Effects of weather on new home construction

spciesla · Jan 6, 2017

There is a fair amount of new home construction going on in my area (Reno, NV). We got some snow this week and are expecting heavy rain next week. I was curious about the effects of this weather on timber framed homes that are being constructed. Some of the homes are just framed and some have sheeting on the roofs and walls. From my perspective, I wouldn't want my home to get subjected to these conditions during construction, but I have no expertise in this field.

Is there some period of drying out that is required following storms? I suspect that the home builders will just carry on as fast as possible once the weather clears. What do you think?

Ron · Jan 6, 2017

You are correct. They will carry on.

This is common and probably a bit more of an issue where I live...Florida.

There are a couple of downsides....the worst is the inevitable shrinkage that will occur as materials dry and reach equilibrium. This can continue even after finishes are done. This results in cracking along drywall joints and corners, at door openings and in ceilings.

Next is the potential for mold growth. Probably not as much of an issue in your area, but we see it here.

TLHS · Jan 6, 2017

This is normal. They should be preventing standing water and making sure there aren't giant puddles sitting around after the rain, but otherwise it should be okay. You don't want water to be held against the wood for long periods of time, but rain is unavoidable and normal. Wood doesn't instantly start to rot.

MotorCity · Jan 6, 2017

OSB plywood is very sensitive to moisture, even for short periods of time or a few wet/dry cycles. It tends to swell and the strands/fibers can separate or delaminate. I have seen many OSB floors and roofs with water damage during construction. You can tell by simply walking on it.....if you hear a "squish" sound below your feet as water is squeezed out or if you hear a "crackle" when delaminated fibers break, the OSB should be replaced.

sandman21 · Jan 6, 2017

The plywood should be EXPOSURE 1 which withstand weather it may be exposed to during construction without affecting the structural properties. Some owners have specs on moisture content of the structure before enclosing limiting the amount shrinkage.

NorthCivil · Jan 6, 2017

Believe it or not we aren't all so lucky to live in such a dry clime.

Here in the pacific northwest, we get non-stop rain from October through April. We are framing right through the weather, it can take a couple months to get the roof overhead. So your wood structure will be exposed for months.

softwood is surprisingly resilient to water. as long as the moisture isn't trapped in the wood for any length of time it is fine (think, a year or more).

As it was mentioned above, there will be swelling and shrinkage, which is fine as long as the majority of the moisture has gotten out before the building is sealed and finishing begins

TLHS · Jan 7, 2017

MotorCity,

You can get OSB that's rated for construction exposure. It uses different adhesives. If a competent builder is doing the work, anything that's installed prior to a basic envelope being in place should be appropriately rated for construction weather exposure.

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Effects of weather on new home construction

spciesla

Mechanical

Ron

Structural

TLHS

Structural

MotorCity

Structural

sandman21

Structural

NorthCivil

Civil/Environmental

TLHS

Structural

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