AU2008101060A4

AU2008101060A4 - Improved method of applying building wrap to vertical wall structures

Info

Publication number: AU2008101060A4
Application number: AU2008101060A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Rodney Gordon Burge; Adam Guy Farrow; Matthew John Lennox
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-30
Filing date: 2008-10-30
Publication date: 2008-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2016-10-30

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT IMPROVED METHOD OF APPLYING BUILDING WRAP TO VERTICAL WALL STRUCTURES The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 00 This invention relates to the construction and repair of buildings. More 0 particularly it discloses an improved method of applying a weather or moisture resistant barrier or wrap to a building structure.

INDSuch barriers or building wraps are particularly important for those structures that are constructed of timber framing. It is known to apply a 00 weather resistant wrap over the timber studs of a building in order to resist the ingress of moisture. This moisture can cause unwanted structural movement in framework constructed from kiln dried timber. The material is typically in the form of a flexible plastic film such as polyethylene. Prior art practise for applying building wrap comprises first munrolling, measuring and cutting strips of wrap on the ground and then subsequently joining them to form a single sheet for subsequent nailing or stapling across the vertical walls or stud frame of a structure. Because of the slippery nature of the wrap material and difficulties in managing said wrap in windy conditions it is often extremely awkward or even dangerous to work at elevated locations.

Also areas of slack or looseness can arise when the preformed sheet is nailed or stapled to the structure. This results in air pockets which may detract from the insulating and sealing properties of the wrap.

It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a method of applying a moisture proof building wrap to a structure is disclosed, said method including the steps of:procuring a roll of building wrap in the form of a heat shrinkable plastic film, 00 0 O attaching a free edge of said film to an inside perimeter edge of said c structure and disposing an opposite leading edge of said film horizontally across to an opposite side of said structure one or more times to form one or more horizontal bands of said film for fixing Sthereto, and 00 0- applying heat to said bands to shrink the film tight against said structure.

Preferably a plurality of horizontal bands of film are applied in overlapping fashion to entirely cover said structure.

It is further preferred that the joints between said horizontal bands are sealed with tape.

It is further preferred that said heat is applied to the corner perimeters and top and bottom plate areas to shrink the film into sealing engagement with said structure.

It is further preferred that said bands are overlapped by about 300 mm.

It is further preferred that the film is then cut as required to accommodate wall penetrations such as windows and doors.

It is further preferred to cut around said wall penetrations allowing a minimum of 300 mm rise therearound and to subsequently apply additional 00

O

heat to ensure film shrinkage back for a moisture tight seal against said O structure.

It is further preferred to use a 150 um low density polyethylene film which e\ contains fire retardant, reflective film, shrinking resins, UV inhibitors, anti- S brittling compounds and strengtheners. One film that is-currently used is Sknown under the brand name "Buildseal" and produced by Optimum Metallising 00 Pty Ltd of Kings Park NSW.

0One currently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which:figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an impact or storm damaged building, and figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a timber stud structure undergoing construction or renovation.

Referring first to figure 1 there is a cladded structure indicated generally as 1 with an area 2 of impact or storm damage in side wall 3. In accordance with the invention the structure is wrapped as defined above with horizontal bands 4 of a heat shrinkable polyethylene film. The bands preferably overlap by about 300 mm and are heated at the comer perimeters 4A and top and bottom plate areas 4d and 4C preferably using a hand held LPG heat gun or the like. The film then shrinks and seals tight against the building and also against itself along the overlapping joints 4D to exclude weather and moisture. Although not shown in the drawings a substructure batten type frame with diagonal bracing is preferably built over the damaged area 2 before the film is applied.

00 With the timber stud structure 5 of figure 2 the building wrap is applied directly over the studs 6 in horizontal bands 1900 mm wide in a similar ID fashion to figure 1. While only the lower band 7 is shown adjacent the bottom plate 8 subsequent bands are applied as described earlier in 00 ov~erlapping fashion up to the top plate 9. Heat is then applied to the 0 perimeter corners l1) and top and bottom plate areas to shrink the film to seal against itself along taped overlapping joints and also agai;nst the structure.

Preferably the film is provided with an outer reflective surface so as to also provide thermal insulation and a cost effective replacement for conventional wall sarking and insulation.

With both structures as mentioned earlier the film is cut after wrapping to accommi-odate doors, windows and other penetrations.

Other uses, benefits and adv antages will become apparent from the following summary and preferred methodology for the invention.

CURRENTLY PREFERRED METHODOLIOCV SSelect the correct width roll as it is important to have the least amount or welds in the seatIing process Site measure the area which to be sealed **Ensure any sharp object are padded *'Attach one side of the shrink wrap to the inside edge of perimeter Stud work. Securely fix by a continuous batten.

~*Take the leading edge of the said film across to the oppo(;te o1 of the structure.

**Securely fix off the opposite side by continuous batten 00 O Apply heat to the film wrapped stud in a continuous even pattern with a similar motion of a spray paint gun.

0 Allow time for the film to shrink on to itself.

O Repeat this process to all vertical wall surfaces.

0 Now using the heat gun extension tool apply an even continuous heat Sto the entirety of the vertical wall surface allowing enough passes for the shrink wrap to contract.

Continue this process with overlapped joints of 300mm until the IN structure is covered entirely 0 For wall penetrations such as windows and doors cut the plastic as required Allow to cut around all wall penetrations allowing a minimum of 00 300mm rise around all penetrations. Apply heat to ensure the film shrinks back onto the sub structure allowing a watertight seal Ensure all edges are sealed Continuously check for burn holes and patch as required 4 For vertical impact damaged areas a sub structure frame will be required for the shrink wrap to be applied over. This is a simple batten type frame with diagonal bracing securely fixed to the structure.

USES

Wall insulation and draught elimination Asbestos removal and disposal All weather protection during construction to eliminate lost time Cost effective weather seal for storm impact damaged buildings or structures on vertical surfaces Replacement substitution for Vertical tarpaulins installations Vertical timber framework protection during construction

BENEFITS

Cost effective replacement for wall sarking insualtion. Reflective surface provides excellent thermal qualities Provides excellent thermal insulation on walls Ensures kiln dried structural framework is not exposed to weather conditions eliminating structural movement Provides a dust free environment when removing asbestos Reduces residual cost and time during re construction of storm impact damaged buildings and or structures Eliminates inclement weather days after main structure is in place therefore assisting productivity No ongoing hire cost as is for tarpaulins. Eliminates the need to re attend sites to secure tarpaulins during the reconstruction process 00 0 t c It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the O embodiment disclosed provides a novel and innovative method of applying 0 building wrap to structures. Clearly however the example disclosed is only the currently preferred form of the invention and a wide variety of Smodifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the type of heat shrinkable film may vary from that 0 Sdisclosed as well as the number, shape, overlap and configuration of the Smembrane strips applied to the structure.

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Claims

2. The method as claimed in claim I and including the further step of cutting the film to accommodate doors, windows and other penetrations.
3. The method as claimed in claim I wherein a plurality of bands of said film with taped overlapping joints are formed on said structure.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said heat is applied to the perimeter comers and top and bottom plate areas of said structure. -8- 00
5. The method as claimed in claim I wherein said building wrap is a heat o shrinkable polyethylene filin. INODated this.q f day of Oe&A-k 2008 00 Rodney Gordon Burge, Adam Guy Farrow Matthew John Lennox By Their Patent Attorney MICHAEL ANDERSON-TAYLOR