Method and Apparatus for Integral Modular Masonry Flashing

Abstract

A masonry wall includes a masonry foundation, a flashing unit disposed on the masonry foundation, a masonry weep structure, a mortar bed and at least one layer of masonry units disposed upon the mortar bed. A gap defined between the back surface of the masonry unit and the back edge is sufficient to allow water that has seeped through a plurality of masonry units to downwardly toward the platform. A mesh masonry weep structure is disposed on the platform of the flashing unit to allow drainage of water that has seeped behind the wall. A modular flashing unit and template system facilitates building a masonry foundation and quick application of flashing.

1 . A method of making a modular flashing system for a user to employ with a foundation upon which a plurality of masonry units are to be laid, each masonry unit having a front surface, an opposite back surface, a bottom surface and an opposite top surface, comprising the actions of:
 a. receiving dimensions corresponding to the foundation;   b. making a modular flashing system that is sized to fit the foundation, based on the dimensions;   c. making a template that has a shape that corresponds to a shape of a portion of the foundation; and   d. delivering the template to the user so that when the user builds the foundation so as to fit the template, the modular flashing system will fit the masonry foundation.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the action of making a template comprises forming a planar template that has dimensions corresponding to a front vertical wall of the modular flashing system. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the making a modular flashing system action comprises the actions of:
 a. forming a stepped member that includes at least a first latitudinal platform and a second latitudinal platform, the second latitudinal platform being not coplanar with the first latitudinal platform, each of the first latitudinal platform and the second latitudinal platform having a front edge, an opposite back edge, a first side edge and an opposite second side edge, the stepped member also including at least one longitudinal wall connecting the first side edge of the first latitudinal platform to the second side edge of the second latitudinal platform, the longitudinal wall including a front edge and an opposite back edge, the stepped member having a width between the first latitudinal platform and the second latitudinal platform that is wider than a masonry unit of the plurality of masonry units by a predetermined amount;   b. forming a front vertical wall that has a stepped edge connected to the front edge of the first latitudinal platform, the front edge of the second latitudinal platform and the front edge of the longitudinal wall; and   c. forming a back vertical wall that has a stepped edge connected to the back edge of the first latitudinal platform, the back edge of the second latitudinal platform and the back edge of the longitudinal wall.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the actions of forming the stepped member, the front vertical wall, and the back vertical wall all employ a unitary sheet of a material. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the material comprises a plastic. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the actions of forming the stepped member, the front vertical wall, and the back vertical wall comprise vacuum forming the plastic. 
   
   
       7 . A modular flashing kit for use by a user with a foundation, comprising:
 a. a modular flashing system that is sized to fit the foundation, based on dimensions of the foundation provided by the user; and   b. a template that has a shape that corresponds to a shape of a portion of the foundation,   
     wherein when the user builds the foundation so as to fit the template, the modular flashing system will fit the foundation. 
   
   
       8 . The modular flashing kit of  claim 7 , wherein the template comprises a planar template member that has dimensions corresponding to a front vertical wall of the modular flashing system. 
   
   
       9 . The modular flashing kit of  claim 7 , wherein the modular flashing system comprises:
 a. a stepped member that includes at least a first latitudinal platform and a second latitudinal platform, the second latitudinal platform being not coplanar with the first latitudinal platform, each of the first latitudinal platform and the second latitudinal platform having a front edge, an opposite back edge, a first side edge and an opposite second side edge, the stepped member also including at least one longitudinal wall connecting the first side edge of the first latitudinal platform to the second side edge of the second latitudinal platform, the longitudinal wall including a front edge and an opposite back edge, the stepped member having a width between the first latitudinal platform and the second latitudinal platform that is wider than a masonry unit of the plurality of masonry units by a predetermined amount;   b. a front vertical wall that has a stepped edge connected to the front edge of the first latitudinal platform, the front edge of the second latitudinal platform and the front edge of the longitudinal wall; and   c. a back vertical wall that has a stepped edge connected to the back edge of the first latitudinal platform, the back edge of the second latitudinal platform and the back edge of the longitudinal wall.   
   
   
       10 . The modular flashing kit of  claim 9 , wherein the front vertical wall, and the back vertical wall all employ a unitary sheet of a material. 
   
   
       11 . The modular flashing kit of  claim 10 , wherein the unitary sheet of a material comprises a metal. 
   
   
       12 . The modular flashing kit of  claim 10 , wherein the unitary sheet of a material comprises a plastic. 
   
   
       13 . The modular flashing kit of  claim 10 , wherein the modular flashing system comprises a vacuum formed sheet. 
   
   
       14 . The modular flashing kit of  claim 10 , wherein the template comprises a material selected from a group consisting of: metal, plastic, and cardboard.