A fully-adhered WRB requires a different mindset from that of simply rolling out and stapling up felt paper or conventional housewrap.
Fully adhered WRBs have definitely found a foothold in our industry. Products like Henry Blueskin, Grace Vycor EnV-S, and others are becoming more and more popular. But the one thing that has taken some getting used to for me is the careful removal of the thin film covering the adhesive backing on the product. Like me, most contractors I know have chewed their fingernails down to the bone with worry over whether or not they’re making money on the job. This “lack of claws” makes it especially tough to remove that film.
Here’s my tip: Fold the corner of the product over on its face (top left). Using your thumb and forefinger, rake your thumb tip over the corner a few times (top right). That generally stretches and loosens the film enough that you can grab it with your stubby fingers or at least create an opening between the backing and the membrane to get your knife blade behind it (bottom left) and peel it back (bottom right).
