ᐅ Moist Walls in New Construction (Base Area) – Exterior Wall
Created on: 2 Feb 2018 23:02
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Neubau2017
Good evening!
We moved into a new end-terrace house with our young child (1 1/2 years old) on June 28, 2017, and today, by chance, we noticed these spots on the exterior wall near the base.
Could this be moisture? If so, should the developer come to inspect it personally? Or would it be better to involve a building expert right away?
We always heat the living room with underfloor heating and try to remember to ventilate regularly.
It might also be worth mentioning that we had shutters installed later in October 2017.
Could water ingress be the cause? But then in the base area?
We have also noticed some settlement cracks, which we were told about repeatedly. However, these cracks are wider than the limit of 0.02mm.
I really hope to get some support or advice from this forum because somehow our developer does not seem to take responsibility...
Additionally, a door frame on the converted attic was installed incorrectly (we have already requested written repairs/replacement, but have received no written response here either).
There are unfortunately several issues worrying us, but the suspected moisture problem is the final straw :-(
Best regards
We moved into a new end-terrace house with our young child (1 1/2 years old) on June 28, 2017, and today, by chance, we noticed these spots on the exterior wall near the base.
Could this be moisture? If so, should the developer come to inspect it personally? Or would it be better to involve a building expert right away?
We always heat the living room with underfloor heating and try to remember to ventilate regularly.
It might also be worth mentioning that we had shutters installed later in October 2017.
Could water ingress be the cause? But then in the base area?
We have also noticed some settlement cracks, which we were told about repeatedly. However, these cracks are wider than the limit of 0.02mm.
I really hope to get some support or advice from this forum because somehow our developer does not seem to take responsibility...
Additionally, a door frame on the converted attic was installed incorrectly (we have already requested written repairs/replacement, but have received no written response here either).
There are unfortunately several issues worrying us, but the suspected moisture problem is the final straw :-(
Best regards
T
toxicmolotof3 Feb 2018 01:54Okay, we also have settlement cracks, but looking at them, yours are definitely much larger than ours.
Can anyone actually confirm that this is normal? I’m an amateur and find them quite large. However, I’m not able to assess it properly.
Water or moisture in places where it shouldn’t be should definitely be addressed.
Can anyone actually confirm that this is normal? I’m an amateur and find them quite large. However, I’m not able to assess it properly.
Water or moisture in places where it shouldn’t be should definitely be addressed.
1) I also find the images of the base with stains concerning. It’s best to have a professional take a look!
2) I’m surprised by the number of cracks. Basically, plaster also shrinks while drying, and as Yvonne mentioned, if there is no reinforcement mesh inside, it tends to crack. Corners and edges (where you have cracks) are especially vulnerable, as well as areas with channels for cables underneath, because the plaster is quite thick there. However, some of the horizontal cracks in your walls look like the house has settled by a few millimeters (thousandths of a meter) overall. Have you noticed anything like this on the exterior facade?
3) A house settling slightly is not dangerous in itself, but it does need to stabilize properly!
Karsten
2) I’m surprised by the number of cracks. Basically, plaster also shrinks while drying, and as Yvonne mentioned, if there is no reinforcement mesh inside, it tends to crack. Corners and edges (where you have cracks) are especially vulnerable, as well as areas with channels for cables underneath, because the plaster is quite thick there. However, some of the horizontal cracks in your walls look like the house has settled by a few millimeters (thousandths of a meter) overall. Have you noticed anything like this on the exterior facade?
3) A house settling slightly is not dangerous in itself, but it does need to stabilize properly!
Karsten
As long as everything is still under warranty, this complaint notice is sufficient. They should come and take a look. Someone should urgently check the water issue. It could affect the screed.
If no defect is found, you are responsible for proving the defect -> expert appraisal only then.
If no defect is found, you are responsible for proving the defect -> expert appraisal only then.
It looks like an open gable or something similar. More issues can occur there compared to a standard gable. Photos of the shell construction would be interesting.
We also have cracks of the same width in the offset shed roof on the load-bearing central wall in our storage area. The construction manager just inspected them.
However, we are now out of the warranty period after 4 years.
We also have cracks of the same width in the offset shed roof on the load-bearing central wall in our storage area. The construction manager just inspected them.
However, we are now out of the warranty period after 4 years.
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Neubau20173 Feb 2018 12:14Many thanks in advance for the numerous tips and information! We are a bit puzzled by now, as the developer tends to downplay the issues rather casually.
Nevertheless, I will definitely report the water stains as well as the cracks as defects, since we have already sent pictures by email but have not yet received a response.
I will upload more pictures of the shell construction shortly (for now, I only have those of the ground floor available). The attic/gable photos will follow.
Once again, many thanks for the great support!
Nevertheless, I will definitely report the water stains as well as the cracks as defects, since we have already sent pictures by email but have not yet received a response.
I will upload more pictures of the shell construction shortly (for now, I only have those of the ground floor available). The attic/gable photos will follow.
Once again, many thanks for the great support!
Neubau2017 schrieb:
Many thanks in advance for all the information and tips! By now, we are a bit at a loss because the developer is rather dismissive about it.
However, I will definitely report the (water) stains as well as the cracks as defects, since we have already sent pictures by email but have not yet received a response.
I will upload more pictures of the shell construction (currently, I only have those from the ground floor on hand). The attic/gable pictures will follow.
Thanks again for the great support!I would like to repeat this once more: a formal complaint about defects must follow a specific format and meet a deadline!
No emails! No photos! No phone calls! These do not formally reach the client. You will have nothing to rely on later if you want to take legal action.
They do not need photos from you; they should take their own during an on-site inspection.
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