LP decking recall

Frequently asked questions

Why is there a product recall for LP decking?

• In August of 2008, LP Building Products (Louisiana-Pacific) issued a Product Advisory for decking products, including railing and accessories, sold from its Meridian, Idaho plant after January 1, 2005
• Some of the product can prematurely degrade and break, posing a risk of injury.
• Due to a subsequent deck step-through that caused an injury, LP was required by law to report this to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). We are now working in conjunction with the CPSC on a decking product recall, although the program is no different than the product advisory program previously implemented. The CPSC issued a press release about the decking recall on May 13, 2009.
• We want to stress that there are no changes to the program or process for deck inspection or replacement. As we have been doing since August 2008, LP will continue to replace at no charge the limited number of decks determined by inspection to be affected by deterioration.
• Deck owners should register with LP to determine if they have an affected deck.
• WeatherBest products manufactured after November 2007 by the subsequent owner of the Meridian, Idaho plant are different in composition and are not subject to this product recall.

Which products are subject to this recall?

• Products made by LP for the Veranda label, sold in the Western part of the US at The Home Depot -- AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY, and TX (El Paso markets.)
• Not all Veranda products are subject to the recall, only those made at LP’s Meridian plant and sold after January 1, 2005. Veranda products currently for sale are not subject to the recall.
• Products made by LP under the WeatherBest and LP WeatherBest label, distributed nationwide through building product manufacturers. Not all WeatherBest products are subject to the recall , only those made at LP’s Meridian plant and sold after January 1, 2005. WeatherBest products not made by LP that are currently for sale are not subject to the recall.
• ABTCo Decking products sold in the Western part of the US at The Home Depot -- AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY, and TX (El Paso markets.)

Are all Veranda products part of this recall?

• No. Not all Veranda products are subject to the recall . Only the portion of Veranda products made at LP’s Meridian plant and sold after January 1, 2005 are part of this recall. Most of these were sold in the western United States- AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY, and TX (El Paso markets.)
• Veranda products currently for sale are not subject to the recall

Are all WeatherBest products part of this recall?

• No. Not all WeatherBest products are subject to the recall. Only those made at LP’s Meridian plant and sold after January 1, 2005. WeatherBest products currently for sale are not subject to the recall.

Where were the products sold?

• Veranda and ABTCo products were sold in The Home Depot stores, mostly in the western states - AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY, and TX (El Paso markets.)
• WeatherBest products were sold through building products distributors and dealers nationwide.
• Please see LP’s Decking Customer Service Web site at www.deckingnotice.com/images/map.jpg for a map showing the relative concentration of product sales by state.

Does the current WeatherBest/Veranda product have the same issue?

• No. The WeatherBest brand is now manufactured by new owners using a different composition and process. The Veranda brand, a proprietary brand, is produced by several manufacturers, and only product produced at LP's Meridian facility from 2005-2007 is affected by this product notice.

What does the product look like?

• Veranda and WeatherBest are composite products that look similar to natural wood and are sold in several different colors including Driftwood Grey, Pacific Cedar, Tuscan Walnut, Western Redwood, Chestnut and Greystone.

How can I identify the product affected?

• If you bought your product before 2005, it is not subject to this recall.
• If you have your invoice, it will assist LP Customer Service in determining whether you have product affected by the notice.
• Products can also be identified by product tags or stamps at the end of boards, which identify where and when the product was made. You will be asked about these when you register and file a claim.
• If these tags or invoices are not available, and you are concerned that your deck may be involved, LP will help you determine whether you have material affected by the advisory, arranging an inspection if necessary.
• WeatherBest products manufactured by the new owners of the Meridian plant after November 2007 are NOT subject to this recall and are distinguishable by a kerf or groove cut into the side of each deck board, along the complete length of the board.
• If you are unsure whether your deck material is LP decking and subject to the recall, please call LP Customer Service for help to determine if you have this product, 1 (888) 325-1184.

What should I do if I have a deck installed with this material?

• Check your Veranda, WeatherBest, or ABTCo decking materials for visible cracks or deterioration on the surface, or chipping of the surface layers.
• If the deck or railing is degrading, do not use the deck. Contact LP Customer Service at 1 (888) 325-1184 to promptly arrange for an inspection of the deck.
• Even if there is no visible sign of deterioration, if you purchased Veranda or WeatherBest decking or accessory products after January 1, 2005, please contact LP Customer Service to register your deck.

What does the premature deterioration look like? What are some signs of deterioration in the field?

• Premature deterioration can look like delaminating of the top layer of the product, cracking, and breakage or other obvious deterioration.
• Deterioration may vary depending on the exposure of the boards. Some boards may be unaffected at one end, but degraded on another end.
• Please visit www.deckingnotice.com/check.html for photo examples.

What is the potential safety hazard?

Premature deterioration may cause the board to weaken and break.

Is there a potential hazard if I only have a small amount of deterioration?

This must be determined through inspection. Please call to register your claim at 1 (888) 325-1184.

Should I contact LP even if I don’t see any visible deterioration on my deck?

Yes, please register by calling 1 (888) 325-1184. We want to have a record of all decks subject to the recall so that they can be inspected.

What is the process for the program?

If you have a decking product that is associated with this product recall, the first step is to register your deck with LP. You can do that by calling the toll free number 1 (888) 325-1184 to register the deck with a Customer Support agent. You will be sent a claim form to fill out and return to LP Customer Support. Once LP receives the claim form back from you, and confirms that you have LP’s decking product that is a part of this product recall , an inspection will be scheduled by a third-party inspection company, BrightClaim. You will be notified of that inspection and the results shortly after it is done. Also, at any time during the process, you can call the toll-free number 1 (888) 325-1184 to check on the status of your claim.

After I file a claim, what happens next?

After you register and file a claim, an inspection of your deck by a third-party inspection company will be arranged by LP. Inspections will be arranged in the order that the claims are received, however priority will be given to decks that are exhibiting advanced deterioration or decks that appear to be a safety hazard.

Who will be doing the inspections? Can I use my own inspector?

Inspections will be done by a third-party inspection firm, BrightClaim. BrightClaim has inspectors throughout the country with experience in decking inspections. Since BrightClaim inspectors are trained to best determine the status of the affected decking product, it is not possible to use your own inspector.

What will LP do to fix my deck?

After you register and file a claim, LP will work with you to determine if you have decking that is the subject of this recall. If you do have decking subject to the recall, an inspection will be arranged. The results of that inspection may determine that the deck is prematurely deteriorating and if so, it will be remedied – at no cost to you. LP will arrange to have work performed by an independent contractor.

What should I do if I have purchased product subject to the recall but haven’t built my deck yet?

LP will arrange to take back the material. Please contact LP Customer Support at 1 (888) 325-1184.

What products will be used to replace affected decking?

Contractors will work closely with homeowners to replace decking with comparable material that is not affected by this Product Advisory. For example, if you have affected Veranda decks, Veranda products or products of similar value may be used. If you have WeatherBest decks, WeatherBest products or products of similar value may be used.

What are the timelines? How long will it take to get an inspection? How long will it take to get a replacement deck if needed?

At the current time, inspections take place within about 21-28 days. Priority claims, where safety issues exist, are sent to BrightClaim immediately, and an inspector can usually be at your home within 48 hours.

Is there priority status for unsafe decks?

Yes. Unsafe decks will have priority status for inspection and remediation as needed. If I am selling my home, do I need to notify the buyers about the decking recall? We recommend that you do so as a safety precaution. Please talk to your realtor or attorney about requirements in your state.