Barrier laminate and method using a portable carrier for sealing gaps in building construction

A method for providing a barrier against the infiltration of air and moisture into a structure such as a house prior to attachment of siding thereto, to cover joints between the structural members defining an outer surface of the structure, said method comprising:

• providing a barrier laminate comprising a flexible elongate barrier layer having opposite edges, opposite first and second major surfaces, and minute passageways between said major surfaces affording passage of water vapor between said major surfaces while restricting the passage of liquid water and air between said major surfaces;
• providing an exposed layer of pressure sensitive adhesive along each of said opposite edges by securing a length of attachment tape along each of said opposite edges, said attachment tape having a backing and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive coated on one major surface of the backing with a first portion of the layer of pressure sensitive adhesive of the attachment tape adhered to the first surface of the barrier layer adjacent the opposite edges and a second portion of the layer of pressure sensitive adhesive of the attachment tape projecting past the opposite edges of the barrier layer to expose the second portion of the layer of pressure sensitive adhesive along each of the opposite edges of the backing such that the exposed second portion of the layer of pressure sensitive adhesive along each of the opposite edges of the barrier layer is adapted to be adhered on the outer surface of structural members on opposite sides of the joint therebetween with the barrier layer extending longitudinally along and bridging widthwise across the joint to restrict exterior liquid water and air from entering the structure while water vapor is permitted to pass through the barrier layer intermediate the first portions of the layers of pressure sensitive adhesive along the opposite edges, and thus is adapted to permit any moisture trapped interior of the barrier laminate to escape as water vapor once the barrier laminate is attached to the structure.

A method of applying a barrier laminate to a building structure comprising the steps of:

• a. exposing a trailing portion by unrolling a roll of barrier laminate of the type having
• i. a flexible elongate barrier layer with minute passageways passing through a central region thereof sized to permit passage of water vapor and prevent the passage of liquid water therethrough, and
• ii. a pair of pressure sensitive adhesive layers located on opposite peripheral edges of the flexible elongate barrier layer wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive layers are secured to the flexible elongate barrier layer prior to the barrier laminate being formed into the roll;
• b. adhering the trailing portion of the barrier laminate to a building structure by urging the adhesive layers against the building structure to permit the escape of water vapor from within the building structure through the central region of the barrier layer while simultaneously preventing the passage of liquid water from exterior of the barrier layer into the building structure through the barrier laminate.