Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 07, 1999 08:23am | #1

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   Evans , sounds like a load of BS to me . I dont remember hearing of that product , but that sure does'nt mean it does'nt exist . Wonder if the builder has any literature explaining the benefits of this normal bubbling action . Chuck

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   Guest_ | Sep 07, 1999 08:49am | #2

   *I think you mean AdvanTech. Their page does not mention "bubbles" and seems to imply that their product is not affected by water. Good luck.Jerry

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   Guest_ | Sep 08, 1999 04:59am | #3

   *Evans:We use AdvanTech subflooring on our Habitat for Humanity homes that we build. It is basically treated OSB. Looks almost just like OSB except that it has a slight greenish-yellowish tint. It costs about $20 a sheet - midway between 3/4" T&G OSB and 3/4" T&G plywood. The main advantage to AdvanTech to us is that it is unaffected by exposure to weather during construction. The longest that I have seen it exposed is about 2 months. I've got no idea of how it would be effected by 6 months or a year of being sopping wet - the stuff is not waterproof.My guess is that if the subfloor is bubbled, it is toast - who cares that the stuff has a 50 year warranty, since I bet anything that the warranty only covers material replacement, but not labor. $20 - $40 worth of materials and $500 in labor!One way to work the issue might be that if you (she) can get the material manufacturer to state that the material is defective or other-wise ruined, then I would think that it would be clear that the bubbling is not normal and that the work needs to be done to replace it - just a thought.

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   Steve_Hasen | Sep 08, 1999 05:32am | #4

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   Properly installed exterior grade french doors should not leak. If there is a product defect here it is in the doors and not the subflooring. I see three possibilities here. (1) The builder used interior grade french doors (it happens) - sue the builder. (2) The builder installed exterior grade french doors but did not detail them properly(flashing, etc.) or there are other workmanship issues - sue the builder. (3) There is a defect in the doors themselves - pursue product warranty or sue the manufacturer. One thing is for sure, the builder is not going to give the lady a square call (I could hear tapping feet). She needs to hire an independent building inspector or look for a civil engineer who specializes in this sort of thing. An insurance adjuster can put her on to someone. Depending on what the inspector finds and what juristiction you live in you may be able to get some assistance and possibly releif from the agency that licenses contractors. Since the lady is the spouse of a deployed active duty military member she should discuss this with a Judge Advocate (military lawyer)as soon as possible.

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   Evans_Watkins | Sep 08, 1999 05:59am | #5

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   >A friend of mine's wife called me to ask about problem's she is having with a builder. My friend is in the service and is gone for six months, and I'm trying to help his wife. She said the french doors on their new house are leaking. The carpet is ruined, so is the padding, and to her knowledge so is the subflooring. She says that it is "bubbling" up. I asked if it was plywood (delaminating), particle board, or osb. She couldn't tell me for sure, she thought it was plywood. She was told by the builder that it was Advantax(sp) subflooring and that it had a 50 year guarantee. That the bubbling she saw was normal and that was how this material worked.
   >My question is, have I been under a rock for 7 years and this product really exists, or is this a lot of bs like I suspect. I have searched in vain on the internet, and can't seem to find it. I've also looked through back issues of Fine Homebuilding and find no mention of it. Hopefully someone can help me here.

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   Guest_ | Sep 08, 1999 05:59am | #6

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   From their page:

   "We guarantee Huber AdvanTech™ flooring panels will not require sanding due to moisture absorption during installation."

   Note the "during installation".

   Steve Hasen hit the nail on the head with his advice.