When should you replace plywood?

As plywood lasts about 30 to 40 years and we run the risk of delamination and required replacement in a few years. The other two have stated that as long as the plywood is good and stays dry, it can last forever.

Can you put new plywood over old?





The risk is that many of the nails could miss the rafters, and will simply fasten the new plywood to the old plywood. The result could be a poorly attached roof surface, more vulnerable to wind damage.

Why is my roof soft?

What Causes Roof Soft Spots? Soft spots form when the layer underneath your roof gets doused. This often happens due to gaps in your roof’s shingles. If your roof has shingles, it likely has plywood sheeting underneath its tiles or shingles.

What thickness of plywood is best for roofing?

Standard roof sheathing thickness is ½” to ⅝” thick. If you are using OSB for your roof deck, then ⅝” is the recommended thickness. For plywood, which is slightly stronger than strand board, ½” thick is appropriate.

Do I need new plywood for my roof?

Rotted plywood can cause a number of issues. Rotted plywood cannot support the weight of a roof the way healthy wood can, nor can it safely grip the nails put into the roof and keep them held firm. Moisture causes wood to rot, and rotten wood absorbs water even more readily than fresh wood.

How do I know if my plywood is bad on my roof?





Common issues associated with damaged roof sheathing include:

  1. Unusually high heating and cooling costs.
  2. Premature wear on the shingles.
  3. Water leaks.
  4. Mold in your attic.
  5. Rotting roof trusses.
  6. Water stains on your ceilings and walls.
  7. Insect infestations.


Can you put plywood over rotted wood?

If you’ve got rotten subfloor, you will need to replace those pieces before covering with plywood. The new material needs to be the same thickness as the old, so you may need to use shims or have custom milled lumber made for the patches.

How long does roof sheathing last?

You can expect the wood roof sheathing of a home to last 100+ years. Although it should last for the life of the home, roof sheathing lifespan can be shortened by moisture penetrating it from both above and below.

What is the best sheathing for a roof?



What Type of Sheathing Is Best for a Roof? Oriented Strand Board, OSB, is currently the best choice for roofs. It’s durable, water-resistant, and very cost-efficient. It also has a very consistent thickness, so you don’t have to worry about weak or uneven spots.

What type of plywood should be used on a roof?

There are two types of plywood used in roofing construction – structural and general plywood. Structural plywood has proof of strength performance provided by the supplier and indicates it has passed the building regulations to be used for structural use in a building.

What kind of plywood goes on a roof?

A special grade of plywood called “CDX” is a popular choice for roof sheathing. No, the “X” in CDXplywood does not stand for “exterior.” Rather, it references the kind of glue used to bond the layers of veneer together. CDX plywood can withstand temporary exposure to rain and other moisture sources.

What grade of plywood is used for roof sheathing?



CDX Plywood is used primarily by contractors to build exterior walls and roofs. CDX plywood has one side veneer grade “C” and one side veneer grade “D”. The two are bonded together with glue which can withstand a little moisture. The APA would recognize CDX Grade Plywood as C-D Exposure 1 plywood.

How do you repair rotted plywood on a roof?

How to Replace Rotted Roof Decking

  1. Step One: Estimate the extent of the damage. …
  2. Step Two: Remove the roofing. …
  3. Step Three: Measure the area. …
  4. Step Four: Cut out rotted wood. …
  5. Step Five: Cut the replacement decking to fit. …
  6. Step Six: Position the replacement. …
  7. Step Seven: Secure the decking.

How do you replace plywood on a roof?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Holding it down double checking make sure it's still lined up tack it in place take your chalk line. Again. Gonna come from right here seam down here you're going to find your seam.

How long does it take OSB to rot?

Sheets situated so they air dry on both faces between wettings will outlast those that only dry on one side or are always damp. OSB, which is unable to dry out, can rot within a matter of months, while panels that can dry out may last more than a decade.

Is OSB better than plywood?



Wood fiber is used more efficiently in osb. Osb is stronger than plywood in shear. Shear values, through its thickness, are about 2 times greater than plywood. This is one of the reasons osb is used for webs of wooden I-joists.

Does rotted wood continue rotting?

Wet rot needs a lot of moisture in order to grow, while dry rot can continue to spread regardless of whether the infected area is wet. Fortunately, this means that wet rot often confines itself to those select, damp areas.

How long does it take plywood to rot?

Wood can Start to Rot in 1-6 months If:



Water and/or air space is hot & humid. The area is at or near the ground. Wood is exposed to dirt.

What does plywood rot look like?

Plywood rot can be identified by appearance of the wood. Areas that have been disturbed by the growth of fungal spores will appear brown in color and crumble when touched. These areas are suffering from decay of the wood, caused by the rotting process.

How do you fix rotten wood without replacing it?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And uh the bottom of the mullion post was rotted so i cut out the rot i mixed up a two part epoxy.