Septic system failures, sewage backups, cleanups, repairs
Stair and railing safety hazards, repairs, litigation
Termites, rot, inspection, detection, prevention
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How to find, diagnose, and repair building exterior defects in most building systems. See links at page left or scroll down.
chimneys, vinyl siding, hardboard siding, synthetic stucco, lightning protection, paint failures, oil storage tanks, roof leaks, slate roofing, asphalt shingle roofing,
and septic systems. This includes explanation of causes of building exterior defects, how to spot them, how to repair them, and
how to prevent them.
Topics include attic condensation, chimneys, environmental hazards, vinyl siding defects, masonite or other
hardboard siding, exterior paint failures, lightning protection, above ground and buried oil tanks, septic systems, termites, and structural rot.
proper use of vapor barriers, We explain how to identify, diagnose, repair or prevent building defects and
environmental hazards associated with building exteriors, site conditions and the building envelope.
Links on this page direct the reader either directly into an in-depth article on the topic or to our collection of such articles.
Log Home Inspection & Repair Guide - how to inspect, diagnose, and repair problems on log houses; how to identify and determine the age of different types of log homes: traditional log homes, manufactured log homes, slab-sided log homes, and alternative log homes using concrete logs and fiberglass logs.
: Buried or Above Ground Oil Tank Inspection, Testing, Cleanup, Abandonment of Oil Tanks Oil Tanks Above Ground, UL Standards, guidance for home owners, buyers, and inspectors
- Extensive, Detailed Consumer and Industry Information on Septic System Inspection, Testing, Maintenance, Repairs, Alternative Designs for on-site waste disposal
Sewage and Septic backup contamination in Buildings: inspection, testing, remediation, & references to expert sources
THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS - table of coefficients of linear expansion of common building materials in response to changes in temperature explains many building leaks and failures
WET BASEMENT PREVENTION - an easy to read guide for preventing wet basements by attention to multiple best construction practices, including the basics of foundation dampproofing, poor site drainage, bentonite clay for basement waterproofing, foundation membranes to prevent leakage, foundation drain tiles, proper backfill, and proper finish grading
SHEATHING, FOIL FACED - VENTS - are vent strips needed on exterior walls where foil faced building insulating sheathing is installed?
STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS what causes stair or ramp falls and injuries? how do we inspect and correct stair, railing, guardrail, and ramp safety problems?
VERTICAL GLAZING DETAILS - proper installation details for vertical fixed glass windows to avoid leaks, rot, condensation, heat loss
WINDOW / DOOR ENERGY EFFICIENT, DOE U.S. Department of energy detailed recommendations for energy savings at windows and doors - supplemented by leaks to articles with additional "how to" details
WINDOW LEAKS INTO BASEMENT - the good, bad, and ugly of leaks into basements at basement windows: diagnosis and cure
EIFS is an abbreviation for "Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems" or "barrier", a synthetic stucco material which
is usually applied over a system of solid foam insulation board and synthetic fabrics to form a stucco building exterior
surface.
There have been substantial building failures and costly damage at many EIFS
covered buildings, primarily because the EIFS-covered building exterior may leak into the building walls but the foam insulation
used beneath this stucco method may not allow moisture to escape from building cavities.
Hardboard, Composite, List of "Masonite"-type Siding Failures & Claims Information, Hardboard Siding Failure Diagnosis, Repair, Proper Installation
Hardboard, Composite, "Masonite"-type Siding: failure and leak inspection, siding repair, siding litigation, hardboard siding class action lawsuits and settlements are listed here
Hardbard siding failure, inspection, diagnosis, repair, and warranty claim links are given just below. For full information on hardoard siding, see SIDING HARDBOARD.
ABTCO hardboard Siding Failures & Claims: see www.abtcoclaims.com.
Boise Cascade Hardboard Siding Failures: examples and documentation. Mail claim to: Boise Cascade Corporation, Timber & Wood Products Division, Attn: Tana Rasmussen, P.O. Box 62, Boise, ID 83707, 208/384-6162; A Boise Cascade hardboard siding claim needs to include six photos, one of each side of the building & two close-ups that show the problems.
Georgia Pacific Hardboard Sising Failures & Claims: last date for filing claims under the settlement was August 18, 1998.
Louisiana Pacific Siding Failures: A class action settlement ended on December 31, 2002. Claims: contact Louisiana Pacific Corporation's product warranty department 877-677-6722 for LP siding installed before January 1996 or call 800-450-6106 for LP installed after January 1996,including Smart System® Products by Louisiana Pacific
Masonite® hardboard siding failures: On January 15, 1998, the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama, granted final approval to a Settlement in the lawsuit known as Naef v. Masonite, CV-94-4033. The Settlement provided a program for eligible claimants to recover the costs associated with damage caused by the installation and incorporation of Masonite Hardboard Siding.
The deadline to file a claim has passed. For more information call 800-330-2722. Also see www.masoniteclaims.com
Masonite OmniWood Siding claims: On January 6, 1999, the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama, granted final approval to a settlement in the lawsuit known as Cosby v. Masonite, CV-98-2446. The Settlement provided a program for eligible claimants to recover the costs associated with damage caused by the installation and incorporation of Masonite Omniwood Siding. The deadline to file a claim has passed. For more information call 800-256-6990. Omniwood® is a registered trademark of Masonite Corporation. Also see www.masoniteclaims.com
Shakertown Panel Siding Failures: some writers report Shakertown panel siding failures on product manufactured before 1992. Shakertown manufactures premium Western Red Cedar shingles for residential and commercial siding applications, available throughout the United States and Canada. See shakertown.com
Weyerhaeuser Hardboard Siding claims: see www.weyerclaims.com
Wolverine DuraPress® siding: this product is now sold as Weatherboard® by Certainteed - see certainteed.com
Siding Links to other websites and articles: EIFS, Georgia Pacific Siding, Louisiana Pacific Siding, Masonite and other Hardboard Siding failures, Siding Book
Note: Some construction writers are of the opinion that Fiber cement building siding, originated by James Hardie Products (Hardiplank®) is a more durable alternative to hardboard siding. Other fiber cement siding product lines include Maxi-Panel, Maxi-Plank, Cemplank, & FortaFiber.
Vapor Barriers on and in buildings; needed behind vinyl siding
Vinyl siding used as building exterior wall cladding has its own installation requirements, inspection methods (which should
look for failure-related installation errors such as improper detailing of J-channel around windows, as well as its own
reporting and repair requirements.
Vinyl Siding - Main Web Page on Vinyl Siding, includes review & comments about moisture & vapor barriers
Vapor Barriers - Discusses the Need For and Role of Vapor Barriers Beneath Vinyl Siding
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Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
Certainteed Weatherboard fiber cement siding and trim products - see certainteed.com/ or see certainteed.com/resources/sidingandtrimspecsheet.pdf
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building design, inspection, and repair, and about indoor environment testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
"Weather-Resistive Barriers", how to select and install housewrap and other types of weather resistive barriers, U.S. DOE
More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs
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InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.
The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems
Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.
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