Patent Publication Number: US-6662504-B2

Title: Flashing and weep/vent system for a masonry wall

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to masonry walls and, more particularly, to a system for facilitating discharge of moisture from internally to externally of the wall and for providing a weep/vent passageway through the wall. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In constructing masonry walls, provision is generally made to collect and discharge accumulated moisture at the base thereof to the external environment and also to evaporate and discharge internal moisture by inducing air flow in a space, as between a masonry veneer and an external wall. If this moisture is not eliminated, water may accumulate within masonry walls, leading to deterioration of masonry materials or metal embedments, and/or water may cause leakage or moisture problems in the building interior. Many water leakage and moisture problems in buildings are attributable to a failure to adequately discharge moisture from the wall. Even if water does not reach interior spaces, it may account for unwanted internal humidity or may cause structural damage through the promotion of corrosion, rot or mold and mildew. 
     Weep vents are commonly used and dimensioned to be strategically located between adjacent bricks to provide a path through the masonry wall to promote air circulation. Heretofore, metal, plastic or composite flashings have commonly been used at the base to direct water within the wall back to the exterior. A typical rigid metal flashing section consists of a formed copper, prefinished aluminum, or stainless steel, sheet. A typical plastic or composite flashing consists of a flexible material that conforms to the shape of the supporting elements. The flashing is supported by a foundation, or in the case of masonry above the first floor, by shelf angles or other structural components. The flashing projection may have a downturned lip which directs externally moving water over and past the external face of the masonry wall. 
     The flashing sections are joined, end-to-end, to form an uninterrupted barrier across the desired wall dimension. Adjacent sections are lapped, one over the other. It is important that this lapped connection be water tight so that moisture does not migrate between the lapped portions and thereby bypass the flashing system. Conventionally, to leakproof this joint, a waterproof adhesive or sealant is utilized. However, this lapped joint arrangement and the use of a waterproof adhesive have a number of drawbacks. 
     First of all, it is difficult to consistently create watertight flashing joints. Adhesives adhere effectively only to dry and clean surfaces. Accordingly, the surfaces to be adhered may have to be prepared before the application of the adhesive, which represents an inconvenience and added worker time. Also, many of the materials used in conjunction with masonry or other wall systems generate dust. This makes it very difficult to maintain a clean environment for the application of adhesives or sealants. 
     Still further, the construction may take place in an environment, or on days, where moisture is present, making it all but impossible to properly prepare the mating surfaces for the use of the adhesive. As a consequence, the integrity of the joint between one or more of the sections may be compromised, as a result of which water may leak into the interior or contribute to deterioration of the wall system. Repair of flashing failures may be very expensive because it often involves demolition of all or a part of the masonry wall to repair flashings. 
     Additionally, the need to apply an adhesive or sealant on site is inherently inconvenient. Supplies of the adhesive or sealant must be kept on hand, usually in sealable containers or in tubes. Most adhesives and sealants have limited shelf life and must be discarded after the expiration date. At the time of the application, the containers must be opened and some applying instrument must be utilized, as in the form of a brush or spreading knife. Aside from this inconvenience, adhesive inevitably detrimentally finds its way onto the workers&#39; hands and clothing and potentially onto exposed portions of the building, which must then be cleaned. 
     Because the adhesives are not only messy but may be caustic, it is common for workers applying the adhesive to use gloves. With gloves worn, it may be more difficult for the workers to conveniently handle the sections and to effectively apply the adhesive and establish a leakproof joint between adjacent sections. 
     A second problem can occur when installing short lengths of flashings above openings. These flashings should be constructed with turned up portions at the ends to prevent water from flowing off the ends and remaining within the walls. Installation of these “end dams” can present problems. If the edge of the flashing projects beyond the face of the wall, it can be unsightly. If it does not project fully to the face, water reaching the flashing can flow around the front edge of the end dam and, as a result, remain within the wall. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one form, the invention is directed to the combination of: a) a first water collection section for a masonry wall having a first bottom wall, a first back wall, and a first side wall bounding a first collection space; b) a second water collection section for a masonry wall having a second bottom wall, a second back wall, and a second side wall bounding a second collection space; and c) a first connector for joining the first and second water collection sections to maintain the first and second water collection sections in an operative relationship. 
     The first connector may be separate from each of the first and second water collection sections. 
     In one form, the first connector defines a venting passageway. 
     In one form, with the first and second water collection sections in the operative relationship, the first and second side walls are adjacent to each other. Each of the first and second side walls has an upper edge and the first connector straddles the first and second side wall sections at the upper edges of the first and second side walls. 
     In one form, the first water collection section is reconfigurable selectively between an operative state and a collapsed state. The first water collection section is reconfigured from the operative state towards the collapsed state by folding the first side wall and first back wall downwardly towards the first bottom wall. 
     There may be a hinge line between the first side wall and first bottom wall and between the first back wall and first bottom wall to facilitate relative folding between the first bottom wall, the first side wall, and the first back wall. 
     The combination may further include a diverting connector which extends around the upper edges of the first and second back walls with the first and second water collection sections in the operative relationship and the diverting connector in an operative position. 
     In one form, the diverting connector has an upwardly facing surface which bridges the first and second side walls with the first and second water collection sections in the operative relationship and the diverting connector in the operative position. The diverting connector diverts downwardly moving water from passage between the first and second side walls. 
     The combination may further include a sheet layer which depends from a location above the first and second water collection sections and extends in front of the diverting connector to a location below the upper edges of the first and second back walls to direct downwardly moving water towards the first and second water collection sections. 
     In one form, at least a portion of the sheet layer terminates above the upwardly facing surface of the diverting connector so that downwardly moving water is directed by the sheet layer to against the upwardly facing surface of the diverting connector. 
     In one form, a portion of the first connector overlies the upwardly facing surface of the diverting connector. 
     The first connector may have a wall with a solid upwardly facing surface which bridges the upper edges of the first and second side walls to block passage of downwardly moving water to between the first and second side walls. 
     In one form, the first connector has a plurality of vertically spaced surfaces at the front thereof. The vertically facing surfaces may decline from rear to front. 
     In one form, the diverting connector has a front wall which vertically spans substantially the entire, or a part of, the vertical extent of the first and second back walls and a U-shaped upper portion which wraps around the upper edges of the first and second back walls with the first and second water collection sections in the operative relationship and the diverting connector in the operative position. 
     The, upwardly facing surface on the diverting connector may terminate at an upturned flange. 
     The first water collection section may be made from at least one of plastic, metal, composite material, or the like. 
     In one form, the first water collection section has a third side wall which is spaced from the first side wall. 
     In one form, the first side wall has a first flat surface and the third side wall has a third flat surface and the first and third flat surfaces are substantially parallel to each other. 
     In one form, the first bottom wall has a front and rear and a downwardly bent lip at the front of the bottom wall. 
     In one form, the bottom wall has a downwardly bent lip defining a forward edge, the first side wall has a lower portion, and the lower potion of the first side wall projects forwardly to or beyond the forward edge of the downwardly bent lip. 
     The first connection may have a projecting nose that extends over and conceals the lower portion of the first side wall that projects forwardly to or beyond the forward edge of the downwardly bent lip. 
     In one form, with the first and second water collection sections in the operative relationship, the first and second side walls are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance. 
     The first connector has a body defining a receptacle with a width that is slightly greater than the predetermined distance. 
     The combination may further include a plurality of masonry elements fixed to each other within the first collection space. 
     In one form, the combination includes a plurality of masonry elements fixed to each other within the second collection space. The body of the first connector has a width. The masonry elements are spaced from each other by a second predetermined distance in each of the first and second collection spaces. The first connector resides between a masonry element in the first collection space and a masonry element in the second collection space and the width of the body of the first connector is substantially equal to the second predetermined distance. 
     In one form, the diverting connector is made from at least one of plastic and metal. 
     The diverting connector has a front wall which may have an opening therethrough. 
     In one form, the diverting connector has a horizontally extending wall portion defining the upwardly facing surface and the front wall has at least one flange which reinforces the horizontally extending wall on the diverting connector. 
     In one form, the flange bounds the opening formed through the front wall portion on the diverting connector. 
     The invention is also directed to a method of forming a water collection structure for installation at the bottom of a masonry wall. The method includes the steps of: placing first and second water collection sections, each having a bottom wall and a wall structure extending upwardly from the bottom wall, in an operative relationship at a location at which masonry elements are to be placed; and press-fitting a first connector to the first and second water collection sections to thereby maintain the first and second water collection sections in the operative relationship. 
     The method may further include the step of press-fitting a second connector to the first and second water collection sections so that the second connector diverts downwardly moving water so as not to pass between and under the first and second water collection sections. 
     The second connector may be press fit by direction downwardly against the wall structure. 
     The first connector may be press fit by direction downwardly against the wall structure. 
     The method may further include the step of reconfiguring the first water collection section prior to press-fitting the first connector to the first and second water collection sections. 
     In one form, the first water collection section has an operative state and a collapsed state and the first connector is press fit to the first water collection section with the first water collection section in the operative state. The first water collection section is changeable from the operative state towards the collapsed state by folding the wall structure downwardly toward the bottom wall. 
     The step of reconfiguring may involve changing the first water collection section from the collapsed state into the operative state. 
     The method may include the step of shipping a plurality of water collection sections, having the same configuration as the first water collection section, to a site at which the masonry wall is to be constructed, with the plurality of water collection sections in the collapsed state and stacked one against the other. 
     In one form, no separate fasteners or adhesives are used to maintain the first connector and either the first or second water collection sections together. 
     The invention is also directed to the combination of a first water collection section for a masonry wall having a first bottom wall, a first back wall, and a first side wall bounding a first collection space, and a first connector for engaging the first side wall and joining the first water collection section to another water collection section to maintain the first and another water collection sections in an operative relationship. The first bottom wall has a downturned lip defining a forward edge. The first side wall has a lower portion projecting forwardly to or beyond the forward edge of the downwardly bent lip. The connector has a projecting nose which covers the lower portion of the first side wall projecting forwardly to or beyond the forward edge of the downwardly bent lip. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one type of wall system wherein the present invention may be used, including a backup wall and a brick veneer, with water collection sections, according to the present invention, installed therein and maintained together in operative relationship by a first connector and a diverting connector; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a straight water collection section, according to the present invention, in an operative state; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of two water collection sections, as in FIG. 2, in an operative state and in operative relationship with each other; 
     FIG. 4 is a view as in FIG. 3 with the diverting connector press fit into place; 
     FIG. 5 is a view as in FIG. 4 with the first connector press fit into place; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the diverting connector; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first connector; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an outside corner water collection section for use in the wall system in FIG. 1, made according to the present invention and in an operative state; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an inside corner water collection section, according to the present invention, in an operative state and useable on the wall system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the water collection section of FIG. 2 in a collapsed state; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the water collection section in FIG. 9 in a collapsed state; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the water collection section of FIG. 8 in a collapsed state; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a water collection section for a radiused wall, according to the present invention, in an operative state; 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a wall system, as in FIG. 1, with a modified form of water collection section, according to the invention, wherein the water collection section has a recessed bottom to conceal a steel angle; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the water collection section of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of a method of manufacturing, transporting, and installing a water collection system, according to the present invention, using sections that are folded and collapsed for storage and shipping; 
     FIG. 17 is a reduced, side elevation view of a plurality of water collection sections, according to the invention, in a collapsed state and stacked in a package for transportation thereof; and 
     FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of a method of manufacturing, transporting, and installing water collection sections, according to the present invention, using sections that are nested and stacked for storage and shipping. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In FIG. 1, an exemplary environment for the present invention is shown as part of a masonry/brick veneer over steel stud wall system at  10 . It should be understood that the masonry wall system  10  is but one exemplary environment for the present invention, as it is useable with virtually any wall or wall system in which water seepage is to be controlled. 
     The wall system  10  is integrated into a concrete slab  12 . On top of the slab  12 , a steel stud backup wall at  14  is mounted. Sheathing  16  is conventionally attached to the steel stud backup wall  14 . A bolt insert  18  is cast into the concrete slab  12  and serves to support a shelf angle  20  through bolts  22 . A horizontal leg  24  of the shelf angle  20  serves to support a masonry veneer  26 , which in this case is made up of bricks  28  held in place by mortar  30 . It is possible that elements other than masonry elements would be used according to the present invention, and thus the description of the exemplary masonry elements herein should not be viewed as limiting. A base  32 , which may be the top of a masonry veneer for a floor below or a foundation wall at the first floor, is subjacent the horizontal leg  24  of the shelf angle  20  and spaced slightly therefrom in a vertical direction. The veneer  26  is situated so that there is a continuous space  34  between the veneer  26  and the backup wall  14 . The present invention is designed to define a circulating air pathway between the space  34  and the external environment  36  and also to collect seepage water and direct the accumulated seepage water to the external environment  36  from the space  34  and from within the veneer  26 . 
     Referring initially to FIGS. 2-5, first and second water collection sections  40 ,  42  are shown in an operative state and in operative relationship in FIGS. 3-5. In this embodiment, the water collection sections  40 ,  42  have an identical construction. Exemplary water collection section  40  consists of a substantially flat bottom wall  44  and a wall structure extending upwardly therefrom and consisting of a substantially flat back wall  46  that is orthogonal to the bottom wall  44 , and spaced, substantially flat, side walls  48 ,  50 , which are orthogonal to the bottom and back walls  44 ,  46 . The lower portions of the side walls  48 ,  50  preferably project to, or beyond, the forward edge of the down turned lip  64 . The back wall  46  extends vertically above the top edges  52 ,  54  of the side walls  48 ,  50 . The walls  44 ,  46 ,  48 , and  50  cooperatively bound and define a water collection space  56 . 
     As seen also in FIG. 1, the water collection section  40  is installed by placement against an upwardly facing surface  58  on the shelf angle leg  24 . In the installed position, shown in FIG. 1, the bottom wall  44  projects forwardly beyond the forward free end  60  of the shelf angle leg  24  sufficiently to extend forwardly past the front  62  of the top of the veneer of the base  32  at the floor below or a foundation wall at the first floor  32 . The forward portion of the bottom wall  44  has a downturned lip  64  which directs water in the collection space  56  downwardly past and away from the front  62  of the base  32 . A backer rod  66  is installed beneath the bottom wall  44  and simultaneously abuts the free end  60  of the shelf angle leg  24 , the underside  68  of the bottom wall  44 , and a top surface  70  of the base  32 . A conventional sealant element  72  spans between the underside  74  of the lip  64 , the backing rod  66 , and the top surface  70  of the wall below  32  to prevent migration of water from the external environment  36  internally from beneath the water collection section  40 . 
     Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the water collection sections  40 ,  42  in their operative relationship are installed side-to-side on the surface  58 . The dimension W (FIG. 3) between the inside surface  76  of the side wall  50  on the collection section  40  and the inside surface  78  of the side wall  80  projecting upwardly from a bottom wall  82  on the collection section  42 , and corresponding to the wall  48  on the collection section  40 , is set to accommodate some dimensional tolerance between adjacent collection sections  40 ,  42 . 
     With the water collection sections  40 ,  42  in the operative relationship of FIG. 3, a diverting connector  84  is installed. The diverting connector  84 , as also seen in FIG. 6, has a vertical front wall  86 , which either spans the entire vertical extent of the back wall  46  of the collection section  40 , and the corresponding back wall  88  of the collection section  42 , or can terminate at another vertical location. The diverting connector  84  has an inverted, U-shaped upper portion  90  which wraps around the upper edges  92 ,  94  of the back walls  46 ,  88  on the collection sections  40 ,  42  with the diverting connector  84  in the operative position of FIGS. 1,  4  and  5 . 
     The diverting connector  84  further has a cantilevered wall  98  projecting from a location that will occur just above the top edges  54 ,  100  of the side walls  50 ,  80 . The cantilevered wall defines a solid, upwardly facing surface  101  which bridges the top edge  54  on the side wall  50  on the water collection section  40 . The wall  98  terminates at an upturned flange  102 . The wall  98  has downturned ends  104 ,  106  which straddle the walls  50 ,  80  and depend from the horizontally extending portion of the wall  98  so as to direct downwardly moving water intercepted by the surface  101  downwardly over the side walls  50 ,  80 . Preferably, the front wall  86  extends downwardly at least as far as the bottom edges of the wall ends  104 ,  106 , to effect reinforcement thereof. The wall surface  101  shields the space between the side walls  50 ,  80  from downwardly moving water. 
     The vertical front wall  86  of the diverting connector  84  has an opening  108  formed therethrough. The wall ends  104 ,  106  frame the opening  108  and connect to the front wall  86  and horizontally extending portion of the wall  98 . The flange  102  has an edge  110  having an inverted U shape which conforms to the combined shape of the wall  98  including its downturned ends  104 ,  106 . 
     It is possible to form the entire diverting connector  84  in one piece in a plastic molding process. Alternatively, the diverting connector  84  can be made from metal or other material that is deformable to produce the shape shown. 
     As seen in FIGS. 1-5 and  7 , the water collection sections  40 ,  42  are maintained in the operative relationship additionally by a connector  118  which may be a weep connector. The weep connector  118  is preferably formed as an element separate from both the water collection sections  40 ,  42 . Aside from maintaining the operative relationship between the water collection sections  40 ,  42 , the weep connector  118 , in conjunction with the diverting connector  84  and side walls  50 ,  80 , also defines a weeping and venting passageway  119  from the external environment  36  through the veneer layer  26  to the space  34 . 
     The weep connector  118  has a body  120  with spaced side walls  122 ,  124  joined by a top wall  126 . The walls  122 ,  124 ,  126  cooperatively define a U shape. The weep connector  118  has a front wall  130  with vertically spaced vent openings  134  therethrough. Each vent opening  134  has an associated flow directing surface  136 , with the surfaces  136  declining from rear to front. 
     The weep connector  118  has a rear attachment portion  137  to engage and interlock with the wall  98  and associated flange  102  on the diverting connector  84 . The attachment portion  137  has a squared, hollow shape with spaced front and rear walls  138 ,  139 , side walls  140 ,  141 , and atop wall  142 . The flange  102  nests in a receptacle  143  bounded by the walls  138 ,  139 ,  140 ,  141 ,  142  with the flange  102  abutted to the underside of the top wall  142  within the receptacle  143 . The front and rear walls  138 ,  139  have openings  144 ,  145  therethrough so that the passageway  119  is continuous through the top of the connector body  120  and the attachment portion  137 . The opening  145  is configured to receive the wall  98  so that the wall  98  and flange  102  interlock with the attachment portion  137  to thereby maintain the connectors  84 ,  118  in a predetermined relative position. 
     The forward portion of the weep connector  118  has a projecting nose  146  which defines spaced edges  148 ,  150  which abut to the downturned lip  64  and bottom wall  44  and downturned lip  64  and bottom wall  82 , respectively, on the collection sections  40 ,  42 . This projecting nose  146  covers, so as to conceal, the projecting lower portions of the side walls  48 ,  50  of the water collection sections  40 ,  42 . The cooperation between a) the edges  148 ,  150  and the downturned lip  64  and bottom walls  44 ,  82  and b) the attachment portion  137  and the flange  102  on the diverting connector  104  causes the connector  118  to be consistently vertically located in the attached position shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. 
     To assemble the weep connector  118 , the connector  118  can be situated so that it straddles the side walls  50 ,  80  at the top edges  54 ,  100  with the receptacle  143  over the flange  102  and thereafter press fit downwardly to the FIG. 1 position. The connector  118  can be configured so that bottom edges  152 ,  154  thereof abut to the bottom walls  44 ,  82  simultaneously as the underside of the top connector wall  126  abuts to the top edges  54 ,  102  of the side walls  50 ,  80 . So assembled, the connector  118  maintains the water collection sections  40 ,  42  in the operative relationship, maintains a predetermined space between adjacent bricks  28  in the bottom course, and defines the venting passageway  119  from the external environment to the air space  34 . 
     The weep connector  118  can be made from metal, plastic, composite, or other material. In the embodiment shown, the walls  122 ,  124  are “cut out” at  156 , which reduces the required amount of material in the weep connector  118 , as in the event that the connector  118  is formed by an injection molding process, or the like. Alternatively, the walls  122 ,  124  could extend fully to the bottom walls  44 ,  82 , over the full fore-and-aft dimension thereof, or to a point between that shown and the full extension to the bottom walls  44 ,  82 . 
     Alternatively the weep connector  118  and the diverting connector  81  can be fabricated as a single piece rather than two interlocking pieces The use of separate weep and diverting connectors, however, may facilitate shipping and storage. 
     With the water collection sections  40 ,  42 , the diverting connector  84 , and the weep connector  118  assembled as in FIG. 1, a sheet layer  158  extending over the sheathing  16  is directed downwardly past the bottom edge  159  of the sheathing  16  and over the top of the diverting connector  84 , terminating at a point above the surface  101  on the cantilevered wall  98 . On either side of the diverting connector  84 , the bottom edge of the sheet  158  can extend down to the bottom wall  44 . A depending portion  160  of the sheet  158  can be bonded to the wall  86 , as by an adhesive  162 . Accordingly, downwardly moving water in the space  34  is directed by the sheet  158  to forwardly of the wall  86 . The surface  101  in turn diverts downwardly moving water so that it does not pass between the side walls  50 ,  80  on the water collection sections  40 ,  42 . The surface  101 , in conjunction with the top wall  126  of the connector  118 , shields the space between the side walls  50 ,  80  so that water cannot migrate therebetween. Any downwardly moving water is thus accumulated in the water collection space  56  in the water collection section  40 , and a corresponding water collection space  164  in the water collection section  42 . 
     The individual water collection sections can be made in different lengths L (see FIG.  2 ). The sections  40 ,  42 , and like sections, can be placed side-to-side over the entire running length of the veneer  26 . By making available different lengths, the lengths can be mixed and matched to produce the desired overall length. Some sections may also be made without an end wall at one end so that special lengths may be fabricated at the time of installation. 
     A separate, outside corner water collection section can be utilized, as shown at  166  in FIG.  8 . The corner section  166  has an L-shaped bottom wall  168  and L-shaped back wall  170  which terminate at walls  172 ,  174  which are positionable adjacent to and joinable by a connector  118  with the side walls  48 ,  50 ,  80 , on adjacent water collection sections  40 ,  42 , previously described, and like sections. The corner section  166  performs the same water collection function as do the sections  40 ,  42 . A downturned lip  175  extends between the walls  172 ,  174  to direct accumulated moisture forwardly to away from the base  32 . 
     In FIG. 9, an inside corner water collection section is shown at  176 . The corner section  176  has an L-shaped rear wall  178  and an L-shaped bottom wall  180  which extend between walls  182 ,  184 . The walls  178 ,  180 ,  182 ,  184  collectively bound a water collection space  186 . The bottom wall  180  has a downturned lip  188  to direct accumulated water away from the top of the wall base  32  (FIG.  1 ). The walls  182 ,  184  cooperate in the same manner with adjacent collection sections  40 ,  42 , and the like, as the walls  172 ,  174  as described with respect to FIG.  8 . 
     In one form of the invention, the collection sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176  can be folded to a compacted, collapsed state, as for storage and handling. The folding process for one exemplary water collection section  40  is shown in FIGS. 2 and 10. Folding is facilitated by forming hinge lines between parts which are relatively moved as part of the folding process so that the parts reposition in a predetermined manner. The fold lines may be made by any well known means, such as by compressing the material at the fold line, pre-creasing the material, etc. 
     The back wall  46  is joined to the bottom wall  44  at a hinge line  190 . The side wall  48  is joined to the back wall  46  at a hinge line  192  and to the bottom wall  44  along a hinge line  194 . A separate hinge line  196  is provided to allow the side wall  48  to be folded against itself. 
     The water collection section  40  is converted from the operative state in FIG. 2 to the collapsed state of FIG. 10 by folding the side wall  48  downwardly about the hinge line  194  towards the bottom wall  44 . As this is taking place, the side wall  48  is formed into a V shape opening to the right in FIG. 2 about the hinge line  196  so that the back wall  46  is folded downwardly towards the bottom wall  44  as the side wall  48  is folded towards the bottom wall  44 . The side wall  50  is simultaneously reconfigured in the same fashion as the side wall  48 . With the collection section  40  in the collapsed state, each of the side walls  48 ,  50  is folded against itself and resides between the rear wall  46  and bottom wall  44 . 
     The inside corner section  176  in the operative state of FIG. 9 is similarly folded to a collapsed state in FIG.  11 . The walls  182 ,  184  are folded downwardly relative to the bottom wall  180  and rear wall  178  in the same manner as the side walls  48 ,  50  are folded relative to the rear wall  46  and bottom wall  44  of the collection section  40  in FIG. 2 about corresponding hinge lines. Folding of the section  176  is different in that there is an additional hinge line  198  which allows one rear panel  200  on the rear wall  178  to be folded about the hinge line  198  in a V shape, opening towards the right in FIG. 9, which allows the panel  200  to be folded directly against the bottom wall  180  and the adjacent rear panel  202  to be folded downwardly against a triangularly-shaped portion  204  on the panel  200  which overlies the remainder of the panel  200 . 
     Folding of the outside corner section  166  is described with respect to FIGS. 8 and 12. Folding of the wall  172  relative to the rear wall  170  and bottom wall  168  is carried out in the same manner as the side wall  48  is folded relative to the rear wall  46  and bottom wall  44  on the collection section  40  in FIG. 2. A rear wall panel  206  is bent in a V shape opening to the left in FIG. 8 about a hinge line  208  to allow the wall  174  to be folded against the bottom wall  168 . A hinge line  210  on the rear panel  212  allows the panel  212  to be folded in a V shape opening to the left about the hinge line  210  to allow the panel  212  to be folded downwardly against the bottom wall  168 . A hinge line  214  between the panels  206 ,  212  allows the portions of the panels  206 ,  212  at the hinge lines  208 ,  210  to be placed in a flattened state. 
     The collection sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176  can be made from any material that permits folding. For example, the material could be a plastic or a metal material of gauge sufficient to create a downturned lip that is sufficiently durable to remain intact when exposed to the exterior environment. 
     The water collection sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  167  can be placed in a collapsed state and stacked as shown in FIG. 17, as in a container  216 . In this state, the collection sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176  can be compacted in volume to be conveniently stored, transported, and otherwise handled. 
     Alternatively, water collection sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  167  can be fabricated with slightly angled back and side walls to permit nesting and stacking as shown schematically in FIG.  18 . 
     One typical procedure that can be practiced according to the present invention using folded and collapsed sections is shown schematically in FIG.  16 . Initially, the water collection sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176  are formed as indicated by the block  218 . The water collection sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176  are then placed in a collapsed state as shown at block  220 . The collapsed water collection sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176  are then placed in a stacked state, and may be placed in the container  216  in the stacked state, as shown at block  222 . The water collections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176  are then transported to an installation site, as shown at block  224 . At the installation site, the water collection sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176  are placed in the operative state, as shown at block  226 . The water collection sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176  in the operative state are then installed into operative relationship with each other, as shown at block  228 . The diverting connectors  84  are then press fit into operative position over adjacent collection sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176 , as shown at block  230 . The weep connectors  118  are then press fit into an operative position over the side walls of adjacent collector sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176  and interlocked with the diverting connectors. While an adhesive may be used, the system can be constructed so that no adhesive is required between any of the parts thereof, i.e. the water collection sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176 , the connectors  84 ,  118 , etc. The masonry elements/bricks  28  are then installed, as shown at block  234 . 
     An alternative procedure that can be practiced according to the present invention using stacked sections is shown schematically in FIG.  18 . Initially, sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176  are formed as indicated by the block  218 ′. These sections are then stacked by nesting one into the other as indicated b block  222 ′, and may be placed into a container for storage and transportation to the installation site, as shown in block  224 ′. At the installation site, the water collection sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176  are installed into operative relationship with each other, as shown at block  226 ′. The diverting connectors  84  are then press fit into operative position over adjacent collection sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176 , as shown at block  230 ′. The weep connectors  118  are then press fit into an operative position over the side walls of adjacent collector sections  40 ,  42 ,  166 ,  176  and interlocked with the diverting connectors as shown at block  232 ′. The masonry elements/bricks  28  are then installed as shown at block  231 . 
     Many variations, not disclosed, are contemplated by the invention. As just one example, as shown in FIG. 13, a water collection section for a radiused wall is shown at  250 . The water collection section  250  has bottom and rear walls  252 ,  254 , respectively, formed to the intended shape of the masonry veneer. The bottom and rear walls  252 ,  254  terminate at side walls  256 ,  258  for connection to adjacent water collection sections  40 ,  42 , and the like, in a manner previously described. The bottom wall  252  has a downturned lip  260  for controlled water direction at the front of the section  250 . 
     Another variation is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 on the wall system  10 , previously described. In this variation, a bottom wall  260  on a water collection section  261  contains a step  262  to conceal the horizontal leg of the angle  24 . Adjacent sections would be joined using connectors  84  and  118  as previously described. 
     The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.