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Check installation and fastener requirements for warranties-緊固件展-2015第十六屆廣州國際緊固件及設備展覽會-巨浪展覽-The 16th China(Guangzhou)Int’l Fastener & Equipment Exhibition
1/6/2015 緊固件展-緊固件采購會-國際緊固件展-fastener expo |
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The term construction defects is being used more often these days as homeowners face problems with leaks, construction failures and underperforming building components in homes built during the boom of the last decade.
Lawsuits are on the rise as homeowners experience product failures before warranty periods have expired. Manufacturers, however, are taking the position that their product failures are due to poor installation methods. In the vast majority of the cases, manufacturers do have legitimate cause for not warranting products because installation instructions, especially in regard to fastening, were largely ignored.
A large problem in construction today, at all levels, is the proper use of fasteners during the installation process. Most building component manufacturers have very detailed, written instructions for the installation of their products, which have been lab-tested with very specific fasteners. But, when these products arrive on the job site, instead of job superintendents verifying the correct fasteners and fastening methods are being used, most leave it to the discretion of the local installer who is going to use whatever he has on his truck. Most building items installed with fasteners other than those specified will fail, but it will appear on the surface to be a manufacturer’s defect.
For example, PVC trim boards are the most popular new building product being used in the area. This new product comes already primed and is available in a beautiful wood grain finish. More importantly, it will never rot. If you have ever had to replace rotten, wood trim boards around a fascia or house corner, then you know what a major breakthrough this is in construction technology.
The problem occurs when you install these new PVC trim boards with galvanized finish nails, like the old wooden boards. Because PVC expands a good deal more than wood when subjected to heat and cold, PVC boards must be fastened with special screws. Joints must be special-cut and glued together. If this product is not installed per the manufacturer’s instructions, the product will detach itself from the wall by pulling through a finish nail. When a homeowner sees this PVC board pulled from the wall, they automatically assume a bad or defective product, but that is not the case. Rather, it is a super product that has been poorly installed.
Let’s go on top of the roof and talk about how poor installation is creating leaky roofs. Nothing is more discouraging than water pouring through a ceiling. Immediately, the homeowner believes his shingles are bad. In many cases, the roof will look great, but because it is leaking, there must be a manufacturer’s defect. Not so fast. In an increasing number of cases, the air pressure is being set too high on nail gun compressors. This causes the nails, which are used to attach shingles to the actual roof, to blow holes in the roofing itself. If the head of the nail blows through the shingle, you have just created a leak. Once again, that is not a manufacturer’s defect, but a major installation issue.
I am concerned the growing lack of skilled craftsmen will increase situations of poor installation, especially when specific fastening is called for. It also appears manufacturers are growing weary of substandard installers. In the past, they would warranty jobs in order to maintain business relationships, but liabilities are growing too large.
Du ring construction projects, homeowners should search the internet for the manufacturer’s installation and fastening requirements. Then, they should verify all products are being installed properly because manufacturer warranties are only as good as the installation. Typical builder warranties for construction defects are usually only one year and most builders will blame the product for the failure instead of their installation because of liability reasons.
Don Magruder is the CEO of Ro-Mac Lumber & Supply Inc., and he is also the host of the “Around the House” radio show heard every Monday at noon on My790AM WLBE in Leesburg.
Don Magruder is the CEO of Ro-Mac Lumber & Supply Inc., and he is also the host of the “Around the House” radio show heard every Monday at noon on My790AM WLBE in Leesburg.
緊固件展-2015第十六屆廣州國際緊固件及設備展覽會-巨浪展覽-The 16th China(Guangzhou)Int’l
Fastener & Equipment Exhibition
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