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Introduction

The building codes (IRC and IBC) have long required a water-resistive barrier (WRB) membrane in drained walls, but code provisions related to drainage and ventilation (drying) continue to evolve in response to the complexity of modern materials and the combinations in which we use them. This is particularly true of stucco and adhered stone clad walls, where code provisions have proved inadequate to protect our buildings from pervasive (and extremely costly) water-related failures. This presentation discusses the physics behind the failures, the recent improvements to the code provisions related to drainage and drying behind these claddings, and explains how (and why) the codes still fall short. About Building Science Fight Club

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Video: The Controversy Over Stucco Explained

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Quiz

To earn AIA Continuing Education Units (CEU), you must complete the quiz below and get all 3 questions correctly. Feel free to retake the quiz if needed. To keep learning, check out more courses in Building Science.