There’s an apartment complex being built by me and they have most, if not all the framing done. At my job, there’s a huge emphasis on keeping white wood lumber from getting wet because it will ruin the wood. But whenever I drive by this construction site, I see so many studs just exposed. It’s rained a decent amount since they began the project, so I’m wondering if any of the studs are damaged or will become in the future. How will they last the building lifespan after being soaked?
It is currently pouring as I type this and I can’t help but think what damage is currently being done. Someone put my mind at ease lol.
In: Engineering
That’s the rough framing stage. Nothing is square. Nothing is perfect. They’re not even really trying so if a 2×4 is a little twisted, it will get used. It might get set aside for a something less critical than a wall. If it’s too twisted, it can get tossed. Maybe the section that is straight will get cut out and used somewhere. By far, most houses have enough time to dry out before they’re fully closed up and have the ability to trap moisture. Now, finish wood usually isn’t covered by anything other than a coat of paint will show all of its flaws. However, there is often a push for the roofer to at least get the house watertight with the roofing underlayment as soon as the sheathing is on and that will protect the house for the most part.
Honestly what people are missing is not just the airflow, you could lean a beam sideways with plenty of airflow and with a few rains it’ll sag with a bow, it’s that they’re toenailed in which stretches/locks in the lumber and keeps it from warping or twisting enough to cause issues structurally, and to the point of airflow, there’s enough that rot isn’t an issue which only happens with a longer duration of sitting moisture (this is where a “clean” build matters, sweeping sawdust and the like off). Also some, if expected to be an issue, spray with a borate solution which can help, and of course sitting water areas are required (at least via CA code) to be pressure treated wood which won’t rot for many years of dampness. Lumber not put in framing should be covered loosely, and 6” or so off the ground.
It should be dried out completely before continuing building however, that’s honestly where I disagree with many builders because that can cause issues to continue framing or sheathing with completely soaked lumber, but every builder is different, some do take a lot of care and will air out (fans and all that), while others are notoriously bad builders and time is of the essence and they aren’t overly-concerned about squeeking joints, cracked drywall, etc that will occur more with wet framing; several house wrap companies even say not to apply to wet sheathing yet I’m sure plenty of builders do, unfortunately it’s just how it goes with track developments, many do build incredibly warped and unsquare structures, so much sometimes lawsuits happen after the fact, I know I’ve received payment from them personally, KB homes is notoriously terrible at building homes and uses bargain-basement contractors.
But in a proper build no, rain isn’t a big deal, they’ll do the stick framing when it’s dry, keep the job site clean if it does rain, and once the roof sheathing is up the lower structure will be pretty protected from any significant moisture, and correct any warping that may be there (natural or otherwise) before putting up the side sheathing and house wrap.
once the building is “dried in” (roof, walls and windows) the interior work hasn’t been done yet, and the wood dries out pretty quickly before they drywall. they will install interior walls, electrical and plumbing during this time before drywall, so sometimes it can be weeks of the exterior studs drying out.
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