MANUFACTURED STONE VENEER
Manufactured Stone Siding, Cultured Stone, ACMV Stone Siding, Lick & Stick Stone Siding. It has many names, but they all spell trouble for millions of homes throughout the country. If you are experiencing water intrusion on your home, this is the best place to get information on why it’s happening.
LEAKING MANUFACTURED STONE VENEER (MSV)
Are you experiencing problems with water leaking in around the doors and windows of your home? Does the humidity in your home rise during and after rain events? Some houses have water that leaks in around the rim joists/sill plate of the foundation. Some houses show no sign of issues at all, until things are really bad. Most people first assume it is their windows that are the problem. While it’s certainly not impossible to have leaking windows coupled with a botched manufactured stone install, in most cases it is the manufactured stone that is causing the water leakage issue in the house. Contractors all over the country are improperly installing manufactured stone. They are not following the instructions that are readily available, and moisture is getting trapped behind the stone–causing the structure of the home to rot, mold, and fall apart. I get several calls each week from folks all over the country who find my blog and are looking for guidance on what to do next.
I’ve written a 3-part series that addresses most problems with manufactured stone. You’ll want to start by reading them, in order. Then, read the articles I’ve written on the houses that I’ve been contracted to inspect with failing manufactured stone.
If you are having problems with your home and would like to schedule an inspection on your manufactured stone, feel free to give me a call at 502.938.5190 or you can fill out this form and I’ll get back to you ASAP. I am willing to travel and have done so for many clients. Contact Form for Manufactured Stone Inspections
MANUFACTURED STONE – GENERAL OVERVIEW
This is a general overview to teach you what manufactured stone is, and how it differs from regular brick veneer. It also explains how the anatomy of a wall should break down.
MANUFACTURED STONE PART 2 – WINDOWS & DOORS
This section explains the importance of flashing details around windows and doors. These are the most frequently skipped steps on manufactured stone siding installations; hence, this is where most leak points begin.
MANUFACTURED STONE PART 3 – WALLS & DRAINAGE
The final section goes in-depth about walls and the importance of drainage. All manufactured stone needs to drain, and nearly every house I’ve seen is missing the details that will allow water to escape.
GREAT FEATURE
Ben in Forbes
I had the honor of being interviewed for an article in Forbes about my work with manufactured stone veneer inspections. You can read that here.
MISSING KICK-OUT FLASHING CREATES HIDDEN DAMAGE INSIDE WALL CAVITY BEHIND STONE VENEER.
This four-year-old home has suffered catastrophic water damage from the omitted kick-out flashing around the manufactured stone veneer. It’s hard to believe this much damage can be caused in just four short years.
BUILDER BUYS BACK HOME AFTER FAILED MANUFACTURED STONE AND BRICK VENEER UNCOVERED.
This one-year-old home had massive failure of the manufactured stone, and brick veneer. Some many defects were uncovered with my inspection the builder bought the home back from the owners.
LEAKING ADHERED MANUFACTURED STONE DESTROYED RETAIL SHOPPING CENTER
This 10-year-old shopping complex is falling apart from the botched adhered manufactured stone veneer install. I was able to capture some unbelievable thermal images here of the water damage.
LEAKING MANUFACTURED STONE DESTROYED THIS 12 YEAR OLD HOME.
This 12-year-old home had severe rot and deterioration on the entire front of the house from leaking manufactured stone. This was some of the worst damage I’ve come across in several years. The OSB walls behind the drywall were nearly mulch.
LEAKING MANUFACTURED STONE & LEAKING WINDOWS HALT PROGRESS ON CUSTOM BUILT HOME
This 9,000 sq ft custom built home had construction stopped from leaking manufactured stone and leaking windows in Arkansas. You won’t believe what I found once the walls were opened up.