mjeff87 Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 I'm having a small issue with the siding on the back corner of the house (opposite the garage), trying to figure out what is causing it to buckle. Looks like someone whacked it with a broomstick, but I know that didn't happen....and the buckling only happened within the last month or so (house is about 2.5 years old, never had a problem). Can anyone offer an opinion? I've been back and forth with the builder, and they just asked me via e-mail if my neighbor's house next door has a window on the side of their house facing mine where the damage is.....(???) Here's a few pics. I'm trying to get the builder to cover it under warranty (so far they are not willing, but I'm persistant). If nothing else, I'll replace the damaged pieces myself and eat the cost, but I don't want to fix it without figuring out what the cause is, and have to keep fixing it. I did check and the siding is cut/installed correctly (it slides a tiny bit for expansion). Thanks, Jeff Image Not Found Image Not Found Image Not Found Image Not Found *also cross-posted on Garage Journal if anyone is over there too.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Heat is the only thing I've seen warp vinyl like that. Weird. Is the sun reflecting off from anything nearby?Furnace, stove, barbeque open grill in the area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86FUBAR Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Your right jim about the heat and that is why the building company is asking about a neighbours window as the reflection may be causing that . only thing to do now is get a cooler of beer and a lawn chair and watch it , even if it takes you all day..... :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted January 17, 2012 Author Share Posted January 17, 2012 I think it's heat-related as well, but I'm just not buying the neighbor's window as the culprit. We built this house almost 3 years ago, and this damage just occurred within the last month. If the sun/window were the cause, it would have happened long ago, IMHO. :dunno: Jeff edit: no stove/grill, etc. Jim.....that part of the yard isn't very convenient to BBQ due to the slope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 I use to install siding for quite a few years and heat is the only thing that will do that. It almost looks like it was done intentionally due to the triangular shape of it. Do you have kids or kids in the neighborhood that could have possibly somehow caused it? Never seen it just happen without some sort of heat source help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted January 17, 2012 Author Share Posted January 17, 2012 lots of kids, but I really doubt any of them would be dumb enough to do it, let alone step on my property. The damage does continue under the corner strip, to the edges of each siding piece.....I think if it was a vandal that the corner piece would be damaged as well. Ditto on the sunlight, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 What comes out of the vent below there? If it is a vent... I'd agree that normally heat is the only thing that really damages this stuff. Another thing that can, but is highly unlikely, is chemicals... But unless you're running a meth lab in your basement I doubt that's an issue. Seems strange. Is there anything on the inside of that wall, manifold for floor radiant heat, a big electrical panel, or something else that could be screwed up and making a bunch of heat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted January 17, 2012 Author Share Posted January 17, 2012 nothing coming out of the vent, they are just crawl-space vents (not sure if you're familiar with them ;) ) The only thing on the inside is a rarely-used corner fireplace (sealed, vented, gas logs). The vent comes out well above and on the back wall of the house to the left of the damage. Thought the fireplace might be the cause, but I ran it for 20 minutes the other day and checked the outside with an infared heat gun, no difference in temp at all. Someone over on GJ mentioned the heatwrap strip wrapped around the gas supply line where it enters the house maybe shorting out or overheating. I'm gonna try to follow it tonight after work and see. Worth a shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Long shot but we're getting desperate here. Somebody backed a vehicle, lifted, close enough so the exhaust would reach there? Just the way it's angled does look like the window could have something to do with it. Cigar smoker leaned against the side? Ground wire from TV antennae going under vinyl to ground stake? House caught fire but smoldered itself out before bursting into flame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64 Cheyenne Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 What about snow or Ice reflecting the sun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akula69 Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 I agree 100% with heat affecting the siding in that fashion, but I have also seen chemical reactions that cause that kind of distortion. The only thing I see in the picture that could be the culprit is the gas, but the regulator is pointing the wrong way, and gas is heavier then air...so it would have to be a big leak (one you could hear) for it to stream upwards like that. Also, is there any other applicance that vents under the structure that could produce chemical effects...like a gas hot water heater or whole house generator? Could there be some item trapped under the siding in that corner that is off-gassing? Do you have a really large dog that could be peeing on it? (just kidding) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zone Offroad Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 They probably used builder's grade siding which is way too thin (usually in the 0.038-0.040 range). Should use 0.044 or thicker. If that area was fitted too tight to the corner trim and/or nailed too tight it could buckle like that with moderate temperature change over time. The thinner stuff will expand and contract a lot more with temperature change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted January 17, 2012 Author Share Posted January 17, 2012 thanks for the suggestions so far guys, I really appreciate it :cheers: The siding is installed correctly, it does move a bit and has a good 3/8"-1/2" end-gap under the corner piece. No leaks from the meter that I can tell, but the gas company is coming back out Monday to replace the meter with a commercial one in prep for the generator. I asked for them to check/inspect the area for problems, including the heat tape/wire, but I don't think it's their issue. There is nothing on that corner of the house utility-wise, except that heat strip on the gas line, that I think could be causing the issue (hot water heater is on the other side of the house in the garage, electric dryer and vent are second level), and I've got 4 cats who pee in a box inside the house ;) No vehicles in the area, and I do all my stogie smoking up on the deck LOL.... Maybe it really is sunlight, reflecting off the el-cheapo thin gauge siding after all. We haven't had any snow/ice down here so far this year, but we did have a really cold snap over new year's weekend. Maybe the cold air temp combined with a cloudless sunny sky and the neighbor's window really are the cause. I'm gonna do the lawnchair-beer diagnosis this weekend if the sky is clear and see if I can figger it out. Or else get drunk sitting on a chair in my side lawn and fall asleep :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinkrun Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Have to keep a eye out for UFO exhaust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 Maybe I'm stupid, but who in their right mind puts heat wrap tape on a gas line??? Its not liquid, it can't freeze... therefore it is unneccessay. If I'm wrong, please explain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 Maybe I'm stupid, but who in their right mind puts heat wrap tape on a gas line??? Its not liquid, it can't freeze... therefore it is unneccessay. If I'm wrong, please explain. Read my mind. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejndssn Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 agree with the heat now why sit on a lawn chair when you can get one of those :idea: solar cameras you could watch from the inside and enjoy you beer :brows: and if you get hammered by you will have it recorded and review any time you want to :cheers: just a thought :hmm: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 nothing coming out of the vent, they are just crawl-space vents (not sure if you're familiar with them ;) ) I thought it might be. Vented crawl spaces aren't too normal this far north. Crawl spaces are a bit of a grey area anyways, seems people have a lot of different ideas on venting. Maybe I'm stupid, but who in their right mind puts heat wrap tape on a gas line??? Its not liquid, it can't freeze... therefore it is unneccessay. If I'm wrong, please explain. I have to agree. I see no reason for it, and would go as far as to say that it's potentially a danger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 By wrapping heat tape around a gas line you transfer the heat sucked out of the line to the water heater, thereby keeping it from freezing up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted January 19, 2012 Author Share Posted January 19, 2012 well, the builder sent out a field manager to look at the problem and he is blaming it on sunlight reflection from my neighbor's window (I wasn't there, he sent me an e-mail earlier today). If the weather cooperates, I'm gonna watch that side of the house over the weekend to see if I can tell when it's happening and where the reflection is coming from. Once I fix it, is there anything I can do short of planting a tree or something to shade that corner of the house? Thicker siding? Offer to install some type of anti-reflection film or something on the neighbor's window? Foundation plantings (bushes) woudn't really look good right there, just because of the way my lot slopes off toward the back. Would have to be some pretty tall bushes.... Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
500 MJ Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 well, the builder sent out a field manager to look at the problem and he is blaming it on sunlight reflection from my neighbor's window (I wasn't there, he sent me an e-mail earlier today). If the weather cooperates, I'm gonna watch that side of the house over the weekend to see if I can tell when it's happening and where the reflection is coming from. Once I fix it, is there anything I can do short of planting a tree or something to shade that corner of the house? Thicker siding? Offer to install some type of anti-reflection film or something on the neighbor's window? Foundation plantings (bushes) woudn't really look good right there, just because of the way my lot slopes off toward the back. Would have to be some pretty tall bushes.... Jeff Is your neighbor aware of the issue with their window? I would go that route first and see what they are willing to help you out with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 I'm still not convinced that it's his window that is causing the problem, but we're tight. If it does turn out to be the case, we won't have a problem coming up with a solution...he's a great neighbor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 If the window is the cause, see if he would be willing to put an awning on it. Cheap and easy. That should make a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejndssn Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 that would be cheap & easy :brows: as long he don't have to have approval by the housing association :no: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 Very interesting article I just found: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/...t-vinyl-siding I also called the original siding contractor and am awaiting a call back from their residential department. One of the comments in the section below the article mentions the "zap distance" to be around 35 feet, and a few comments mention the problem being more prevalent in the winter months with low sun angle and cold vinyl surface temps.......my neighbor's house is right around 35 feet from mine Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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