ᐅ A Damp Shell – Are Problems Inevitable?

Hello everyone,

We are building identical semi-detached houses simultaneously with three other families. The shell with a flat roof has been completed since December. The windows are not expected until the end of February. So far, the window openings have been covered with thick plastic sheeting and wooden frames. The vapor barrier is installed on top of the flat roof.

Due to high groundwater levels (waterproof concrete basement / “white tank” system in place) and heavy rain, water rose up to hip height in the basement over Christmas, coming in through the building’s drainage pipes. The water has been pumped out, but from the outside, you can clearly see that the interior side of the plastic window covers is completely fogged up. I also think there is a slight musty smell inside the neighboring units when standing in the house. There is still no construction door installed; the entrance is only covered with a plastic sheet, but access is possible at any time.

Now my neighbor and I are worried that the shell might not dry properly. The general contractor (turnkey) is currently refusing to provide a construction dryer. Can it be generally said whether damage is already likely before completion?

According to the construction schedule, the windows were supposed to be installed by the end of November.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Good morning,
In the past, it was common for our fathers to leave a house open during the winter.
During this resting phase, with much drier air than in summer, the moisture situation inside the houses usually improved significantly.
However, today this generally does not happen anymore, due to cost and time reasons.
Therefore, moisture removal must be ensured through regular and proper ventilation.
But since hardly anyone has time for this, mold usually appears before the residents move in.
Open plastic-covered windows to let the moisture escape from the house.

Good luck

So far, he has answered all my questions regarding the house.

The construction schedule planned for the windows to be installed in November.

The notarized completion date is set for September 30th.

I am not worried about that.

I always handle such matters with the architect in writing and take sufficient photos.

I will definitely hire an expert.

They should be able to give me an approximate estimate of their costs beforehand, right?

What bothers me is that there is still water standing ankle-deep in the basement, and the windows are sealed with plastic sheeting.

Only the basement windows that are built into the masonry remain open.

What now? Has the water been pumped out or not? If it’s still standing, nothing will improve... Water always finds its way, and once it has found a path, it will cause problems again in the future... where water flows out, it can also flow in.

Pump out the water and open the windows, I would say. It can't be that difficult. Wastewater pumps are available starting from about 30 to 40 Euros.
The real question is why water is coming in. That would worry me much more. Is there no shut-off valve installed before the drain pipes? How is this supposed to be handled in the future?

Hello,

italiano83 schrieb:

I will definitely hire an expert. Can they roughly estimate their costs beforehand?

Not just roughly, they should be able to provide you with a very accurate cost estimate based on the scope of their engagement.

italiano83 schrieb:

What annoys me is that there is still water ankle-high in the basement, and the windows are sealed with plastic. Only the basement windows that are integrated into the masonry are open.

From what you’ve said, I understand that you are responsible for managing any water that may enter the house—as is usually the case in most construction contracts. In any case, don’t let the water stand in the basement; follow the good advice from "Insider2014". Avoid trapping moisture inside the house and make sure to ventilate.

Regards, Bauexperte