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Vinyl Siding Institute, Inc. Cleaning How do I wash vinyl siding? Wash vinyl siding with a soft cloth or ordinary long-handled, soft bristle brush. For textured surfaces, use only a soft bristle brush to keep the grooves in the texture stain-free. For best results, start at the bottom of the house and work up and rinse the cleaning solution completely before it dries. If your house has brick facing, cover the brick so that it is not affected by the runoff. Can I use a power washer? Yes, though you should read the washer instructions carefully before use. When cleaning, hold the power washer straight at eye level to keep the water on top of the siding where it can clean most effectively. Do not aim the power washer upward as water may be driven behind the siding. You should also follow the siding manufacturer’s recommendations. Some manufacturers don't want pressure washers used on their products at all. Others allow them, but have limitations on the amount of pressure less than 1,000psi and the cleaners that can be used. Most will caution against the use of pressure washers around any opening in the wall, such as windows, doors, electrical wiring, and plumbing. How do I remove mold and mildew? Small spots of mold and mildew can be handled with cleaners such as Fantastik® or Windex®. For larger sections, a solution of vinegar (30%) and water (70%) has proven successful. Alternatively, you also could try the following solution: 1/3 cup (2 2/3 ounces) powdered laundry detergent (e.g., Tide®, Fab®, or equivalent), 2/3 cup (5 1/3 ounces) powdered household cleaner (e.g., Spic & Span®, Soilax®, or equivalent), 1 quart (32 fluid ounces) liquid bleach, and 1 gallon (128 fluid ounces) of water. What types of cleaners should I use for other stains? A list of commonly accepted cleaners is provided in the box on next page. Be sure to spot check any general or stain specific cleaner before using it on a large section of siding. After removing the stain, rinse thoroughly with water. Do not use cleaners containing organic solvents, undiluted chlorine bleach, liquid grease remover, nail polish remover, or furniture polish or cleaners. They can affect the surface of the siding.
Maintenance What causes vinyl siding to fade and oxidize? UV radiation and acid rain are the primary causes of surface deterioration. The result is - siding with dull, chalky appearance. The surface is then subject to becoming brittle. The oxidation creates a rough surface that absorbs moisture, which makes it a perfect breeding ground for the growth of mold, mildew and fungus. How can I protect vinyl siding from discoloration? Cover vinyl siding when using stains, sealants, and wet concrete as part of other home renovation projects. Certain insecticides or herbicides can potentially stain vinyl siding. Consult the product labels and/or the insecticide or herbicide manufacturer before applying. How does heat affect vinyl siding? Vinyl siding is made from organic materials and can melt when exposed to a significant heat source. Vinyl is a combustible material, but will not readily ignite unless exposed to flames from an existing fire. Home and building owners with all types of siding should always take precautions to keep heat sources such as barbeque grills, and readily ignitable materials such as dry leaves, mulch, and trash away from the structure. How does heat from reflected light affect vinyl siding? Abnormally concentrated sunlight reflected onto vinyl siding by windows can result in surface temperatures far exceeding those caused by direct exposure to the sun. Temperatures necessary to cause significant distortion of vinyl siding are not routinely achieved, even when siding is exposed to both direct sunlight and the reflection from normal, flat window glass. However, under some conditions the glass in energy efficient windows can become concave, forming a mirror that concentrates sunlight in a small area. Temperatures in this area can be greater than many building materials, including vinyl siding, are designed to withstand. The best way to avoid or reduce this problem depends on the specific circumstances. However, anything that blocks the path of sunlight, either to the window or between the window and the siding, will eliminate or reduce the problem. This includes the strategic placement of trees, bushes or other landscaping elements and the use of sunshades above windows. Screening applied to windows may reduce the total amount of reflected energy sufficiently to avoid the problem. Can I paint vinyl siding? Consult with your vinyl siding manufacturer before painting vinyl siding. Many manufacturers void their warranties if the siding is painted. What kind of vinyl siding should I use if I'm planning to reside my home? There are many different shapes, colors, and textures of vinyl siding. While VSI does not recommend any one type or brand, it does sponsor the VSI Product Certification Program that helps ensure the quality of vinyl siding through a third-party inspection process. Vinyl siding certified through VSI's Program carries a special logo on its packaging that means it has been independently verified to meet or exceed the industry standard for quality. For more information about which brands of vinyl siding are certified, click here for our searchable database of certified products.
Vinyl Siding Cleaners General cleaners (e.g., Simple Green®, Nice & Easy®, Armor All®, etc.) can be used to clean dirt, bird droppings, and spider webs. Stain-specific cleaners are listed below. Rinse all cleaners with water before they dry. Stain
Cleaners*
Bubble Gum
Fantastik®, Murphy Oil Soap®, solution of vinegar (30%), water (70%) and Windex®
Crayon
Lestoil®
DAP (oil-based caulk)
Fantastik®
Felt-tip Pen
Fantastik®, water-based cleaners
Grass
Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex®
Lithium (car) Grease
Fantastik®, Lestoil®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex®
Motor Oil
Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex®
Paint
Brillo® Pad, Soft Scrub®
Pencil
Soft Scrub®
Rust
Fantastik®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex®
Tar
Soft Scrub®
Top Soil
Fantastik®, Lestoil®, Murphy Oil Soap®
*Cleaning Materials are listed in alphabetical order. *VSI does not endorse products or processes and makes no warranties for the products referenced herein. Reference to proprietary names is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to imply that there are not equally effective alternatives.
PVC exposed to UV light is especially prone to oxidation. Polyvinyl chloride or vinyl is a common plastic used to make siding and many other products. Despite its many desirable properties, PVC is less oxidation-resistant than other plastics such as polyacrylonitrile and acrylic, a characteristic it shares with polyethylene. Addition of antioxidant chemicals can help retard the oxidation process.
Photo-Oxidation The most important degradation process for vinyl siding is photo-oxidation or photod gradation. Light in the UV range of the spectrum has sufficient energy to break the bonds between chlorine and carbon atoms in the PVC, releasing reactive intermediates that participate in reactions contributing to polymer breakdown. The presence of oxygen greatly accelerates this process, and since vinyl siding outdoors is always in the pre ence of oxygen, this photo-oxidation process can potentially pose a problem.
Antioxidants Antioxidants retard photo-oxidation to some extent, but they do so by reacting with the radicals once these have already been formed. They are also used up in the process, so their effectiveness decreases over time. Consequently, PVC siding often incorp rates chemicals that absorb strongly in the UV instead, since they prevent the formation of radicals in the first place. These compounds are called light stabilizers. Benzoph nones are a common choice.
Effects As the vinyl becomes degraded, the polymer chains become cross-linked and the ox gen content of the material increases. You may observe discoloration, yellowing and cracking; sometimes the plastic will develop a chalky surface. Products of photo oxidation include carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and -- at higher temperatures -- hydrogen chloride. Increasing temperature increases the rate of oxid tion. The strength and flexibility of the siding deteriorate as the vinyl becomes oxidized over time.
Considerations PVC products are inherently susceptible to photo-oxidation. Ultimately, however, the vulnerability of vinyl siding to oxidation depends on the kinds of pigments, stabilizers and other additives the material contains. Since vinyl siding is designed for use out doors, it will typically perform better than vinyl materials intended for indoor use. Non theless, when purchasing vinyl siding, you should consider stability and performance in outdoor conditions as important factors in your choice of product.
The Straight Talk on Vinyl Siding Warranties Homeowners should take great notice of the warranty which comes with vinyl siding options. Before you shake hands on a purchase, ask to see the warranty. Read it thoroughly. If you purchase vinyl siding products at some point you are more than likely going to be referring to that warranty. Believe it or not there are many companies who will not show a customer a warranty prior to completing the job. Homeowners walk blindly into these situations assuming all is good and in the event of any problem the warranty is going to cover it. Ask before you buy. What you are looking for in this warranty is the ‘exclusions’ listed. This is where you discover just how worthless that piece of paper actually is. If they refuse to show you the warranty or ‘happen to forget it’ during the initial appointment, it is time to look elsewhere for a straight forward company. Here is the problem with these warranties; they are designed to protect the manufacturer and not the homeowner. There are those savvy consumers who make it their business to surf warranties right down to the small print. If you are one of those, did you happen to notice that nearly every single vinyl siding warranty will list the exact same exclusions? That’s right, the exact same exclusions. Why do you suppose this is? As said above, they are there to protect the manufacturer against these eventual failures. So to put it into plain terms, the warranty is a farce, pretending to cover things they will not.
Normal weathering exclusion Vinyl siding manufacturers will tell you your product is covered against fading for life of the home. However, they will exclude normal weathering from the warranty. Let’s talk about ‘normal weathering’ for a minute. Normal weathering is a result of sunlight, oxidation, and other elements outside which cause fading. Consider this disclaimer put out by CertainTeed, a leading manufacturer of vinyl siding products. “ vinyl siding is not warranted against discoloration or other damage caused by air pollution (including but not limited to metallic oxides or metallic particles), mold, mildew, exposure to harmful chemicals or normal weathering resulting from exposure to the elements. Normal weathering is defined as exposure to sunlight and extremes of weather and atmosphere which will cause any colored surface to gradually fade, chalk, or accumulate dirt or stains, The severity of any condition depends on the geographical location of the air in the area, and many other influences over which CentainTeed has no control.” So, a leading vinyl siding manufacturer is telling you that when it comes to your vinyl siding fading, chalking, or discoloring, restoring the color to the original color you chose is a problem between your vinyl siding and you.
Problem: If Normal Weathering is ‘excluded’ how exactly do you have a lifetime fade warranty? They will refer you to a term called ‘excessive fading for life’. What instrument or person gets to measure and then decide if it is excessive or not? You can best believe it is not going to be up to the homeowner. If vinyl siding companies were made to honor the ‘normal weathering’ clause in the warranty, there would be quite a few manufacturers likely out of business. They have even included a disclaimer which clearly states “any replacement siding may differ in color”. This is an ultimate slap-in-the-face for you, the homeowner, who just spent thousands of dollars to upgrade your home. You are now at the mercy of ineffective warranties to own a home resembling a checkerboard Improper Installation/Faulty product You have purchased the vinyl siding and the installation is complete. Now the siding has started to warp or buckle from heat. You, refer to your warranty and discover in the exclusion the fault is in the installation. Problem: They can claim the installer nailed the product to tight or it was installed wrong. Once again, this protects the manufacturer from having to cover the claim. Mold Mold is an airborne particle and attaches to just about any kind of material. The problem with mold attaching to vinyl siding as opposed to other type of building materials is that sunlight tends to weather mold covered objects at a different rate. With vinyl siding this can be disastrous. You can attempt to power wash the mold off the siding, but it will most likely be a different color now. Worse, vinyl siding is not a material you can put a fresh new coat of paint on. Problem: mold is excluded from the warranty. In order to reside your home, it will have to come –out -of-pocket or you must live with the variance in color. This is what most homeowners do because they simply cannot afford the costs of new siding a second time. As well, your vinyl siding warranty does not provide protection against any failure, defect or damage caused by situations and events beyond normal exposure conditions, such as damage resulting from accidents, fire, vandalism, wind-blown or foreign objects, earthquake, flood, lightning, hurricane, tornado or other casualty or acts of God. So don’t count on help restoring your home when Mother Nature steps in. The bottom line is these warranties are written to confuse the consumer. If you take a good look at the double-back writing, you will notice there are so many exclusions it renders the warranty useless. Before you spend thousands of dollars on vinyl siding, dig deep into the warranty offered. We recommend when making your buying decision to drop “Warranty” to the bottom of that list of deciding factors to save yourself a lot of future disappointment.
What and Who is Covered: CertainTeed warrants to the property owner that its vinyl siding (except for Cedar Impressions®, Northwoods® and CedarBoards™ which carry separate warranties), soffit, under deck and accessory products (“Vinyl Siding Products”) are free from manufacturing defects in material and workmanship if installed according to our applicable specifications, subject to the terms and conditions of this Warranty. If CertainTeed determines, in its sole discretion, that its Vinyl Siding Products have a manufacturing defect under the terms of this Warranty, CertainTeed will, at its option, either (1) pay to repair, replace, refinish, or coat any vinyl siding product it determines has a manufacturing defect, or (2) refund the amount paid by the original property owner for the Vinyl Siding Products plus the cost of the labor of the original installation. In no event will the value of CertainTeed’s obligations under this Warranty exceed the purchase price of the originally installed products that CertainTeed determines have a manufacturing defect and the cost of the labor involved in the original installation of these products. Any costs or expenses beyond this amount are the responsibility of the property owner. In the event of repair, replacement, refinishing, or coating under the terms of this Warranty, the warranty applicable to the original Vinyl Siding Product shall apply to the repaired, replacement, refinished, or coated Vinyl Siding Product and will extend for the balance of the original warranty period. The lifetime warranty period offered for CertainTeed Vinyl Siding Products is only available to the original, individual homeowners, and only if applied to a single-family home. All other structures and property owners (e.g., corporations, governmental agencies, partnerships, trusts, homeowner associations, cooperative housing arrangements, religious organizations, schools, condominiums, townhomes, apartment buildings, duplex, house of worship, and any other type of building or premises not owned by individual homeowners), including subsequent property owners (see Transferability section, below), are limited to a prorated 50 year warranty (see How Long You are Covered section, below).
How Long You are Covered: This Warranty has a lifetime warranty so long as the original property owner is a person who lives in and owns the single-family home on which the Vinyl Siding Products were originally installed. If the owner is a subsequent owner or a corporation, governmental agency, partnership, trust, homeowner association, cooperative housing arrangement, religious organization, or other entity not a person, or if the Vinyl Siding Products are applied to a school, condominium, townhome, apartment building, duplex, house of worship, or any other type of building or premises not owned by an individual homeowner, warranty coverage under this Warranty is prorated starting from the original date of installation. The original property owner of a single-family home (as described in this section) receives 100% non-prorated coverage. Subsequent owners and others (as described in this section) are covered by a 50-year prorated warranty: Percentage of Coverage Years Since Installation 100% Up to 5 90% More than 5 and up to 7 80% More than 7 and up to 8 70% More than 8 and up to 9 60% More than 9 and up to 10 50% More than 10 and up to 11 40% More than 11 and up to 12 30% More than 12 and up to 13 20% More than 13 and up to 14 10% More than 14 and up to 50
Transferability: This Warranty automatically transfers to subsequent property owners. The warranty for all subsequent property owners is a prorated 50 year warranty, measured from the original date of installation (see How Long You are Covered section, above). The fade protection coverage of this Warranty is not transferable. Limitations: This Warranty does not provide protection against any failure, defect or damage caused by situations and events beyond normal exposure conditions, including but not limited to: Misuse, abuse, neglect, improper handling, or storage; Improper installation or installation not in strict adherence with CertainTeed’s written installation instructions; Use of accessories which do not properly receive and/or secure CertainTeed Vinyl Siding Products; • Failure of owner to provide normal maintenance and cleaning; • Normal weathering, fading, chalking or oxidation; • Discoloration or other damage caused by air pollution (including but not limited to metallic oxides or metallic particles), mold, mildew, exposure to harmful chemicals or normal weathering resulting from exposure to the elements; Damage resulting from accidents, fire, vandalism, wind-blown or foreign objects, earthquake, flood, lightning, hurricane, tornado or other casualty or act of God; Defects in, failure of or damage to the wall or material on which the Vinyl Siding Products were installed, structural defects, and/or damage caused by movement, distortion, cracking or settling of the wall, framing, decking or the foundation of the building; Distortion or melting of the Vinyl Siding Products due to external heat sources, including but not limited to, barbeque grills, fires or as a result of reflection from windows, doors or other objects; • Damage caused by deck stains, grease, petroleum-based products or other corrosive chemicals or liquids; Any other cause not resulting from a manufacturing defect in the products supplied by CertainTeed. This Warranty is voided for any Vinyl Siding Products which have been painted, varnished, refinished, or similarly coated over the manufacturer’s original finish (unless the refinishing or coating is authorized by CertainTeed pursuant to this Warranty). In no event will CertainTeed be responsible for or have any liability for damage to any personal or real property or for any personal injury, which occurs beneath its under deck products. CertainTeed warrants its Vinyl Siding Products against excess fade beyond normal weathering if reported to CertainTeed in accordance with the notice provision (see What the Property Owner Must Do section, below). Excess fade is defined by a change in color, as calculated according to ASTM D2244, greater than four (4) Hunter units. Normal weathering is defined as exposure to sunlight and extremes of weather and atmosphere which will cause any colored surface to gradually fade, chalk, or accumulate dirt or stains. The severity of any condition depends on the geographic location of the building, the cleanliness of the air in the area, and many other influences over which CertainTeed has no control. CertainTeed shall have sole discretion to determine whether the Vinyl Siding Products have faded beyond normal weathering. If the Vinyl Siding Products are determined to have excessively faded, CertainTeed will pay to repair, replace, refinish, or coat, at its option, the affected vinyl siding products. CertainTeed also reserves the right to refund the amount paid by the original owner for the Vinyl Siding Products plus the cost of labor involved in the original installation. If the original costs cannot be documented by the property owner, CertainTeed shall have sole discretion to determine the amount of any refund. CertainTeed reserves the right to discontinue or modify any of its Vinyl Siding Products, including the color, and shall not be liable as a result of such discontinuance or modification, nor shall CertainTeed be liable in the event the replacement material varies in color or gloss in comparison to the original product as a result of normal weathering. If CertainTeed replaces any material under this Warranty, it may substitute products designated by CertainTeed to be of comparable quality or price range in the event the Vinyl Siding Product initially installed has been discontinued or modified.
Limited Hail Damage Warranty: CertainTeed warrants that its Vinyl Siding Products will resist damage caused by hail. CertainTeed’s obligation and warranty for hail damage is limited as follows: (1) the property owner must pursue the cost of replacement or repair of damaged vinyl siding products through homeowners’ insurance or any other available or applicable insurance, and (2) if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the property owner’s insurer’s payment/contribution (excluding any insurance deductible), CertainTeed will reimburse the property owner the difference between the cost of repair or replacement of the damaged Vinyl Siding Products, and the insurer’s payment/ contribution (excluding any insurance deductible). In no event, however, will CertainTeed be liable for or have any warranty obligation in excess of the value of the hail damaged Vinyl Siding Products, or be responsible for or reimburse the applicable insurance deductible, labor costs or other costs pertaining to removal or replacement of damaged Vinyl Siding Products. CertainTeed will also have no warranty obligation or liability for any injury to persons or damage to property caused by hail damaged Vinyl Siding Products. All payments made by CertainTeed pursuant to this warranty are in U.S. dollars. What the Customer Must Do: If you believe your Vinyl Siding Products have a manufacturing defect, hail damage, or faded beyond normal weathering, you must promptly notify CertainTeed in writing and provide proof of property ownership, the date you bought the property, and the date of your Vinyl Siding Products purchase and installation. In order to properly evaluate and process a warranty claim, CertainTeed may require you to submit a product sample to CertainTeed for analysis and/or permit a CertainTeed representative to inspect the installed product, if required. CertainTeed will evaluate each properly reported claim under the terms of this Warranty and will notify you of any additional information or product samples it may need to process your claim. Please send all notifications and correspondence to: CertainTeed Corporation 803 Belden Road Jackson, MI 49203 ATTN: Consumer Services Warranty and Limitation of Remedies: THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES THE EXCLUSIVE WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES PROVIDED BY CERTAINTEED. THE WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ANY AND ALL OTHER OBLIGATIONS, GUARANTEES AND WARRANTIES, WHETHER WRITTEN, ORAL OR IMPLIED BY STATUTE OR AT LAW. STATE OR PROVINCIAL LAW WILL DETERMINE THE PERIOD OF TIME FOLLOWING THE SALE THAT A PROPERTY OWNER MAY SEEK A REMEDY UNDER THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CERTAINTEED’S OBLIGATIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO REPAIRING, REFUNDING, REFINISHING, COATING, OR REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AS SET FORTH IN THIS WARRANTY. IN NO EVENT SHALL CERTAINTEED BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING ANY DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY, THE BUILDING OR ITS CONTENTS, OR FOR INJURY TO ANY PERSONS, THAT MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF CERTAINTEED’S PRODUCTS OR AS A RESULT OF THE BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY. IF YOUR STATE OR PROVINCE DOES NOT ALLOW EXCLUSIONS OR LIMITATIONS OF SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. IN NO EVENT SHALL CERTAINTEED’S TOTAL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE PRODUCT(S) OR THIS WARRANTY EXCEED THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OF THE PRODUCTS AND THE LABOR COSTS RELATING TO THE ORIGINAL INSTALLATION OF SUCH PRODUCTS. This Warranty may not be modified, altered or expanded by anyone, including product distributors, dealers, sellers, installers and/or CertainTeed field representatives. This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from State to State or Province to Province. This Warranty applies to Vinyl Siding Products installed on or after August 1, 2015 (The warranty in effect at the time the material is originally installed is the applicable warranty.) This Warranty replaces all prior warranties.
Care and Maintenance of Vinyl Siding Products While CertainTeed’s Vinyl Siding Products resist most common household stains like oil and grease, it will become dirty like any other product that is exposed to atmospheric conditions. Chalk may also accumulate on the surface. This is a normal condition for all pigmented materials which are constantly exposed to sunlight and the elements. Soil, grime and chalk can be removed with your garden hose and a bucket of soapy water. If especially stubborn stains cannot be removed with normal household detergents, request a cleaner from your contractor. Always test any cleaner on an inconspicuous area before full use. Mold and mildew may be a problem in some areas. They may appear as black, gray or green spots on surface dirt and is usually first detected in areas not subject to rainfall, such as under eaves and porch enclosures. Mold and mildew can be removed with the following solution: Mix together: 1⁄3 cup of detergent (Tide, for example), 2⁄3 cup of Trisodium Phosphate (Soilax, for example), one quart of 5% Sodium Hypochlorite (Clorox, for example) and three quarts of water. (Caution: Greater concentrations may cause damage to vinyl siding.) If the above solution does not readily remove the mold or mildew, request a mold and mildew-type cleaner from your contractor. NOTE: The chemical agents referenced above may be hazardous to the user or to the environment. Please follow all precautions and warnings on the product label, particularly those which may be necessary to prevent personal injury. Always dispose of these chemical agents n a manner prescribed by the manufacturer. If you are unsure how to use or how to properly dispose of these chemical agents, please contact the manufacturer of these products for instructions.
CertainTeed Corporation Siding Products Group 20 Moores Road Malvern, PA 19355 www.certainteed.com Code No. CTS230, © 1/16 CertainTeed Corporation, Printed in U.S.A.
29797 Beck Road • Wixom, MI 48393-2834 • 248-668-6400 • Fax 248-668-6470
Technical Bulletin F4-07 Foundry Shapes/Shakes and Heat Distortion by Reflected Light As a member of the Vinyl Siding Institute ( VSI ) and a producer of VSI certified siding, The Foundry refers to the following statement by the VSI ( www.vinylsiding.org ) :
Exterior building materials, by their nature, have always been subject to potential damage from abnormal weather phenomena. The issue of unusually intense reflected sunlight and its potential consequences has been heightened due to the growing popularity of highly reflective windows in recent years. In this statement, the Vinyl Siding Institute ( VSI) has outlined the currently available information related to this phenomenon and its effect on vinyl ( PVC ) siding in particular. Ongoing research is being conducted to collect data about the combination of building and environmental conditions that must occur before vinyl siding is affected by abnormally concentrated sunlight reflected by windows. Abnormally concentrated sunlight reflected onto vinyl siding by windows can result in surface temperatures far exceeding those caused by direct exposure to the sun. Temperatures necessary to cause significant distortion of vinyl siding are not routinely achieved, even when siding is exposed to both direct sunlight and the reflection from normal, flat window glass. In cases where distortion has occurred, mechanisms that tend to increase the intensity of the reflected sunlight above natural levels are usually found. There is a correlation between the increased use of energy-efficient windows made with low-emissivity ( Low-E ) glass and the incidence of exterior building material damage, according to field observations. Low-E glass reflects a greater percentage of incident sunlight than normal glass, especially in the infrared ( heat ) part of the spectrum. Combined with other factors, the higher reflectance of such glass can cause a temperature rise on the siding surface that well exceeds normal conditions. There is strong evidence that most cases of distortion are the result of the partial collapse of double-pane insulating glass elements. When the pressure between the panes of glass is different from that of the outdoor environment, the glass may bend slightly inward. This creates a concave reflective surface that concentrates the reflected beam of sunlight. Siding that is struck by this narrowed beam of sunlight will be at greater risk of being raised to its distortion temperature, even without exposure directly from the sun. These conditions far exceed the normal, natural conditions for which vinyl siding and other building materials are designed.
Because a beam of sunlight reflected from the glass can be so intense, both light and dark colors can be affected. The relative darkness of the siding appears to be, at most, a secondary factor. The issue is not limited to vinyl siding. According to the April 2007 edition of Energy Design Update, outdoor items such as solar collectors, painted surfaces, and automobile parts have been damaged by sunlight abnormally reflected by windows. Cases also have been reported in buildings under construction where the weather resistant barrier has been damaged by window reflection before the cladding was applied. It can be expected that the lifetime of other building materials, including paints and other finishes, will be adversely affected by long term exposure to high-intensity reflected sunlight. Certain steps can be taken to reduce the potential effects of concentrated sunlight. Anything that blocks the path of sunlight, either to the window or between the window and the siding, will eliminate or reduce the problem. This includes the strategic placement of trees, bushes or other landscaping elements and the use of sunshades above windows. Screening applied to windows may reduce the total amount of reflected energy sufficiently to avoid the problem. Siding manufacturers are working to develop techniques that can be applied in specific cases to reduce the effect of concentrated sunlight. Homeowners can contact the manufacturers of the windows and the siding for additional techniques to address their specific situation. VSI and several window manufacturers have jointly initiated a study, currently being conducted by Architectural Testing, Inc. ( ATI ) , into the conditions most likely to cause siding distortion issues. The research is considering many factors with the potential to contribute to siding distortion, including sunlight reflection from different types of glass ( b oth coated and uncoated ) and from insulating glass in various stages of collapse. Information from this study is likely to support further research into techniques that can be used at both the design and construction phases to better understand the circumstances that result in this phenomenon and potentially reduce its occurrence. For applications where the remedies mentioned above, provide unsatisfactory results, The Foundry has available a high-heat resistant formulated compound which can be produced upon recommendations from a qualified Foundry Field Representative. Please direct requests to Brian Martucci, CSI, CDT – Building Envelope Specialist – brian _martucci@tapcoint.com.
Mold is more than just unsightly; It can be a health problem and cause property damage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say exposure to mold does not always present a health problem, but concedes that some people are especially sensitive to it. David Straus, a microbiologist and leading mold expert at Texas Tech University, says some molds throw off tiny spores that can be inhaled. These molds also produce mycotoxins that can cause symptoms associated with “sick building syndrome,” such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, and fatigue. All the experts agree prevention is the key, keep up with regular maintenance by a professional to prevent build up before it can cause a health concern or property damage. State Farm Insurance and Allstate have stated that mold is the leading cause for insurance rate increases in a number of states, including Florida. Taken from an article in Kiplinger’s
Mycotoxins Mycotoxins are chemicals produced by molds, which cause a toxic response in humans if ingested, inhaled, or in contact with skin. Mycotoxins can affect the immune system, nervous system, liver, kidneys, blood and blood clotting. Some mycotoxins are also known carcinogens. Research is being conducted to determine how fungal mycotoxins may contribute to vague health symptoms experienced by those who live in environments with a high fungal load. Many fungi produce mycotoxins, both inside spores and on their surfaces. Killing spores does not disable the toxicity of mycotoxins. In fact, mycotoxins can be present on or in spores, whether the spores are dead or alive. Stopping fungal growth does not stop adverse medical symptoms. Both spores and hyphae can be allergenic and/or toxic. Under damp conditions, specific species of fungi may produce mycotoxins like some of the following:
Aspergillus versicolor Penicillium chrysogenum
Penicillium expansum Stachybotrys chartarum (atra) Aspergillus and Penicillium, which produce mycotoxins, are often present in homes following a flood or chronic moisture invasion. Stachybotrys chartarum will grow on very wet building materials which contain cellulose and low nitrogen content. Stachybotrys is associated with a very potent mycotoxin. In addition to unusual mycotoxin symptoms, exposure of Stachybotrys to the skin may also cause a rash. MVOCs, (Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds) are musty, moldy odors associated with fungi. Fungus release MVOCs as gases, as a result of life processes. MVOCs are composed of alcohols, ketones, hydrocarbons, and aromatics. Porous building materials can absorb MVOCs, and release the odors over time. MVOCs may contribute to health effects in humans although valid information on long term or acute effects is lacking. Individuals can consult with their physicians, or allergists to inquire about individual health effects. It has been suggested that the MVOCs carry the mycotoxins during the evaporation process.
Health Effects of Mycotoxins Mycotoxins may cause a variety of short-term as well as long-term adverse health effects. This ranges from immediate toxic response and immune-suppression to the potential long-term carcinogenic effect. Symptoms due to mycotoxins or toxin containing airborne spores (particularly those of Stachybotrys) include dermatitis, recurring cold and flu-like symptoms, burning sore throat, headaches and excessive fatigue, diarrhea, and impaired or altered immune function. The ability of the body to fight off infectious diseases may be weakened resulting in opportunistic infections. Because these symptoms may also be caused by many other diseases, misdiagnoses of mycotoxin exposures are common. There are very few physicians with the experience or expertise in correctly diagnosing mycotoxin exposures or mycotoxicoses. Occupational or building-related exposures to mycotoxins through inhalation are slowly being recognized as a major indoor air quality problem. Generally, removal of causative agents is necessary. There are a host of fungi that are commonly found in ventilation systems and indoor environments. The Cladosporium and Aspergillus fungi make up 75% of the microbes. These organisms can occur naturally in the exterior environment and enter as spores or active fungi attached to dust particles. HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtration of incoming air and a regular program of maintenance and cleaning of ventilation ducts can reduce the levels of molds that may enter and multiply in the indoor environment. Damp areas such as basements and attic areas where water seepage or condensation may occur are prime growing areas for molds. Most will reproduce quickly if the temperature (the ideal temperature range is 68 to 86) and humidity conditions (70% or higher) are right. The most common hazardous species associated with a water loss belong to the families: Aspergillius, Penicillium, Cladosporiu m, Mucor, Stachybotrys atra, Absidia, Alternaria, Fusarium and Cryptostroma. The greatest risks are caused by the Aspergillus and Penicillium strains. Various strains of these families of molds have been implicated in being causative agents in asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and pulmonary mycosis. Many species in the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Cladosporium are known to produce mycotoxins. These three groups of fungi are also very common indoors. Other toxigenic fungi frequently found indoors are Alternaria, Trichoderma, Fusarium, Paecilomyces, Chaetomium and Acremonium. When discussing mycotoxins, species of Aspergillus deserve special attention. Species of Aspergillus produce such well-known toxins as aflatoxins, ochratoxins, and sterigmatoeystin. Aflatoxins that are produced by Aspergillius flavus and Aspparasiticus are detected in stored peanut and grains. Ochratoxins are produced by many species of Aspergillus as well as Penicillium. These fungi grow well on many common building materials soiled and contain higher than normal moisture content.
Allergic Fungal Sinusitis Allergic fungal sinusitis (infection of the sinus) is a unique, probably under diagnosed condition similar to the lower airway disorder, allergic bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis. Characteristic features of fungal sinusitis are signs or symptoms of chronic sinusitis unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. The sinus contents in patients with fungal sinusitis contain allergic mucin, a thick cheese-like secretion, Charcot-Leyden crystals, and fungal elements. The fungi associated with this condition include Aspergillus, Curvularia, Drechslera, Bipolaris, Exserohilium, Alternaria, Helminthosporium, and Fusarium. (John W. Georgitis, MD, FCCP Professor of Pediatrics Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Winston-Salem, North Carolina