AU2004203248B2 - Flashing for building construction - Google Patents

Description

1 P/00/01 1 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: ERROL CAMPBELL Actual Inventor: ERROL CAMPBELL Address for Service: JOHN R.G. GARDNER Suite 398 15 Albert Avenue, BROADBEACH QLD 4218 Invention title: FLASHING FOR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Details of Associated Provisional Applications No: 2003903792 filed 23 July 2003 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it know to me:- 2 FLASHING FOR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Technical Field This invention relates generally to building constructions and flashing therefore and in particular but not exclusively to lightweight buildings such as garages and sheds 5 and a flashing for sealing the wall cladding of lightweight buildings to the floor of the building such as a slab floor. Background Art Flashing systems and devices are used in many forms of building construction to prevent rain water penetration into a building at joins, for sealing exposed interfaces 10 between building components and/or to prevent entry of vermin or animals into a building. Flashing is often in the form of sheeting formed of ferrous or non-ferrous metal which is bent to the required shape to suit the application. A particular application in which flashing or sealing systems are used is in lightweight buildings of the type in which a profiled wall cladding extends lower than 15 and overlaps a floor structure of a building. Such a construction is commonly but not exclusively used in the construction of sheds or buildings in which the floor structure comprises a concrete floor slab and the wall cladding comprises metal sheets which are in close proximity to and overlap the side edges of the slab. In such constructions, a cavity or void area can be created between the edge of 20 the slab and the cladding. This cavity or void area gathers dirt and other debris and can serve as a breeding area for cockroaches or other inserts. Alternatively, the cladding may be in contact with the concrete slab which creates a potential corrosion area. Thus the presence of moisture in these regions can activate lime in the concrete which can cause corrosion of edges of the cladding. In addition, the cladding if of a profiled 25 construction has a series of channels or corrugations which can permit entry of vermin or other animals into the building. A further disadvantage is that rain water hitting the ground adjacent the wall cladding can splash up through the open corrugations and enter the building. Summary of the Invention 30 The present invention aims to provide a method and means for sealing building constructions and in particular to a method and means for sealing cladding of a building construction to a floor structure. The present invention in a further aspect aims to provide a flashing for use in sealing building constructions. The present invention in a further aspect aims to provide a building construction provided with a sealing flashing.

3 Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. The present invention thus provides in a first aspect a method of sealing a building construction of the type having a floor structure and external wall cladding 5 adjacent to said floor structure and having a lower end terminating below an upper surface of said floor structure, said method including the steps of providing a flashing, said flashing having a first limb, a second limb extending from said first limb to one side thereof , and a third limb extending from the first limb to the opposite side thereof, and positioning said flashing such that at least a portion of said first limb is located between 10 said floor structure and said cladding with at least an end of said second limb juxtaposed with said surface of floor structure and said third limb juxtaposed with said lower end of said cladding. Preferably the method of the invention also includes the step of securing the flashing to the wall cladding suitably by means of suitable fasteners. Preferably, the 15 fasteners secure the cladding to the first limb. Most preferably, the fasteners secure the cladding to the first limb at a position above the second limb. The fasteners for example may comprise screw fasteners which are screwed through the wall cladding into the flashing. In a further aspect the present invention provides a flashing for use in a building 20 construction of the type having a floor structure and external wall cladding adjacent to said floor structure and having a lower end terminating below an upper surface of said floor structure, said flashing having a first limb, a second limb extending from said first limb to one side thereof, and a third limb extending from said first limb to the opposite side thereof, at least a portion of said first limb being adapted to be located between said 25 floor structure and cladding and wherein at least an end of said second limb is adapted to be juxtaposed with said floor structure and wherein said third limb is adapted to be juxtaposed with said lower end of said cladding. Preferably, the portion of the first limb is adapted to be located between a side of the floor structure and the cladding to prevent contact between the cladding and floor 30 structure. The second limb may be adapted for substantial sealing engagement with the upper surface of the floor structure. Preferably, the second limb terminates in an end lip or finger which is adapted to engage or abut and substantially seal against the upper surface of the floor structure. The end lip or finger may taper and curve downwardly for engagement or abutment with the floor structure. Additional sealing means may be 4 provided between the end lip or finger and floor structure. The sealing means may comprise a gasket or other sealing material such as a mastic-like material. Typically the second limb extends substantially at right angles from the first limb. Preferably, the third limb is angled obtusely from the first limb to act as a drain 5 ledge to drain water from the cladding away from the building construction to prevent water splashing up through the corrugations into the building. Preferably, the third limb extends at an angle slightly greater than 90 degrees from the first limb. The portion of the first limb suitably comprises a lower portion thereof between the second and third limbs. The first limb may also include a second upper portion 10 which extends upwardly of the second limb. Preferably the second upper portion of the first limb is adapted to be secured to the cladding by suitable fasteners. The first, second and third limbs are suitably of flange like form and thus the term "limb" of "limbs" as used throughout the specification includes a flange or flanges. The limbs may of substantially planar form however one or more of the limbs may be of 15 non-planar form. For example the second limb may curve outwardly and downwardly from the first limb to terminate in use at the floor structure. The limbs may also be provided with ribs or the like for added stiffness. The second and third limbs may also be provided at any position along the first limb. The flashing suitably defines a skirting which when the flashing is in position 20 extends along the inner side of the wall cladding adjacent to the floor. The skirting may be defined between the first and second limbs suitably between the upper portion of the first limb and second limb. Alternatively the skirting may be defined on or by the upper portion of the first limb. The skirting may define a hollow space such that the fasteners which secure the first limb to the cladding may be hidden therein. The skirting may also 25 be defined by a skirting member or members which may be provided between the upper portion of the first limb and the second limb. The skirting member may be detachable from one or both of the first limb or second limb to provide access to the hollow space defined by the skirting. The skirting member may be snap engaged with the first and/or second limb. In one embodiment, the 30 skirting member may be hinged to the first or second limb to be hingedly movable between a first closed position defining the skirting and a second open position providing access to the hollow space rearwardly of the skirting member. In the closed position, the skirting member may be releasably engaged opposite the hinge with one of the first or second limbs. Preferably, the skirting member is snap engageable with one of 5 the first or second limbs. The skirting member may be formed integrally with one of the first and second limbs whereby the hinge is formed integrally therebetween. The hollow space defined by the skirting may serve as a duct for electrical cables, telephone cables, cables for computers or other communications equipment or for pipes 5 or other services. The flashing is most suitably formed of a plastics material such as a UV resistant plastics material but may be manufactured from other materials including metallic and non-metallic materials which do not corrosively react with the material of the cladding or which are degraded by contact with the concrete slab. 10 The present invention in yet a further aspect provides a building construction of the type having a floor structure and external wall cladding adjacent to said floor structure and having a lower end terminating below an upper surface of said floor structure, and a flashing having a first limb, a second limb extending from said first limb to one side thereof and a third limb extending from said first limb to the opposite side 15 thereof, at least a first portion of said first limb being located between said wall cladding and said floor structure and wherein at least an end of said second limb is juxtaposed with said floor structure and wherein said third limb is juxtaposed with said lower end of said cladding. The floor structure of the building suitably comprises a slab formed of concrete 20 or other cementitious like material and the portion of the first limb prevents contact between the wall cladding. A cavity may be provided between the cladding and side of the floor slab or structure and the portion of the first limb may be located in the cavity. The second limb suitably extends over the slab. The second limb may extend substantially parallel to the upper surface of the slab. The second limb suitably is in 25 engagement with the upper surface of the slab suitably, in sealing engagement therewith. The third limb suitably acts as a ledge to direct water from the cladding away from the building construction. The third limb is suitably angled downwardly at an obtuse angle to the first limb. Preferably a further portion of the first limb is secured to the cladding. Suitably 30 the further portion of the first limb is secured to the cladding by fasteners such as screw fasteners. The further portion of the first limb is suitably above the first portion thereof. Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical 6 effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein Fig. 1 is a sectional view of portion of a wall and floor of a conventional building of the prior art; 5 Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of a flashing according to the present invention Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of a wall and floor of a building construction provided with the flashing of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the portion of the building construction of Fig. 3; Figs. 5 illustrates an alternative flashing according to the present invention; 10 Fig. 6 illustrates the flashing of Fig. 5 installed in a building; and Figs. 7(a) to (d) illustrate alternative flashings according to the present invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figs. 1, there is illustrated, in sectional view, a portion of a prior art building construction 10, typically a shed, garage or other 15 light building construction, of the type having a floor slab 11 formed of concrete or similar material, a plurality of upright columns 12 (only one of which is shown) extending upwardly from and/or secured to the floor slab 11, substantially horizontal side rails or girts 13 secured to respective columns 12 by fasteners such as rivets, or self tapping screws such as Tek screws 14 or the like and wall cladding 15 for example 20 corrugated sheeting such as monoclad or other metal sheeting secured by further fasteners such as Tek screws 16 to the side girts 13. As shown the wall cladding 15 extends below the upper surface 17 of the floor slab 11 such that the lower end 18 thereof is located below the surface 17 and a slot-like cavity 19 is formed between the cladding 14 and side face 20 of the slab 11. 25 The cavity 19 is a region in which debris, dirt or other material as well as moisture can collect giving rise to possible corrosion damage to the wall cladding 14 in this region. The cavity 19 can also harbour cockroaches or other insects. In addition, vermin such as mice or rats or other animals such as snakes can enter the building through the corrugations of the wall cladding 15. 30 In other configurations, the cladding 15 may be in direct contact with the side of the concrete slab which can result in a potential area of corrosion particularly in the presence of moisture or water. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a flashing 21 7 shown in Fig. 2 is provided between the cladding 15 and slab 11 to substantially seal the cavity 19 (where present) and further closes the lower end of the wall cladding 15 to prevent entry of vermin such as mice or rates. The flashing 21 comprises a first main substantially planar limb 22 of flange-like form provided at its upper end with a 5 stiffening rib 23 which extends to one side (the inner side) of the limb 22. A second limb or flange 24 extends at substantially right angles from the first limb 22 intermediate its opposite ends and terminates in a downwardly curved tapering sealing finger 25. A third limb or flange 26 extends downwardly at an angle of slightly greater than 90 degrees from adjacent the lower end 27 of the limb 22 to the side of the limb 22 10 opposite the rib 23 and limb 24 and terminates in a downwardly extending rib 28 which provides increased stiffness to the limb 26. The lower end 27 of the limb 22 proves further support to the limb 26 with the limb 26 serving as a ledge as described further below. Typically, the flashing 21 is formed of plastics such as by being an extruded 15 plastics product so as to be of constant cross section along its length and relatively rigid. The flashing 21 however may be fabricated from any other material which does not react with the cladding material or which is not corroded by contact with the slab material. In use and as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 in its application to a building construction 20 29 in which like components to the construction 10 of Fig. 1 have been given like numerals, the flashing 21 is installed such that the limb 22 is substantially upright with the lower portion 30 thereof between the limbs 24 and 26 being located in the cavity 19 (where present) so as to be interposed between the lower portion of the wall cladding 15 and the side surface 20 of the slab 11 whilst the upper portion 31 of the limb 22 above 25 the limb 24 extends upwardly of the surface 17 of the slab 11 and is juxtaposed with the inner surface of the cladding 15. The second limb 24 extends over and is juxtaposed with the upper surface 17 of the slab 11 with the finger 25 curving downwardly to contact and be in substantial sealing engagement with the slab surface 17. For improved sealing a sealing material 30 such as a mastic material may be provided between the finger 25 and slab surface 17. The third limb 26 extends outwardly of the slab side surface 20 and is located adjacent the lower end 18 of the cladding 15 to substantially close off the lower end 18 and thus the wall cladding corrugations.

8 The flashing 21 is held in position by suitable fasteners such as rivets or self tapping screws such as Tek screws 32 which are screwed through the wall cladding 15 into the upper portion 31 of the limb 22 at spaced longitudinal positions along the flashing 21. 5 When installed as described above, the limb 22 of the flashing 21 which is secured to the inside face of the cladding 15 closes the cavity 19 between the cladding 15 and side surface 20 of the slab 11 such that materials will not build up in the cavity 19 and nor will the cavity 19 serve to harbour cockroaches or other insects. In addition, access is blocked to the cavity 19 by the limb 24 which through the finger 25 is in 10 substantial sealing contact with the surface 17 of the slab 11. The limb 24 and upper portion 31 of the limb 22 thus act as an edging strip or skirting board to the cladding 15 which in addition to preventing debris or dirt build up in the cavity 19 allows cleaning up to the edge of the cladding by sweeping with a broom or the like. The limb 26 in addition to closing the open ends of the cladding corrugations 15 serves as a drain ledge which being inclined slightly downwardly directs water such as rain passing down the cladding away from the building construction 29. The slight gap 33 created between the ledge-like limb 26 and lower end 18 of the cladding 15 is not sufficient to allow for entry of larger vermin or animals into the building. As referred to above, the flashing 21 is preferably formed of plastics material so 20 that corrosion due to contact of the flashing with the cladding 15 does not occur or is minimized. Further the material of the flashing 21 is preferably such that it is not corroded or otherwise affected by contact with the slab material. The flashing 21 may be used with many forms of building constructions and cladding configurations. The flashing 21 may be installed at the time of construction of 25 the building so that the cladding 15 can be cut to the desired length to terminate adjacent the limb 24. The flashing 21 however may be installed as a retro-fit in existing buildings with the lower end of the existing cladding 15 being trimmed such that it terminates at the limb 26. Further the flashing 21 may be installed where the cladding 15 is in substantial 30 contact with the slab 11 or other floor structure. In this case, the cladding 15 is usually sufficiently flexible to permit the limb 22 to be forced between the cladding 15 and slab 11 to be positioned as shown in Fig. 3 to prevent contact between the cladding 15 and slab 11 and further substantially seal this region.

9 Referring now to Fig. 5, there is illustrated an alternative flashing 34 according to the present invention which is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 2 and in which like components have been given like numerals. In this case however the flashing 34 includes a hollow skirting 35 defined by a first hollow planar wall 36 extending from 5 the upper portion 31 of the limb 22 and a second planar wall 37 extending substantially at right angles from the wall 36 to join the limb 24. The walls 36 and 37 are typically integrally formed with the limbs 22 and 24. The flashing 34 is installed in a similar manner to that described above and in the manner shown in Fig. 6 such that the screws 32 which secure the flashing 34 in position extend into the hollow space 38 defined by 10 the skirting 35 to be thus hidden from view. The skirting 35 acts as a skirting board along the lower periphery of the cladding 15. Furthermore the space 38 can serve as a duct or conduit for receipt of electric cables, telephone or computer cables or the like or for pipes for other services such as water pipes which are thus hidden from view. The planar walls 36 or 37 can also serve as a convenient mounting surface for power points, 15 telephone sockets or other outlets. Figs. 7 (a) to (d) illustrate alternative embodiments of flashing according to the invention. The flashing 39 of Fig. 7(a) is similar in form to the embodiment of Fig. 5 except that the skirting 40 defined between the limbs 22 and 24 is of smaller dimensions. As before however the skirting 40 defines a hollow space 41 which can 20 serve as a conduit for cables, wires or other services. In the flashing 41 of Fig. 7(b), the skirting 42 is defined by a hollow rib-like extension 43 integrally formed with the limb 22. The hollow space 44 within the extension 43 can serve as a conduit for wires, pipes cables or the like. The flashing 45 of Fig. 7 (c) is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 5 except that 25 the skirting 46 is hinged to the limb 22 to provide access to the hollow space 47 within the skirting 46 which facilitates placement of cables, pipes or the like therein. The skirting 46 comprising a normally horizontal upper wall 48 connected through an integral hinge 49 to the limb 22 and a normally vertical wall 50 extending at right angles from the wall 48. The wall 50 terminates in a enlarged head 51 and the limb 24 includes 30 a socket 52 complementary to the head 51 whereby the head 51 may be snap engaged with the socket 52. The skirting 46 may be pivoted about the hinge 49 between a normally closed position where the head 51 is engaged with the socket 52 and an open position shown in dotted outline which allows access to the hollow space 47.

10 In the embodiment of flashing 53 of Fig. 7(d), the limb 24 is substantially reduced in dimensions or may be eliminated. A further limb or flange 54 is positioned at the upper end of the first limb 22 adjacent to the rib 23 or in place of the rib 23 and extend downwardly and inwardly relative to the floor structure to terminate in use at or 5 adjacent the floor structure. In this embodiment, to prevent vermin access to the space rearwardly of the limb 54, it is desirable that the end of the limb or flange 54 is sealed by a sealing compound such as a mastic to the surface of the floor structure. The flashings described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7 are also suitably formed as plastics extrusions. 10 The embodiment of the present invention has been described in relation to a building of the type having a slab floor such as a concrete slab floor however the invention may be applied to buildings having any other form of floor construction. Further the invention may be applied to buildings having any form of sheet wall cladding. 15 Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such variations and modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein defined in the appended claims. 20 25 30

Claims (20)

1. A method of sealing a building construction of the type having a floor structure and external wall cladding adjacent to said floor structure and having a lower end 5 terminating below an upper surface of said floor structure, said method including the steps of providing a flashing, said flashing having a first limb, a second limb extending from said first limb to one side thereof, and a third limb extending from said first limb to the opposite side thereof, and positioning said flashing such that at least a portion of said first limb is located between said floor structure and said cladding with at least an end of 10 said second limb juxtaposed with said surface of said floor structure and said third limb juxtaposed with said lower end of said cladding.

2. The method of claim 1 and including the step of securing the flashing to the wall cladding by fasteners through said first limb. 15

3. A flashing for use in a building construction of the type having a floor structure and external wall cladding adjacent to said floor structure and having a lower end terminating below an upper surface of said floor structure, said flashing having a first limb, a second limb extending from said first limb to one side thereof, and a third limb 20 extending from said first limb to the opposite side thereof, at least a portion of said first limb being adapted to be located between said floor structure and cladding and wherein at least an end of said second limb is adapted to be juxtaposed with said floor structure and wherein said third limb is adapted to be juxtaposed with said lower end of said cladding. 25

4. A flashing as claimed in claim 3 wherein said portion of the first limb is adapted to be located between a side of the floor structure and cladding to prevent contact between the cladding and floor structure 30

5. A flashing as clamed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said second limb is adapted for substantial sealing engagement with the upper surface of the floor structure.

6. A flashing as claimed in claim 5 wherein said second limb terminates in an end 12 lip or finger which is adapted to engage and substantially seal against the upper surface of the floor structure.

7. A flashing as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein said third limb is 5 angled obtusely from the first limb to act as a drain ledge to drain water from the cladding away from the building construction.

8. A flashing as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6 and including a hollow skirting defined on said first limb or between said first and second limbs. 10

9. A flashing as claimed in claim 8 wherein said skirting is defined by a skirting member hingedly connected to said first limb for movement between a closed position defining a hollow space and an open position providing access to said hollow space. 15

10. A flashing as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9 wherein said limbs are integrally formed.

11. A building construction of the type having a floor structure and external wall cladding adjacent to said floor structure and having a lower end terminating below an 20 upper surface of said floor structure, and a flashing having a first limb, a second limb extending from said first limb to one side thereof, and a third limb extending from said first limb to the opposite side thereof, at least a first portion of said first limb being located between said wall cladding and said floor structure and wherein at least an end of said second limb is juxtaposed with said floor structure and wherein said third limb is 25 juxtaposed with said lower end of said cladding.

12. A building structure as claimed in claim 11 wherein said floor structure comprises a slab formed of concrete or other cementitious like material and wherein said portion of the first limb prevents contact between the wall cladding and slab. 30

13. A building structure as claimed in claim 11 or 12 wherein said portion of said first limb is located in a cavity between the cladding and side of the floor slab or structure. 13

14. A building construction as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein said second limb extends over the slab and is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the slab. 5

15. A building construction as claimed in claim 14 wherein said second limb is in engagement or abutment with the upper surface of said slab.

16. A building construction as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein said third limb is angled downwardly at an obtuse angle to the first limb. 10

17. A building construction as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein a further portion of the first limb above said first portion is secured to the cladding.

18. A building construction as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 17 wherein said 15 wall cladding comprises corrugated wall cladding and wherein said third limb substantially closes the corrugations in said wall cladding at said lower end of said cladding.

19. A flashing for use in a building constructions substantially as hereinbefore 20 described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4, 5 and 6, 7(a), 7(b), 7(c) or 7(d) of the accompanying drawings.

20. A building construction substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4, 5 and 6, 7(a), 7(b), 7(c) or 7(d) of the accompanying drawings.