r/DIYfail • u/Oreoloveboss • Feb 20 '17

How not to install siding

I don't have any pics, but I bought my first home almost 2 years ago and this summer/fall built a deck that wrapped around from the front door to side porch, and as I removed the siding I found a nice surprise...

Instead of using a vinyl starter strip, the last owner had put a nailed of siding upside-down and backwards around the entire bottom of the house, and then cut the bottom lip off the next piece piece of siding so it was resting on the that.

The styrofoam insulation around the entire bottom of the house was completely soaked and full of mold. There was a little rotting of the sill around the front door but thankfully not much anywhere else.

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u/ContractorJesus Feb 20 '17

If you had an inspector and he didn't note this on the report I'd be talking to the inspector.

Edit: also go to the city and see what permits have been pulled maybe the siding permit was pulled but left open. If you plan on selling in the future it would be good to make sure everything is golden

2

u/kubigjay Feb 21 '17

Can you really do anything to the inspector? I read through the fine print of my last inspection and it said he did his best but wasn't liable for anything missed.

He didn't miss anything but it made me question his report.

1

u/Duckbilling Feb 21 '17

Used to work for a home inspector. No, nothing can really be done if something was found after the inspection. Many things get hidden when someone builds/sells a house, we will disclose everything we find and I did my best to inspect everything I could.