Apparatus, system, and method for extending an exterior wall surface below a debridge of a weep screed

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method extend the exterior surface of a wall below a debridge of the weep screed. An exemplary weep screed includes an upper vertical flange, a debridge, and a lower screed portion that allows an exterior surface material to be applied below the debridge. The lower screed portion includes a lower vertical flange that extends form a lower debridge member to a tool guide. In addition to application of the exterior surface material above the debridge, the exterior surface is applied over the lower screed portion. The resulting exterior surface extends the full height of the wall while damage due to moisture is minimized since the debridge facilitates the weeping of water from the exterior surface above the debridge. The “high tide” appearance is eliminated while meeting building code requirements and maintaining a dependable, weather resistant, and structurally sound building wall.

1 . A weep screed comprising: 
 an upper vertical flange;    an upper debridge flange extending from a bottom of the upper vertical flange at an angle greater than ninety degrees from the upper vertical flange;    a lower debridge flange extending from a debridge apex toward a plane of the upper vertical flange, the debridge apex formed at a lower end of the upper debridge flange and an upper end of the lower debridge flange; and    a lower vertical flange extending down from the lower debridge flange.    
   
   
       2 . A weep screed in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the angle is between 110 degrees and 130 degrees.  
   
   
       3 . A weep screed in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the angle is approximately 120 degrees.  
   
   
       4 . A weep screed in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a lower flange angle formed between the lower debridge flange and the lower vertical flange is between 20 and 160 degrees.  
   
   
       5 . A weep screed in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the lower flange angle is between 90 degrees and 150 degrees.  
   
   
       6 . A weep screed in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the lower flange angle is between approximately 120 degrees.  
   
   
       7 . A weep screed in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the lower debridge flange is curved.  
   
   
       8 . A weep screed in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the weep screed has a plurality of openings.  
   
   
       9 . A weep screed in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a tool guide extending from a bottom of the lower vertical flange and having a width substantially the same as a distance from the plane of the upper vertical flange to the debridge apex.    
   
   
       10 . A building wall comprising: 
 a concrete wall stem extending upward from ground;    a wall substructure having a sill adjacent to a top of the concrete wall stem, the wall substructure extending upward from the wall stem; and    a weep screed secured to the wall substructure to position a debridge apex of the weep screed approximately level with the top of the wall stem; the weep screed comprising: 
 an upper vertical flange;  
 an upper debridge flange extending from a bottom of the upper vertical flange at an angle greater than ninety degrees from the upper vertical flange;  
 a lower debridge flange extending from the bridge apex toward a plane of the upper vertical flange, the debridge apex formed at a lower end of the upper debridge flange and an upper end of the lower debridge flange; and  
 a lower vertical flange extending down from the lower debridge flange.  
   
   
   
       11 . A building wall in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 an upper exterior surface material adjacent to the upper vertical flange; and    a lower exterior surface material adjacent to the lower vertical flange.    
   
   
       12 . A building wall in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein lower exterior surface material extends at least to a top of exterior grade adjacent to the wall.  
   
   
       13 . A building wall in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the lower exterior surface material extends below the top of the exterior grade.  
   
   
       14 . A building wall in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the lower exterior surface material is stucco.  
   
   
       15 . A building wall in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the exterior grade is planters grade.  
   
   
       16 . A building wall in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the exterior grade is hardscape.  
   
   
       17 . A building wall in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein weep screed further comprises a tool guide extending from a bottom of the lower vertical flange and having a width substantially the same as a distance from the plane of the upper vertical flange to the debridge apex, an outermost surface of the lower exterior surface material extending outward to an exterior plane defined by the debridge apex and an outer edge of the tool guide.  
   
   
       18 . A building wall in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein a height of the stem wall from exterior grade to the top of the wall stem is within a code regulated height and a distance from the exterior grade to the debridge apex is within a code regulated distance.  
   
   
       19 . A weep screed comprising: 
 a substantially planar upper vertical flange having an inner surface configured to be positioned adjacent to a wall substructure;    an upper debridge flange extending outwardly and downwardly from a bottom of the upper vertical flange at an angle greater than ninety degrees from the upper vertical flange away toward a front surface opposite the rear surface;    a lower debridge flange extending from a bridge apex inwardly toward a plane of the upper vertical flange, a lower end of the upper debridge flange and an upper end of the lower debridge flange forming the debridge apex;    a substantially planar lower vertical flange extending down from the lower debridge flange substantially within the plane of the upper vertical flange; and    a tool guide extending outwardly from a bottom of the lower vertical flange and having an edge positioned at a distance substantially the same as a debridge width from the plane to the debridge apex.    
   
   
       20 . A weep screed in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the upper vertical flange, the upper debridge flange, the lower debridge flange, and the lower vertical flange are formed from a single piece of material.