Expanding OSB bowing and bending 2x4's

[u4ick]

New house construction has developed a problem on the exterior walls.

The OSB panels are bending / bowing on the horizontal and vertical axis caused by putting the panels too close together according to the GP representative (supposed to be 1/8 inch between each sheet on the vertical to allow for expansion). This is further supported by each panel having the 1/8 inch requirement written on them. In the house the OSB panels are touching each other which does not allow for the necessary expansion. The problem is that the 2x4's have not been sufficiently strong enough to prevent the panels from moving which then moves the 2x4's which prevents having a "flat" wall for the sheet rock. The brick wall on two sides is suppose to hide the problem on the out side.

The proposed solution is to vertically cut each panel with this problem which requires removing the 2x4 over it, cutting the panel and replacing

2x4 with a new 2x4. This is suppose to relieve the expansion problem and/or allow for a "flat" wall to install the sheet rock.

There is no plan to correct the problem on the portion of the two exterior walls that already has stucco applied since that probably would cause the stucco to crack now (my opinion).

I have a few questions caused by this problem:

1) Does this proposed solution compromise the structural integrity of the house especially on the long brick wall ( bricks are attached to this wall which is stabilizing the bricks and the inside sheet rock )? I think of this as taking 4x8 panels and making them into 2x8 panels that still have to provide the necessary strength in two horizontal directions. I think the horizontal strength is reduced by more than half when a panel of OSB is cut into two pieces.

2) As the panels continue to move under the stucco does that mean that it will crack and peal his summer on the outside and the sheet rock walls also move/crack (the summer heat will cause much more expansion and bigger movement in both directions)?

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

u4ick

[Brian V]

The bending and bowing in my opinion would definately harm stucco, the expantion should not be a problem as thats how it's been done for years.

I don't understand why you cannot simply set the depth of a circular saw to

1/2" and run all the horizontal and vertical seams. Would take next to no time and would give you the 1/8" gap that they require.

[u4ick]

I assume you are thinking of cutting from the outside of the house -- through the wrapping -- the OSB is full of nails from the guns. Is there a saw that would cut through the nails as well as the OSB?

u4ick

[John Willis]

On Thu, 16 Dec 2004 17:28:09 -0600, u4ick scribbled this interesting note:

Sure. A good carbide blade lasts a long time, even cutting through nails. For the entire exterior it will just take a few blades. Small price to pay for the savings in time it will take!:~)

-- John Willis (Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)

[Tony Hwang]

Hi, Who is footing the bill for all the remedy work? I feel for you. I still believe OSB is no good for horizontal application. I think whoever built your house should be responsible for all the cost. I did not know they still allow 2X4 walls. It's all

2X6 where I live.(energy conservation) Tony

[Bob K 207]

the stucco'd wall needs the same gap cut as the others............stucco's got to go.

no need to remove any 2x', just set the skil saw to the correct depth, who cares if the 2x has a little cut in it

don't back down on the stucco wall

cheers Bob

[Brian V]

Yes from the outside, any decent carbide blade will go right thru the nails. Depending on the sq ft that we're talking about you may need a couple/few baldes, cheap price to pay considering the alternative.

House wrap....yup, gonna get trashed. Cut out the sections along the seams and layer in new stuff when your done with them.

You also refrenced horizontal...one of the other poster brought up an excellent point. By horizontal I am hoping you are refering to a seam and not the actual board. OSB on a horizontal plane is nasty, doesn't meet code in any area I've ever worked in. All roofs should be an absolute minimum of

1/2" plywood, I personally won't use anything less that 5/8".

Cheap repair

3 blades @ 10 1 roll 3' x 100' wrap 40 T50 staples 5

Cost ya 75 plus a saturday

knowing it's done right and you won't have to worry.....priceless