Required Repair?Vinyl Siding-No Sheathing Behind

[cotterboy]

I did a driveby on a home that he lender is now trying to go FHA with. Everything looked pretty good until I got into the attic. The vinyl siding in the gables has no sheathing behind it. It is nailed directly to the 2 X4's, and it is essentially the only barrier between the attic & the outside. No insulation, osb, foam board, etc. The realtor is an ***, so I want to document whether or not this is a required repair, but I could not find any documentation dealing with this issue. What do you guys think?

 

[Marty Boone]

Required repairs will be limited to necessary requirements to:

• protect the health and safety of the occupants (Safety)
• protect the security of the property (Security)
• correct physical deficiencies or conditions affecting structural integrity (Soundness)

A property with defective conditions is unacceptable until the defects or conditions have been remedied and the probability of further damage eliminated. Defective conditions include:

• defective construction
• other readily observable conditions that impair the safety, sanitation or structural soundness of the dwelling

If you don't know if it is defective construction or may affect structural integrity of the subject recomend an expert to inspect.

 

[Meandering]

Is there a building standard for homes in the area? Here they are using the international building code in some places. You can call the township and ask their building inspector, or a local contractor if they are held to a standard and if the vinyl on studs is suitable for your area.

 

[cotterboy]

Thanks. I as thinking on recommending inspection by a contractor. It is out in the county in rural Arkansas, so there are no codes, etc. In 15 years, I will say I have not seen this done before. Not too energy efficient if you ask me. Lol

 

[Mr Rex]

http://www.vinylsiding.org/PUBLICATIONS/I1_-_Vinyl_Siding_Installation_Manual_English.pdf

 

[togatour]

Your instincts are correct. As noted in the other replies, make it subject to a licensed contractor inspection/ certification. The situation as you describe it is probably not weather tight, not sufficient to prevent bats/ birds/ squirrels, insects, and other nasty creatures from entering, and is likely to blow off in a heavy wind which could lead to other problems very quickly.

Nice catch. From a lot of the posts on this forum, there are many who would not have caught this, even though in the course of a standard inspection, it is readily observable. Of course, those who can complete reports in less that 3 hours and allow only 15 minutes to inspect......................

Do not discuss with agent, that is the lender's job, your job is to report.

Was a home inspection done?? Make sure to add the "For Your Protection: Get a Home Inspection" form which should be in your software's FHA forms. Typically, this is included in FHA contracts, but I would add, there may be other "hidden" issues the buyer/ owner needs to know about.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I would note the deficiency and go on. This is Arkansas after all and I bet there is/was no code to violate.

 

[Michigan CG]

I would note the deficiency and go on. This is Arkansas after all and I bet there is/was no code to violate.

It is a matter of common sense. No person with an IQ over 75 would nail vinyl siding to 2 x 4s. I would bet those nails are driven down "good" so that the vinyl doesn't move.....dang that expansion hole in the siding.

I don't think there is a need for anyone to inspect, why call for an inspection? Take a photos or 10 and report that this is not acceptable building practice.

 

[Pittsburgh Pete]

I did a driveby on a home that he lender is now trying to go FHA with. Everything looked pretty good until I got into the attic. The vinyl siding in the gables has no sheathing behind it. It is nailed directly to the 2 X4's, and it is essentially the only barrier between the attic & the outside. No insulation, osb, foam board, etc. The realtor is an ***, so I want to document whether or not this is a required repair, but I could not find any documentation dealing with this issue. What do you guys think?

Driveby, attic inspection? Interesting!

 

[cotterboy]

They upgraded to full inspection and now want to go FHA Pittsburgh Pete. Should have clarified that.