By the way, vinyl sliding expands and moves so is never nailed tightly.

My guess is the Ryland installation worked with their crappy foam sheathing
because they could see the studs and some of the nails went into the studs
on purpose. When the foam board went up, they did not align it with the
studs and just nailed away. You got screwed. Even so, you might want to
report it to your insurance company just in case you cannot resolve it.
Usually there is a deadline. But I suspect all of the siding needs to come
down, along with the foam, and reinstalled correctly. That would not be
covered by insurance. You might call you state license board and file a
complaint. Same thing with BBB. May be a waste of effort but some licensing
boards do work. Also try the state attorney general's offfice. I would do
it all.


"John Richards" wrote in message
...
The house was originally built in 1987 with "Thermoply" sheathing (a 1/8
in thick silver surfaced material which meets local code - Ryan Homes
still uses the stuff) with vinyl siding over the Thermoply. I had never
had a problem (other than fading and getting tired of the color) with the
original vinyl siding for 16 years (I suspect the siding was nailed to the
studs). The new siding was installed over a layer of Tyvek wrap and a
layer of 1/2 in foamboard nailed over the Thermoply which is the normal
procedure for the contractors from whom I had gotten estimates.

A piece of siding in one of the two areas pulled loose within a year of
the installation and the contractor nailed it back up. Now, after 2 1/2
years, siding in the same area and also in another area were pulled
completely off the house. I'm sure the heavy winds were responsible for
the siding being pulled off, but my problem is that there was very little
similar damage to other vinyl clad houses in the neighborhood (most of
which were built with 1/2 in OSB) or in the general area, but mine
sustained considerable damage that seems out of line with what happened in
the surrounding area. I suspect that when the new siding was installed
that it was not nailed to the studs as I had assumed, but just through the
foamboard and into the Thermoply and that is why the nails pulled out. I
am currently trying to find out if there are any local codes addressing
the installation of vinyl siding over Thermoply and if there is, and the
contractor didn't install the siding according to code, I will persue the
matter, otherwise I will try to have it taken care of through insurance.

I am putting a lot of time and energy into this rather than just relying
on insurance because I feel I spent good money to have a job done right
and if it wasn't I think it is up to the contractor to make it right.
Besides, if everyone relies on insurance to correct poor workmansip by
contractors, everyones insurance rates will go up - also I would have to
pay a $250 deductable.

Thanks to those who commented,
John


"Art" wrote in message
link.net...
Who installed the sheathing and picked out the type to use. That could
be the problem. Either that or the contractor did not use the right
nails or enuf nails putting up the siding. Check gaps between holes and
that will tell you if enuf nails were used.


"John Richards" wrote in message
news
There were wind gusts of up to 65 mph recorded at a nearby airport about
a month ago which ripped off a total of about 100 sq feet of my vinyl
siding in two separate areas of my house. The nail slots in the siding
were not torn, the siding pulled the nails right out. The siding was
installed about 2 1/5 years ago and the work was warranteed against all
material and labor defects for 25 years. The contractor is claiming
that the siding coming loose was "obviously" not from a work defect as
the wind gusts were so high - he was claiming 100 to 200 mph which is a
bunch of BS. He says that my homeowners insurance should pay for it.
My question is, can anyone refer me to any kind of code or standard for
installation of vinyl siding specifying what kind of wind speeds it
should hold up to without coming lose from the house? I'm tired of
being jerked around.

Thanks,
John