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Classic Damage -- L-P Siding

For some reason, not sure why, I have been seeing a number of homes lately with L-P innerseal siding. This is the OSB (oriented strand board) installed prior to 1996. The photo below is a great photo of the siding in distress. It is de-laminating. Frankly, when it starts going it is much like cardboard -- it just pulls apart. There is an installation problem here that is often the case. The siding had its share of problems to start with so, when it is not correctly installed, that makes those problems even more pronounced. In this case, there is no trim on this end and, because of that, the material is exposed to heavy rain and moisture. OSB cannot take that kind of abuse. If the corner board/trim was of sufficient thickness, to protect the end of the siding, it would have been a much better installation. Often people do it this way, then smear caulking compound on the exposed material.

www.kingofthehouse.com

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham Home Inspector

Posted by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector on 01/09/2008 09:58 PM

Comments (3)

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3 Comments on Classic Damage -- L-P Siding

Ouch, we had a chronic problem with roofing ridge caps over here, many were failing early.

Take care!

RJH

01/09/2008 10:00 PM

by Empire Realty

Robert,

It is amazing the number of "wonder" products that, a few years down the line, end up being real problems. L-P siding and polybutylene tubing come to mind, not to mention a number of recalled heaters. Then there are the long established products that, one day, are considered dangerous: Asbestos fibers, lead based paint.

01/09/2008 10:17 PM

by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection)

The thing that people forget is that ALL materials are trying to return to their basic elements----all we can do is slow it down. On the other hand if you take a material like OSB that is basically a dryed out sponge that is then pressed into a really dense board material and then almost seems "designed" to deteriorate as it easily absorbs moisture and starts to swell just like a sponge:).

01/09/2008 11:51 PM

by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com)

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What does the graphic say?