Hello dear community,
Since March, we have been building a Tuscan-style house, and everything has gone absolutely smoothly so far, so we were already prepared for something to go wrong.
Now it finally happened: On Wednesday, the screed (cement screed, floating) was laid all day, and everything was fine. On Thursday, we experienced a severe storm with extreme hail, after which water entered through an open basement window (which had been removed to run the construction power cable into the utility room) and through the still unsealed supply line to the heat pump. Of course, it was dirty clay water. Since I had already suspected something like this might happen, I entered the house despite the no-entry warning to check and address the damage. Using cloths and towels, we wiped up a total of 12 liters (3 gallons) of water from the utility room and the stairwell.
Our construction company plans to set up a dehumidifier at the end of this week, not earlier, as the screed might otherwise be damaged.
Now my question is: What would you do?
Would you insist on replacing the screed? Or on an extended warranty coverage for the screed (we already have a 5-year warranty on the entire house...)? Would you demand a reduction in the contract price?
As a precaution, I have definitely taken plenty of pictures of the damage!
Since March, we have been building a Tuscan-style house, and everything has gone absolutely smoothly so far, so we were already prepared for something to go wrong.
Now it finally happened: On Wednesday, the screed (cement screed, floating) was laid all day, and everything was fine. On Thursday, we experienced a severe storm with extreme hail, after which water entered through an open basement window (which had been removed to run the construction power cable into the utility room) and through the still unsealed supply line to the heat pump. Of course, it was dirty clay water. Since I had already suspected something like this might happen, I entered the house despite the no-entry warning to check and address the damage. Using cloths and towels, we wiped up a total of 12 liters (3 gallons) of water from the utility room and the stairwell.
Our construction company plans to set up a dehumidifier at the end of this week, not earlier, as the screed might otherwise be damaged.
Now my question is: What would you do?
Would you insist on replacing the screed? Or on an extended warranty coverage for the screed (we already have a 5-year warranty on the entire house...)? Would you demand a reduction in the contract price?
As a precaution, I have definitely taken plenty of pictures of the damage!
Boergi schrieb:
Silly question, but: What exactly is the damage to the screed?
Regards,
SebastianSo far, there is no obvious damage. However, we are concerned that rainwater that entered might have carried bacteria inside, which in the worst case could lead to mold. It should not be forgotten that the screed had only been installed for 24 hours, so it definitely wasn't dry yet, but it still supported my weight (90 kg (198 lbs)).
Bacteria from outside? Are you planning a cleanroom? A laboratory...
I wouldn't worry about that, and if I'm not mistaken, this damage isn't even considered a defect since the handover hasn't taken place yet....
So stay calm, everything will be fine. Screed is just dirt mixed with water.
I wouldn't worry about that, and if I'm not mistaken, this damage isn't even considered a defect since the handover hasn't taken place yet....
So stay calm, everything will be fine. Screed is just dirt mixed with water.
B
Bauexperte20 Jun 2012 13:16Hello,
Kind regards
Tifozi schrieb:And you think this behavior is acceptable?
Since I suspected something like this, I entered the house despite the no-entry notice to inspect and fix the damage. Using cloths and towels, we wiped up a total of 12 liters (3.17 gallons) of water from the technical room and the staircase.
Tifozi schrieb:With good reason; I would really like to know what they would think about your “clean-up” if they were aware of it.
The construction company plans to install a dehumidifier by the end of this week, not earlier, as the screed could otherwise be damaged.
Tifozi schrieb:Wow, as a complete novice, you are bringing some serious arguments! Although, considering the following statement…
My question: What would you do? Would you insist on replacing the screed? Or pursue additional warranty coverage for the screed (although we already have a 5-year warranty on the entire house)? Demand a reduction in the contract price?
Tifozi schrieb:... I rather wonder if perhaps a house seller is just bored and trying to stir things up in the forum?
We are concerned that bacteria may have been washed in by the rainwater that penetrated, which in the worst case could lead to mold. We must not forget that the screed had only been laid for 24 hours, so it definitely was not dry yet, [B]but it did hold me (90 kg / 198 lbs)
Tifozi schrieb:That is, of course, the most important evidence by far.
I have definitely taken enough photos of the damage!
Kind regards
Well, that’s quite a big help now….
Try to put yourself in my position: standing next to your house during a severe storm with everything going wrong, watching liters of rainwater disappear into the ground (clay soil and a surface layer of pine needles), while your neighbors already have water in their basements despite having a waterproof concrete shell, so their basements have to be pumped out. I’d like to see the homeowner who calmly stands there and thinks, “Well, the basement just floods then!”
There is no question whether I acted correctly. I tried to reach my construction manager—no success. I moved carefully on the screed and would have taken responsibility for any possible damage—but nothing happened.
The cleaning action was coordinated with him since he called back later.
What does “bring out the big guns” mean? Those are steps recommended to me by acquaintances (bricklayer, architect, construction lawyer). If you have a better idea, I’m open to any reasonable suggestions!
Try to put yourself in my position: standing next to your house during a severe storm with everything going wrong, watching liters of rainwater disappear into the ground (clay soil and a surface layer of pine needles), while your neighbors already have water in their basements despite having a waterproof concrete shell, so their basements have to be pumped out. I’d like to see the homeowner who calmly stands there and thinks, “Well, the basement just floods then!”
There is no question whether I acted correctly. I tried to reach my construction manager—no success. I moved carefully on the screed and would have taken responsibility for any possible damage—but nothing happened.
The cleaning action was coordinated with him since he called back later.
What does “bring out the big guns” mean? Those are steps recommended to me by acquaintances (bricklayer, architect, construction lawyer). If you have a better idea, I’m open to any reasonable suggestions!
Bauexperte schrieb:
Hello,
And you think this behavior is right?
With good reason; I would love to know what he would think about your "cleaning action" if he knew about it.
Wow, wow—you’re really pulling out the big guns as a complete amateur! Although, considering the following statement ...
... I wonder if maybe a house salesman is just bored right now and wants to stir things up in the forum?
That is, of course, the most important piece of evidence ever
Best regards
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