Fiberboard siding class action law suit

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First off let me say that I am not an expert on this matter. I am studying to become a home inspector and I was looking around for some info regarding asbestos sideing and shingle removal when I read your message. I remembered reading something about a law suit and some kind of siding material. I reviewed my materials and here is what I found.

There was a siding product called LP Inner Seal sometimes refered to as Waferwood. It was made by Louisiana-Pacific. I will not go into all of the details but the long and the short of it is that This siding material is actually OSB (oriented strand board). I think some people call OSB fiberboard but my understanding is that calling it fiberboard is not really correct. According to my textbook (The Exterior Module of the American Society of Home Inspectors AT HOME course) there were about 800,000 homes built between 1985 and 1996 with this product. Most of which are located in CA, OR, TX, WA, GA, and MN. In order to make a claim to to replace damaged siding the home must have been built before Jan 1, 1996 and the claims could be filed until Jan 1, 2003. So basically you are out of luck.

The manufacturer suggests most of the problems with this product were due to improper installation (including improper nailing, inadequate painting and caulking of exposed edges, and improper flashing details) and from insufficient maintenance by homeowners (especially the failure to paint edges and caulk joints).

This siding came in 16 foot long boards 6, 8, 9.5, or 12 inches wide and 7/16" thick. It also came in 4'X8' 4'X9', or 4'X10' sheets either 7/16" or 9/16" thick. Most Inner-Seal siding has a simulated wood grain surface but some is smooth finished.

If you do have this material my best advice is:
1) CONSULT AN EXPERT IN YOUR AREA
2) Make sure you maintain it RIGORIOUSLY

Finally in the interest of keeping this response to a reasonable length I have not copied the entire "Inner Seal" section of my text here. So be advised that this message is incomplete and is not written by someone who considers himself at all knowledgable on this subject. If you (or anyone else reading this) thinks they have this product CONSULT AN EXPERT IN YOUR AREA.


Hope this Helps,

Gary Ebert

garyebert@verizon.net