Foundation wet behind metal siding? Pics

[Shoester]

I noticed yesterday that my foundation has some wet spots on it, from what appears to be behind the metal siding. This structure is stick-built on top of a slab, with plywood sheathing and housewrap under the metal siding. Before I start talking to the builder about these water issues, is there some obvious reason for this that I am missing? Any thoughts are appreciated.

Note that I've seen this in a couple other spots, not anywhere near the hose bib.

Also wanted to note that we have had recent rains, pretty heavy the day before this pic was taken and a light drizzle the day of.

 

[dcg9381]

That definitely looks like an interior leak to me...

 

[RPH]

Condensation running down the inside of the panel.? Raw cut edge of panel is rusting.
My guess.

 

[BillK]

Any chance it is splashing up from the weeds that need to be trimmed ? It looks like it is from under the bottom board ?

Any sign of moisture on the inside at those spots ?

 

[58Yeoman]

I'm going to go with a wild guess and say that it has something to do with your hose bib. Water line to it leaking?

When you hear hoof beats, don't think zebra's.

 

[quickfarms]

what is inside in that area?

I have seen that twice at my house. Once the plastic ice maker line ruptured and the second time it was the dishwasher drain line.

 

[JoeMcGov]

Does this structure have gutters? If "yes" is this on a gutter side?

 

[yeldogt]

Is the drip edge flat ..... water will come down the wall and sit on that sill. How was that bottom area flashed ?

 

[dcg9381]

Is the drip edge flat ..... water will come down the wall and sit on that sill. How was that bottom area flashed ?

That construction is typically a "rat guard" type trim at the foundation. It appears to me to be leaking behind the trim. I'd be pulling the inside wall sheeting.

 

[Shoester]

Any chance it is splashing up from the weeds that need to be trimmed ? It looks like it is from under the bottom board ?

Any sign of moisture on the inside at those spots ?

Hey, you sound like my wife! No signs of moisture inside in these areas.

what is inside in that area?

I have seen that twice at my house. Once the plastic ice maker line ruptured and the second time it was the dishwasher drain line.

Behind this wall there is a bedroom.

Does this structure have gutters? If "yes" is this on a gutter side?

Yep, this is on the eave side with a gutter above.

Is the drip edge flat ..... water will come down the wall and sit on that sill. How was that bottom area flashed ?

The drip edge does appear to be flat. They ran Tyvek housewrap down the wall and just beyond the bottom plate to slightly overlap the concrete slab, then drip edge/rat guard, then metal siding. I wish I had pictures of that detail before it was completed.

 

[yeldogt]

Obviously if there is a domestic water leak inside -- that's something different.

I don't think this is all that odd given the construction. Ideally you want a gap at the bottom of the wall and a drip edge that's angled ... nothing is ever perfectly flat and water will sit and wick back.

 

[Blk88GT]

Obviously if there is a domestic water leak inside -- that's something different.

I don't think this is all that odd given the construction. Ideally you want a gap at the bottom of the wall and a drip edge that's angled ... nothing is ever perfectly flat and water will sit and wick back.

That's what it looks like to me as well.

 

[dcg9381]

Obviously if there is a domestic water leak inside -- that's something different.

I don't think this is all that odd given the construction. Ideally you want a gap at the bottom of the wall and a drip edge that's angled ... nothing is ever perfectly flat and water will sit and wick back.

This is a 90 degree "drip edge" (rat block). Unless that spot is where the edge breaks, it can't possibly wick back. Water doesn't travel 1" up. It's pretty standard R-panel construction.

 

[yeldogt]

This is a 90 degree "drip edge" (rat block). Unless that spot is where the edge breaks, it can't possibly wick back. Water doesn't travel 1" up. It's pretty standard R-panel construction.

But water will naturally pool on those type of drip edges .. then it drips off at a low spot. Water will flow around and under ..

When there is two spaces close together -- water can wick .... it does weird things

 

[jack stand]

Is this the only spot on this wall that is like your picture?
Is this wet spotting anywhere else on the other walls?
The hose bib complicates pulling the siding at your area pictured, but it's just screws and complete removal is not necessary for some preliminary inspection.
That looks like the standard bottom "rat guard" and is the correct product and it's possibly morning dew/condensation that's running down the metal and continuing around the rat guard on to the face of the foundation (the way it's supposed to).

 

[readhead]

Is there a window above the wet spots?

 

[Shoester]

Is this the only spot on this wall that is like your picture?
Is this wet spotting anywhere else on the other walls?
The hose bib complicates pulling the siding at your area pictured, but it's just screws and complete removal is not necessary for some preliminary inspection.
That looks like the standard bottom "rat guard" and is the correct product and it's possibly morning dew/condensation that's running down the metal and continuing around the rat guard on to the face of the foundation (the way it's supposed to).

This is not the only wet spot, there are a few other areas around the building where this happens...I can't say that its entirely consistent either when it does show up. Encouraging to see some other mentions of water wicking around this rat guard..

Is there a window above the wet spots?

There is a window above the one in the pic, I'll have to go double check if other areas are wet this morning and see if there is a correlation with window placement. That's a good but disturbing observation...

 

[karoc]

If plumbing then that area would never dry up. But if there are other areas are they on same wall? Like others have said maybe condensation on inside when sun hits that side of bldg. If the interior is condition space, could indicate air leaks. Cold air hitting warm or hot surface. I am only guessing because this is also my concern when I build my house with metal siding with OSB sheathing, house wrap. I was also thinking about putting an air gap between wrap and metal siding. This is good thread
Also learned to cut metal with snips or elec snips but not grinder which cause that little bit rust

 

[jack stand]

Also learned to cut metal with snips or elec snips but not grinder which cause that little bit rust

Also trim panels at the top where it will be in the J or under the next panel and not having the whole (above) wall washing across the cut edge in a rain stone or just the dew.

 

[dcg9381]

If plumbing then that area would never dry up.

That's a very good point/idea/indicator. WHEN is it wet?

 

[readhead]

Most of the time we get called for that kind of leak it is window trim that is installed poorly.

 

[jack stand]

It may be that simple although there was no window in the picture. Window j channel leaks should harmlessly run down the tyvek as long it's not extremely exposed, tyvek IS taped to the J and not an extended sideways blowing rain.

 

[pcmeiners]

As to possible condensation, does the cement floor find a low spot at the water area? At 3am to 7am you just may get a lot of condensation on the metal panels.