Sometimes the obvious is so obvious it is overlooked. When people call for inspections, in this case a one-year warranty inspection, they know there are problems with the house. Often I write down a list of things they see as problems, and listen to their descriptions of problems.
One problem in this house was moisture on the floor behind a large TV stand. They said to me, "It's at ground level. How can water be coming in?"
Water flows up, usually, and not down, right? No wait, that's not it.
A quick look outside revealed just where this water might be getting in!
A sectional, concrete window sill is placed in front of three windows. Installation of such a sill arrangement is essential to whether the house stays dry.
These sections rest on the brick, and in front of the windows.
This is where the leaking is happening. THE HOMEOWNERS HAD NEVER NOTICED IT!
Can you see the problems?
Gapping is evident between both sections. One is worse than the other, but I almost said, "Just the gaps, Ma'am, just the gaps," when telling the homeowner what the problem is.
You can see right through to the house!
And notice the caulking bead along the top.
These two sections are not aligned, and who ever put on the caulking could see the gap!
He just left it!
Somewhat fortunately, this facade is on the south side of the house. It get minimal rain during storms which typically move in from the north and west. Storms like, oh, hurricanes!
Not a lot of water was getting in, but still, a gap is a gap!
The repair? Well, smooshing mortar into the gap is NOT the way to fix it! What do you think the builder will tell these people the repair is?
My recommendation: one-year warranty inspections are important. Make sure they are done! Sometimes I am asked what kinds of things are typical on such inspections. Well, nothing is typical! Problems abound, and they can be in any aspect of the house. So, do the inspection!
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