TOPIC: What is vinyl siding hiding on a Structure

Good find(s) Marcel. I guess you're talking about Masonite siding -imitation T111 siding (4x8 sheets). That was for sure used alot here also in the 80's. Really wasn't too much better than cardboard. Primed front coating on it but nothing on the back. I bet alot of that stuff eventually got covered (hidden) w/ vinyl siding.

Here is a little research info taken from a masonite site.  Marcel I don't know if it's to late for your buyer or actually the seller as a matter of fact to get in on the class action law suit. Since it falls in the time frame.

"Masonite hardboard siding was extensively used in the past ,however, during the 1980’s and 1990’s the Masonite hardboard siding started showing huge defects leading to disastrous effects of extreme swelling ,buckling and other problems related to poor quality hardboard siding. The Masonite hardboard sidings of this time were of low quality and loosely pressed boards. In 1994 a lawsuit was filed against Masonite for their poor quality hardboard sidings and eventually the outcome of the lawsuit was that any one who incorporated Masonite hardboard siding was entitled to a claim for hardwood siding damage caused to their homes. This claim for hardboard siding damage force Masonite to stop production of their hardboard siding. Millions of dollars were paid out to claims for hardboard siding damage to homeowners who had taken part in the lawsuit, as well as other property owners who proved the presence damage from the use of Masonite hardboard siding. Masonite hardboard siding will usually have the name "Masonite" stamped on the siding itself, sometimes accompanied by the notation ‘X-90’. This marking makes it easier to identify and process claims for hardboard siding damage made by Masonite hardboard siding."

Actually the sellers probably already got their Masonite settlement. How do you think they paid for the vinyl siding and interior cover ups? But i'm sure they disclosed everything in their (Full) Sellers Disclosure Statement. (NOT)..  ;D   Marcel, what was in the sellers disclosure statement?  They obviously , knowingly hid things, which you proved. If they didn't give full disclosure , then that would be enough for your buyers/clients to bust out of the deal, instead of having to get contractor bids. I would assume there is an inspection contingency clause in the contract. I guess i should have asked earlier, does Maine require a Full Sellers Disclosure as part of a real estate contract?


Also some info on the history of Masonite from one of their sites.

1988: International Paper acquires Masonite.
1989: Premdor and Century Wood Door Ltd. merge.
2001: International Paper acquires Masonite.

  1. No wonder people think of Masonite as cardboard it's owned by a paper company !!!  ;D
  2. In 2001, did International Paper forget that they had already bought Masonite 13 yrs earlier in 1988 ??? ?

Thanks for the History Joe, I had read about it some time ago and recognized the product when I saw it anyways.
The problem here was the seller only had the property for the last two years, so he is the one that got screwed or the owner previous.
The client has not even picked up his report yet, so I emailed him a copy. Don't know what is happening yet.

Thanks. 

Marcel

I will look closer when I inspect vinyl siding especially on older homes.

Great job inspecting!!

Thanks Dave.

I forgot to bring my unZipping tool also and sure could have used it to gain access under the trailer. They had not proviced any access.
There was enough slack in the vertical siding they used, that I was able to pop open a couple of pieces and put on my Tyvec suit I won from Inachi and crawled in. Man was I sweating when I came out.
Just could not leave this inspection without seeing what was underneath. Might exceed the SOP, but did what the client paid me for. 

You never know what you will find.