Water-Management System

Abstract

A building water-management system includes a base material and fiber composite sheets attached to the base material. Each fiber composite sheet includes a fiber core having a first side, an opposing second side, and a surface layer adhered to the first side of the fiber core. Adjacent fiber composite sheets are connected together by a lapped configuration such that the surface layer of a first fiber composite sheet extends from the base material and onto a fiber core of an adjacent second fiber composite sheet and the fiber cores of the first and second fiber composite sheets are aligned next to each other to allow water to flow between the fiber cores, thereby forming a continuous water drainage and repellant layer. A shower assembly using the fiber composite sheets is also disclosed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A building water-management system comprising:
 a base material; and   fiber composite sheets attached to the base material, each fiber composite sheet comprising a fiber core having a first side, an opposing second side, and a surface layer adhered to the first side of the fiber core and in which the surface layer abuts the base material,   wherein adjacent fiber composite sheets are connected together by a lapped configuration such that a surface layer and fiber core of a first fiber composite sheet extends from the base material and onto a fiber core of an adjacent second fiber composite sheet so that a portion of the surface layer of the first fiber composite sheet is positioned between the fiber cores of the first and second fiber composite sheets, and in which a portion of the fiber core of the first composite sheet is aligned next to a portion of the fiber core of the second fiber composite sheet to allow water to flow between the fiber cores, thereby forming a continuous water drainage and repellant layer.   
     
     
         2 . The building water-management system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a finishing material attached to the second side of the fiber core of the fiber composite sheets. 
     
     
         3 . The building water-management system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fiber core comprises a porous fiber matrix and a resin material. 
     
     
         4 . The building water-management system according to  claim 3 , wherein the porous fiber matrix comprises metal fibers, glass fibers, polyester fibers, graphite fibers, carbon fibers, ceramic fibers, mineral fibers, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The building water-management system according to  claim 3 , wherein the resin material comprises polyolefins, polystyrene, acrylonitrylstyrene, polyesters, polyvinyl chloride, acrylics, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The building water-management system according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface layer comprises thermoplastic elastomers, silicones, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The building water-management system according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface layer comprises a housewrap. 
     
     
         8 . The building water-management system according to  claim 1 , wherein the base material comprises wood, tile, plastics, metals, stucco, concrete, concrete blocks, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The building water-management system according to  claim 1 , wherein a sealant is applied at the lapped configuration between adjacent fiber composite sheets. 
     
     
         10 . The building water-management system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fiber composite sheets are applied to a building as an exterior sheathing layer, to a foundation for a building, to a shower system, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The building water-management system according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the fiber composite sheets comprises a kerf allowing the at least one fiber composite sheet to extend over a footing of the foundation. 
     
     
         12 . The building water-management system according to  claim 10 , wherein a coating layer at least partially covers an exposed surface of the fiber cores of the fiber composite sheets attached to a portion of the foundation that extends above ground level. 
     
     
         13 . A shower assembly comprising a wall, a floor, and fiber composite sheets attached to the wall and floor, each fiber composite sheet comprising a fiber core having a first side, an opposing second side, and a surface layer attached to the first side of the fiber core and in which the surface layer abuts the wall and floor,
 wherein adjacent fiber composite sheets are connected together by a lapped configuration such that a surface layer and a fiber core of a first fiber composite sheet extends from the wall and/or floor and onto a fiber core of an adjacent second fiber composite sheet so that a portion of the surface layer of the first fiber composite sheet is positioned between the fiber cores of the first and second fiber composite sheets, and in which a portion of the fiber core of the first composite sheet is aligned next to a portion of the fiber core of the second fiber composite sheet to allow water to flow between the fiber cores, thereby forming a continuous water drainage and repellant layer.   
     
     
         14 . The shower assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the fiber core comprises a porous fiber matrix and a resin material. 
     
     
         15 . The shower assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the porous fiber matrix comprises metal fibers, glass fibers, polyester fibers, graphite fibers, carbon fibers, ceramic fibers, mineral fibers, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The shower assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the resin material comprises polyolefins, polystyrene, acrylonitrylstyrene, polyesters, polyvinyl chloride, acrylics, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The shower assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the surface layer comprises thermoplastic elastomers, silicones, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The shower assembly according to  claim 13 , further comprising a finishing material attached to the second side of the fiber core of the fiber composite sheet. 
     
     
         19 . The shower assembly according to  claim 13 , further comprising a seat and fiber composite sheets attached to the seat, wherein adjacent fiber composite sheets are connected by the lapped configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The shower assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the fiber composite sheets attached to the floor have a thickness greater than the thickness of the fiber composite sheets attached to the wall and seat.