ᐅ Forgot to insulate the dormer wall – mold on the wood – what should I do?
Created on: 16 Dec 2022 10:44
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Fipsi.chHello everyone,
We are building our house with a developer. Currently, we are in the process of drying the screed, and the heating program is running.
During the roof insulation (early October), the responsible company forgot to install insulation and a vapor barrier on the dormer wall. As a result, mold has developed on the exposed wooden dormer wall. This likely happened because this wall faces the outside and is made only of wood and metal – so cold plus moisture equals mold.
This wood is still somewhat damp (like the rest of the house, since we are still in the drying phase) and repeatedly shows fuzzy mold spots. At first, the developer wanted to hold us responsible for this, as we are in charge of ventilation and heating. However, since he did not fulfill his role as site manager, the insulation was simply forgotten. Therefore, we see him as responsible. From what I understand, he agrees with this.
Yesterday, he called the interior finishing company to the construction site so they could install the missing insulation and vapor barrier. I sent these workers away again because I believe this wood first needs to be cleaned from mold. Additionally, I wasn’t sure whether they were merely informed about the missing insulation or if they had been directly tasked with the installation.
I have already treated the wood with mold cleaner, but unfortunately, some fuzzy spots have reappeared. The developer believes that the wood can still dry under the insulation and that this is not a problem. Is the developer’s approach correct?
I am concerned that this could spread the mold into the insulation, causing it to slowly rot. The wood might dry out eventually, but the mold contamination would still be there. I would appreciate a few experienced opinions, thank you!
We are building our house with a developer. Currently, we are in the process of drying the screed, and the heating program is running.
During the roof insulation (early October), the responsible company forgot to install insulation and a vapor barrier on the dormer wall. As a result, mold has developed on the exposed wooden dormer wall. This likely happened because this wall faces the outside and is made only of wood and metal – so cold plus moisture equals mold.
This wood is still somewhat damp (like the rest of the house, since we are still in the drying phase) and repeatedly shows fuzzy mold spots. At first, the developer wanted to hold us responsible for this, as we are in charge of ventilation and heating. However, since he did not fulfill his role as site manager, the insulation was simply forgotten. Therefore, we see him as responsible. From what I understand, he agrees with this.
Yesterday, he called the interior finishing company to the construction site so they could install the missing insulation and vapor barrier. I sent these workers away again because I believe this wood first needs to be cleaned from mold. Additionally, I wasn’t sure whether they were merely informed about the missing insulation or if they had been directly tasked with the installation.
I have already treated the wood with mold cleaner, but unfortunately, some fuzzy spots have reappeared. The developer believes that the wood can still dry under the insulation and that this is not a problem. Is the developer’s approach correct?
I am concerned that this could spread the mold into the insulation, causing it to slowly rot. The wood might dry out eventually, but the mold contamination would still be there. I would appreciate a few experienced opinions, thank you!
First of all: You are probably building with a general contractor (GC), not a property developer; take a look at the difference.
Do you have written confirmation that the insulation was forgotten? If not, get it in writing and, if possible, communicate everything in writing from now on. Inform the GC that mold has developed there and request a correction, including a clear explanation beforehand of what they intend to do. Do not do anything yourself, not even removing the mold on your own. This is the responsibility of the GC.
Regarding the issue: Remove the mold using alcohol or another suitable agent, check the wood; if it is undamaged, apply the insulation properly and be satisfied.
How insulation can be forgotten on one side is beyond my understanding...
Do you have written confirmation that the insulation was forgotten? If not, get it in writing and, if possible, communicate everything in writing from now on. Inform the GC that mold has developed there and request a correction, including a clear explanation beforehand of what they intend to do. Do not do anything yourself, not even removing the mold on your own. This is the responsibility of the GC.
Regarding the issue: Remove the mold using alcohol or another suitable agent, check the wood; if it is undamaged, apply the insulation properly and be satisfied.
How insulation can be forgotten on one side is beyond my understanding...
Thanks in advance for the quick reply!
You are of course right, it is a general contractor and not a property developer. Unfortunately, I cannot edit the original post.
So far, I don’t have this in writing, but I will request it immediately.
My opinion as a layperson would be to have the general contractor treat the wood and wait with the insulation until it is dry. Due to the current heating-up process, the moisture level in the air is naturally very high.
I’m not even trying to understand it 😀
You are of course right, it is a general contractor and not a property developer. Unfortunately, I cannot edit the original post.
So far, I don’t have this in writing, but I will request it immediately.
My opinion as a layperson would be to have the general contractor treat the wood and wait with the insulation until it is dry. Due to the current heating-up process, the moisture level in the air is naturally very high.
I’m not even trying to understand it 😀
SoL schrieb:
Addendum: Did your expert, who is overseeing the construction progress, not notice this either?
Or are you so deeply involved in the homebuilding process that you cut back on site supervision? Our general contractor (GC) is responsible for site management according to the contract. The contract states that the site manager must inspect the work of every trade and ensure that everything is correct. We strongly doubt that he carried out this duty thoroughly. As mentioned, the roof insulation was installed in early October, and he should have noticed the issue at the latest then. We might have noticed it as well, but the responsibility clearly lies with the GC.
There is no independent site supervision.
Fipsi.ch schrieb:
There is no independent site supervision. That’s unfortunate because the construction manager doesn’t have a contract with you and isn’t concerned whether the house is free of defects. It just needs to be accepted, and any damage is typically only discovered after the warranty period expires.
It was a poor decision but cannot be changed now.
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