A home's exterior presents a challenge to effective water management. If home exteriors were designed to look like barns or sheds, with no windows, doors, or utility penetrations, water management would be a fairly straightforward process. But homes aren't simple structures. Dan Nardozzi, P.E., a building performance specialist with IBACOS Homebuilding QC, says, “In our experience with investigating construction defect claims, water intrusion is by far the number one issue. Over the years, effective flashing techniques have been developed for windows, doors, and transitions; however, this same level of protection isn’t common practice for many smaller penetrations.” To Dan’s point, it’s important to think of penetrations as a hole in the drainage plane, an entry point for water to move into the wall assembly, which can lead to issues like peeling paint, wood rot, mold growth, and even structural failure.
Typical methods for sealing around penetrations include tape, foam, and caulk. However, these materials are unreliable solutions for keeping water out. All three rely solely on the installer to properly install them, increasing the possibility for human error. They’re also susceptible to the weather, especially caulking, which can break down over time and doesn’t bond well with other materials. Poorly caulked penetrations are one of the leading causes of water intrusion. In addition, these materials just plug a gap in the drainage plane, rather than being properly integrated shingle style with it.
Preformed flashing panels for wall penetrations
However, there’s no reason to be discouraged about sealing penetrations! There are products on the market today that make sealing penetrations easier, faster, and better. One company, Quickflash Weatherproofing Products, Inc., offers preformed flashing panels for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and gas wall penetrations. These flashing panels, which are high-grade polyethylene plastic and thermo plastic rubber (TPR), are simply slipped over the penetration and layered shingle style with the housewrap. They’re designed to create a friction seal around the penetration, preventing not only water movement, but air movement, as well as insect infestation. And Nardozzi agrees: “Using preformed flashing panels is the most effective means of minimizing or even eliminating water intrusion problems with wall penetrations.”
In the Product Infographic below, we take a close look at using Quickflash’s preformed flashing panels to prevent water intrusion at wall penetrations.
Open PDF
Best viewed as a PDF
Best printed as 11x17 or larger
The Product Infographic above demonstrates ways to seal wall penetrations against water intrusion using Quickflash flashing panels. Infographics from BuildIQ aim to explain information in a visual manner that speeds awareness and understanding.
