Will blackcat sheathing deteriorate quickly when directly exposed to the weather? I plan to start removing brick this weekend for some new veneer and I suspect that there will be a period of about 2-4 weeks between the time the old brick is removed and new brick is installed. This is South Carolina, so we’re not likely to get any snow, but we could get some heavy rain during that time. Could that be a big problem for blackcat sheathing? Would it be a good idea to wrap the house while the brick is off?
Thanks,
Michael
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Used knowledge is even more valuable.
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I take it 'blackcat sheathing' may be a localized term for a sheathing sheetpanel like any of the manufactured asphalt impregnated fiberboard products commonly purchased in 4x8 sheets.
If you'll give a little more detailed description of blackcat sheathing it may help with the response you will receive.
Cheers
I has this printed on it: "Insulating Sheathing", "USG", "Wickes"
I've always heard it referred to as blackcat. It's a fibourous 4x8 sheet. No structural integrity to speak of. I don't think it's even allowed by code anymore, but it used to be installed behind brick veneer in lieu of wood sheathing once upon a time... at least in this area. Even the frame corners were braced by let-ins rather than wood sheeting. New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
Yes, that sounds like the stuff.
I have no expertise in the area but by posting this it will keep your thread in the 'recent discussion' folder. Hopefully you'll get the answer you seek.
Cheers
I don't know anything about your 'blackcat' sheathing but if it's not allowed by code I'm assuming that it has failed in some way. Why don't you just replace it with plywood or OSB while the wall is open.
Just because something is now disallowed for new work does not mean irt has failed in any way. It just means that new standards have increased because of hurricane experiences.This sounds like asphalt impregnated homasote cellulose fibre baord that we used to use, not only under brick veneer, but a lot of frame construction. I would not worry about it being exposed for a couple of months.
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Removed about 95% of the brick veneer today. But now that the brick is off, both the front and back doors are binding when opening and closing. The house is rectangular in shape and there's no wood sheathing to reinforce the framing. All it has are 2x4 let-ins at the corners and the blackcat outside. Is it possible that the entire frame has racked out of plumb?
(sigh) If anyone needs me, I'll be out on the ledge.
MichaelNew knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
yep, that's possible.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Hey,
Don,t jump, at least not yet.
Sounds like the Ties were holding up the house....
Is the question now ''Who is going to fix it or make it right?''
The predicaments we get ourselves into with out even trying.
Making money should be that easy.
Do you try to rack the structure back in place or just reset the doors?
I'll be watching this Post, If no response, figured you jumped.
Good luck!DAVE
I plan to check the plumb at several locations and try to assess the situation. I've definately concluded that I need to pull the blackcat and replace it with OSB.
If I find that the entire frame of the house has racked a bit, should I attempt to pull it plumb or just sheath it like it is and work with what I've got?
Note: The interior is gutted and all the doors and windows are being replaced, so I could tweak the RO's after sheathing if necessary.
MichaelNew knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
I guess since it's gutted and all it would be simple enough to get it back to where it needs to be. 1/2 in. should be good enough to hold it in place. GOOD LUCKDAVE
Can I just install the osb directly over the black board? All the blackboard sheets are placed vertically, but I'd install the osb horizontally with staggered seams. I doubt if the insulating sheathing offers much R-value, but I'd rather not pull it off if I can just let it remain.
Of course, trimming out the doors and windows inside...
Dang! If it ain't one thing, it's another.New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
If the interior is gutted, it will be very, very easy to replumb the house. Any house framing rookie could get it replumbed in five minutes.
blue"...
keep looking for customers who want to hire YOU.. all the rest are looking for commodities.. are you a commodity ?... if you get sucked into "free estimates" and "soliciting bids"... then you are a commodity... if your operation is set up to compete as a commodity, then have at it..... but be prepared to keep your margins low and your overhead high...."
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If the house is that rickety, it will be very easy to re-plumb it. I could do it with a few push braces in about ten minutes.
Just temp it plumb and face nail a few diagonals on it and sheath it later with ply or osb.
We always referred to Black Cat as Celotex. Celotex was the primary producer of the stuff we used here in MI. It will last for years and do a pretty decent job of shedding water because it has that ashpalt impregnation. I think my first ten years were Celotex years. We always used 1x6 let in braces, until we started seeing metal t braces like companies such as Simpson. We started seeing the metal braces when foam appeared during the energy crunch years after the oil embargo.
blue"...
keep looking for customers who want to hire YOU.. all the rest are looking for commodities.. are you a commodity ?... if you get sucked into "free estimates" and "soliciting bids"... then you are a commodity... if your operation is set up to compete as a commodity, then have at it..... but be prepared to keep your margins low and your overhead high...."
From the best of TauntonU.
I'm in NC where we call it black board, just cover it with tar paper or tyvek and you'll be fine for several weeks.You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate.
around here for years they called black board "insulation" cause it was all you got...
p
what gets me is when they put that stuff on as the sole sheathing and vinyl over it.
yeah around here you pay extra for that kinda quality
p
oh yeah, that extra .9 R factor brings a premium
Sounds like the brick was your bracing. I'll repeat what I said earlier... Replace the blackcat with plywood. The next time there is a hurricane you will be glad you did.