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Often Found During Home Inspections Table of Contents: 1. Georgia-Pacific Hardboard Siding 2. EIFS: Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems 3. Polybutylene Plumbing Systems 4. Aluminum Wiring in Residential Properties 5. Fire Retardant Treated (FRT) Plywood (Used in Multi-Family Dwellings such as TownHouses, Duplexes, etc.) Georgia-Pacific Hardboard Siding ( Click on the Photos for Larger View ) If you have or had a home or other property with exterior hardboard siding manufactured by 
Georgia-Pacific Corporation ("G-P"), your rights
may be affected by, and you may be able to receive benefits from, the
proposed Settlement of the lawsuit known as Donald Bettner, et al. v.
Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Civil Action File No. CV-95-3330-RGK (the
"Litigation"), pending in the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama
(the "Court").WHAT IS THE LAWSUIT ABOUT? The plaintiffs in the Litigation, on behalf of themselves and all past and present owners of property in the United States with G-P exterior hardboard siding, charge that G-P manufactured, distributed and falsely advertised defective hardboard siding to builders and property owners throughout the United States. Plaintiffs allege that the siding absorbs moisture and prematurely rots, buckles, discolors, cracks and otherwise deteriorates when exposed to moisture, humidity and other normal climatic conditions. The plaintiffs allege legal theories of fraud, suppression, misrepresentation, conspiracy to commit fraud, violation of consumer protection statutes, and breach of express and implied warranties. These allegations have not been proven, as no trial has occurred. If the proposed 
Settlement is approved by the Court, no trial
will occur.WHAT ARE THE MONETARY BENEFITS OFFERED BY THE SETTLEMENT? The Settlement allows Eligible Claimants to recover the costs of repair or replacement of damaged G-P Jarratt or Catawba exterior siding. Compensation is based on the cost to replace damaged siding, including the cost of removing, replacing and painting the siding, although G-P's written warranties provide only for payment of certain limited replacement costs. The benefits you may be entitled to under the Settlement may vary depending on whether you have Jarratt or Catawba siding, how long the siding has been on your property, whether you have repaired or replaced your siding and whether you have previously submitted a claim to G-P. Registration Forms for Future Claims, or if you desire additional copies of them or of the Notice, you may obtain copies by calling 1-888-882-5246. Georgia-Pacific Corporation GA030-17-Hardboard 133 Peachtree Street, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30303 EIFS: Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems
The Real Estate Commission recently determined that the presence of "exterior insulating and finishing system" (EIFS - a type of synthetic stucco) on a property is a material fact and must be disclosed to prospective purchasers. EIFS has been associated with high moisture readings in the structural wood components of properties clad with this product. And high moisture levels often lead to problems such as rot damage and termite infestation. The problem is aggravated by the fact that the damage occurs behind the EIFS siding and can be difficult to detect. ( Click on the Photos for Larger View )
Is it really stucco ? or - EIFS ? EIFS is relatively light, and sounds hollow when tapped...Real stucco is relatively heavy and feels and sounds solid when tapped. EIFS siding is created by affixing a styrofoam panel to the wall sheathing. The styrofoam is covered with reinforcing mesh, followed by a base coat and a finish coat. Both the base and finish coats include an acrylic resin. The resin is water soluble in its liquid form, but once applied and dried, it becomes waterproof. Typically, EIFS - from styrofoam to the finished surface - is only about 3/8 of an inch thick. It is relatively light, and sounds hollow when tapped. The use of EIFS and other products has become increasingly popular in recent years. Because it is easily cut and applied, it is often used for decorative architectural features. In general, the newer the home, the more likely it is to have been sided with EIFS rather than real stucco. Real stucco, on the other hand, is composed of cement and water, along with inert materials such as sand and lime. Galvanized wire lath may be attached to the exterior of the structure, and the cement mixture applied onto it. Sometimes, the cement mix is applied directly to specially prepared masonry surfaces. It is porous, and not waterproof. Thus, although it will absorb moisture, especially when unpainted, it also will dry easily, without damage to the structure. Real stucco is relatively heavy and feels and sounds solid when tapped. It is a much harder material than EIFS, and is more resistant to injury by a blow or impact. EIFS and real stucco may look similar, but a simple
comparison of the
two quickly reveals their differences. If you are uncertain whether the
stucco siding on a property is EIFS, recommend that the parties have it
inspected by a qualified inspector. Advise them of the available
information about EIFS and other synthetic stucco products and refer
them to building inspection offices and other experts for more
information. NOTE: There are synthetic stucco products other than conventional EIFS. These include DEFS("Direct-applied Exterior Finish Systems") and "drainable" or "water-managed" EIFS. DEFS is a system that involves the use of cement board panels rather than styrofoam panels. "Drainable EIFS" incorporate drainage channels behind the styrofoam panels which may be visible at the bottom of the exterior synthetic stucco wall. These systems have been used less frequently than conventional EIFS. Because of the variety of stucco products, and the difficulty identifying some of these lesser known systems, it is especially important to involve qualified inspectors and other experts in transactions involving stucco. Polybutylene Plumbing Systems ( Click on the Photos for Larger View ) Plumbing Systems COVERED by the DuPont Settlement of the Spencer Class Action  The Spencer Class Action covers homes that were plumbed inside using polybutylene plumbing systems with polybutylene pipe connected with acetal plastic insert fittings. The polybutylene pipe is usually gray or black plastic. The acetal insert fittings are usually gray and occasionally white plastic. There are a variety of other fitting systems used with polybutylene pipe, but only the systems with gray or white plastic insert fittings are eligible for reimbursement under the terms of the Spencer Class ActionThe homeowner must own or have owned a home with the above polybutylene system and must have had it replumbed in order to be considered for reimbursement under the Spencer program. For further information write to:  Spencer Class Facility P.O. Box 81448 Atlanta, GA 30366 or call (800) 490-6997 Aluminum Wiring in Residential Properties ( Click on the Photos for Larger View )
Click on Picture for Larger View Reducing Risk
Fire Retardant Treated (FRT) Plywood The issue: Deterioration of roof decking in multi-family dwellings (townhouses, duplexes, etc.). Performance of FRT plywood (Professional Roofing, May 1999 p.62) by Tom Bollnow Q: Have there been any significant efforts made to eliminate premature degradation of fire-retardant-treated (FRT) plywood used as roof decks? A. During the late 1980s, there was an outbreak of structural roof deck failures directly related to degradation of FRT plywood used as roof sheathing. Because the potential for FRT ply- wood degradation still exists, roofing professionals should be knowledgeable about FRT plywood properties so the likelihood of degradation occurring can be reduced. FRT plywood is produced by pressure treating plywood with fireretardant chemicals. During the mid 1980s, the search for lower hygroscopic (i.e., less moisture-absorbing) chemical compounds to treat plywood resulted in a change from ammonium sulfates that cause fastener corrosion to ammonium phosphate salts. Ammonium phosphate salts with additional treatments using buffers, such as Borax, and organic and less acidic chemicals were developed to decrease fastener corrosion and raise the threshold temperatures of fire-retardant materials. FRT plywood's structural strength changes from 10 percent to 20 percent after an initial pressuretreatment procedure. The drying process follows the pressuretreatment procedure and is critical to achieving maximum product performance. Problems result if the kiln drying process is accelerated. Air drying causes fewer problems, but it is more time-consuming. Products should be marked "KDAT" if kiln dried after treatment or "ADAT" if air dried after treatment. FRT plywood treatments are divided into three categories: exterior, interior Type A and interior Type B. A roof deck typically will be interior Type A because it is not exposed directly to outside elements. Type B treatments can cause excessive moisture to accumulate in wood, allowing chemicals to react with steel fasteners and connectors. Building code authorities, such as the Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) International Inc., have specific requirements for treatment processes and labeling. For example, plywood must be manufactured according to American Wood Preservers Association (AWPA) standards, and the treatment process must be evaluated by BOCA Evaluation Services, National Evaluation Services or an AWPA-approved, independent agency. In addition, each plywood piece must be labeled properly with its performance rating and design-strength adjustment values. FRT plywood must be used according to manufacturers' recommendations. It must be kept dry and used strictly within the parameters of design-load values. Open flames' elevated temperatures activate fire-retardant chemicals that produce. low-level acids (i.e., acid hydrolysis) in FRT plywood. The acids lower the temperature at which thermal degradation occurs, increase the amount of surface char and reduce the production of flammable volatiles (i.e., by-product gases that contribute to flame spread). The results are a reduction of the flame spread across a surface and capacity to support combustion. When a flame is removed from FRT plywood's surface, the plywood will char but not burst into flames. Chemicals that produce low-level acids causing fire-retardant effects also cause premature FRT plywood degradation at lower temperatures. Untreated plywood experiences no major problems at temperatures up to 200 F (93 Q. Roofing professionals should note that achieving fire retardancy at the expense of structural integrity is not desirable. Acid hydrolysis and degradation can occur at lower elevated temperatures of about 130 F (54 C to 180 F (82 Q. Temperatures at the interface surface between a roof covering and deck can reach 200 F (93 X with 150 F (66 C commonly found. As a result, degradation can occur at temperatures that are below openflame temperatures. Roofing professionals should note that there are construction alternatives available that can eliminate the use of FRT plywood. But local codes (e.g., fire, building) first must be referenced to be sure the alternative construction is in compliance. These options include fully sprinkled interior systems; noncombustible decks; %-inch- (16-mm-) thick water- and fire-resistant gypsum board beneath untreated plywood; and fire walls that extend through a roof system on a multitenant building (e.g., an apartment complex). If FRT plywood is installed new or encountered during a recover situation, the use of light-colored shingles, a radiant-reflecting roof covering (e.g., white single-ply) or improved ventilation may diminish potential degradation. These materials may lower temperatures at a roof deck's surface. Roofing professionals should use caution and precise documentation when confronted with FRT plywood roof decks to avoid repercussions if failures occur. |
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