Hey guys
just had one of my customers call me with a problem with the beadboard I did for her in the bathroom (no shower, just for reference) not too long ago.
It seems with all the nice wet weather we have had here in Mass. during the month of June, 2 of the 30″x48″ MDf panels have bulged away from the wall about 3/4″.
My question is in order to address the issue at hand so it does not happen again. I can’t seem to figure out which way this stuff is expanding, up and down or horizontal. Any input???
I figured I would ask a few questions before proceeding.
To help with some questions you may have.
The panels are MDF 30×48″ bought @ HD.
I nailed them top and bottom and at the seams along with some liquid nails in the middle. there is 3 1/2″ primed colonial base at the bottom and standard primed chair rail at the top. Hope that helps.
Ray
Replies
Did you back-prime the panels?
I did not prime the backs of the panels before install.
The front portion of the panels came primed. I realize that does not change anything.Thanks
Ray
Well, you've been bit by the MDF-in-a-bathroom monster.Tear it all out, replace with new -- and think about using real wood. Be sure to paint all surfaces (including edges).Apologize to the HO for the mistake and the inconvenience, and move on.
I guess there is some small chance that there is moisture in the wall cavities (which might not be your fault) -- if that's the case, then the drywall above the wainscot would also get wet and soft.Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.
This is only a half bath o the first floor, so the fact that it is in the bathroom is not as much a factor as if there was a shower involved in the equation. If so I would say yeah just replace it all with wood.If i do replace the bulging panels with new ones , obviously i would prime the backs but who knows if it will solve the problem.
what I'm trying to figure out is whether or not to nail the tops and bottoms due to expansion vertically or to cut the corner panel back a bit and leave space for horizontal expansion.I thank the weather here has played a major factor in the overall moisture content of the home right now.Ray.
I suspect that not painting on all sides is responsible for most of the issue. Same principal as veneering both sides of a panel. If not the difference in moisture absorbance and stresses will cause bowing...PaulB
http://www.makeabettertomorrow.com
http://www.finecontracting.com
Ok
I'll certainly have to give it a try when i go back to fix it.
Thanks for the input.should I still be allowing for any additional expansion such as not nailing the top or bottom and letting the chair rail hold the top and likewise for the baseboard?Ray
I'd allow for expansion as well, but I bet painting all sides (and edges of course) will help a great deal.PaulB
http://www.makeabettertomorrow.com
http://www.finecontracting.com
Well sounds like all good advice from here.I'll prime all sides before install.
as far as allowing for expansion, I can still use the liquid nails right?
I want to have some adhesive holding the middle portion of the panel without having to deface it with nails.you don't learn from you mistakes if it doesn't cost you something.Thanks for the input.Ray
"without having to deface it with nails."
Hey, why not deface it with screws if that's what it takes! It is a very easy thing to fill over screw or nail heads with wood fllier amd paint it in so the 'defacement disappears totally
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