Replies

1. Expert Member
   MALCOLM TAYLOR | Jul 14, 2019 10:57am | #1

   Clayton,

   Choose an appropriate tape from the various backyard tape tests that have been posted on GBA. Make sure it tis fully adhered to all the surfaces, not stretched over them.

   I'm a bit confused by the picture. How did you end up with the sheathing not extending down to the sill plate? The nailed connection between it and the sheathing is an important part of the continuity of the structure.

2. 
   88Clayton | Jul 14, 2019 01:13pm | #2

   Thank you. I’ve skimmed through at least one backyard tape test article. I’ll be sure to dig further. Do they talk about primers to increase adhesion?

   No good answer on the short sheathing other than my contractor employing woefully unskilled Mexican labor to frame the house after telling me they knew how to do Zip system. This was far from the only inadequacy and mistake resulting from their work.

1. 
   AJ__ | Jul 14, 2019 02:57pm | #3

   You might want to consider the detail seen 2 minutes in to this video as a solution
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0zPn0D_q6I&t=1068s

1. Expert Member
   MALCOLM TAYLOR | Jul 14, 2019 03:02pm | #4

   Alex,

   Maybe that's what I'm seeing - a piece of blocking rather than the bottom plate?

1. 
   88Clayton | Jul 14, 2019 04:16pm | #5

   My picture is showing bottom plate.

2. 
   88Clayton | Jul 14, 2019 04:19pm | #6

   That’s great. I’m guessing that 2x2 is nailed straight into the bottom plate

1. 
   AJ__ | Jul 14, 2019 11:04pm | #8

   It looks that way, yes.

3. 
   Jon_Lawrence | Jul 14, 2019 06:06pm | #7

   Clayton,

   I used Siga's Fentrim for that location and it worked great. No priming necessary and it even sticks to PT, which some tapes do not. I also caulked the seams first with Prosoco's R-Guard, but in retrospect, the Fentrim alone would have sufficed. It looks like the first inch or so of your foundation wall is not very smooth which might be a bit tougher to air seal, so you can get a wider width of Fentrim (I believe you can up to a 12" wide roll) so the tape on the foundation wall reaches the smoother section.

1. 
   88Clayton | Jul 14, 2019 11:56pm | #9

   Thank you for the recommendation. I think possibly 9 inch width will work.

2. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Jul 15, 2019 06:04am | #10

   Jonathan and Clayton,
   Fentrim is, indeed, a good choice. Either Siga Fentrim or Pro Clima Contega Solido Exo would be recommended in this location.

1. 
   88Clayton | Jul 15, 2019 09:02am | #12

   Thanks, Martin. Sounds like maybe I should cough up the extra money and opt for one of the tapes you mention instead of the Grace Vycor Plus. I'm willing to do this, especially if a primer would not be required.

4. 
   Jon_Lawrence | Jul 15, 2019 08:42am | #11

   I used the Solido Exo for my windows and it worked well there. The Fentrim is thicker and feels stronger so less likely to get punctured on the rough surface of the concrete. Btw, Fentrim comes in both black and grey. The Fentrim on the south side of my house that saw extended periods of sunlight developed bubbles. Apparently I am not the only one. Siga now has a light grey version which does not have the same issue.

1. 
   88Clayton | Jul 15, 2019 09:03am | #13

   Thank you, Jonathan.

5. 
   Stockwell | Jul 15, 2019 09:16am | #14

   I first filled the cracks with Prosoco Joint and Seam filler and then taped over it with Contega Solido Exo(6"). I found excellent adhesion to concrete without a primer. Solido Exo is a very flexible tape that can adapt to irregularities in the surface. This is in stark contrast to Zip tape, which is another excellent tape, but it has no flexibility. The Solido Exo was perfect for flashing my windows, which were installed over furring strips. It adapts readily to the furring strip-to-sheathing junction.

   The combo of liquid flashing and tape does a great job at keeping out bugs and air sealing.