Will Rain Hurt My Framed House?

[EddieWalker]

With normal framing, it's not a problem for rain to get on the lumber. But you are doing something very unusual with the siding already on the walls. With just the exposed framing, all the wood dries out quickly and once the roof is on, it's easy to sheet and wrap the house to keep the sheeting dry. OSB and plywood, depending on which you are using, doesn't like to get wet.

If any water is getting in between your siding, sheeting, house wrap and trim, then the longer it remains damp, the greater the likelihood of mold or mildew developing.

Why is the siding up and why are the windows trimmed without windows in place?

Is this a stick frame house? The back wall through the window opening looks like it, but the front looks like a mobile home. Are you combining stick framing with factory built?

Eddie

 

[s219]

I understand your concern, but I wouldn't worry too much about the lumber itself as long as you can keep water from pooling on the floor for long periods of time. Our house was framed/sheathed through a real rainy period, including Superstorm Sandy, and came through fine. I cringed the whole time, but it did just fine. As suggested, you can drill holes in the subfloor to drain any pools. Also keep an eye on the basement and/or crawl space to make sure the moisture doesn't create mold problems. You can always add a blower to ventilate it to help out.

I do find it odd that the siding is being put up, unless this is some sort of pre-fab deal like SIPS, but normally they don't put siding on until after assembly is completed with SIPS. So this might be something new to me...

 

[Coyote machine]

What others have said already, AND mold and mildew are especially bad in stick frame construction in wet environments. Black spots on your wall sheathing and studs can be sprayed with mildewcides to kill it but you had better get it done before they close in the wall cavities with insulation. Your best bet is to do spray foam, and if you can't afford to do everything with foam, then do a spray foam and batt insulation combo to give you a good R value and reduce drafts.
You need your builder to get your trusses up ASAP. Have him bring in a crane and set them- it's much quicker and then get him to use the Zip system, which is as good as a roof even before putting on shingles / metal roofing.
You and your builder need to get on the same page; have a conversation about completion dates, etc.
Post back results, further questions, etc.

 

[Alan L.]

Generally no, except plywood floors on second stories. Mine got rain upstairs and the joints weren't quite flush when it came time to lay tile in a bath up there. They had to use some kind of cement to level it out.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Moisture isn't good for framing grade lumber, it does bad things to plywood, and even worse things to particle board.

 

[jim_wilson]

With normal framing, it's not a problem for rain to get on the lumber. But you are doing something very unusual with the siding already on the walls. With just the exposed framing, all the wood dries out quickly and once the roof is on, it's easy to sheet and wrap the house to keep the sheeting dry. OSB and plywood, depending on which you are using, doesn't like to get wet.

If any water is getting in between your siding, sheeting, house wrap and trim, then the longer it remains damp, the greater the likelihood of mold or mildew developing.

Why is the siding up and why are the windows trimmed without windows in place?

Is this a stick frame house? The back wall through the window opening looks like it, but the front looks like a mobile home. Are you combining stick framing with factory built?

Eddie

It's not a problem - * as long as * - it doesn't go on for too long.

Normally a framing crew puts a house up - and the thing is closed in and roofed within a month or so. I did a second floor on my house and built a barn - *by myself* - and I can tell you that there was definitely water effects on the framing from being exposed to weather for so long. I took me a good 3-4 months before everything was closed in. The biggest problem was mold starting to grow on the wood from being wet - and exposed to warm weather. Unless the sun beats directly on the wood - it will likely get mold growing if it's exposed for long enough.

You'll also prolong the drying out period for the house - because your wood is now not drying out and shrinking - framing lumber - even kiln dried stuff - is not fully dried yet. So if it stays exposed long enough - and then they close it in and immediately start doing the interior work - you will likely get more cracks and shrinkage problems in the finish work than you would have otherwise if the lumber had not been exposed to all that water for so long.

The general rule is : dry is better.

 

[El Wood]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I've spoken to the builder about the issue and he told me not to worry and I do trust him as he is a friend. He told me the lumber is vertical and dries quickly. He also uses DryGuard OSB which he told me is good stuff and water resistant. I just wanted to get some different opinions on the matter. I still cringe when it rains. Hopefully it will stay dry here in Michigan for awhile..

When I first started seeing the walls going up, I asked the head framer about wrapping and putting on the siding. I told him I'd never seen that method before. He said to think about it... If you have a wall laying down, it's much easier and quicker to build the wall, wrap it, put on the siding, THEN raise the wall. We're using Hardiboard by the way. I guess this makes sense. And for those who asked, it is a stick built house. I asked some of the other framers about the head framer and they all said he has years of experience and does great work.

Hopefully they finish the framing sooner then later.

Here is what it will look like when we're done...

 

[extrakt0r]

I have only one house build under my belt, but I could tell you that while it may be "easier, and faster" to install the entire wall, then stand it up, it isnt the "best and longest lasting"

How do they propose to tape the seams of the Tyvek with the siding already up? If you dont tape the seams, then you wasted the money for the Tyvek in the first place. The good framers tape the seams after the walls are up to get the air barrier complete.

Your exterior walls will "shrink" when you get that second floor and roof load bearing down on the 1st floor walls. With all the exterior stuff already nailed in, in 2-3 years you will have nail heads popping out. Guarantee it.

The Windows should also have Tyvek wrap on them to prevent the seal from ever getting water damage. Are they installing this? It is normally done after the wall us up, before the window is installed so it can be taped.

How can the accurately trim a window w/o the window installed?

 

[dragoneggs]

In Washington we would tear it down and start over

What? :confused3: It would never get built then here!!! Ha ha.

A little rain won't hurt as long as it can dry out. Don't allow standing water and do get a roof on ASAP. Then things can dry out for good.

 

[El Wood]

I have only one house build under my belt, but I could tell you that while it may be "easier, and faster" to install the entire wall, then stand it up, it isnt the "best and longest lasting"

How do they propose to tape the seams of the Tyvek with the siding already up? If you dont tape the seams, then you wasted the money for the Tyvek in the first place. The good framers tape the seams after the walls are up to get the air barrier complete.

Your exterior walls will "shrink" when you get that second floor and roof load bearing down on the 1st floor walls. With all the exterior stuff already nailed in, in 2-3 years you will have nail heads popping out. Guarantee it.

The Windows should also have Tyvek wrap on them to prevent the seal from ever getting water damage. Are they installing this? It is normally done after the wall us up, before the window is installed so it can be taped.

How can the accurately trim a window w/o the window installed?

After your comments, I will be watching things even more closely. I'll report back to you with the pictures. I know my builder knows what he's doing. He's been around a long time and has a good company. I'm going to be watching though. I'm out there just about everyday unless I'm at work.