Apparatus, system, and method for extending an exterior wall surface below a debridge of a weep screed

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method extend the exterior surface of a wall below a debridge of the weep screed. An exemplary weep screed includes an upper vertical flange, a debridge, and a lower screed portion that allows an exterior surface material to be applied below the debridge. The lower screed portion includes a lower vertical flange that extends form a lower debridge member to a tool guide. In addition to application of the exterior surface material above the debridge, the exterior surface is applied over the lower screed portion. The resulting exterior surface extends the full height of the wall while damage due to moisture is minimized since the debridge facilitates the weeping of water from the exterior surface above the debridge. The “high tide” appearance is eliminated while meeting building code requirements and maintaining a dependable, weather resistant, and structurally sound building wall.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates in general to building construction and more specifically to an apparatus, system, and method for extending an exterior surface below a debridge of a weep screed.

Buildings often include exterior surface materials such as stucco that are applied to the exterior of the building walls. Weep screeds are attached near the bottom of exterior wall to provide support for the exterior surface and maintain a moisture barrier between the exterior surface material and the interior structure of the wall. Exterior surface materials are typically porous and allow water to permeate through the exterior surface to a moisture barrier such as building paper. Water is pulled down the wall by gravity until it reaches a protruding portion of the weep screed which directs water toward the exterior of the wall where the moisture is dissipated by the environment. The protruding portion, sometimes referred to as a debridge, forms an air gap near the substructure that facilitates the removal and dissipation of moisture. An excessive accumulation of water in the exterior surface can lead to cracking and damage to the wall above the horizontal line of the debridge due to induced tension on the upper wall section caused by excess weight.

Conventional weep screeds, however, are limited in several ways. For example, building codes and conventional techniques require that the exterior surface material extend no higher that six inches above a plant grade or two inches above a hardscape surface such as a concrete patio or driveway. As a result, conventional techniques result in a finished stucco wall having a “high tide” appearance where the bottom of the exterior wall is positioned above the finished grade. The discontinuous surface is undesired by many building owners that prefer the stucco wall to extend to the surface of the landscape or hardscape.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus, system, and method for extending an exterior surface below a debridge of a weep screed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of a section of weep screed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view of a building wall including the exemplary weep screed where the exterior grade is a finished planter grade.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a building wall including the exemplary weep screed where the exterior grade is hardscape such as concrete.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view of a building wall including the weep screed where the exterior grade is a finished planter grade and the foundation includes a two-pour stem wall.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view of a building wall including the weep screed where the exterior grade is hardscape and the foundation includes a two-pour stem wall.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a perspective view of the building wall including the weep screed where the exterior grade is hardscape and the foundation includes a two-pour stem wall.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view of weep screed in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view of weep screed in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view of weep screed in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view of weep screed in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An apparatus, system, and method extend the exterior surface of a wall below a debridge of the weep screed. An exemplary weep screed includes an upper vertical flange, a debridge, and a lower screed portion that allows an exterior surface material to be applied below the debridge. In the exemplary embodiment, the lower screed portion includes a lower vertical flange that extends form a lower debridge member to a tool guide. In addition to application of the exterior surface material above the debridge, the exterior surface is applied over the lower screed portion. The resulting exterior surface extends the full height of the wall while damage due to moisture is minimized since the debridge facilitates the weeping of water from the exterior surface above the debridge. The “high tide” appearance is eliminated while meeting building code requirements and maintaining a dependable, weather resistant, and structurally sound building wall.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of a section of weep screed 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The weep screed 100 includes an upper portion 102 and a lower portion 104 connected through a debridge 106. When installed within a building wall, an inner side 108 of the weep screed 100 faces a wall substructure, such as framing, and the debridge 106 extends outwardly away form the wall substructure. The upper portion 102 extends upward from an upper debridge flange 110 and the lower portion 108 extends downward from a lower debridge flange 112 of the debridge 106. The upper debridge flange 110 and the lower debridge flange 112 meet at a debridge apex 114. The upper portion 102 comprises a substantially planar upper vertical flange 116 in the exemplary embodiment and is configured to be positioned and secured adjacent to a wall substructure. The weep screed 100 is attached to building by securing the upper vertical flange 116 to the wall substructure using nails or screws such that the debridge 106 extends outwardly from the wall substructure and forms a debridge cavity 118 between an inner debridge surface 120 and the plane of the upper vertical flange 116. In the exemplary embodiment, the lower portion 104 comprises a substantially planar lower vertical flange 122 extending downward from the lower debridge flange 112 within the same plane as the upper vertical flange 116. A tool guide 124 extends from the bottom of the lower vertical flange 122 outwardly from the lower vertical flange 122 such that an outer surface plane is defined by the debridge apex 114 and the edge 126 of the tool guide 124. The tool guide 124 facilitates the uniform application of exterior surface material such as stucco plaster by allowing the builder to apply the uncured stucco plaster using a trowel or other tool while using the debridge apex 114 and the tool guide 126 as guides.

The weep screed 100 is formed from any material having sufficient strength, moisture resistance, and elasticity properties for application during building construction and durability. In the exemplary embodiment, the weep screed 100 is formed from a single piece of 22 gauge cold rolled aluminum sheet metal using a forming press. Examples of other suitable materials include plastics, galvanized sheet metal and wire lath products such as “weep aid”. In the exemplary embodiment, the weep screed 100 has a plurality of openings 128 to facilitate bending and installation of the weep screed 100 and to facilitate adherence of portland cementations products on and below the debridge 106. The openings 128 also benefit the capillary effect of horizontal moisture movement along the debridge 106. In general, the upper debridge flange 110 slopes down from the upper vertical flange at an angle (α) 130 greater than ninety degrees. An example of a suitable angle 130 is 120 degrees from the plane of the upper vertical flange 116. The angle (α) 130, however, may be anywhere from 92 degrees to 178 degrees. In the exemplary embodiment, the lower debridge flange 112 slopes back toward the inner side 108 to the lower vertical flange 122 to form an 120 degree angle between the lower debridge flange 110 and the lower vertical flange 114. The angle (β) 132 between the lower debridge flange 110 and the lower vertical flange 114, however, may be any value between two and 178 degrees. As discussed below with reference to FIG. 7 through FIG. 10, the debridge 106 may have any of number shapes and sizes, however. The lower debridge flange 112, for example, may be curved in some circumstances.

The dimensions of the weep screed 100 depend on the particular application. Generally, the upper vertical flange extends approximately 3 to 4 inches from the debridge 106 to the top edge of the weep screed 100. The lower vertical flange extends about 6 inches down from the debridge 106 to the lower edge of the weep screed 100. The distance from the plane of the vertical upper flange 112 to the debridge apex 118 is approximately the same as the total thickness of the exterior surface material. For example, where an exterior stucco layer of a wall is ⅞″ the weep screed is formed to position the debridge apex 118 at a distance of ⅞″ from the plane of the upper vertical flange 112. Accordingly, after the exterior surface material is applied the debridge apex 114 is substantially flush with the surface of the exterior surface material.

Therefore, the exemplary weep screed 100 includes a substantially planar upper vertical flange 116 having an inner surface 108 configured to be positioned adjacent to a wall substructure, a debridge 106 extending outwardly to form a debridge cavity 118 between the plane of the upper vertical flange 116 and the inner debridge surface 120, and a substantially planar lower vertical flange 122 extending down from the debridge within the plane of the upper vertical flange 116. The debridge 106 includes an upper debridge flange 110 extending outwardly from a bottom of the upper vertical flange 116 at an angle greater than ninety degrees from the upper vertical flange and a lower debridge flange 112 extending from a bridge apex toward the plane of the upper vertical flange 116 to the lower vertical flange 122. The lower end of the upper debridge flange 110 and the upper end of the lower debridge flange 112 meet to form the debridge apex 114. The tool guide 126 extends outwardly from a bottom of the lower vertical flange 122 and has an edge 126 positioned at a distance substantially the same as the distance from the plane of the upper vertical flange to the debridge apex 114.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view of a building wall 200 including the weep screed 100 where the exterior grade 202 is a finished planter grade 202. In the exemplary wall shown in FIG. 2, a wall substructure 204 of the wall 200 includes framing, such as a sill 206 framing studs 208, and sheathing 210. Although other materials may be used in some circumstances, the sill 206 and studs are “2 inch” lumber planks such as “two by fours” or “two by sixes” for example. As is known, the actual dimensions of lumber are less that the descriptive lumber dimensions. Although pressure treated lumber is used for the sill 206, other materials may be used in some situations. The sheathing 210 is ⅜″ or ½″ plywood in the exemplary embodiment. The wall 200 rests on a foundation 212 such as a Monolithic poured concrete foundation. The foundation 212 may be constructed using other techniques and, as discussed below with reference to FIG. 4, the foundation may be a two-pour foundation as in commercial applications. The weep screed 100 is attached to the wall substructure 204 of the wall 200 such that the debridge 102 is positioned approximately level with the bottom of the sill 206. The weep screed 100 is attached to the wall substructure 204 by securing the upper vertical flange to plywood sheathing 210 using screws or nails in the exemplary embodiment. In some circumstances, the weep screed 100 is attached to the sill 206 and/or the studs 208.

A moisture barrier 214 such as building paper is applied over the sheathing 210 and the upper vertical flange 112. A metal lath 216 such as a “chicken wire” mesh is secured over the moisture barrier 214 before the exterior surface 218 material is applied. In the exemplary embodiment, the exterior surface material 218 is exterior stucco applied using a three step “scratch, brown and finish” coat process. Examples of other exterior surface materials 218 that can be used include two step stucco applications such as EIFS (exterior insulation and finish systems) where the finish stucco coat is applied over an insulating substrate or interlocking foam board such as “Power Wall” and “Tyvek”. In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, a trowel is used to level the lower portion 220 of the exterior surface material that is applied below the debridge 106 and above the tool guide 116 over the lower vertical flange 114. When the exterior surface material 218, 220 has cured, the exterior surface of the wall 200 extends past the debridge apex 114 down to the finish grade 102.

Most, if not all, building codes require a foundation supporting wood to extend a minimum height (h) 222 above the adjacent finish grade. Building codes also require that the weep screed be applied a minimum height above the finish grade. The codes often require different minimum heights depending on the type of grade. For example, a code may require that the weep screed extend a minimum of 4 inches above earth and a minimum of 2 inches above paved surfaces. Since the bottom of a conventional weep screed determines the bottom of the exterior surface, conventional designs result in a “high tide look” where the bottom of the exterior surface of a wall ends several inches above the finish grade. Therefore, among other advantages, the weep screed 100 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment provides an esthetically pleasing exterior wall surface that does not result in a “high tide look”.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view of a wall 200 including a weep screed 100 where the exterior grade 302 is hardscape 302 such as concrete. In the exemplary embodiment, the debridge apex 102 is positioned approximately level with the bottom of the sill 206 and at least 2 inches above the top surface of the hardscape. After the exterior surface material is applied over the lower portion of the weep creed 100 as described above, a fiber expansion material 304 is applied to the entire face of stucco above and below the debridge and cut at the debridge to allow moisture to escape. The finish coat is applied using a hand trowel onto the surface to achieve a smooth pool trowel finish. Standard machine finishes can be applied to conventional scratch and brown coats without the use of fiberglass expansion material in some situations. In most situations, therefore, exterior materials are separated from the face of the exterior surface adjacent to the lower vertical flange 114. The use of the exemplary weep screed 100 results in wall 200 having an exterior surface material that extends down to, or below, the top of the hardscape 302. The resulting configuration includes hardscape 302 that abuts the exterior surface material 220. Accordingly, walls 200 near driveways, patios, concrete, asphalt, brick, stone, or tile have a substantial uniform exterior finish extending to the top of the hardscape 302 without the “high-tide” look.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view of a building wall 400 including the exemplary weep screed 100 where the exterior grade 202 is a finished planter grade 202 and the foundation 212 is a two pour stem wall. As is known, a two pour or stem wall construction is typically used in commercial construction for slab-on grade installations where the tenant layouts are not determined (shell construction) prior to construction. Such a technique is often used in shopping centers and retail strip malls. The technique is also gaining popularity in higher-end residential construction is also used for residential garage perimeters where the floors are sloped. A stem wall 402 is typically formed before the interior floor 404 is poured. The weep screed 100 is secured and installed as described above with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view and FIG. 6 is an illustration of a perspective view of the wall 400 including the exemplary weep screed 100 where the exterior grade 302 is hardscape 302 and the foundation is a two-pour stem wall. During the formation of the stem wall 402, sections near entry ways are obstructed in order to create thresholds 502. Regulations, laws, and building codes may require that the difference between the height of the threshold 402 and the height of the hardscape 302 be within a maximum differential (d). Coupled with the requirements of the relative location of a debridge 114, the maximum differential may result in troublesome construction using conventional methods where an aesthetically appealing configuration of the exterior surface 218 is desired. Accordingly, the exemplary technique of construction using the weep screed 100 allows for minor variations and inconsistencies between the location of the debridge 114 and the hardscape 302 while conforming to all of the building codes and laws.

FIG. 7 through FIG. 10 are illustrations of cross-sectional side views of exemplary embodiments of the weep screed. FIG. 7 is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view of weep screed 700 in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment. The angle between the lower vertical flange 122 and the lower debridge flange 112 is approximately ninety degrees in the second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 8 is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view of weep screed 800 in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment. The lower debridge flange 112 is shaped in an arc in the third exemplary embodiment. FIG. 9 is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view of weep screed 900 in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment. The angle between the lower vertical flange 122 and the lower debridge flange 112 is less than ninety degrees in the fourth exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is an illustration of a cross-sectional side view of weep screed 1000 in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment. The angle between the lower vertical flange 122 and the lower debridge flange 112 is greater than ninety degrees in the fifth exemplary embodiment. Those skilled in the art will recognize the various other shapes and angles that can be used for the debridge 114 based on these teachings.

Clearly, other embodiments and modifications of this invention will occur readily to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of these teachings. The above description is illustrative and not restrictive. This invention is to be limited only by the following claims, which include all such embodiments and modifications when viewed in conjunction with the above specification and accompanying drawings. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

Claims

1. A weep screed comprising:

an upper vertical flange;

an upper debridge flange extending from a bottom of the upper vertical flange at an angle greater than ninety degrees from the upper vertical flange;

a lower debridge flange extending from a debridge apex toward a plane of the upper vertical flange, the debridge apex formed at a lower end of the upper debridge flange and an upper end of the lower debridge flange; and

a lower vertical flange extending down from the lower debridge flange.

2. A weep screed in accordance with claim 1, wherein the angle is between 110 degrees and 130 degrees.

3. A weep screed in accordance with claim 2, wherein the angle is approximately 120 degrees.

4. A weep screed in accordance with claim 1, wherein a lower flange angle formed between the lower debridge flange and the lower vertical flange is between 20 and 160 degrees.

5. A weep screed in accordance with claim 4, wherein the lower flange angle is between 90 degrees and 150 degrees.

6. A weep screed in accordance with claim 5, wherein the lower flange angle is between approximately 120 degrees.

7. A weep screed in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lower debridge flange is curved.

8. A weep screed in accordance with claim 1, wherein the weep screed has a plurality of openings.

9. A weep screed in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a tool guide extending from a bottom of the lower vertical flange and having a width substantially the same as a distance from the plane of the upper vertical flange to the debridge apex.

10. A building wall comprising:

a concrete wall stem extending upward from ground;

a wall substructure having a sill adjacent to a top of the concrete wall stem, the wall substructure extending upward from the wall stem; and

a weep screed secured to the wall substructure to position a debridge apex of the weep screed approximately level with the top of the wall stem; the weep screed comprising: an upper vertical flange; an upper debridge flange extending from a bottom of the upper vertical flange at an angle greater than ninety degrees from the upper vertical flange; a lower debridge flange extending from the bridge apex toward a plane of the upper vertical flange, the debridge apex formed at a lower end of the upper debridge flange and an upper end of the lower debridge flange; and a lower vertical flange extending down from the lower debridge flange.

11. A building wall in accordance with claim 10, further comprising:

an upper exterior surface material adjacent to the upper vertical flange; and

a lower exterior surface material adjacent to the lower vertical flange.

12. A building wall in accordance with claim 11, wherein lower exterior surface material extends at least to a top of exterior grade adjacent to the wall.

13. A building wall in accordance with claim 12, wherein the lower exterior surface material extends below the top of the exterior grade.

14. A building wall in accordance with claim 12, wherein the lower exterior surface material is stucco.

15. A building wall in accordance with claim 12, wherein the exterior grade is planters grade.

16. A building wall in accordance with claim 12, wherein the exterior grade is hardscape.

17. A building wall in accordance with claim 12, wherein weep screed further comprises a tool guide extending from a bottom of the lower vertical flange and having a width substantially the same as a distance from the plane of the upper vertical flange to the debridge apex, an outermost surface of the lower exterior surface material extending outward to an exterior plane defined by the debridge apex and an outer edge of the tool guide.

18. A building wall in accordance with claim 10, wherein a height of the stem wall from exterior grade to the top of the wall stem is within a code regulated height and a distance from the exterior grade to the debridge apex is within a code regulated distance.

19. A weep screed comprising:

a substantially planar upper vertical flange having an inner surface configured to be positioned adjacent to a wall substructure;

an upper debridge flange extending outwardly and downwardly from a bottom of the upper vertical flange at an angle greater than ninety degrees from the upper vertical flange away toward a front surface opposite the rear surface;

a lower debridge flange extending from a bridge apex inwardly toward a plane of the upper vertical flange, a lower end of the upper debridge flange and an upper end of the lower debridge flange forming the debridge apex;

a substantially planar lower vertical flange extending down from the lower debridge flange substantially within the plane of the upper vertical flange; and

a tool guide extending outwardly from a bottom of the lower vertical flange and having an edge positioned at a distance substantially the same as a debridge width from the plane to the debridge apex.

20. A weep screed in accordance with claim 19, wherein the upper vertical flange, the upper debridge flange, the lower debridge flange, and the lower vertical flange are formed from a single piece of material.