What causes OSB to rot in SIP panels?

Moisture intrusion at panel seams, roof-wall connections, or through vapor drive in the wrong climate zone can trap water against the OSB facing, leading to rot over time if it isn't detected early.

When should an attorney or insurance adjuster request a SIP forensic analysis?

Any time there's visible moisture damage, structural concern, or a dispute over installation quality on a SIP project. A forensic analysis identifies the actual failure mechanism rather than relying on assumptions.

Are SIP failures usually caused by the panel itself or by installation error?

Installation and detailing errors, such as poor sealing at seams or improper flashing, cause the majority of SIP-related failures seen in the field, more often than a defect in the panel itself.

SIP Failures and Forensic Analysis

When a Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) assembly fails, whether from moisture intrusion, OSB rot, or a manufacturing defect, understanding the actual cause matters for builders resolving the problem and for attorneys and insurance adjusters investigating a claim. This section covers how and why SIP failures happen, drawn from real forensic case work. Independent forensic analysis from Joe Pasma, PE, who has conducted SIP failure investigations for over 40 years and is not affiliated with any manufacturer.

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SIP Fire Performance Case Study: How SIPs Behave in Real Residential Fire Events

SIP Failures and Forensic Analysis

A residential SIP fire produced three very different outcomes depending on exposure: total loss, partial damage, and no structural loss at all. Here's what determined the difference — and what builders, insurers, and adjusters should take from it.

SIP Failures and Forensic Analysis

Why OSB Rots in SIPs And How to Prevent It

SIP Failures and Forensic Analysis

If you've ever seen a stained or swollen OSB panel and wondered whether your SIP is failing, here's the short answer: it's not the panel, it's the moisture. I walk through what actually causes OSB rot, how to tell mold from rot before you panic, and the four controls that keep it from happening in the first place.

SIP Failures and Forensic Analysis

Forensic Case Study: Exterior OSB Deterioration at the SIP Ridge Joint

SIP Failures and Forensic Analysis

A forensic case study of SIP ridge rot caused by incomplete air sealing at the ridge joint -- not exterior water intrusion. Investigated and documented by Joe Pasma, PE.

SIP Failures and Forensic Analysis

SIP Forensic Analysis: What It Is, When You Need It, and How It Works

SIP Failures and Forensic Analysis

SIP panel failures rarely have a single cause. Learn what SIP forensic analysis is, when to use it, and what a real investigation looks like -- from a licensed PE with 40+ years of SIP experience.

SIP Failures and Forensic Analysis

Are SIPs Combustible? Fire Performance, Codes, and What Actually Keeps You Safe

SIP Failures and Forensic Analysis

Are SIPs combustible? Yes -- but that doesn't mean unsafe. Learn how OSB and EPS behave in fire, what the building code requires, and why properly installed SIP assemblies perform predictably and safely.

SIP Failures and Forensic Analysis

SIP Failures and Forensic Analysis

PGS Consulting LLC