How to fix this wall board?

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sonyxperiageek

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#185511 25-Nov-2015 19:36

So during last week's huge lightning and thunder storm, this board fell off the wall! I'm no home workshop expert (which is why I posted here), but how would I go about to stick it back on please? Thanks in advance!

Sony

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#1434776 25-Nov-2015 19:44

Did the fibre board have any nails or nail holes on it?
Looks to me it was just wedged in there in the first place (you can see where it has cauked against the brick, which looks like its about 2cm? from the timber?

Was the board flush with the top of the aluminium or did it sit on top and slightly below the top edge?

You could just wedge it back in, but it might crack and break off again.

How old is this house? If built pre mid 90's, these fibre sheets could be a wee bit dangerous to health.

My suggestion is to measure up and get a board that will fit flush against the timber, then seal all the edges with waterproof sealant. I'd also go get some second hand insulation (or new) and whack that it at the same time....and while your at it, seal up the edges of the board thats up there still (if you happen to think its letting thru draft etc).

Use nails into the timber (but drill some guide holes in the board first so it wont crack OR you could use screws then plaster over them, sand back then paint the whole lot to finish.

EDIT: Im not a builder

sonyxperiageek

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#1434783 25-Nov-2015 20:00

Thanks for that @Goosey! Yeah it looked like it was just stuck on there previously with some sealant or something, as we can see from the white sealant on the edges. Yeah it was built around the time frame you said.

Oh is that fibre board? Is fibre board dangerous to health? What kind of board should I be able to replace it with?

I just had a look at the same boards next to that door, and I think the reason this one fell down is because it didn't have nails in it like the rest do. They seem to sit above, or slightly over the aluminium, so they are not supported by the aluminium.

Sony

Disrespective

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#1434839 25-Nov-2015 21:27

Looks like it's all figured out, you could either pack out the distance between the board and the framing, nail/glue it back on and re-seal it. But don't worry about the potential asbestos nature of the fibre board. Asbestos is not a health risk unless you start to inhale the fibres, which will only happen if you start drilling or cutting the board. And even then you're much more likely to have health issues if you don't wear a mask or protective clothing, and do it day in day out for a decade or two.

Seriously, don't worry about the fibre board.

sonyxperiageek

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#1434850 25-Nov-2015 21:38

Okay, I'll make sure I wear a mask while handling/drilling the fibre board. :-)

Sony

Goosey

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#1434879 25-Nov-2015 22:22

yeh, pack it out to get the board level where it used to be otherwise it might be a right pain to try and fit it flush against the timber.

gzt

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#1434880 25-Nov-2015 22:23

Hang on, no insulation & no moisture barrier?

sonyxperiageek

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#1434883 25-Nov-2015 22:37

There's no insulation in that spot, but there is a sealant around the sides, not sure if that counts @gzt ?

Sony

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Fred99

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#1434899 26-Nov-2015 01:06

There's building paper there over the framing from the look of it. That exposed 70x45 timber is just packing out over the framing. Missing from what's probably needed these days is a head flashing over the top of the window attached to the framing behind, then the bottom of the building paper overlapped, so if water gets in, it's directed back out over the top of the window rather than risk running back/down to the framing, but that's under reasonable sized eaves, that timber doesn't look like it's been wet, and is all probably just fine. I doubt that's asbestos cement. Sloppy though - that it doesn't look like it was held in by anything except the sealant around the edges - instead of the bits of 70x45 being packed out and the boards attached to that.
If there are other windows in the house set up like that, not running full height and with a panel above, but aren't protected by eaves or do get driving rain at the level above the windows, then they might warrant a closer look to make sure there's not a potential leaky homes issue.

timmmay

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#1434914 26-Nov-2015 07:24

Bung

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#1434932 26-Nov-2015 07:59

Goosey: If built pre mid 90's, these fibre sheets could be a wee bit dangerous

The locally made Hardie sheets stopped using asbestos in the early 80s. What beggars belief is that there isn't any control on imported fibre cement sheets so some recent construction with imported material will contain asbestos.

andrew027

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#1434976 26-Nov-2015 09:32

Some good advice there from @Fred99 - with the board off this would be a great opportunity to add some flashing at the bottom that comes out over the top of the window to improve the water tightness of your home.

I find it interesting that there doesn't appear to be any indication of adhesive or any other means used to secure the board to those timbers visible in the first photo - the sealant around the edge appears to be all that was holding it in place. There should be any number of things that can do that job if you check out your local hardware store.

mdooher

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#1434979 26-Nov-2015 09:40

andrew027: Some good advice there from @Fred99 - with the board off this would be a great opportunity to add some flashing at the bottom that comes out over the top of the window to improve the water tightness of your home.

I find it interesting that there doesn't appear to be any indication of adhesive or any other means used to secure the board to those timbers visible in the first photo - the sealant around the edge appears to be all that was holding it in place. There should be any number of things that can do that job if you check out your local hardware store.

Bloody cheap way to build a window opening. Not using steel lintel so that the bricks can go over the top of the window might be popular but ....

Matthew

sonyxperiageek

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#1435031 26-Nov-2015 10:46

Yeah, if you look at the third image I posted, it looks like there are nails holding it in place from another window. I guess the builders weren't careful enough and forgot to do this one.

There's a slight crack at the edge from the panel falling off onto the ground, but still seems sturdy. Am I able to reuse it or should I replace the board?

Sony

andrew027

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#1435053 26-Nov-2015 10:57

sonyxperiageek: Yeah, if you look at the third image I posted, it looks like there are nails holding it in place from another window. I guess the builders weren't careful enough and forgot to do this one.

That explains why it fell off...

Fred99

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#1435068 26-Nov-2015 11:27

andrew027:
sonyxperiageek: Yeah, if you look at the third image I posted, it looks like there are nails holding it in place from another window. I guess the builders weren't careful enough and forgot to do this one.

That explains why it fell off...

I don't think they "forgot". Bit hard to tell from the photos, but looks like the 70x45 isn't flush, so unless they either pulled it out and ripped down a 90x45 tapering it to fit, or packed out with some strips of timber, there was going to be a gap between the panel and the timber and it wasn't going to be able to be nailed. Lazy poor workmanship there IMO - not "forgetfulness".
There's some little issue behind how it happened - a reason why it's not flush over the lintel/framing, perhaps the two brick panels either side aren't perfectly plumb or with an even depth cavity so they line up, then perhaps a compromise was made when fitting the window so it looked flush from outside with an even reveal between the face of the brick panels and the window frame, as it looks like it's 15mm or so out, with those shallow reveals it would be reasonably obvious/visible from outside, and easier to pack out and adjust the gib inside so it looks flush rather than rip down some of the brick and do it again ensuring it's even both sides.

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