Masonry Industry and Building Inspectors need to get on the same page

Use this To prevent this

I've had conversations with building inspectors who have told me they advise home owners to stay away form masonry applications, stucco and stone veneer to be specific.
Why? Because they have seen too many faulty installations that created mold, stone falling off houses and water damage.

Now being in the masonry industry I found this very alarming, as my job is to inform our customers, contractors and home owners of the measurements to take now to have a healthy wall system. Stone veneer is here to stay, its beautiful, versatile and wanted by homeowners and designers. With proper installation a stone veneer application can last a lifetime.

Currently there is no building code in NJ or NY that enforce the use of a drainage system when installing stone veneer or stucco. Very few consumers are aware of the proper way to install and because these measurements add to the cost of installation, contractors will not recommend the extra expense in fear of losing the bid to a competitor.

Homeowners, you must demand your contractor follow the Masonry Veneer Manufactures Association (MVMA) guidelines. Its well worth the additional cost to protect your investment. Only use a contractor that has been trained and is current with the best practices of the industry.

Masons, help save your industry. Attend installation training on the MVMA guidelines, ask your dealer or distributor about drainage products. Educate your customers on healthy wall systems.

Please use me/InStone as a resource healthy wall systems, the MVMA guide, where to find a trained mason, product information and where to find these products.

contact me via info@instoneco.com or visit www.instoneco.com

(you can visit http://www.masonryvenner.org/ to down load the guide.) (Please know these guidelines are for stone veneer that is installed on the out side of homes/buildings. )

Moisture Management - do it right now or pay later

Moisture Management
The new BUZZ term in the Masonry World
If you haven't heard the term Moisture Management being used in association with the installation of masonry then you might have been living under a stone !
Over the last 3 years the masonry industry in the United States began to get on board with the concept of moisture management. Due to the rise of failed installations and the hundreds of contractors being sued has sent up enough signals for the industry to start policing themselves. As a result new guideline to improve the failure rate and stop faulty installations has been written and is being recommended by the Masonry Veneer Manufactures Association.
The MVMA has collected data and performed studies that caused the implementation for the changes to the installation guideline.

Changes to the installation instructions required for installing Manufactured Stone Veneer changes include:

Double layer of Weather Resistant Barrier
Incorporation of Foundation Weep Screed
Self Furring Lath – fully embedded in scratch coat of mortar
(¼” behind and ¼” in front)

MVMA also talks about the option of using a Rainscreen product that will create a capillary break / air space between the cladding and the primary water resistive barrier. These products are used to improve the escape of incidental water and decrease drying time.

to get the full guideline please visit www.masonryveneer.org

More information :
Exterior Covering IRC 2006/2009 R703.1 General. Exterior walls shall provide the building with a weather resistant exterior wall envelope. The exterior wall envelope shall include flashings as described in section R703.8. The exterior wall envelope shall be designed and constructed in a manner that prevents accumulation of water within the wall assembly by providing a water resistant barrier behind the exterior veneer or required by section R703.2 and a means of draining water that enters the assembly to the exterior. Protection against condensation in the exterior wall assembly shall be provided in accordance with chapter 11 of this code.

Summary:

Astm 926 & 1063
2 Layers Grade D Paper 1 layer 60 minute grade D with rainscreen seperating
Weep Screed
Furred Lathe over sheathing
Flashing – Windows, Doors, Sill Pan, Kick Outs,
3 coat over wood based sheathing 3/8”, 3/8” and 1/8”
Expansion break at windows doors fascia and caulked
Rainscreen- Enhances drainage plane

Stick on stone – Plaster section of code
Paper – ESR Reports

“It’s not going to be a matter of choice any longer. It’s going to be demanded by the Architects, Home Owners, and by Building Inspectors. “ said Kevin Grotke General Sales Manager of Instone, a masonry wholesale distributor. Instone is assisting the industry by making available the moisture management products that are in compliancy with the new guidelines and local building codes” States Grotke. For more information please visit http://www.instoneco.com/

To learn more about the this top please contact instone info@instoneco.com

Masonry Veneer Installation Training June 2nd Chicago

Training on the Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association Guidelines for
Adhered Concrete
Masonry Veneer Installation

Installation Training Thursday June 2nd 10 am to 3 pm
at the Instone Midwest Distribution Center
5141 W. 122nd Street, Alsip IL 60803

Learn how the MVMA installation guidelines will affect the masonry industry moving forward. Please take advantage of this free training for you, your staff and your masons.
Sign up today and get informed!
The following topics will be covered:
Hands-on Installation demonstration & training
Make more money selling and installing Isokern Fireplaces
New Innovative products designed to save money & time

• Guest Speaker from Keene Building Supply: Drainage & Moisture Control System
• Guest Speaker Bill Foster from Spider Lath: Benefits of using a Mortar Sprayer Application with Spider Lath
• Learn how to reduce the time for the installation of lath & application of the mortar scratch coat by 75%)
Food & Beverages will be served. Attendees will receive participation materials.


Prior registration is required to attend this free training. Sign up as many as you'd like by filling out the attached form no later than June 1st 2011. Return it to info@instoneco.com or fax it to 708-371-0686 For more information please call 888-467-8250
Don't miss out! Sign up today for this very valuable training.







Fax to 708-371-0686 or email to info@instoneco.com for assistance call 888-467-8250

Masonry Veneer Installation Guidelines Training - Free sign up today

Learn how the MVMA installation guidelines will affect the masonry industry moving forward. Please take advantage of this free training for you, your staff and your masons. Sign up today and get informed!

Installation Training Day

Wednesday May 25th 4 pm- 7 pm

Instone New Jersey Distribution Center

1 Red Valley Rd Millstone Township, NJ


The following topics will be covered.



·Hands-on Installation demonstration & training



·MVMA Installation Training Certification with NJ/PA Building Codes reviewed



•Guest Speaker from Keene Building Supply: Drainage & Moisture Control System
•Guest Speaker Bill Foster from Spider Lath:Benefits of using a Mortar Sprayer Application with Spider Lath
•Learn how to reduce the time for the installation of lath & application of the mortar scratch coat by 75%)
Food & Beverages will be served. Attendees will receive participation materials and a certificate of participation.





Prior registration is required to receive the certificate and to attend this free training. Sign up as many as you'd like by filling out the attached form no later than May 23 2011. Return it to info@instoneco.com or fax it to 609-208-2551 For more information please call 888-467-8250

Don't miss out! Sign up today for this very valuable training.

http://www.instoneco.com/

Wednesday May 25th 4 pm- 7 pm

Instone New Jersey Distribution Center

1 Red Valley Rd Millstone Township, NJ

609-208-0085

Don't miss out - sign up today

GreenGuard Webinar on moisture management

Sign up today: click below
Webinar: Moisture Management

Friday May 13 8 am to 9am central time

Come join Greenguard and Instone to learn more about Moisture Management and a new product that Instone is excited to bring to you.
learn about:
• Building Science Principles of Wall Structure Performance (Air, Moisture and Energy transfer)
• New Product we are introducing to help improve wall performance
• 2009 Energy Codes and how that may impact the installation of Stone Veneer over XPS Exterior Insulation Board

Sincerely,

Kevin Grotke
Instone
k.grotke@instoneco.com
708-371-0660

Register Now!




This webinar will be held on Friday, May 13 8:00 - 9:00 Central. You should plan on clicking on the Attendee URL link below 15 minutes prior to the call as you may need to load Microsoft Live Meeting to your computer. Also note the toll free dial in number for the audio portion of this call.


Attendee URL: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/Pactiv/join?id=6JD98M&role=attend&pw=MT%40%29*%284pR


Meeting ID: 6JD98M



Attendee Entry Code: MT@)*(4pR



Audio:

Telephone conferencing: On
Audio conferencing provider: InterCall
Toll free: +1 (866) 594-0415

Participant code: 678-589-7333


When:
Friday May 13, 2011 from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM CDT
Add to my calendar

a day of discussions including issues currently surrounding the masonry industry

Press Release
150 members of the masonry & building industry gathered to discuss improving the quality of installation of masonry products and building a healthier wall, during the Instone Training & Vendor

Tuesday February 1, 2011 in Hamilton, NJ, Instone, a New Jersey based company who is the largest wholesale distributor of Cultured Stone® in the United States, distributing masonry products from Maine to Virginia, and the Midwest.
Instone brought together members of the building industry for a day of discussions including issues currently surrounding the masonry industry , a total, on-the-wall installation solution, and immediate measures to protect the industry from the negative impact of faulty installations.
Guest speaker Chris Hines of the Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association* delivered the MVMA recommendations for proper installation of masonry veneer products and recommendations for building a healthy wall.
(*The MVMA organization provides up-to-date guidelines of the generally accepted masonry veneer installation methods and details in order to discourage faulty installations.)
Also presenting during the Instone Training & Vendor Day were representatives from masonry products manufacturers such as Cultured Stone®, FireRock, Stone Transitions™, Spider Lath, Keene™ Building Supplies, Semco Natural ThinCut Stone, and AMICO building products, all of which support and follow the MVMA guidelines for installation and healthy wall systems.
Members of the building industry gained valuable information that will improve the quality of installation and gained the knowledge of how to product against unhealthy wall conditions that occur as a result of mold and corrosion.
For more information about Instone or the MVMA please contact
us 888-467-8250 www.instoneco.com www.masonryveneer.com

Changes to the MVMA guidelines raises questions about the use of Spider Lath. Here are some answers when using Spider Lath in place of metal lath:

For starters, I typically refer people to the Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association(MVMA) Guidelines as a starting point. MVMA is made up of the leading manufacturers and other professionals in the industry.
You can find their guidelines at http://www.masonryveneer.org/pdf/MVMAManualDesign_web.pdf It is important to recognize that installing Adhered Concrete Masonry Veneer on ICF’s is outside of the scope of the MVMA guidelines. Before you start, you want to make sure that the lath is pulled tight.

Some installers use a 3 or 4 foot 2x with nails that is used as a stretcher (see attached photo). MVMA calls for ½” nominal scratch coat, where the lath is fully embedded (1/4” behind and ¼” in front of the lath) – this is required whether you are using self-furring metal lath, flat metal lath with furring strips or fiberglass lath with furring strips.

Most installers aren’t aware of this requirement and also don’t typically apply this thick of a scratch coat. We have found it easier when you apply the mortar up the wall first and then across the wall (to push the mortar behind this fiberglass). It is certainly a bit different than metal, but it works pretty well and most importantly it ensures you are getting a full 1/4” behind the lath. After spreading about a 10sft area, come back and apply another coat – ensuring the full ½” that the MVMA calls for. Once thumbprint hard, scratch with scarifier.

Letting the scratch coat set up will provide a very rigid surface to apply thin veneer to. In regards to installing thin veneer over ICF. There are a few manufacturers of thin veneer who give recommendations on how to install over ICF.
I would suggest obtaining this information from the ICF manufacturer as typically you would need to tie in to the metal or plastic flange that typically runs from the top of the form to the bottom.
I’ve spoken to a couple of ICF manufacturers and they recommend that you attach lath with screws and some sort of washer (head) 6” on center. I think the important point is that we should all take some time to read the MVMA guidelines. There are a lot of enhancements that help us build better walls.

Instone
Introduces SpiderLath, the future of lath.
Instone brings you another high quality, innovated masonry product that will increase your masonry market share. To learn more and for a sample call Instone today 888-467-8250 or email info@instoneco.com

Easier to handle
Weighing in at only 22 LBS per roll and 4’ x 75’, 300 sq ft. Each Spiderlath roll is comparable to 18 pieces of metal lath.
Easy to cut
SpiderLath cuts with a blade, knife or scissor.
Eliminate the painful cuts from the razor sharp edges of metal lath.

Cleaner Healthier Wall System using Spiderlath.
Attaching conventional metal lath will create thousands of tear holes in the vapor barrier, with Spiderlath 1/4 nailing strip seals around the fastener holes sealing moister penetration reducing mold and mildew.

Corrosion Free No Rust

Code Approved ICC-ES AC 275

Backed by a 50 Year Warranty

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO MVMA GUIDELINES

The Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association (MVMA) was organized and officially began operation in April 2006. MVMA represents manufacturers and suppliers of manufactured stone and brick veneer products.

The mission of the organization is:
"To advance the growth of the manufactured masonry veneer products industry through proactive technical, advocacy, and awareness efforts."

Instone is committed to making sure that we provide you with the knowledge and products to conform to current standards as well as possible future standards. MVMA recently made some changes to their guidelines relating to the installation of Cultured Stone®, ProStone® and other Thin Masonry Veneer products.

2-Layers of Weather Resistant Barrier
· 2 separate layers #15 felt (ASTM D226 No. 15, Type 1)
OR
· 2 separate layers Grade D paper (ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria AC38
OR
· 1 layer house wrap (ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria AC38 ) and 1 layer Grade D paper (ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria AC38), or #15 felt ASTM D226 No. 15, Type 1)

NOTE: One layer of paper backed lath meeting the requirements of Grade D paper may qualify for one layer of WRB


2.5 lb or 3.4 lb self-furred corrosion resistant lath (ASTM C847)
· Lath MUST be self-furred. This is an important change as self furred metal lath allows for better mortar embedment, enabling ¼" mortar behind the lath and ¼" mortar in front of the lath - completely encompassing the lath with mortar.

Alternative lath acceptable with Evaluation Entity evaluation acceptance report showing compliance to ICC-AC275
· Fiberglass lath is an acceptable alternative lath as it is compliant to ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria AC275

Weep Screed Systems
· For framed construction, corrosion resistant weep screed is required at the base of thin veneer installation.

To see the full guideline, click here http://www.masonryveneer.org/pdf/MVMAManualDesign_web.pdf

Coming soon from Instone
The future of Lath




Lightweight roll weighs 20 pounds (roll size 4' x 75' 300 sq ft roll) a roll is equivalent to 18 pieces of metal lath that weighs 90 pounds.
Big labor savings, up to 50% faster installation versus installing metal lath. As soon as you start attaching SpiderLath to the wall it's already going up twice as fast, since it's a 4' high roll versus a 28 inch high piece of metal lath.
Versatile and strong enough to use with heavy weight products such as three coat stucco and natural stone veneer and can handle up to 15 pounds per sq ft.