Effectiveness of drainage cavities over time?
iLikeDirt
| Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on
Has anybody looked into the long-term performance of the drainage channels in back-vented claddings? Even if screened, do they inevitably get filled with dust, spider webs, and insects? Does this compromise their performance at all? Does the size of the channel affect if this happens, or how fast?
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
Search and download construction details
Replies
Nate,
I don't know of any studies. Vented soffits might provide a good comparison. All the fairly well-built older ones I've opened up have been remarkably clean and functional. I can't see why rain screen cavities wouldn't be the same.
Nate,
I agree with Malcolm -- I haven't heard of any studies, but most of these cavities should be perfect for many years.
Can insects get in there? Yes, but how easy that is depends on the screening details. The likelihood that insects will find cracks in a home's exterior and move in varies widely, depending on your climate and the species of insects that are common in your neighborhood. Insect disasters happen, but they are relatively rare.
While you don't want to star in that movie, the worst cases are really quite rare, and aren't relegated to only rainscreen type assemblies:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0OnDYxdilk
Dana,
For a few moments, I thought I might learn something by clicking your link.
Well, SOMETIMES there's some real info there, anyway... ;-) (Feels like another Monday, eh? )