Wall Structure with Moisture Diverter and Method of Making Same

Abstract

System and method for making a wall structure which diverts moisture from an opening. The wall structure has a structural member with a horizontal opening. A moisture diverter is secured to the structural member above the opening, the moisture diverter having a first end and a second end and a length, with the diverter length greater than the horizontal opening distance and the first end positioned relatively higher than the second end. The moisture diverter is laterally positioned at least partially over the horizontal opening. The moisture diverter has a first planar portion and a second planar portion attached to the first planar portion, forming an acute angle. A moisture barrier is secured to the structural member, at least in part, within a volume defined by the first planar portion and the second planar portion. A facade member is secured to the structural member distal of the moisture barrier.

1 . A method of making a wall structure formed of a structural member forming a horizontal opening having a horizontal opening distance and an opening top, comprising the steps of:
 securing a moisture diverter to said structural member above said opening, said moisture diverter having a first end and a second end and a diverter length between said first end and said second end, said diverter length being greater than said horizontal opening distance, said first end being positioned relatively higher than said second end, and said moisture diverter being laterally positioned at least partially over said horizontal opening and proximate said opening top, said moisture diverter comprising:
 a first planar portion; and 
 a second planar portion attached to said first planar portion and forming an acute angle therewith; 
 said moisture diverter being impermeable to liquid; and 
   securing a moisture barrier to said structural member, at least in part, within a volume defined by said first planar portion and said second planar portion; and   securing a facade member to said structural member distal of said moisture barrier.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said facade member is positioned, at least in part, distal of said moisture diverter relative to said structural member 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said facade member is positioned, at least in part, within said volume defined by said first planar portion and said second planar portion. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said securing a moisture diverter step secures said moisture diverter with said first end being approximately one-quarter inch higher than said second end for every foot of length of said diverter length. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said securing a moisture diverter step secures said moisture diverter with a midpoint of said moisture diverter being laterally coincident with a midpoint of said horizontal opening. 
   
   
       6 . A wall structure, comprising:
 a structural member forming an opening having a horizontal distance and an opening top;   a moisture diverter, impermeable to liquid, secured to said structural member above said opening and proximate said opening top, said moisture diverter comprising:
 a first planar portion; and 
 a second planar portion attached to said first planar portion and forming an acute angle therewith; 
 said moisture diverter having a first end and a second end and a diverter length between said first end and said second end, said diverter length being greater than said horizontal opening distance, said first end being positioned relatively higher than said second end, and said moisture diverter being laterally positioned at least partially over said horizontal opening; 
   a moisture barrier secured to said structural member and distal, at least in part, of said first planar portion relative to said structural member;   a facade member coupled to said structural member distal of said moisture barrier relative to said structural member.   
   
   
       7 . The wall structure of  claim 6  wherein said facade member is positioned, at least in part, distal of said moisture diverter relative to said structural member 
   
   
       8 . The wall structure of  claim 6  wherein said facade member is positioned, at least in part, within a volume defined by said first planar portion and said second planar portion. 
   
   
       9 . The wall structure of  claim 6  wherein said a moisture diverter is positioned said first end being approximately one-quarter inch higher than said second end for every foot of length of said diverter length. 
   
   
       10 . The wall structure of  claim 6  wherein said moisture diverter is secured with a midpoint of said moisture diverter being laterally coincident with midpoint of said horizontal opening.