Information for homeowners
What is weathertightness?
Weathertightness is the term used to describe the resistance of a building to the weather. Weathertightness is not necessarily waterproofing, but rather ensuring against undue dampness inside buildings and damage to building elements as a result of this moisture.
Since the mid 1990s, a considerable number of houses have been built using methods that won’t withstand the weather conditions in New Zealand and therefore will not comply with the New Zealand Building Code. When it rains, some houses are leaking because of problems involving design and installation of materials. In some cases the materials themselves have been used inappropriately.
Once the water or moisture gets behind certain cladding types and if there is no drainage and ventilation between the cladding and the framework, the water becomes trapped and the potential for fungal growth and rotting rapidly increases.
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