OSB Floor Sheathing 1

[jonesn]

Does anyone have experience with the use of osb floor sheathing, which was wet during construction due to a storm. The osb will be topped with gypcrete. Is there any literature out there to determine if the wet osb is still acceptable?

Thanks

 

[boo1]

Be carefull of OSB sheathing strength loss from prolonged wetting. Damage due to differential swelling can reduce the sheathing strength. Many of the new T&G flooing products have special edge sealing coatings.

This is the link to the Plywood Association, who should be quite familiar with your problem.

http://www.apawood.org/

Watch for mold too....

 

[jheidt2543]

I've seen it used in the same situation. The OSB board curled and flaked as it dried out. Some areas were bad enough that an underlayment sheet was the only solution, in other areas a 1" gypcrete topping worked.

OSB may have its' uses, but I don't like it any where near moisture, which is almost everywhere IMHO.

 

[Ron]

OSB comes in several forms. If it is exposure rated sheathing, it should be fine for limited exposure. Prolonged (APA won't tell you how long!) exposure can result in deterioration.

I've done failure investigations on OSB and have found that moisture getting into the edges causes the most damage. Edge swelling can be as much as 15 to 20% with only a few exposures to rain/wetting.

 

[boo1]

see link at:

http://www.umass.edu/bmatwt/publications/articles/osb_vs_plywood.html

 

[bylar]

Have you looked at Avantec its a osb type sub-flooring
I have seen it exposed to weather and rain over months of time and stands up as good as original.