No Sheathing
#1
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No Sheathing
Hi All,
A few years ago, we replaced the siding on our ranch style home (from T1-11 to fiber cement) and the contractor recommended that we only sheath the "tall" exterior walls.
4 years have passed with no issues, but I'm now worried about the shear strength of the two walls with no sheathing. We live in earthquake country so that adds to my concern.
Any thoughts? Any way way to correct this without ripping off all the siding?
Thanks!
A few years ago, we replaced the siding on our ranch style home (from T1-11 to fiber cement) and the contractor recommended that we only sheath the "tall" exterior walls.
4 years have passed with no issues, but I'm now worried about the shear strength of the two walls with no sheathing. We live in earthquake country so that adds to my concern.
Any thoughts? Any way way to correct this without ripping off all the siding?
Thanks!
#2
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Yes, the unsheathed walls are not as strong. Glued and properly nailed sheeting can add quite a bit of strength and stiffness to a wall. The big question is it worth it to remove the siding and retrofit? If so I would also research if there are any additional things you should do while the wall is opened like address how the house is attached to the foundation. It would also be a good time to add outlets or do other electrical updates if needed.
#5
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Correct. The T1-11 was removed and replaced with Fiber Cement siding.
We have sheathing on two of the "tall" exterior walls, but no sheathing on the two (front and back of the house) walls.
We have sheathing on two of the "tall" exterior walls, but no sheathing on the two (front and back of the house) walls.
#8
What I am getting at is that the original contractor probably should not have removed the t1-11 in the first place. He should have left it and then applied a WRB over it before putting up the fiber cement.
No. IMO you should talk to a local building inspector and see what his thoughts are, since he knows what the codes are in your area. It could very well be that they don't require sheathing if the wall has diagonal bracing. Many stucco homes don't have any.
Any way way to correct this without ripping off all the siding?