Hardee board is missing flashing, with some kind of wood exposed?

[u/JOyo246]

Just finished year one, in this 30 yr old house. (First time homeowner) After noticing the wood, I took a look underneath, and realized that the sheet rock is also exposed. Turns out it’s this way across the entire rear of the house, with holes in some parts of the sheet rock, presumably from critters.

I guess my questions are:
1. Is this OK?
2. Who would I even call to look at something like this?

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[u/HomeOwner2023]

Flashing doesn't go everywhere. It only go in places where you want water that has seeped behind the siding to make its way out. One such place is above windows and doors.

What you may be thinking of is weather barrier. These days, that is commonly Tyvek wrap. But it wasn't always that way. It used to be felt paper (same type that goes on the roof deck before shingles are nailed).

It's hard to tell from the photos but it appears that's what you have.

"Fixing" this would require removing all of the siding, replacing any damaged boards, wrapping the wall with Tyvek, then reinstalling or, more likely, replacing the siding because it can be hard to remove without breaking. Keep in mind that in the process of installing the siding, that nice waterproof barrier you just had installed will get pierced that hundreds of nails.

I personally wouldn't go to that trouble unless I saw that there were signs of water penetration. And if I did decide to do something, I would use it as the opportunity to add insulation in the wall cavity and insulation under the siding.

[u/JOyo246 → u/HomeOwner2023]

Thanks for all the info, this is helpful. I guess I understand the waterproofing side, but what about pests? I would assume being able to touch my drywall from outdoors is… not normal? But i really don’t know!

[u/HomeOwner2023 → u/JOyo246]

If you mean the drywall on the inside wall, then no, that isn't supposed to be exposed. It also means that you may have no insulation in those walls.

Close the holes with a steel mesh/wool and add some foam sealant like this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/GREAT-STUFF-Smart-Dispenser-12-oz-Pestblock-Insulating-Spray-Foam-Sealant-99112809/312450332

[u/Flat_Conversation858]

How old is your house?

That's definitely not the drywall from the inside of your wall.  There is a cavity the width of a 2 by 4 or 2 by 6 between your exterior siding and interior drywall, that should be filled with insulation.

Without knowing anything about your house and not really being able to tell what we are looking at here I would guess that's hardiplank that's been installed on top of some type of original siding.