Sanding wood building surfaces such as plywood or tongue and groove roof sheathing, wall sheathing, or wood framing is usually unnecessary and inappropriate. During extreme cold temperatures, frost can build up on the underside of the roof sheeting (attic roof). Frederick, CO 80516 In this case, your plywood may be ruined and you might have to use it on parts that don’t require visual perfection. Some builders also choose to use a thinner sheet of plywood deck that is only 5/16 inch in thickness to cut down costs. Think twice before you hire roofers that appear to be in a rush. Whereas, when plywood gets wet it swells consistently across the panel, then shrinks as it dries. Before we start talking about the different options, it’s important to note that plywood has different grades: A-grade; This is the highest … Valuable books on beginner woodworking exist for every skill level. The type of plywood you have can also affect the rate at which the water will absorb. Yes, there are several different material options and types of roof plywood. In general, the ideal weather conditions for roofing are clear, warm days. I still have concerns if it gets hit with moisture from and on the back side. A wet installation can also cause a new roof to fail. I am using a 7/16" OSB Sheathing that I got from Lowe's. It also uses waterproof glue but excessive amounts of water over time can lead to its demise. Yes, plywood is made from actual softwood fibers that do absorb water in the cell walls. When the roofing material dries quicker, it can be used to make sure that the roof will stay firm for a longer time. It normally gets plenty of sunny days to dry out so this plywood getting wet is not too much of an issue. A whole house fan mounted on the gable end with Louvers closed. I'm doing a lot of the work myself, help from a metal roofer with other skills. Next Last. Rain can be extremely unforgiving, but the good news is, it won’t last forever. What are the differences? If it’s been raining, time is the only way to ensure damage control is met. Emergency roofing repairs should make immediate fixes to protect your home from extensive damage. There are several nightmare cases a year or two ago in the Home > Roofing section of Browse Projects about that. The roof decking should never sustain water damage for the following reasons: Installing roof material over wet or wrinkled barrier (decking) is against roofing code in most areas; Shingles will not adhere properly to wet roof decking like OSB What type of damage can be done when roofing in the rain? What they … Shingles and roofing materials may not adhere properly to slick surfaces with high humidity. If your plywood is exposed to extended periods of rain, the wood will start to swell and deform and the layers can start coming apart. However, a damaged roof isn’t the only worry when roofing in the rain. In all interior cases you will not need waterproof plywood, although sometimes you may have an outdoor project that requires waterproof plywood. Even though the wood is porous, it is more natural and it can dry quickly. First of all, let’s discuss what is plywood. Many layers of these thin sheets are glued up to form different finished thicknesses of plywood. Post pics... you may have no problem and it may be … This often happens when plywood is stored outside for short periods of time before a project begins. The airflow was obstructed from the soffit vents to the ridge vent by too much insulation and no baffling. Of course it's been raining this weekend and my newly sheeted roof is getting wet. hi bit of a strange one … You can consider thi But, if it gets wet for a long period of time it can swell and lose shape, and, eventually, lead to the layers of wood splitting apart. If it starts to rain or drizzle, the roofers should act quickly to cover your OSB – most likely with a tarp. The minimum thickness of plywood used for roofing is 3/8 th of an inch. On one hand, B&M Roofing specializes in hail damage and repair, so we’re always adequately prepared for those fixes and scenarios. Professionals set roofs’ rafters 2 feet apart, whereas the plywood decking is placed with a minimum thickness of 7/16 inch. If you’ve ever built or had a house built in a wet area of the country you know that traditional plywood or OSB can swell when it gets wet. An untrustworthy contractor may tell you that it’s okay to install shingles on a wet surface in order to get the job done quickly. Conclusion OSB and CDX do not only look different, but they have unique … Colorado’s extreme weather is often a sore spot for many roofers. While the glue is mostly waterproof, excess rain can cause the glue to fail. This raises a question, can plywood get wet? We have lots more on the site to show you. So we have discovered what plywood is, and in most cases, your plywood will be fine to use with a medium after amount of water. Some bays have small amount of mold some dont. The felt, if it is wet when the shingles are applied, will invariably bulge and crease if not outright tear under the workers feet (or bulge/crease just by being wet in many cases) which can also reflect through to the shingle surface as bulges and waves. And in case you’re wondering, yes, the I-joists holding up the subfloor also got wet (primarily the plywood caps, not so much the OSB ribs). That said, there are many instances where the rain is unavoidable and unpredictable. This will ensure that the strength of the plywood is enough to bridge spots on the roof where the old plywood was weakened to the point that it would sag under the load on the roof. B & M Roofing of Colorado, Inc. Timber Grain is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies, link to The 10 Best “How-To” Books For Woodworking Beginners, link to 9 Essential Tips For Screwing Into MDF. The best bet is hiring an insured, safe roofer. You may have heard of roof decking but have no idea what it is or why it is as important as it is to your roof. Is there a way to clean the plywood and re-baffle? This site is owned and operated by Timber Grain located in Australia. AdvanTech – Worth The Cost . Plywood will last many more years if it is properly sealed especially if you are doing an outdoor project. I use plywood in my workshop quite a lot for making jigs and some furniture. When planning to redo your roof or repair some damages, you might come across different grades and types of wood, such as OSB and CDX and start wondering what those abbreviations mean. What we need to do here is encourage that water out and make it evaporate. The ideal thickness for the standard rafter spacing of 24 inches is 5/8 th of an inch. It is more ‘water-resistant’. Providers of Colorado residential roofing services should have a plan in place to handle extreme weather, especially if roof work is already underway. The last thing to tell if your plywood is ruined is the edges will usually start swelling or de-laminating. Storms also entice dishonest roofing contractors who are looking to scam panicked homeowners. Zipwall is a great improvement of OSB. The roof has just a few pan vents and no soffit vents. Why? For example, the manufacturer is not liable for damage that results from faulty workmanship. Prolonged exposure to rain can cause the softwood layers to de-laminate. If your plywood has taken on a lot of water then you will most likely have severe warping or cupping in the sheets. The other day I was bringing some home from the store when I got caught in a storm. Plywood is an excellent material that is used in different types of construction. The most common materials for this are oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood. Plywood is mostly available in 6, 9, 12, 17, 19, 25, 33mm thicknesses. HomeFix column by Dwight Barnett advises a reader that his roof problem is likely the result of installing shingles over wet plywood. A wet roof should: When roof decking is wet, it can swell. While there are certain types that are water-resistant such as marine plywood… Commonly made of spruce, pine, cedar, redwood, fir, or Douglas fir, softwood plywood is used for industrial and construction purposes for roof sheathing, sub-flooring, and exterior frames. Go. I used 5/8″ tongue and groove nailed for the roof. Is one better for roofing than the other? The edges will also have the most severe discoloration. It's 5/8" CDX. If you are just leaving your plywood dry out without the use of a fan or heater, then it could take a couple of weeks to dry out. This will mean the layers of wood will get soaked by water which can start to affect their structural integrity. If however your plywood has sat outside in the rain for a couple of days, the chances of it being any good are slim. We could, once the roof is complete and the building is closed in, get a de-humidifier in there and really cook the place dry before installing the flooring, but what about all those plywood bubbles? Once the outdoor temperature rises, that frost melts and can mimic a leak. Together with a trade qualification in Cabinetmaking, I feel I can make your time in the workshop more enjoyable! When to Replace Plywood on Your Roof. Framing or structural plywood that has an A grade glue bond will stand up to quite a lot of moisture before it is affected. I decided to start this site to educate others on the things I have learnt. Can You Roof Over Wet Plywood? OSB takes longer to get wet than plywood but also takes longer to dry out. Typically, softwood plywood is not suggested for outdoor use. The shingle installation looks good. Although extensive rain periods can be problematic if you see the plywood edges start to de-laminate. Should I use CDX or OSB for roofing plywood? When the workers returned to the attic, they most likely added a 2- by 4-inch block between two or more of the rafters and then tried to secure the warped edge of the plywood using wood screws. Warping wood is now creating a … Once you have completed the above steps your plywood should be completely dry and ready for use. Simply look along the surface to see if this is an issue for you. The drying out period is relatively short, which means that it doesn’t affect the roofing. Chances are, the shingles on your roof were attached on top of a plywood base. It normally gets plenty of sunny days to dry out so this plywood getting wet is not too much of an issue. It is an ideal sheathing panel in both visible and non-visible roof constructions. 1; 2; 3; Next. Stiffness . While roofing services should avoid severe rainstorms, experienced roofers should have temporary fixes when a rainy day is unavoidable. You have to remember that plywood is simply layers of softwood glued together. If you bought good plywood and you wanted to stain and finish it, then this can be a problem. Don’t be fooled thinking it is perfectly waterproof though. This is why plywood is considered as the better option for roofing. The plywood is nailed to the roof rafters, and unless the builder used a tongue-and-groove plywood or "H" clips, the long edge can warp in between each rafter. The warranty will usually vary by roofing type such as asphalt shingles, metal, tile, or shake and usually ranges from 25 to 50 years. If you are going to cut your sheet up into small parts then you may be lucky and be able to cut most of this out. This can be simple discoloration but should not affect the quality of your plywood in general. In some cases, you may not be able to sand it out. This is an important question because it may help to answer whether or not your roofing company is taking proper action to protect a new residential roof install. First, they should make every attempt to cover the roof decking and other exposed materials. These excellent how-to books for woodworking can... MDF seems to be the one thing that scares most people whenever they need to screw into its edge. Shingle roofs are installed every day over wood decking that has been wet by rain. OSB takes much longer to dry out and tends to retain moisture, which can cause it to degrade a lot faster than plywood. Metsä Wood Spruce plywood is the perfect roofing plywood. If you are going to cut your sheet up into small parts then you may be lucky and be able to cut most of this out. The plywood is NOT rotted. Lastly it would be … Discuss plywood on garage roof in the Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net. Source. The client claimed the underside of the roof deck was wet. It may take several hours but water will eventually soak through the layers of the wood. A reputable company will provide details for both: Manufacturer warranties will guarantee the durability of the roofing material you’ve selected for your home. These layers help give the material its strength, and ensure that it remains stable enough to be used for many different purposes, from creating a roof deck to building cabinets. While the glue is waterproof, the wood fibers are not. Roofing plywood is a strong and natural construction material that fulfils the requirements of all the relevant standards and building regulations. This raises a question, can plywood get wet? If a roofing contractor were to lay roofing materials over wet decking, it could cause moisture to become trapped. More often than not, this plywood will get rained on before the roof is on which begs the question, can plywood get wet during construction? Once this has done we can then discuss how we go about drying it out. However, leaving your plywood out in a rain event overnight is not a good idea. If you didn’t already know, new roof installations usually (and should) come with two types of roofing warranties. This form of plywood has hardwood layers instead of softwood so it will take much more exposure to water. It may have some dark discoloring around the edges where the water has started to soak in. It seems to be on the northern exposure only. Many of the inner components of your roof—such as barriers, OSB boards, and felt— … Marine Ply is bonded with waterproof glue, although it is a combination of this glue and the hardwood that makes it much more resilient in the wet. A small amount of rain will not ruin plywood. What other impacts does roofing in the rain carry? Only one piece near the front corner looks bad (starting to delaminate) and the rest looks okay at the moment. Plywood is made from layers of thin softwood sheets glued together with alternating grain directions. It doesn’t mean it’s impossible to install a reliable roof in adverse conditions, just that more precaution and measures should be taken during inclement weather. Decking should be in place before other roof materials can be applied. The house is a quasi split level built probably back In the 50s. Note: Colorado is notorious for hail and rainstorms. Mother nature can be unpredictable. OSB vs Plywood Screw Holding All in all, the best practice for any roofer is to avoid roofing in the rain. A tightly pressed A grade plywood will be better than a cheap sheet of OSB. … Swollen edges have been … Roofs are framed with rafters or trusses and must be covered with sheathing or decking. Or does all of it have to be ripped off. You've only seen one page. Unfortunately, storms can wreak havoc on homes throughout Colorado state, costing thousands in damages and repairs. Here are the steps I take to get a good seal and a nice finish on plywood: In nearly all houses that get built, plywood is one product that is used extensively as either wall bracing or flooring in double-story dwellings. However, if this roof decking starts getting wet, it can start to rot and impact the entirety of your roof. If a roofing installer decides to work under less-than-ideal weather conditions, such as rain, it could lead to your manufacturer voiding their warranty. Considering the various issues that can occur, it’s worth it to take time to evaluate weather conditions and assess the time of year to consider a roof replacement. As a professional roofer, roofing in the rain is not an ideal setting. Timber Grain is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Media blasting (below) works on these surfaces. The 10 Best “How-To” Books For Woodworking Beginners. AdvanTech can sit in the rain … Rainstorms can cause water damage to the roof decking. Once plywood has become wet, you must encourage the water that has soaked into the wood fibers to evaporate to make it dry again. Plywood can get wet over short periods of time, and be dried out and still maintain its strength and finish. OFFICE: 303.443.5843 1 Stack loose sheets of wet plywood in … Plywood has a slight advantage with stiffness. Even with advancements in weather tracking and our daily consumption of weather forecasts, there’s no guarantee a rainstorm won’t strike. The roof itself is not bad. The discoloration is usually a surface imperfection but it will take a lot of sanding to get rid of it. The next thing to look for is warping or cupping. I can tell some of the pieces are bowed bit at the edges now. And boy was it. If the sheathing or wood is wet during the time of installation, it can trap moisture inside of your roof, leading to mold, rot, or other severe problems. A: It is never a good idea to install a roof over wet plywood or any type of roof sheathing. I. ianphilip007-Apr 25, 2012 #1 Welcome to ElectriciansForums.net - The American Electrical Advice Forum Head straight to the main forums to chat by click here: American Electrical Advice Forum. From building homes to creating decks to crafting particular items, plywood is relatively inexpensive, durable, and comes in different types that are flexible for your needs. This kind of plywood can be used on roofs with minimal load; steeper rather than flatter roofs will have lesser load per sq. 2x6 rafters no overhang therefore no soffit or venting. If you must return wood surfaces to immaculate, pristine … Furthermore, sanding a roof deck is almost impossible because of the interference from protruding nails. Some Marine plywoods are guaranteed for 15-25 years but will depend on your use and location. In an age of immediate online content, sometimes useful resources get overlooked. So maybe you have dried your plywood out as much as possible, but what are the signs that my plywood has been ruined and can’t be saved? We can help you decide the best materials and we’ll be forthright with our process and planning. Plywood can even delaminate and literally come apart at the seams. Because the weather in the Centennial State can be volatile, preparation is key. Timber Grain also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. The thinner plywood, … foot and with a maximum of spacing of 16 inches between rafters. I have been doing woodworking for over 30 years. Although extensive rain periods can be problematic if you see the plywood edges start to de-laminate. Even though it isn’t visible, it is very important to the structure of your home. Avoid bad workmanship at all costs! It does exist and it is called Marine Grade Plywood or often called Marine Ply. Oy. If you’re experiencing leaks and damage during a rainstorm, don’t panic! In these instances, be sure you’re working with a roof that considers all possibilities and has a dedicated backup plan in the event of inclement weather. A few showers of rain or a storm on your plywood will be ok as long as it is for only an hour at the most. About 1/4 of the roof sheathing has mold growth on it and has about 60% moisture content. You also should consider the design parameters of the roof to ensure that the extra weight of the added plywood is well within the static load capability of the roof support structure. But like all wood, each layer of the plywood can absorb moisture, whether from direct contact or through … Marine ply is not treated with any chemicals and therefore is not rot-resistant. An experienced roofer can help you pick out the right one, but it’s good for you to know what these options are. We're building a sunroom addition, nuts to do this in winter, especially this winter in the Atlanta area, but so it is. The top 3 sheets of plywood got wet and were actually soaked in water. The most common materials for this are oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood. Steps should be taken to protect existing materials and completed work. In This video I show how to replace rotten plywood on your roof without breaking your back! One disadvantage is that most plywood is not waterproof. A home or commercial building can sustain water damage during roof replacement if rainy conditions are too frequent. As a highly reputable company, we offer a variety of services for commercial and residential properties throughout the state. The important thing is too keep it covered up and remove any excess water straight away. Consider meeting with a roofing contractor prior to hiring as they should be able to explain various building codes in your area and disclose tactics to avoid roofing in the rain. Contact Info Framing or structural plywood that has an A grade glue bond will stand up to quite a lot of moisture before it is affected. I thought I would share my experience and how I managed to save those sheets. The new idea is to place the sheathing in between insulation so it does not condense water out of moist air. painting the plywood I highly recommend this article for the best results. When plywood gets wet, it swells evenly across the plywood sheet, and then when it dries out it goes back to the normal sizing. The glue is usually a urea-formaldehyde or polyurethane form. There is a fairly new roof on it with continuous ridge venting. Plywood is made up of varying layers or plies of wood, usually with a hardwood or veneer top surface. Considering a new roof replacement? To discover how I saved my plywood sheets, keep reading the information I have put together. Here I will let you know the steps to take in order to dry your plywood out completely. Sometimes referred to as roof sheathing or a roof deck, this plywood acts as a foundation for the layers of underlay and the shingles on your roof and connects the roof to the frame of the house. FAX: 303.938.9642, © Copyright 2021 B and M Roofing | All Rights Reserved | Website Design By OTM, The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress, meeting with a roofing contractor prior to hiring, warranty will usually vary by roofing type, Installing roof material over wet or wrinkled barrier (decking) is against roofing code in most areas, Shingles will not adhere properly to wet roof decking like OSB, Keeping water trapped in roof decking can cause the roof to eventually swell or buckle, Trapped moisture can cause mold and mildew growth, Dry properly, especially if it’s swelling. 1 of 3 Go to page. When OSB does get wet it also tends to swell along the edges, and those edges stay swollen even after the material has dried out. Overall, plywood is a little bit better for roofing. If your plywood has only been exposed to a few hours of moisture or water than it can be saved. I hope this article was of benefit to you and helped you understand more about plywood getting wet. I am the guy behind Woodwork Hubby! Softwood plywood is also used for shelving, temporary flooring, and sheds. As we explained earlier, that installing shingles over a wet roof will invalidate any warranty you might be given from the shingle manufacturer. Could the roof actually stay wet all that long since the venting … The roof decking should never sustain water damage for the following reasons: If a roofer has already started working on a new residential roof install and it happens to rain, they should act immediately. If you press on the plywood and find it spongy all through it, then your plywood has de-laminated and will be ruined. Other issues that can occur such as rain create slippery conditions that make roof-work hazardous. However, a manufacturer does not guarantee the product warranty unless the roofing contractor adheres to set guidelines. Different Material Options & Types of Roof Plywood. Contact B&M Roofing in Colorado. 3768 Eureka Way Reputable roofers across Colorado usually provide their due diligence when it comes to assessing and scheduling a new roofing job. I used this same process for my plywood and it worked a treat. In most cases, this de-laminating will only inform the edge about 50mm (2″) and you should be able to cut this off before using the sheet. A tear-off and replacement of fiberglass shingles was performed on this roof about 6 months ago. Contact us directly at (303) 443-5843. What makes this product really amazing is its resistance to water. With any excess water on wooden products, you will notice dark stains throughout the sheets. Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time. Plywood is often used in roofing because it performs well when exposed to moisture over long periods of time. Delaying a repair or replacement for a few days is well worth the wait. Actual plywood is a better product IMO than OSB which is the least expensive sheathing and why used. When used as a roof sheathing, this tendency to hold moisture means it can degrade faster than plywood when exposed to chronic leaks. If you use the above method I mentioned, then your plywood should be completely dry within a few days. The alternating layers make plywood a good strong sheet material for almost any project whether its furniture making or subfloor applications. Excessive indoor humidity can cause blistering and peeling paint, warping and rotting wood, as well as the formation of mildew & mold. This is a new one on me.