vaproshield.
NC_Yank