How Do You Prevent Water Ingress Through Vertical Cladding?

When horizonal cladding was first introduced as a external feature to a home, it was considered as the traditional cladding for buildings and homes. However, more people are resorting to vertical cladding for a unique architectural view. With this type of cladding, it’s important you avoid any problems such as water ingress.

Water ingress occurs when water enters a building and can cause damage to the wood and furniture. This water can also lead to fungal decay and have an impact on the environment. Hence, it is necessary to take appropriate measures to prevent water ingress in all buildings.

How can you tell if you have water ingress?

A self-inspection can be carried out to check whether you have water ingress. A few tell-tale warning signs include:

• Soggy areas on the floors and walls
• Growth of mold
• Peeling paint
• Damp odour

Does your home have vertical cladding?

If your home or building has timber vertical cladding, you need to pay extra attention. Timber is not water-proof; this means there is an increased chance of water ingress. In order to prevent this, there are certain rules to be kept in mind.

1. Firstly, you need to cover the wall properly with a waterproof material. This needs to be done meticulously so that any water can drain easily.
2. Secondly, you need to make sure that there is enough air circulation behind the cladding. This allows water to air dry if there is a leakage. Vertical cladding built with a slight ventilation gap behind it will allow the area to dry. Additionally, running a silicone bead down each side is also a great idea to prevent further water ingress.
3. The third step is to place a fire stopping device at the top of every vent to prevent the onset of any accidental fires.
4. When nailing the vertical cladding, it is best to use stainless steel at an upward angle. This is so that any running water will run towards the board and not the fabric of the building.
5. Using a water repellant or façade cream can help prevent water ingress. These penetrate into the brick, stone or concrete, so that it repels any water seeping through.
6. Lastly, the best way to prevent any further water ingress is to act quickly when the first signs of water damage appear. If you wait too long, it can be a very costly and time-consuming process to get them replaced.

The Cladding Experts

A properly detailed timber vertical cladding can last at least 50 years. At Gosford Frame and Truss, we have 30 years of experience in building timber cladding, helping to prevent water ingress. All our structures are built with the highest quality materials and will last a lifetime if properly maintained. We can provide you with the right cladding products at affordable prices.

To contact us, call us on 0409 437 201 or visit us at: www.gosfordframentruss.com.au.

We service Terrigal, Fountaindale, Killcare, Hardys Bay, Umina, Gosford, Pretty Beach, Ettalong, Copacabana, Bateau Bay, Avoca, MacMasters Beach, Patonga, and surrounding areas.