Water Testing and Analysis

Now we have finished the water test of the Reverse Brick Veneer wall we have built. Dean was recording the test and Angelo was doing the test. Kangping and Feng were behind the wall.

Result:
1. In general, the wall performed well as we have expected. 
2. The structural integrity was good, the water did not do any damage to the wall structure, including the weatherboard, the timber framing, and the Hebel block wall.
3. The weatherboards were wet as expected, the Hebel block wall was absolutely dry, and the cavity between the timber framing and the Hebel block was also safe from any water.
4. HOWEVER, there was some minor leak from the bottom of the window frame.

Photo. 01 The Weatherboards and Window were wet

Photo. 02 The Hebel Blocks to the Right of the Window were dry

Photo. 03 The Hebel Blocks above the Window were Dry

Photo. 04 The Hebel Blocks to the Left of the Window were Dry

Photo. 05 Kangping was Testing if the Cavity was Protected from Water

Photo. 06 The Timber Framing, The Side of Hebel Blocks, and The Cavity in between were Dry

Photo. 07 Obvious Trace of Water Leaking to the Interior

Photo. 08 Closer Look at the Leakage, Obvious Water Trace from the Bottom of the Window Frame

Photo. 09 Group Photo after the Test

Analysis:
As the cavity between the timber framing and the Hebel block wall were both dry, the weatherboards worked as it was supposed to and protected the main structure from any water contact. And it also means the water leaked to the interior did not come from gaps between weatherboards or anything like that. Additional, there was obvious trace of water coming through the bottom of the window framing, we can then determine that the leakage was caused by inappropriate sealing of the window frame and it appears to be the only problem we had for the wall.

The problem maybe caused by not leveling the window properly or insufficient silicon was used when sealing the gap. But the solution to this is quite simple. Simply applying more silicon to seal the gap will fix the problem and prevent further leakage.