U.S. patent application number 12/545206 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-25 for weep screed with weep screed deflector and method of using same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Masonry Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to John H. Koester.
Application Number | 20100043307 12/545206 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41695012 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100043307 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koester; John H. |
February 25, 2010 |
Weep Screed with Weep Screed Deflector and Method of Using Same
Abstract
Device, system and method for weeping and diverting moisture in
a wall structure. A weep screed has an elongate screed support
portion and an elongate screed angled portion laterally attached to
the screed support portion and forming an acute angle with respect
to the screed support portion. The weep screed has holes formed to
allow the passage of water. The weep screed deflector has an
elongate deflector support portion and an elongate deflector angled
portion laterally attached to the deflector support portion and
forming an obtuse angle with respect to the deflector support
portion. The weep screed deflector is positioned with the screed
support portion laterally proximate the deflector support portion
and with the deflector angled portion below the screed angled
portion, such that water which passes through the holes is
deflected, at least in part, by the deflector angled portion.
Inventors: |
Koester; John H.; (St.
Michael, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IPLM GROUP, P.A.
POST OFFICE BOX 18455
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55418
US
|
Assignee: |
Masonry Technology, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
41695012 |
Appl. No.: |
12/545206 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61090770 |
Aug 21, 2008 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/58 ; 52/364;
52/741.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 19/02 20130101;
E04F 13/06 20130101; E04B 1/70 20130101; E04B 2/707 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/58 ; 52/741.3;
52/364 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/64 20060101
E04B001/64; E04F 13/072 20060101 E04F013/072 |
Claims
1. A weep screed system for a building wall structure, comprising:
a weep screed, comprising: an elongate screed support portion; and
an elongate screed angled portion laterally attached to said screed
support portion and forming an acute angle with respect to said
screed support portion, said weep screed having holes formed to
allow the passage of water therethrough; and a weep screed
deflector, comprising; an elongate deflector support portion; and
an elongate deflector angled portion laterally attached to said
deflector support portion and forming an obtuse angle with respect
to said deflector support portion; said weep screed deflector being
positioned with said screed support portion laterally proximate
said deflector support portion and with said deflector angled
portion below said screed angled portion, such that water which
passes through said holes is deflected, at least in part, by said
deflector angled portion.
2. The weep screed system of claim 1 wherein said weep screed is
configured to at least partially support the weight of a building
material.
3. The weep screed system of claim 2 wherein said weep screed is
configured to conceal, at least in part, a bottom edge of said
building material from external view.
4. The weep screen system of claim 2 wherein at least one of said
weep screed and said weep screed deflector are configured to
inhibit, at least in part, access to a bottom portion of said
building material.
5. The weep screed system of claim 1 wherein said deflector support
portion is configured to be secured to a support structure.
6. The weep screed system of claim 5 wherein said screed support
portion is configured to be secured in lateral contact with said
deflector support portion.
7. The weep screed system of claim 6 wherein said screed support
portion is configured to be secured to said deflector support
portion.
8. The weep screed system of claim 6 wherein said screed support
portion is configured to be secured to said support structure.
9. The weep screed system of claim 1 wherein said screed support
portion is configured to be secured to a support structure.
10. A method of installing the weep screed system of claim 1 on a
wall structure, comprising the steps of: securing said deflector
support portion laterally to said wall structure such that said
deflector angled portion is positioned below said deflector support
portion and points away from said wall structure; positioning said
screed support portion in lateral contact with said deflector
support portion such that said screed angled portion is positioned
below said screed support portion and above said deflector angled
portion and points away from said wall structure; and securing said
screed support portion to at least one of said deflector support
portion and said wall structure.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of securing
a building material to said wall structure distal, at least in
part, of said weep screed system relative to said wall
structure.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said weep screed system
supports, at least in part, said building material.
13. A weep screed, comprising: an elongate support portion having
an elongate edge; an angled deflector portion laterally attached to
said support portion proximate said elongate edge and forming an
obtuse angle with respect to said support portion; and an angled
screed portion laterally attached to said support portion proximate
said elongate edge and between said support portion and said angled
deflector portion, said angled screed portion forming an acute
angle with respect to said support portion; said angled screed
portion having holes to allow the passage of water
therethrough.
14. The weep screed of claim 13 wherein, when said support portion
is configured to be secured to a wall structure.
15. The weep screed of claim 14 wherein, when said support portion
is secured to said wall structure with said angled deflector
portion and said angled screed portion below said support portion,
water which passes through said holes is deflected, at least in
part, by said angled deflector portion.
16. The weep screed of claim 13 wherein said angled deflector
portion is configured to support, at least in part, a building
material.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional U.S.
Patent Application No. 61/090,770, Koester, Weep Screed Deflector,
filed Aug. 21, 2008.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to devices, systems
and methods of making a weep screed, and in particular a weep
screed with a weep screed deflector.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Wall structures for many different types of buildings
commonly incorporate two or more layers of materials in order to
achieve the typical goals of providing relative isolation between
the interior of the building and the exterior of the building, of
maintaining the structural integrity of the building, and of
providing decoration. As is typically the case, the basic component
of a wall structure may be a structural member, either load-bearing
or otherwise, onto which other building materials may be secured.
Facade members which may primarily serve a decorative function may
be secured on the outside of the structural member. Facade members
may also provide isolation between the interior of the building and
the exterior of the building, by providing water
impermeability.
[0004] A common facade material is stucco, which is often desirable
for its aesthetic qualities. However, stucco may be relatively
prone to absorbing moisture compared with other facade materials
such as wood, stone, and synthetics. Because the stucco facade may
provide little protection against moisture, and the structural
member itself often provides little protection against moisture, it
is common in walls with stucco facade to incorporate a moisture
barrier between the stucco facade and the structural member. Rather
than admitting moisture into contact with the structural member
where it may cause rot and decay, a moisture barrier may allow
moisture which penetrates the stucco to drain down the wall while
minimizing or eliminating contacting between the moisture and the
structural member.
[0005] A moisture control member may also be used to create a gap
between the water barrier and the structural member to allow for
drainage of any moisture or condensation in the wall structure to
drain from the wall structure. However, these gaps may permit
insects such as termites to access the structural member, which may
then cause damage to the structural member. In other words, the
moisture control member may limit damage to the structural member
from water while not completely prevent insect intrusion. Various
structures and methods have been created in order to minimize the
ability of insects to penetrate up the moisture control member, but
the effectiveness of the structures and methods may not be perfect.
In addition, because moisture control members commonly drain
moisture straight down the wall structure down to the foundation,
water from the moisture control member may tend to pool against the
wall structure and the foundation.
SUMMARY
[0006] Both the issue with insects and with pooling of drained
moisture against the wall structure have in the past been addressed
in part by components called weep screeds. Commonly A-shaped metal
pieces, weep screeds may be positioned at the bottom of wall
structures so that the apex of the A-shape points away from the
wall. As such, moisture which runs down either the moisture barrier
or the facade may contact the weep screed and drip off the end some
distance from the wall, usually one or two inches away. In
addition, the A-shape may partially inhibit the passage of insects,
which may be required to crawl over the A-shape member in order to
enter the moisture barrier of the wall structure.
[0007] But conventional weep screeds have several issues which tend
to reduce their effectiveness both at drainage deflection and as
insect repellant. In particular, because of the A-shape, water
which contacts the weep screed may not be well contained as it
drips off the weep screed; by splashing onto A-shape and being
directed directly away from the structural member but potentially
toward the facade, moisture may have a tendency to collect in the
facade rather than drip toward the ground. In addition, the A-shape
may not provide as effective a barrier against insects as may be
possible otherwise, as insects only have to crawl over the point of
the "A" in order to access the gap created by the moisture
barrier.
[0008] A weep screed has been developed which may, at least in
part, address these issues. Instead of being a single A-shape
relative to the structural member, the weep screed may instead be
replaced by a weep screed system comprised of a weep screed member
which forms a channel into which water is directed, the channel
including holes through which the water may drain. A deflector
member positioned below the channel member may then deflect the
water down and away from the wall structure in a relatively more
controlled manner which may prevent undesirable splashing or
exposure of the facade to runoff. In addition, the combination of
the deflector member and the channel member may provide two
barriers for an insect to cross to access the moisture barrier gap.
In particular, having to cross two sharp edges may prove to be more
difficult for insects than crossing the point of the A-shape of
conventional weep screeds.
[0009] In an embodiment, a weep screed system for a building wall
structure comprises a weep screed and a weep screed deflector. The
weep screed comprises an elongate screed support portion and an
elongate screed angled portion laterally attached to the screed
support portion and forming an acute angle with respect to the
screed support portion. The weep screed has holes formed to allow
the passage of water therethrough. The weep screed deflector
comprises an elongate deflector support portion and an elongate
deflector angled portion laterally attached to the deflector
support portion and forming an obtuse angle with respect to the
deflector support portion. The weep screed deflector is positioned
with the screed support portion laterally proximate the deflector
support portion and with the deflector angled portion below the
screed angled portion, such that water which passes through the
holes is deflected, at least in part, by the deflector angled
portion.
[0010] In an embodiment, the weep screed is configured to at least
partially support the weight of a building material.
[0011] In an embodiment, the weep screed is configured to conceal,
at least in part, a bottom edge of the building material from
external view.
[0012] In an embodiment, at least one of the weep screed and the
weep screed deflector are configured to inhibit, at least in part,
access to a bottom portion of the building material.
[0013] In an embodiment, the deflector support portion is
configured to be secured to a support structure.
[0014] In an embodiment, the screed support portion is configured
to be secured in lateral contact with the deflector support
portion.
[0015] In an embodiment, the screed support portion is configured
to be secured to the deflector support portion.
[0016] In an embodiment, the screed support portion is configured
to be secured to the support structure.
[0017] In an embodiment, the screed support portion is configured
to be secured to a support structure.
[0018] In an embodiment, a method of installing the weep screed
system on a wall structure is disclosed. The deflector support
portion is secured laterally to the wall structure such that the
deflector angled portion is positioned below the deflector support
portion and points away from the wall structure. The screed support
portion is positioned in lateral contact with the deflector support
portion such that the screed angled portion is positioned below the
screed support portion and above the deflector angled portion and
points away from the wall structure. The screed support portion is
secured to at least one of the deflector support portion and the
wall structure.
[0019] In an embodiment, the method of installing the weep screed
system further comprises securing a building material to the wall
structure distal, at least in part, of the weep screed system
relative to the wall structure.
[0020] In an embodiment, a weep screed comprises an elongate
support portion, an angled deflector portion and an angled screed
portion. The elongate support portion has an elongate edge. The
angled deflector portion is laterally attached to the support
portion proximate the elongate edge and forms an obtuse angle with
respect to the support portion. The angled screed portion is
laterally attached to the support portion proximate the elongate
edge and between the support portion and the angled deflector
portion, and forms an acute angle with respect to the support
portion. The angled screed portion has holes to allow the passage
of water therethrough.
[0021] In an embodiment, the support portion is configured to be
secured to a wall structure.
[0022] In an embodiment, the support portion is secured to the wall
structure with the angled deflector portion and the angled screed
portion below the support portion, and water which passes through
the holes is deflected, at least in part, by the angled deflector
portion.
[0023] In an embodiment, the angled deflector portion is configured
to support, at least in part, a building material.
LISTING OF THE FIGURES
[0024] FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of a wall structure with a weep
screed system;
[0025] FIGS. 2A and 2B are side and front-profiles of the weep
screed system of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a side-profile of a weep screed deflector;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a side-profile of a weep screed;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for using weep screed system as in
FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for using weep screed system as in
FIG. 1; and
[0030] FIG. 7 is an alternative weep screed.
DESCRIPTION
[0031] The entire contents of provisional U.S. Patent Application
No. 61/090,770, Koester, Weep Screed Deflector, filed Aug. 21,
2008, is incorporated herein by reference. Structural members of
wall structures may be relatively vulnerable to exposure to water,
which may create rot or decay. Moisture barriers have been created
to prevent water from coming into contact with the structural
member. Facade members such as stucco may tend to admit moisture
into the wall structure which may be drained down the wall
structure using a moisture barrier and/or moisture control member.
A weep screed system may be provided at the bottom of the wall
structure in order to deflect the moisture away from the wall
structure as it drains away, as well as to prevent insects from
accessing gaps created in the wall structure by the moisture
barrier.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of wall structure 10. Structural
member 12, in an embodiment conventional exterior sheathing well
known in the art, is combined with a conventional structural
support 14, in an embodiment a standard two inch by six inch board,
to support, at least in part, wall structure 10. In various common
embodiments, it is impractical, particularly for cost reasons, to
treat structural member 12 such that structural member is
impervious to moisture. As such, the more moisture which comes into
contact with structural member 12, the more likely structural
member may be to rot and decay.
[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, moisture control member 16 is
attached to structural member 12 in order to reduce the amount of
moisture which comes into contact with structural member 12.
Moisture control member 16 may be made from several different
materials, including combinations of materials. Moisture control
member 16 may be that member described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,990,775,
Koester, Moisture Draining Product, Wall System Incorporating Such
Product and Method Therefore, which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety. As illustrated in FIG. 1, moisture
control member 16 includes two layers of asphalt impregnated
construction paper 18 and drainage member 20 of Sure Cavity.TM.
drainage material made by Masonry Technology, Inc. Moisture control
member 16 may be configured such that moisture in the wall
structure 10 may drain down moisture control member 16 and out of
wall structure 10.
[0034] Facade member 22 may be positioned outside of moisture
control member 16 and may include a moisture barrier. Facade member
22 may provide both aesthetic benefits to wall structure 10 as well
as additional protection against weathering and other damage.
Facade member 22 may be many different materials commonly known in
the art, including wood, stone, and brick. As illustrated, facade
member 22 is primarily comprised of stucco 24, as illustrated
comprising three layers, and metal lath 26 which is secured to
structural member 12 and to which stucco 24 is applied.
[0035] Weep screed system 28 may include weep screed 30 and weep
screed deflector 32. Weep screed 30 may include elongate screed
support portion 34 and elongate screed angled portion 36 laterally
coupled to screed support portion 34. Weep screed 30 may be formed
by bending a single elongate length of material to form channel 38.
In alternative embodiments, screed support portion 34 may be
attached to screed angled portion 36, such as by welding, riveting,
adhesion, or other methods known in the art. Weep holes 42 may be
formed in channel 38 to permit passage of liquid through weep
screed 30.
[0036] Weep screed deflector 32 may include elongate deflector
support portion 44 and elongate deflector angled portion 46 coupled
to deflector support portion 44. Weep screed deflector 32 may be
formed by bending a single elongate length of material. In
alternative embodiments, deflector support portion 44 may be
attached to deflector angled portion 46, such as by welding,
riveting, adhesion, or other methods known in the art.
[0037] Weep screed system 28 may be secured to structural member
12. In an embodiment, weep screed deflector 32 is positioned such
that deflector support portion 44 is level and flush against
structural member 12 and deflector angled portion 46 is below
deflector support portion 44. Weep screed 30 may then be positioned
such that screed support portion 34 is level and fluid against
deflector support portion 44 and screed angled portion 36 is below
screed support portion 34 and above deflector angled portion
46.
[0038] In an embodiment, screed support portion 36 and deflector
support portion 44 each have securing holes 50. When holes 50 from
screed support portion 36 and deflector support portion 44 are in
alignment with respect to each other, nails or other securing
members may be driven through holes 50 and into structural member
12 to secure weep screed system 28 to structural member 12. In an
alternative embodiment, nails or other securing members may be
driven through holes 50 in deflector support portion 44 before weep
screed 30 is positioned with respect to weep screed deflector 32,
and then, after weep screed 30 has been positioned with respect to
weep screed deflector 32, more nails or other securing members may
be driven through holes 50. In further alternatives, weep screed
deflector 32 and weep screed 30 may be secured using adhesives or
other methods of securing known in the art.
[0039] In further alternative embodiments, weep screed 30 may be
secured with respect to weep screed deflector 32 to form an
integrated weep screed system 28 before weep screed deflector 32 is
secured to structural member 12. In such an embodiment, weep screed
30 may be secured to weep screed deflector 32 by welding, rivets,
adhesive, or other appropriate methods. In such an embodiment,
holes 50 in each of screed support portion 34 and deflector support
portion 44 may be properly aligned, and when weep screed system 28
is positioned with respect to structural member 12 nails or other
securing members may be driven through aligned holes 50.
[0040] As noted above, weep screed 30 and weep screed deflector 32
may be positioned in a level orientation. In alternative
embodiments, weep screed system 28 as a whole may be positioned at
an angle relative to a level orientation. In such an embodiment,
liquid which enters channel 38 may drain down the angled channel 38
and exit channel 38 either through weep holes 42 or off of an end
of weep screed 30.
[0041] In an embodiment, screed support portion 34 and deflector
support portion 44 may be positioned, at least in part, between
moisture control member 16 and structural member 12. In such a
configuration, moisture which drains down moisture control member
16 may be contained and channeled by screed angled portion 36 into
channel 38. In particular, because screed angled portion 36 is
angled at an acute angled with respect to screed support portion
34, moisture which drips into weep screed 30 may tend to be
contained within weep screed 30. Once in channel 38, moisture may
pass through weep holes 42, where the moisture may contact
deflector angled portion 46 in a relatively controlled manner. Once
in contact with deflector angled portion 46, moisture may tend to
drip off of deflector angled portion 46 at some distance away from
structural member 12 and other members of wall structure 10.
[0042] In further embodiments, facade member 22 may be positioned
such that it is in whole or in part within channel 38. In such an
embodiment, screed angled portion 36 may provide, at least in part,
support to facade member 22 if facade member 22 is positioned in
contact with screed angled portion 36.
[0043] FIGS. 2A and 2B are side and front-profile schematic
drawings of weep screed system 28. In an embodiment, a weep screed
angle 40 of seventy degrees is formed between screed support
portion 34 and screed angled portion 36. In alternative
embodiments, weep screed angle 40 may be less than ninety degrees
and greater than zero degrees. In a further alternative embodiment,
weep screed angle 40 may be ninety degrees. In an embodiment a
deflector angle 48 of one hundred twenty degrees is formed between
deflector support portion 44 and deflector angled portion 46. In
alternative embodiments, deflector angle 48 may be at least ninety
degrees and less than one hundred eighty degrees.
[0044] In an embodiment, edge 52 of screed angled portion 36 has
approximately 0.590 inches of vertical separation 56 relative to
edge 54 of deflector angled portion 46. In such an embodiment, edge
52 has approximately 0.107 inches of horizontal separation 58
relative to edge 54, with edge 52 projecting further from screed
support portion 34 than edge 54.
[0045] In an embodiment, horizontal separation 58 may meet goals of
increased likelihood of moisture entering channel 38 and being
adequately deflected from wall structure 10. In various alternative
embodiments, vertical separation 56 and horizontal separation 58
may be increased or decreased as conditions may recommend. In an
embodiment, vertical separation 56 may be increased by lengthening
screed angled portion 36 in order to increase channel 38, or by
lengthening deflector angled portion 46 to further deflect moisture
from wall structure 10.
[0046] FIG. 3 is a side-profile schematic drawing of weep screed
deflector 32. In an embodiment, weep screed deflector 32 may be
made from 26 Gauge, 0.0217 inch thick galvanized steel. In
alternative embodiments, the thickness of weep screed deflector 32
may be varied, and weep screed deflector 32 may be made from
alternative materials, such as aluminum. In an embodiment,
deflector support portion 44 is 3 29/64 inches (approximately 3.453
inches) from corner 60 to edge 62. In an embodiment, deflector
angled portion 46 is 51/64 inches (approximately 0.797 inches) from
corner 60 to edge 54. In an embodiment, weep screed deflector 32
may be produced in lengths of approximately eight feet.
[0047] Holes 50 in deflector support portion 44 may be 3/16 inch
thru type holes. In an embodiment, two tiers of holes 50 may be
formed in deflector support portion 44. In an embodiment,
separation between tiers may be 1 5/16 inches (approximately 1.3125
inches). In an embodiment, separation between holes 50 within each
tier may be 23/4 inches (approximately 2.75 inches). Holes 50 may
be formed approximately 21/32 inches (approximately 0.618 inches)
from edge 62, and approximately 1 5/16 inches (approximately 1.3125
inches) from the ends of weep screed deflector 32.
[0048] FIG. 4 is a side-profile schematic drawing of weep screed
30. In an embodiment, weep screed 30 may be made from 26 Gauge,
0.0217 inch thick galvanized steel. In alternative embodiments, the
thickness of weep screed 30 may be varied, and weep screed 30 may
be made from alternative materials, such as aluminum. In an
embodiment, screed support portion 34 is 31/2 inches (approximately
3.5 inches) from corner 64 to edge 66. In an embodiment, screed
angled portion is 15/32 inches (approximately 0.469 inches) from
corner 64 to edge 52.
[0049] Holes 50 in screed support portion 34 may be 3/16 inch thru
type holes. In an embodiment, two tiers of holes 50 may be formed
in screed support portion 34. In an embodiment, separation between
tiers may be 1 5/16 inches (approximately 1.3125 inches). In an
embodiment, separation between holes 50 within each tier may be
23/4 inches (approximately 2.75 inches). Holes 50 may be formed
approximately 21/32 inches (approximately 0.618 inches) from edge
66, and approximately 1 5/16 inches (approximately 1.3125 inches)
from the ends of weep screed 30. Weep holes 42 may be R.19 type
elongate holes approximately one inch long and 6/32 inches
(approximately 0.1875 inches) wide.
[0050] The dimensions as described above may be varied, in
particular based on condition in which weep screed system 28 is
anticipated to be used. If relatively large amounts of moisture may
be expected to drain into weep screed system 28 then structural
members 34, 44 and angled members 36, 46 may be selected such that,
for instance, channel 38 is relatively larger or moisture drips off
of deflector angled portion 46 relatively farther from wall
structure 10. If relatively little moisture is expected then
structural members 34, 44 and angled members 36, 46 may be selected
such that, for instance, channel 38 is relatively smaller.
[0051] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of using weep screed
system 28. Deflector support portion 44 is secured (500) to
structural member 12, such that deflector angled portion 46 is
positioned below deflector support portion 44 and points away from
structural member 12. Screed support portion 34 is positioned (502)
with respect to, and in lateral contact with deflector support
portion 44, such that screed angled portion 36 is positioned below
screed support portion 34 and above deflector angled portion 46,
such that screed angled portion 36 points away from structural
member 12. Screed support portion 34 is then secured (504) to
structural member 12 and deflector support portion 44.
[0052] The steps outlined in FIG. 5 may be ordered as listed. In
alternative embodiments, the steps may be ordered such that screed
support portion 34 is positioned (502) with respect to deflector
support portion 44 before deflector support portion 44 is secured
(500) to structural member 12. In such an embodiment, illustrated
in FIG. 6, screed support ember 34 may be positioned (600,
corresponding generally to (502)) with respect to, and in lateral
contact with deflector support portion 44, such that screed angled
portion 36 is positioned below screed support portion 34 and above
deflector angled portion 46, such that screed angled portion 36
points away from structural member 12. Screed support portion 34
may be secured (602, corresponding in part to (504)) to deflector
support portion 44. Then, deflector support portion 44 and screed
support portion 34 may be secured (604, corresponding in part to
(500) and (504)) to structural member 12, such that deflector
angled portion 46 is positioned below deflector support portion 44
and points away from structural member 12.
[0053] In an embodiment of FIG. 1, weep screed system 28 may be
replaced by weep screed 30. In such an embodiment, weep screed 30
may still act to direct moisture which drains down moisture control
member 16 into channel 38, where the moisture may weep through weep
holes 42. However, the absence of weep screed deflector 32 may mean
that moisture which weeps through weep holes 42 may tend to remain
in proximity of structural member 12. Such an embodiment may be
effectively utilized in situations where wall structure 10 is
offset inwards below weep screed 30, such that when moisture weeps
through weep holes 42 it drips down approximately one or more
inches away from offset wall structure. In such an embodiment, the
flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 may be modified to secure screed
support portion 34 is simply coupled directly to structural member
12.
[0054] FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of weep screed 100. Weep
screed 100 may include elongate support portion 102, elongate
deflector angled portion 104 coupled to support portion 102, and
weep screed angled portion 106 positioned between elongate support
portion 102 and deflector angled portion 104. Weep screed 100 may
be formed by bending a single elongate length of material to from
support portion 102 and deflector angled portion 104, with weep
screed angled portion 106 attached to the single elongate length of
material. In an alternative embodiment, support portion 102 and
weep screed angled portion 106 may be formed by the single elongate
length of material, with angled deflector portion 104 attached
thereto. In a further alternative embodiment, support portion 102,
angled deflector portion 104 and weep screed angled portion 106 may
each be formed by separate pieces of material and attached with
respect to each other. Attachment may be achieved by welding,
riveting, adhesion, or other methods known in the art.
[0055] Weep screed 100 may be formed according to dimensions
consistent with those of weep screed system 28, detailed in FIGS.
2-4. Weep screed 100 may obviate a need for the methods shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6 by requiring only the step of securing weep screed
100 to structural portion 12 such that support portion 102 is above
angled portions 104, 106. As positioned, channel 108 may allow for
moisture to be collected and drained off of deflector angled
portion 104 by way of weep holes similar or identical to weep holes
42.
[0056] Various modifications and alterations of this invention will
be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope and spirit of this invention. It should be understood that
this invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set
forth above.
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