Moisture control system

Abstract

The present invention includes moisture channeling member for removing moisture from the interior cavity of a surface facing system. The moisture channeling member includes a channel portion having a channel with an upper end, a lower end and a surface capable of conveying liquid. The channel is inclined at an angle with respect to level sufficient to facilitate flow of liquid from the upper end to the lower end. The channel portion is in fluid communication with an interior cavity of a surface facing system. A drainage portion is in fluid communication with the channel portion. The drainage portion is capable of consolidating and diverting moisture received from the channel portion and conveying the received moisture to an exterior area of the surface facing system.

1 . A moisture channeling member comprising: 
 a channel portion comprising a channel having an upper end, a lower end and a surface capable of conveying liquid, the channel being inclined at an angle with respect to level sufficient to facilitate flow of liquid from the upper end to the lower end, the channel portion being in fluid communication with an interior cavity of a surface facing system; and    a drainage portion being in fluid communication with the channel portion, the drainage portion being capable of consolidating and diverting moisture received from the channel portion, the drainage portion further being capable of conveying moisture received from the channel portion to an exterior area of the surface facing system.    
   
   
       2 . The moisture channeling member of  claim 1 , further comprising a moisture drainage system disposed in the interior cavity to facilitate drainage of moisture, the moisture drainage system being arranged and disposed to facilitate moisture flow from the interior cavity to the moisture channeling member.  
   
   
       3 . The moisture channeling member of  claim 1 , wherein the drainage portion includes a screening device having a structure that substantially prevents the infiltration of pests into the interior cavity, and permitting flow of moisture from the interior cavity.  
   
   
       4 . The moisture channeling member of  claim 1 , wherein the drainage portion has a cross-sectional geometry selected from the group consisting of angled, rounded, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The moisture channeling member of  claim 1 , wherein the drainage portion comprises a crimped structure to further control the flow of moisture as moisture is conveyed to the exterior area.  
   
   
       6 . The moisture channeling member of  claim 1 , wherein the drainage portion is inclined at an angle with respect to level sufficient to facilitate flow from the channel portion.  
   
   
       7 . The moisture channeling member of  claim 1 , wherein the channel portion comprises a plurality of the channels.  
   
   
       8 . The moisture channeling member of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the channel portion includes a cross-sectional geometry selected from the group consisting of rounded, angular and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . A wall system comprising: 
 a building structure comprising an interior wall structure disposed on a foundation;    a surface facing disposed on a surface of the building wall structure, wherein an interior cavity is formed between the building structure and the surface facing, the surface facing, building structure and interior cavity forming a surface facing system;    a moisture channeling member in fluid communication with the interior cavity, the moisture channeling member comprising: 
 a channel portion comprising a channel having an upper end, a lower end and a surface capable of conveying liquid, the channel being inclined at an angle with respect to level sufficient to facilitate flow of liquid from the upper end to the lower end, the channel portion being in fluid communication with the interior cavity; and  
 a drainage portion being in fluid communication with the channel portion, the drainage portion being capable of consolidating and diverting moisture received from the channel portion, the drainage portion further being capable of conveying the moisture received from the channel portion to an exterior area of the surface facing system.  
   
   
   
       10 . The wall system of  claim 9  further comprising a moisture drainage system disposed within the interior cavity to facilitate drainage of moisture from the interior cavity, the moisture drainage system being arranged and disposed to facilitate moisture flow from the interior cavity to the moisture channeling member.  
   
   
       11 . The wall system of  claim 9 , wherein the surface facing comprises at least one facing material selected from the group consisting of stucco, brick veneer, natural brick, stone veneer, natural stone, or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       12 . The wall system of  claim 9 , wherein the drainage portion includes a screening device having a structure that substantially prevents the infiltration of pests into the interior cavity, and permitting flow of moisture from the interior cavity.  
   
   
       13 . The wall system of  claim 9 , wherein the drainage portion has a cross-sectional geometry selected from the group consisting of angled, rounded, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       14 . The wall system of  claim 9 , wherein the drainage portion comprises a crimped structure to further control the flow of moisture as moisture is conveyed to the exterior area  
   
   
       15 . The wall system of  claim 9 , wherein the drainage portion is inclined at an angle with respect to level sufficient to facilitate flow from the channel portion.  
   
   
       16 . The wall system of  claim 9 , wherein the channel portion comprises a plurality of the channels.  
   
   
       17 . The wall system of  claim 9 , wherein a surface of the channel portion includes a cross-sectional geometry selected from the group consisting of rounded, angular and combinations thereof  
   
   
       18 . A method for applying a surface facing system to a building structure comprising: 
 providing a building structure comprising an interior wall structure disposed on a foundation;    attaching a moisture channeling member to the interior wall structure or foundation, the moisture channeling member comprising: 
 a channel portion comprising a channel having an upper end, a lower end and a surface capable of conveying liquid, the channel being inclined at an angle with respect to level sufficient to facilitate flow of liquid from the upper end to the lower end; and  
 a drainage portion being in fluid communication with the channel portion, the drainage portion being capable of consolidating and diverting moisture received from the channel portio;  
   applying a surface facing material to a surface of the building structure and the moisture channeling member to form a surface facing system, the surface facing material including an interior cavity formed between the building structure and the surface facing, the channel portion being in fluid communication with the interior cavity; and    wherein the drainage portion further being capable of conveying the moisture received from the channel portion to an exterior area of the surface facing system.    
   
   
       19 . The wall system of  claim 18  further comprising a moisture drainage system to facilitate drainage of moisture from the interior cavity, the moisture drainage system being arranged and disposed to facilitate moisture flow from the interior cavity to the moisture channeling member.  
   
   
       20 . The wall system of  claim 18 , wherein the surface facing comprises at least one facing material selected from the group consisting of stucco, brick veneer, natural brick, stone veneer, natural stone, or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       21 . The moisture control system of  claim 18 , wherein the drainage portion includes a screening device having a structure that substantially prevents the infiltration of pests into the interior cavity, and permitting flow of moisture from the interior cavity.  
   
   
       22 . The moisture control system of  claim 18 , wherein the drainage portion has a cross-sectional geometry selected from the group consisting of angled, rounded, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       23 . The moisture control system of  claim 18 , wherein the drainage portion comprises a crimped structure to further control the flow of moisture as moisture is conveyed to the exterior area  
   
   
       24 . The moisture control system of  claim 18 , wherein the drainage portion is inclined at an angle with respect to level sufficient to facilitate flow from the channel portion.  
   
   
       25 . The moisture control system of  claim 18 , wherein the channel portion comprises a plurality of the channels.  
   
   
       26 . The moisture control system of  claim 18 , wherein a surface of the channel portion includes a cross-sectional geometry selected from the group consisting of rounded, angular and combinations thereof.