Flashing is not to protect wood from water? WHAT?

Here is what my PM said about the lack of window flashing on that window I've been upset about:  " The flashing is not there to protect the wood  it sheds the water out from behind the siding around the window. As long as they have it taped it’s okay."

UPDATE (3):  Here is the building code that refers to the problem in this post: R703.8 Flashing.
Approved corrosion-resistant flashing shall be applied shingle-fashion in a manner to prevent entry of water into the wall cavity or penetration of water to the building structural framing components. Self-adhered membranes used as flashing shall comply with AAMA 711. The flashing shall extend to the surface of the exterior wall finish.
 If the tape does not overlap the lower pieces (shingle-fashion) then the windows are out of code.  I just might go and check every window now. The one window in question is DEFINITELY not to code because the overlap is wrong.

Added 6/1/2012
Here is a photo of how the flashing tape is suppose to be put on.  I got this from Protecto Wrap's website.  It is their installation instructions.  Protecto Wrap is the flashing tape that my builder is using.

Now I like my PM but I do NOT like this answer.  Here's what I want to say:

1.  I did not pay over $200,000.00 on a house to have tape make it "okay".
2.  Flashing refers to thin continuous pieces of sheet metal or other impervious material installed to prevent the passage of water into a structure from an angle or joint. Flashing generally operates on the principle that, for water to penetrate a joint, it must work itself upward against the force of gravity or in the case of wind-driven rain, it would have to follow a tortuous path during which the driving force will be dissipated. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashing_%28weatherproofing%29)
3. Uhmmm....if it's there to shed water.....isn't  that to protect it?   (Sorry if I'm sounding female doggish here)


So...if #2 defined is correct...then that window is still wrong because there is no tortuous path for this water to travel to keep from getting in the window.  It just has to go down the side into the tape they put up to make it all okay.

I'm sorry PM.  I do not agree with you on this one.  


Disclaimer:  I am not saying my PM is a jerk or anything like that.  I truly do like the guy and I generally like to see the best in everyone I meet.  That being said...He said exactly what was said above in quotes.   YES...it upsets me but I'm not against him.  I'm against his current thoughts on the apparent okay taping of my house.

If it were your house, would you let tape make it all better?   I think we all know the answer to that. 


UPDATE #1(cause I'm sure there will be more): I just reviewed the window with a construction manager friend of mine and he said that the FOIL TAPE (not flashing) is not needed because the window has it's own flange (nailer) on the bottom of it. I'm not sure I buy this 100% because all my research still says otherwise. I'm  so nervous about the house and didn't see why this window would be different from all the rest. I still don't fully understand why you'd bother flashing all the windows but this one. UPDATE:  There is self adhesive flashing tape....so this is not foil tape.  It is some sort of flashing.  I still have to research its uses.

As long as a building inspector says this is ok then I will not bring it up anymore.    My lack of knowledge on building terminology is a hindrance so I need things spelled out clearly to understand them.  When the PM wrote "Flash Sill" on the sill, I assumed that I needed to check out anything and everything about flashing. 

The jury is still out on this though.  I have one more construction buddy to talk to and some research on flashing tape to do.  I don't want to make a big deal out of it if I don't have to.  I just wish they would have done it like the others in the first place or at least proactively told me about it and why they did what they did so I could just enjoy the building process.   Clear COMMUNICATION is a virtue.

UPDATE #2(later that morning..):  Here is the response I got from the PM this morning: "When the framer comes to put the front door in we will redo the window"    I like this.  This is what I expect for the amount of money that I'm paying.  THANK YOU.    Now I don't have to freak out and research and I know that it will be taken care of like it should have been in the first place.  At this point, I don't care if they are mad about it.  I know they wouldn't accept anything less if it were their own house so why should I accept anything less for myself?  Perhaps this will set the tone to make the future work precise, as it should be ....no skipping corners on my house please.  Is that too much to ask?