from Ted in De Pere, WI :
#525
What is the importance of installing a water-resistant exterior covering (house wrap or an ICC water-resistive barrier) over the wall cavities before filling the wall cavities with insulation? What may happen to the insulation in the wall cavities if a water-resistant exterior covering is not installed? Reference 01: Wisconsin Clearing House Rule 00-073, January 2, 2001, (effective date April 1, 2001); and Reference 02: Wisconsin Department of Commerce Administrative Code CHAPTER Comm 21.24 Exterior covering. (2) during construction. During construction, wall cavity insulation may not be installed until a water-resistant exterior covering is in place over the wall cavity.
Wind-driven rain could soak the cavity insulation.
It is possible that wind-driven rain could soak the cavity insulation causing a reduction in the R-value of the insulation as well as potentially causing structural damage to framing members (i.e. studs, window and door frames or headers).
Published Wednesday, October 21, 2009