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Thread: gypsum in attic

  1. #1
    SAL IACONO's Avatar
    SAL IACONO Guest

    Default gypsum in attic

    Why would they install this here?

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    New Mexico
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    Default Re: gypsum in attic

    I saw that once a year or two ago. I didn't understand it either. Probably some type of cost saving over plywood back in the day. The stuff I saw didn't hold up very well.

    Jim Robinson
    New Mexico, USA

  3. #3

    Default Re: gypsum in attic

    What type of structure was that? I'm guessing it's not a single family residence, and it has to do with fire rating. It looks like there is plywood or OSB over the drywall, correct?


  4. #4
    David Bell's Avatar
    David Bell Guest

    Default Re: gypsum in attic

    I don't ever recall seeing a 2 hour rated roof. Should have a fire damper to the vent if thats the case.


  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Default Re: gypsum in attic

    House was built sometime in the 1940s or early 1950s?

    Gypsum was used for roof sheathing for a while as plywood was scarce (having been used to make boats for the war, etc.).

    Fortunately that practice never lasted.

    I should add: at least that is what I heard when I first saw that many years ago.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  6. #6
    chris mcintyre's Avatar
    chris mcintyre Guest

    Default Re: gypsum in attic

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Peck View Post
    House was built sometime in the 1940s or early 1950s?

    Gypsum was used for roof sheathing for a while as plywood was scarce (having been used to make boats for the war, etc.).

    Fortunately that practice never lasted.

    I should add: at least that is what I heard when I first saw that many years ago.
    Now that you say that, if you zoom in there does appear to be a layer of shingles between the gypsum and the plywood . I guess they don't build em' like they used to.


  7. #7
    David Bell's Avatar
    David Bell Guest

    Default Re: gypsum in attic

    Being from that era, are there any asbestos issues in the gypsum?


  8. #8
    Stacey Van Houtan's Avatar
    Stacey Van Houtan Guest

    Default Re: gypsum in attic

    Also if the home was not within a certin range of a fire hydrant this was used to reduce Insurane cost.


  9. #9
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: gypsum in attic

    Fortunately that practice never lasted.
    JP: True, in residential buildings. Not so in commercial.


  10. #10
    Join Date
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    Default Re: gypsum in attic

    Quote Originally Posted by Stacey Van Houtan View Post
    Also if the home was not within a certin range of a fire hydrant this was used to reduce Insurane cost.
    Actually, if a home was not close enough to a fire hydrant the insurance would increase (there would not be a discount), and, even more important and more often missed is ... if a home was TOO CLOSE to a fire hydrant the insurance would also increase - because the firefighters would not be able to get to that hydrant and would have to go to the next further away hydrant.

    I know because we had a house with a hydrant in the front yard, and there was a surcharge because the next closer hydrant was beyond the distance for the discount and that hydrant was not counted as it was TOO CLOSE.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  11. #11
    Stacey Van Houtan's Avatar
    Stacey Van Houtan Guest

    Default Re: gypsum in attic

    Actually, Jerry, I think you just want to disagree with me I will expand on this. In some areas it the home is too far from a hydrant or they are not present a gyp. board underlayment will reduce Ins cost. And in multi family it can eliminate the need for thu roof parapet walls. See Attached
    www.fema.gov/library/file?type...file=fs_05_roofs.txt...

    Attached Files Attached Files

  12. #12
    SAL IACONO's Avatar
    SAL IACONO Guest

    Default Re: gypsum in attic

    Gentlemen,
    This was a single family structure with a hydrant with in 500 ft. There is an addition in the back. Is it possible they buit the roof up to tie the addition roof together? There were no shingles below the ply wood. Thanks for the answers!


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