How Does Your House Keep Water Out? | UK Weatherproofing Explained

A dry house relies on connected layers. Roof coverings shed rain, underlays provide a backup route, cavity trays redirect moisture, and gutters and drains carry water away. In this episode of Buildings Understood, follow the water through the details that protect a typical British home: roof laps and flashings, cavities and weeps, window sills, threshold drainage, and the connection between the wall DPC and floor DPM. We also explain why a leak can appear somewhere different from where the rain entered—and why sealing every visible hole can block an intended drainage route. Please subscribe to Buildings Understood for the next layer of the house. CHAPTERS 00:00 What actually stops the rain? 00:39 Exposure changes the design 00:58 Roof coverings and tile laps 01:37 Underlay and the eaves 02:16 Gutters, downpipes and outfalls 02:34 Valleys, flashings and roof edges 03:14 Cavity walls and hidden drainage 03:51 Trays, stop ends and weeps 04:50 Windows, seals and thresholds 05:49 DPC, DPM and external levels 06:28 Penetrations and framed walls 07:07 Movement and temporary protection 07:46 Maintenance 08:05 Tracing a leak 08:25 The complete system Illustrative 3D construction education focused on England. Details vary with exposure, building design and the selected products; follow the project specification and manufacturers’ instructions. #Weatherproofing #BuildingScience #Construction #UKHomes #BuildingsUnderstood