Siding Stains

[David P. Valley]

Hi Guys,

There is a mysterious stain developing at this (and other inspections I've performed) vinyl siding at the seams. I've seen it on other houses but I never pay attention to it.

I see it so much now I'm simply curious.....Can someone tell me how/why this is occurring?
Could it be missing TYVEK on the underside?

[mnahrgang]

You could peek under a seam and check...

My guess is that when the wind blows, the siding flexes and bows. As it does so, air rushes in underneath it at the seam. When it returns back to normal shape, the air is blown back out the seam taking any stirred up dust with it. It sticks to any moisture on the siding, and when it dries it leaves this pattern.

For the record I do not know this is happening, I am just positing it as a theory.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by mnahrgang

You could peek under a seam and check...

My guess is that when the wind blows, the siding flexes and bows. As it does so, air rushes in underneath it at the seam. When it returns back to normal shape, the air is blown back out the seam taking any stirred up dust with it. It sticks to any moisture on the siding, and when it dries it leaves this pattern.

For the record I do not know this is happening, I am just positing it as a theory.

Ya, it was too high to get to in order to pull this siding away.

[Michael Roberson]

To add to Marks theory, two of them are in the same row, and facing opposite directions. Another reason to lap your siding all the same direction. Does this side get any sun? and we are looking at a gable, right?

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by mroberson

To add to Marks theory, two of them are in the same row, and facing opposite directions. Another reason to lap your siding all the same direction. Does this side get any sun? and we are looking at a gable, right?

Michael,

Yes, Gable end.

This is a manufactured home, stacked and structurally tied together if that helps.

[Michael Roberson]

This is a manufactured home, stacked and structurally tied together if that helps.

That explains the short piece in the middle. I have seen countless homes (including my own) put together quickly. It is standard practice to only install house wrap on the exterior wall, and not the upper gable. You may have nailed it with the lack of house wrap. If it should happen to blow off in transport, it sometimes doesn't get replaced. (same with insulation as far as that goes)

[James E. Braun, CMI]

Most manufactured homes that I see do not have house wrap. Sad but true.

[David P. Valley]

Uh-ha...then I probably have a manufactured home with no house wrap.

I wonder if this staining happened during transport? That could be the case, because there were several areas where the siding and vinyl trim had to be slid into place to cover exposed sheathing.

[Dale Duffy]

I wonder if this staining happened during transport? That could be the case, because there were several areas where the siding and vinyl trim had to be slid into place to cover exposed sheathing.

Another (soon to be) MULCH home...incredible---

What they do to save a buck-------------------