Question to the Contractors


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Old 11-21-19, 03:57 PM
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Question to the Contractors

Hello,

do all building people cut OSB or Plywood for exterior walls per hand without using a guide to get a straight cut?
 
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Old 11-21-19, 04:14 PM
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If their good at it. But using a power saw is usually faster. Or maybe if it's just one piece and it needs a special cut out.
 
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Old 11-21-19, 04:18 PM
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The guy who is putting the plywood on my house is cutting them by hand and in my opinion it looks terrible. Also, the space between is sometimes 1/4 inch.
 
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Old 11-21-19, 04:23 PM
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Well, from the picture it looks good. But 1/4 gap on the outside seems a bit sloppy. It should be covered with tar paper and foam insulation, so I don't think it will be of major concern. But I do think he has a problem. Or can't afford a power saw?
 
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Old 11-21-19, 04:24 PM
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Most sheathing products are supposed to be spaced 1/8" for expansion and contraction. It's not reasonable to expect those gaps to be perfect, it is sheathing... not finish work. It will also be covered with multiple layers of other products the way it sounds.

I assume "by hand" means with a skilsaw... but freehand (no guide).
 
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Old 11-21-19, 04:43 PM
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Yes, tar paper and foam insulation will be used on top. Under the plywood is Rockwool. And he is using a circular saw drying to cut on the line.
Here is another picture.
 
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Old 11-21-19, 04:47 PM
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Well his technique is poor. If he put the top row on first, then the filler rip, then the bottom sheet, it would all look better and would be straighter. The initial row should follow a chalk line made on the studs. The ripped piece "could" be made on a table saw for a straighter cut, but it's standard practice to cut almost everything with a skilsaw, square and chalk line.

It would also likely have been better to put the filler piece on the bottom, where it would be fastened to the rim joist. It's easy to criticize when your not the one doing it.
 
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Old 11-21-19, 05:18 PM
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He is adding the top panel first, then the bottom one, and then the middle one. It is his cutting which bothers me. It just looks awful.
 
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Old 11-21-19, 05:24 PM
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Well, the right side of your photo indicates the top sheet is not on first. Don't obsess over it.
 
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Old 11-21-19, 05:37 PM
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Yes, this one he put on first because of the window. So, you are saying is not a big deal?
 
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Old 11-21-19, 05:38 PM
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In a nutshell, no. Not a big deal.
 
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Old 11-21-19, 05:48 PM
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OK. Thank you very much. I appreciate your help. (both of you)
 
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Old 11-21-19, 08:57 PM
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The only thing I didn't mention... he really should have used 9ft sheets, cut them to length, and oriented them vertically. When you put sheets horizontally you should have blocking along the seams. I don't see any blocking behind his joints.

Seeing that he used screws lowers my opinion of his skill. But this is a diy site... it's not our job to pick apart the work of someone you hired.
 
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Old 11-22-19, 05:55 AM
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Now it makes sense that he wanted to put the tar paper up as quickly as possible, so that he can hide his mess. Going through the pictures shows the imperfection of his work. I just fired him after seeing that he damaged the wall outlet of my dryer and told me it was already damaged. Also, looking at the cutout makes me just angry. I have to hire someone else to have everything redone. You cannot trust anyone anymore these days.
The screws are Simpson Strong Tied SD's and approved by them after I talked to them.
 
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Last edited by MAD King; 11-22-19 at 06:14 AM.
 

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