Got Water Problems?
As a homeowner you may not how your house is built or what lies beneath the foundation. Sometimes a qualified home inspector with a building background might help you truly understand your home. I received a call yesterday from a client interested in a home inspection in Wildomar for her rental property. Her family has fallen into a very difficult situation this past year and they are in desperate need of a solution.
Five years ago her family moved into a brand new home in Murrieta, CA. This home was the home of their dreams and they spared no expense on all the upgrades. They then proceeded to rent out their other home, located in Wildomar, CA to a family member .
A short time after moving in, her and her husband noticed their health was starting to deteriorate. They both contracted phenomena and respiratory problems that eventually turned into permanent asthma for her husband. Then they noticed an odor every time they went downstairs.
After some investigation they discovered that water was entering through the slab. As a builder, we know that there could be many factors for this i.e., a broken pipe, a bad joint, ground water, etc. Then they discovered black mold in some of the kitchen cabinets.
They contacted their insurance company. Much to their surprise their insurance provider would not cover the foundation problem but only allot money towards mold remediation. So they can get the mold removed but they will not be compensated to find and fix the source of the problem under the foundation. In time the mold would simply return.
Fearing they could not incur this cost, they decided to meet with an attorney along with several other homeowners to potentially file a lawsuit against the builder. She is not hopeful this will help but is desperate to find some solution.
She is so confused as to what to do. Do they walk away? Do they use the allotted insurance money and remove the mold for a quick fix that won't last? Do they stay and continue to jeopardize their health? Do they try and sell?
They contacted us because we are both a General contractor as well as an InterNachi certified Home Inspector. They are considering moving back into the rental property and want to have it fully inspected by an inspector with real building experience, so they can move in with some confidence that the same problems do not exist.
I perform the inspection next week for her so hopefully it will go well and they can move into a safe and healthier environment for their family. After the inspection I'm going to their current home to look at the foundation and give them an idea of the cost involved to fix the problem. This is another reason to always have your home inspected once a year. An annual home inspection by a qualified Home Inspector may not be a panacea but it will definitely increase your odds of early detection, so a small or moderate problem does not become a health issue or a bank breaker in the future! We have over 17 years of building experience and have done numerous inspections all over Southern California, if we can help in anyway from a home inspection to home improvements, please give us a call. We're happy to help!
Halliday Home Inspection
(951) 506-6905
www.hallidayhomeinspection.com
HHB Construction Services
(951) 694-8992
www.hhbincorporated.com
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