Whether you are building a home from the ground-up or merely replacing old siding, correctly installing house wrap or building wrap is an essential step. If not installed correctly, it will not form the necessary watertight seal that is necessary, to ensure moisture cannot seep into the home and cause damage. Because of this, you and your team should take care when installing a new house wrap, so that you only have to do it once. To help the process go smoothly, here are three common house wrap mistakes that every contractor should avoid.
1. Not Ensuring Complete Coverage
One of the big mistakes contractors tend to make when it comes to installing a house wrap is not following the installation directions as stated by the manufacturer themselves. Whether it is house or building wrap, most manufacturers require that the wrap is overlapped by approximately 12 inches at the corners of the structure. It is also important that the wrap is sealed using an acrylic-backed tape to ensure the best seal possible, but the wrap has been pulled tightly around the entire structure, particularly at the corners. If it is not pulled tightly enough or sealed correctly, this can leave an open space between the wrap and structure, which can lead to moisture seeping in and creating mold and rot issues.
2. Not Fastening the Wrap Properly
Fastening is an important step when installing building wrap, as it helps to ensure that the wrap is secured in place so it can protect them home from the elements. Most manufacturers provide recommendations on how to best fasten the wrap, and it is important to keep those recommendations in mind as they are there for a reason. Additional, you may want to forego using staples in securing the wrap and instead opt for wrap caps. Using wrap caps will eliminate the potential for tears, which can create leaks and require the home to be rewrapped, costing more time and money.
3. Not Inspecting Wrap Carefully
As mentioned before, one big mistake contracts tend to make is not ensuring complete coverage of the home when installing a house wrap. On a similar note, contractors do not always take the time to carefully inspect every inch of the wrap to be sure it got installed correctly. It is crucial that you examine the wrap for any potential leaks, be it from the way the wrap was cut for flashings or just not covering everything properly. Even the smallest leak in a house wrap can have serious repercussions for a home’s structure.
Installing house wrap is an essential step in building a home. Without it, the home will be missing a layer of protection from the elements, leaving it open to all types of potential damage, especially mold caused by rain getting into the structure. When it comes to installing a wrap on a new home, keep these three things to avoid in mind and make sure to go slowly, rather than rushing through the job. It will save you time, money, and stress in the long run, and your client will be much happier knowing their home has a house wrap that will protect it from all types of damage.