The OSB that is used for floors here is an exterior grade that can withstand some moisture on it during the construction period. It is used in well over 70% of new homes here with no problems…and this is along side the Atlantic Ocean.
In the past OSB did swell more than it does now but plywood De laminates and buckles.
so what is the answer? the plan asked for plywood, got OBS instead…so the contactor can build a home regardless of the material listed in the plans???..
You reported a discrepancy between the plans and what was installed. The contractor did not show you any change orders to justify the discrepancy. Home not built as designed. What else did the builder cut corners on?
You did the right thing.
The rest of this thread is just discussion.
Thank you Jeffrey, as professional as always
OSB subfloor is stronger than plywood and more moisture resistant. Cutting(chopping, gouging, busting) holes in the TJI’s not too smart.
I’m assuming your inspection was a warranty inspection or a construction inspection. In that case, I wholeheartedly agree.
If you use a material or method that exceeds what is called for on the plans, that is not a problem.
here’s how I see it
An architect is the one that :design, calculate…so he makes the plans, add his seal to it (meaning that the ‘‘plan’’ or drawing) does conform to the : codes, laws of physics and everything technical.
the contractor or builder build the house according to the plans and specifications demanded on the drawing. (he execute the drawing)
if the contractor changes anything (material , measurements or what ever) it need to be revised by the architect for approuval.
than the architect adds a ‘‘note’’ to the drawing that says : refer to revision B for new materiel specification
I refuse to believe that changes on materials or drawing can be done, as the contractor wishes without any saying from the architect
it is not a question of : it’s ok to use that…it’s a question the that the builder did not build the house as per drawing.
I would think with the situation I would mention the fact, but some of the comments I agree with. In many cases OSB is superior to plywood. I would never put plywood on a roof, after seeing it delam on so many here. I would think that a simple refferal to the person who designed the home should suffice. I would mention it in the future but you can be diplomatic without pissing others off.
As for the beam, we all know that there are notching and boring limits. This is another example of an engineered product, that from my understanding is stronger than traditional wood. SO you would need to know the true limits for notching on the specific timber before you could call it a defect.
I would pesonally mention the items and add them to the report, but with a little homework you could find that all is acceptable. If your wrong like Joe said, then bend over.
The last builder I delt with left no weep holes in the brick veneer. We all now it is generally required, but not in the specific county I was in. So I told the buyer and the builder gave his explination why he did not do it. I did my job, and its not my fault if he has issues later. It was in my report. No one got pissed and I covered my butt.
Sean, you got to stop buying that 3 ply crap plywood from HD if you want to compare with OSB. :mrgreen:
Patrick, in all my years of working with engineered lumber on Commercial jobs, no one company would accept a notching like I saw in the pictures.
I never seen such brutal work and the plumbing is going up hill for chrise sake.
Any sub doing work like that for us under my supervision would get thrown off the job.
I hope you piss him off good, cause I would have too in a polite manner of course. :mrgreen:
:mrgreen::mrgreen::twisted::twisted::mrgreen::mrgreen:
I’ve just never heard of an inspector being so concerned that a house was built according to architectural drawings. When the builder confronted you, instead of saying “show me in the code where OSB is acceptable” or “let me call the AHJ about that,” your response was “show me the drawings”. It could be that the architect was 75 years old and all he’s ever done is put “plywood” in his plans because he isn’t familiar with OSB.
Again, I think a deviation from accepted building practices should be the measure, not deviation from drawings. Just my opinion. And I don’t live in Canada, if that has anything to do with it.
Glued beams are usually cheaper on large spans and the dimensions of a glued beam will be smaller.
I’m not sure why the argument. It wasn’t according to the drawings. The inspector noted it. Contractor went nuts. (This according to the original poster.) The inspector did his job. Done. Now the client knows that the subfloor wasn’t according to specs so now it is up to him and the contractor to sort that out.
I understand the fire fighters have no love for them as they fail with zero warning .
Small fire big heat and down they go .
Great reason to have sprinklers in the home the fire is usually out before the fire dept arrives .
In Canada ever fire chief want sprinklers in all homes .
The contractors do not want them as the cost is about $1;61 a sq foot .
They also will loose a lot of work fixing up the home after a fire.
So true Roy…
The pre-engineered floor joists are the worse when it comes to fire as they are thin and will burn very fast…
But in response to Patrick’s initial (almost) fist fight post, I would like to add that it is common to have material substituted by builder during construction due to factors beyond their control.
For example, a Union strike or slow down resulting in reduced supply and/or costs overrun of certain material.
As long as replacement material meets or exceed original requirements, I would have no problems with it.
Those pics of a notched supporting beam and drain pipe slope is another story…
Here, we have to adhere by the AIA documents.
[FONT=Times New Roman][size=3]Substitutions.
[/size][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][size=3]Under Subparagraph 3.4.2, substitutions may only be made in accordance with a[/size][/FONT]
[size=3][FONT=Times New Roman]change order, thus requiring the owner’s approval.
[FONT=Times New Roman][size=3][FONT=Times New Roman][size=3]3.4.2 The Contractor may make substitutions[/size][/size][/FONT]
[size=3][FONT=Times New Roman]only with the consent of the
Owner
[/size][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][size=3], after evaluation by the Architect[/size][/FONT]
[size=3][FONT=Times New Roman]and in accordance with a Change Order.
[FONT=Arial][size=3][FONT=Arial][size=3]Substitutions made after execution of the
agreement become changes in the work
and must be made in accordance with
Article 7. (Change Order)
[/size][/size][/size][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/size][/FONT]
Below (en Français seulement) copied from:
http://www.gomaison.com/gomaison/maison_neuve/reve/chap05.asp
Substitution de matériaux et clause d’engagement au respect des règlements
Votre entrepreneur a pour objectif de respecter les plans et devis convenus tout en construisant votre maison, le tout suivant les règlements de construction en vigueur sur le territoire de la municipalité et le Code du bâtiment.
Cependant, certaines circonstances imprévues pourraient l’amener à utiliser des matériaux de substitution ou à modifier certains matériaux ou détails, comme l’y autorise le Code du bâtiment. Ce pourrait être le cas, par exemple, lorsqu’un fabricant ne produit plus un article que vous avez spécifié ou qu’un matériau ne peut être fourni dans les délais prévus dans l’échéancier des travaux. En pareil cas, l’entrepreneur se réserve habituellement le droit d’employer un matériau de substitution de qualité égale ou supérieure. En règle générale, l’entrepreneur vous informera au préalable de la situation et vous demandera d’approuver la solution de rechange proposée. Ce droit est inscrit dans le contrat.
Certains écarts mineurs sont tolérés. Votre nouvelle maison n’est pas construite sur une ligne de montage automatisée; il s’agit plutôt d’une création unique, construite par des spécialistes qualifiés, dans un environnement extérieur, à partir de matériaux naturels susceptibles de réagir aux écarts de température et d’humidité. Bien que votre entrepreneur cherche en toute bonne foi à vous donner satisfaction, il est normal de prévoir certains écarts mineurs, en deçà des normes tolérées par l’industrie.
So do you guys in Canada routinely ask to see drawings?
Want to know how many times I’ve looked at design drawings in 5 years? Zero.
Perhaps a difference in localities.