Composite Deck Recall: Home Depot Veranda, ABTCo and LP WeatherBest
Published: May 14th, 2009 • Comments: 29
Approximately 48 million linear feet of LP WeatherBest, ABTCo and Home Depot Veranda composite decking were recalled after dozens of reports were received where the boards deteriorated and unexpectedly broke, in some cases causing serious injury.
The composite deck recall was issued by Louisiana-Pacific (LP) Corp. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on May 13, 2009. Individuals with the potentially defective deck have been asked to contact the manufacturer for a free inspection and repair if the decking is prematurely deteriorating.
Composite decking is a man-made wood substitute, which is marketed as requiring little maintenance and lasting longer than a traditional wood deck.
At least 37 reports have been received of the recalled composite decks breaking, with at least 14 people suffering personal injuries such as broken wrists, sprained ankles, lacerations and bruising.
Although the size of decks may vary, more than 50,000 homeowners could have composite decks constructed out of the defective LP decking, as a 400 square foot deck typically requires approximately 875 linear feet.
The composite decking was sold for between $1.50 and $2.25 per linear foot between January 2005 and August 2008. The Veranda composite decking made by LP was sold exclusively at Home Depot stores, and the LP WeatherBest and ABTCo composite decking were sold by building product retailers throughout the United States.
The recall applies to various colors and styles, including Tuscan Walnut/Chestnut, Driftwood, Grey/Greystone, Pacific Cedar and Western Redwood.
Home Depot Veranda decking is also made by other manufacturers, but only composite deck manufactured by LP are included in the recall.
To arrange a free inspection or obtain additional information about the LP composite deck recall, contact the manufacturer toll free at (888) 325-1184 or visit www.deckingnotice.com.
Comment by Crystal on 21 July 2009:
We are in the middle of construction on our deck. We are having the same issues, cracking and splitting. What is even more disturbing is the product that we have not used yet is also cracking, splitting and even on the sides it is coming apart at the seems so to speak. We also notice a fair bit of cupping which I also thought was not suppose to happen. We also believe we got a bad batch at the rate it is deteriorating there will be nothing left of our deck. We thought we were investing in a maintenance free solution $$$$.
Comment by Jeffrey on 29 July 2009:
I have the same problems on my deck as well as mold. I bought this product to be free of the cracking, splitting and mold spotting, and fading.
Comment by muri on 11 August 2009:
hello I had my deck put in the spring of 2005. For a while, it held up well. My son while visiting some months ago, brought to my attention the fact that it was splitting in various sections. I am so dasappointed, I sure would like to give it another try.I think we just got a bad batch.
Comment by James on 19 August 2009:
We had our home built in 2003, the composite decking, grey in color, was used and I think it may have come from Home Depot now that I see it on this web site.
This summer (2009) the boards on the outer edge started to swell, flake, and split and is a mess probably due to an unusually wet summer in Colorado. I had a home inspector and our home insurance adjustor come to evaluate this problem and I was told by both that I had to find the manufacturer. I have a call out to the general contractor that built our home to see if he can tell me what company they purchased the material from and what company manufactured the material but he hasn’t called back, in case the builder can’t provide the information does anyone have any idea as to how I can determine what company made this crap?
Comment by Bud on 23 August 2009:
LP and ABTco made siding that was/is part of a class action lawsuit. I’d stay away from all of their products personally.
Comment by Gen on 29 August 2009:
We installed our veranda decking July 4th 2007 and have noticed in the past couple months that our deck is chipping and flaking off in several areas. We spoke to Home Depot today and they said to contact the manufacturer about the recall of the product. We will be doing this on Monday. Very disappointing after all the hard labor, hours and cost of our deck….not a cheap product, as far as the cost that is.
Comment by William on 7 September 2009:
We have spent approximately $3,000 on rebuilding our deck and have not only problems with wrapping and spliting with this product, but now have mold coming through the broads. We installed this product in 2008 and it has continually degraded over the past year. We are very disappointed and have just found out about the recall. We spent a lot of hours and money on rebuilding out deck and do not look forward to a long fight with the company to try and get even a portion of our money back. To say nothing of of th hours of work and planning.
Comment by Tom from cleveland on 14 September 2009:
In 2006 We built a deck and spent approximately $3,000 on Veranda gray decking. After 1 winter the decking began to split and mold. We are very disappointed with this product. I’m not sure how to go about getting the problem fixed but will investigate. We have alot of money in labor putting this deck up and I don’t want to pay for the labor and materials again becuse of a bad product.
Comment by Deborah on 18 September 2009:
How can I tell if my decking is part of the recall? To be honest, the contractor just finished the deck, and it looks like crap! Most of the boards are so discolored, I can’t believe they would use the boards!
Comment by Sandra on 23 September 2009:
Comment by Sandy on September 23, 2009
In August 2008 I had Veranda (Cedar colore) decking installed. It was only 8 months and the appearance was deplorable. The fading of the color is almost white and the variation in the composition of the boards is beyond explanation. I have sent pictures, made phone calls to try to get some satisfaction. The answers that I received were – it’s normal. I purchased USA to keep our Americans working. With this type of work production, lack of credibility and concern, I can see why the US workers are losing their jobs. NOBODY CARES OR WANTS TO HELP YOU TO RECTIFY A WRONG THAT WAS MADE. They don’t want to admit that the product is either inferior or an irregular that was sold at TOP DOLLAR. THEY WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY AND RUN. I purchased the material from HOME DEPOT.
Comment by Margaret on 30 September 2009:
I have a weatherbest deck that is an absolute disaster. The “boards” are warping, turning green, splitting etc. My contact with Louisiana Pacific is going no where fast. They are stalling big time. Does anyone know of a law suit against them that I could join? For now I think I will contact the state Attorney General and see what they can do. I need the whole deck replaced – so much for a “no maintenance” deck that cost me a fortune.
Comment by Norm on 18 October 2009:
I bought Veranda decking from a Home Depot in Conn. about a year ago. It is discolored with mold spots all over the deck with some areas being very badly stained.I called Home Depot and am supposed to have a meeting with a rep from Home Depot and Veranda to determine a solution. I have tried two deck cleaners and on the reccommendation of Veranda, pure chlorine bleach. Nothing worked, they just seemed to turn the black mold spots redish or purple.
Comment by Rick on 20 October 2009:
Please note this is only the Veranda manufactured by LP/AbtCo. Universal Forest manufactures Veranda and is sold by Home Depot as well. Also, any composite decking that is manufactured with wood flour or any other organic compound will get mildew on it. This is unavoidable, as mildew feeds on anything organic. Use a deck cleaner to wash it off. There is no such thing as a “no maintenance” deck. All decks need to be cleaned as needed.
Comment by Mark on 29 October 2009:
I am extremely disappointed about my LP Weather Best Deck installed on my new home in the summer of 2004. One year later I complained to my builder because of issues. An LP representative came out, claimed it was installation issues and suggested to add venting which the builder did. I did not help and each year the deck and product deteriorated more. This summer I learned about the recall, contacted LP and wnet through the proper procedure to only have my claim rejected.
Not I am stuck having to pay for a new deck with minimal help from my builder and a lot of cost to me – and none of it is my fault. It seems like LP has a bad habit of putting out untested product. Another example was their fiberboard siding fiasco. Why does anyone buy LP products? Why do builders use LP products?
Comment by Nick on 30 October 2009:
Prior to the recall I contacted LP about something they called shotgun mold which are spots on the decking. They told me to out bleach w/ water on the deck on a overclase day scrub it down and wash it off. It did slightly clean it but it was back in a month or so. The color has really faded and the orginal cedar color is no where near the samples
Comment by Frank on 7 November 2009:
We installed our deck in the fall of 2007(at a cost of about $20,000. for material and labor) By the fall of 2008 it looked really bad. Contacted LP and they sent out a local contractor, who was suppose to be their adjuster. We sent in everything they ask for- response back was they would replace everything including labor. A couple of weeks went by without hearing from the contractor so I called him. He said our claim had disappeared from his computer, I contacted LP, they said they would send out a third party adjuster. They gave me his name and phone # so I called him, told him I wanted to be there when he was on my property. He came when I wasn’t home, took pictures and they responded back they would not do anything.
I’m wanting to find out what can be done.
Comment by Lisa on 21 November 2009:
We went through the same issues with the LP deck claim. We installed our deck in 2006 and after a rainy fall in New England, the boards swelled up and warped so badly the water pools on the deck and we have to push it off with a broom. LP’s decking claim process is a farce. I have yet to hear from anyone who actually got a settlement. They claim installation error in every case. I want to start a class action suit. Anyone else interested?
Comment by Lisa on 2 December 2009:
We have had nothing bud mold spots and cracking and are very disatisified. We recently went to a local 84 lumber and were complaining in conversation and they told us there was a recall. W ehave to powerwash constantly and it leaves marks, we thought it was supposed to be maintenance free and hold its color! I am interested in class action. Anyone know how we go aboutthis?
Comment by Rick B on 21 January 2010:
We had our LP deck installed in early 07 and within 1 yr we had deterioration problems. We had to call LP several times 888-621-5088 before they would respond but eventually they did defer to BrightServ 888-600-5744 to handle the claim. It takes a while and some follow up but within about 4 month’s BS determined that our deck was in fact failing and the product was purchased within the dates described in the lawsuit and qualifies for full replacement. NOt sure why, but we had to produce proof of purchase and our contract for installation. BrightServ hired a local contractor to do the replacement and they plan on starting soon but the contractor only offered Trex Accents as a replacement. Trex has a pretty poor reputation and I am still trying to find out whether I have any “say” in what the LP is being replaced with. I live in Oakland, CA. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Comment by Jim on 7 April 2010:
My Vernada was ordered in two loads ( my fault). As the product weathered for 3-4 months, it was apparent that I have at least 6 different shades. HD said that “of course, they would take care of it”. My satisfaction was their goal. BS! Eight months later they passed me off to the manufacturer. Seven months after that, the mfg. made a token settlement. They are waiting for the plaintiff to die or go away.
Comment by David on 15 April 2010:
We have a severely defective deck. I did not find this site prior to wasting time with LP’s claim office. Just got a rejection; they claim we’ve installed the product defectively. I am not a person who initiates litigation, but I am commited to suing LP. I would be pleased to participate in a class action suit. I would welcome contact from any firm that has initiated such an action. These arrogant people need to make people whole who have purchased their defective products.
Comment by Donna on 19 May 2010:
I had the Weatherbest railings installed in 2006. I noticed this past winter that the bottom rails were spliting. I called my contractor and he found that there was a recall. I contacted the proper people and they asked me if I had the Crystal White (I do) and he told me that wasn’t part of the recall. What does the color have to do with it. Has anyone else had that problem? Isn’t there a life time warranty on this product? Don’t know where else to turn.
Comment by Patricia on 23 May 2010:
I had my deck (LP Weatherbest purchased through Harvey Industries) installed in July 2005. I live in RI and now have a badly warped deck, swollen and cupping as the boards are so tight. My contractor did all he was supposed to, spacing boards appropriately. He actually went to a class on how to install before using this product. I contacted LP Johnson 11/2009, filed a claim. It took about 5 months for an inspector to come out. They have offered me a check for one split corner post. The rest they said was due to incorrect gapping. I have no proof the contractor gapped correctly, no photos of the undamaged deck, who would think to take them? The water pools on each board. It’s a mess. I have no recourse according to their letter. I either accept 133.00 or the claim is closed. Anyone have any suggestions? Sound to me like big business ripping off the average consumer. I’m likely not to take their offer just because I will have to sign off of on the claim.
Comment by Carole on 3 June 2010:
Does anyone know if Universal Forest had problems with their veranda composite decking? After reading all this about the other manufacturers, I’m shy of ordering Veranda products but love the Tuscan Walnut color. Thanks for any info.
Comment by michelle on 5 June 2010:
We had our deck installed in early 2001 and within 4 yr we had deterioration problems.it cost us a lot of money my deck is 12 by 40 we called and after going back and fourth for om-oust a full year, they gave us new decking in 2005 we had installed now we are at the same discolored cracking my deck looks like a display of different collars they are all mouldy e dirty no matter how many time i was it all ways the same wean i go on my deck i better watch my step because the Bord’s are splitting and popping up our deck was in fact failing of the original coll er now my deck is lite gray dark gray pink off pink and some are om-oust white this is not the coll er that i bout e and the variation in the composition of the boards is beyond explanation. I have sent pictures, made phone calls to try to get some satisfaction. The answers that I received were – it’s normal. they are sending me a letter with the name of the chemicoal to clean my deck that it will be brand new it must be some kind of magicoal power because there is nothing in this world that can fix this deck but you now i will give them benifit of a douth but i now wath the outcome is i want my money back or replaset with something that will last i have bild this deck olrady 2 times this will be my 3 this is joke this deck it costing me so muck money that i could have put an adishion to my house it wood cost less
Comment by tnt on 9 June 2010:
I brought my veranda from home depot also in may of 2009 and it is already faded and cracking and mold spots all over .They send people over to look but say its my falt also because it is on top of another deck,nothing said you can not do this and It is just another excuse from them.I would never recommend this to anyone.very unhappy in NY
Comment by Rose on 28 June 2010:
Our LP deck was installed in 2006. By 2009 it was deteiorating badly. My situation is similar to the post by Rick B on January 21, 2010, and I have the same question, do I have a say in what LP considers replacing with? What is offered is poor quality material. I would like learn the outcome of the post I mention here.
Comment by Matt on 11 July 2010:
Man am I glad I saw this we are just getting ready to build a deck and had been looking at the Veranda and using a hidden fastener system. I will have to check with supplier now and see which manufacturer supplies them. May have to go with Trex or TimberTech I guess.
Comment by Jim on 24 July 2010:
My deck was installed in 2006 .Now it is deteiorating. The deck has to have the red dust washed off if you intend to use it that day. Otherwise the residue gets all over you. It’s warping, staining, cracking,and shrinking.The decking goes at least 6′ all the way around the 16×38′ swimming pool.I can not recommend this decking to any one.we will see if veranda will take care of the problem.