I thought this stuff was bulletproof – well, at least weatherproof. Granted, it ain’t your typical off-the-rack OSB, but we put 1500 sf of this stuff down a month ago, in winter weather, exposed to the elements, and now I’m getting some bits and pieces flaking off and the edges of some of the sheets are expanding just a little, maybe 1/8″ or less. I won’t be able to get the house dried in for another month, maybe more, and I’m a bit concerned about the durability?
Should it do this? Or am I expecting too much from this product? And if the swelling doesn’t disappear once the floor has dried out, what do I do?
Jon
Replies
Winter construction is hard on materials. If you are using Huber AdvanTech, a little flaking isn't a big deal. It's probably due to snow shovels. If it is exposed to long term moisture, the edges can swell slightly. They won't shrink down, you will have to hit them with a belt sander. Have you checked out their website?
http://www.huberwood.com/dist_retailers/dsp_faqs.cfm?doc_id=216
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
The latest issue of FHB has a great article on this very subject.
Dane
I will always be a beginner as I am always learning.
I just installed a floor and it's now raining heavily. What's going to happen?
AdvanTech panels are manufactured with a highly moisture resistant resin and are guaranteed not to require sanding due to moisture adsorption. With other OSB commodity products, a certain about of edge swelling can be expected when subject to direct exposure to moisture. Once the structure is enclosed and the panels are acclimated, any joints that have swollen can be sanded to provided a smooth surface for the finish floor covering.
This doesn't sound right. I've built a number of houses using Advantech, and some were exposed for at least a month with no ill effect other than discoloration. Admittedly, none were constantly wet under wet snow for the entire duration - it doesn't snow here that much. Call Huber and let them know about your issue. They might send someone out to look at your situation. Either way, it's not gonna cost you anything. Let us know what you find out.
Actually, this hasn't been under wet snow or anything for more than 12 hours max. We enclosed the basement in order to heat it and provide a lighted, warm workspace for my timber frame crew. Every time it snows, it's shoveled off within a couple hours, and the occasional rain or meltwater just drips through and we deal with it inside the basement. I know the flaking is a result of surface pieces getting torn off with a snow shovel - that doesn't bother me. The edge swelling does.
There's only about four or five sheets that are swelling at the edges. Considering that they are a) tongue and groove, b) glued with PL400, and c) nailed with galv ringshanks every 6", I don't think I'm gonna be replacing any of them. I guess I'll have to get it all dried in and wait to see what happens. I won't be putting a finish floor down until probably early July, but the shell will be done by the end of April.
Jon
I did my whole house in the stuff....my second floor porch floor thats totally exposed to the snow ice and rain has hit it hard for over a year now and I don't have any problem.
Maybe you got a bad batch.
Give em' a call
BE well
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