new construction problems: What Happens When A Spring Is Found Under New Construction?
- 03/03/19 03:33 AM
What happens when a spring is found under new construction?
In the Washington DC suburbs all the lots in a few counties have all been used for development, commercial or residential.
As such, in older neighborhoods, if one wants to live there, but not in the small house built there many decades ago, one buys the lot in a desired neighborhood, razes the former house, and builds a new house.
Many developers are doing this, buying all the houses on a street and building newer, larger homes, sometimes taking up two former lots.
Such was the case of this house. It was a 6500 sq … (40 comments)
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new construction problems: The Basement Floor Slab In This New Home Is A Problem!
- 03/03/18 03:25 AM
The basement floor slab in this new home is a problem!
What's going on with this floor? It is only four months old.
The homeowners have been in the house for one month.
The basement is the indoor play zone for three small children. There is a lot going on down there!
A week or so prior to this photo spots developed in one area of the floor.
During the next few days these spots grew in size. The homeowners punctured one spot with a chop stick (!) and it opened right up.
The hole is about 1" deep and the goop inside smells like oil.
Of course … (16 comments)
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new construction problems: True Or False - You Don't Need A Home Inspection On New Construction?
- 09/14/17 03:02 AM
True or false - you don't need a home inspection on new construction?
So, what do you think?
This is what you hear from the builder or builder's Realtor:
--> We only employ the best subcontractors to work on your house.
--> We have a supervisor on site, every day. He is making hundreds of regular inspections, every day.
--> The County or local jurisdiction makes multiple inspections of the house to insure code compliance.
--> We allow you inspections of the property with our supervisor so you can stay on top of the work.
--> You can contact us any time with questions, and we will answer … (23 comments)
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new construction problems: Where's The HVAC Floor Register In The Closet?
- 02/10/17 03:33 AM
Where's the HVAC floor register in the closet?
This is new construction! Walking into the spacious master bedroom closet (almost 300 square feet) which had a wall on the exterior of the house, I looked for and did not see the floor register.
There has to be at least one.
So how can we find out if one is actually there?
I don't have X-ray vision, so how would that be possible?
Mighty Mo would know!
A quick scan of the room showed EXACTLY where the register should have been. I don't need no stinkin' X-ray vision. I have Mighty Mo!
The intended duct underneath was servicing the … (17 comments)
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new construction problems: New Construction Plumbing - A Thud Inside The Wall, Then This!
- 10/26/16 08:11 PM
This is a test. This is only a test on New Construction plumbing - a thud inside the wall, then this!
It was the last of 6 bathrooms. When the tub handle was turned on only a trickle of water came out. Then the sink was turned on with a similar trickle. Turning off the sink faucet first, then the tub handle second a loud thud was heard inside the wall. The agent on the middle level heard the thud as well.
Then the scream, "Turn the water off, there's a leak!"
Well, the water was off. But I heard spraying inside the wall. … (18 comments)
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new construction problems: How Would You Like To Walk Around Your New House And See This?
- 05/23/16 08:41 PM
How would you like to walk around your new house and see this?
You have your final walk through and you are walking around what will be your new home. It's time for the great reveal! You are excited and waiting to see what's in store.
The foundation has never been painted. It is supposed to be the same color as the siding.
Siding material is laying around. It's in the yard and on top of the fire escape hatch.
It's strewn under the rear sitting porch.
Trash.
There's no other word for it, but trash.
Not only is trash strewn around the yard, and under the porch, … (14 comments)
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new construction problems: This Is New Construction - And This Is The Wet Bar Disposal
- 12/07/15 04:53 PM
This is new construction - and this is the wet bar disposal. We did a home inspection a few days before the final walk through to give the builder time to do anything that needs to be finished up.
What do the words plug, switch and squelch have to do with a disposal?
What do you see?
Yes, there is a disposal and it has a plug.
That is to plug in the unit so you can use the disposal.
What don't you see?
I didn't see a receptacle into which to plug the plug. No plug, no play. If you can't plug in the plug the … (27 comments)
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new construction problems: Askew, Askant And Aslant
- 05/31/15 07:43 PM
What do you do on new construction when the water heater is every bit of askew, askant and aslant?
What, you say?
Isn't a water heater supposed to be straight up and down and rest flat on the floor?
Well, yes, yes it should.
In some places they even strap them so they not only are straight and rest flat, but don't move. Here they are not strapped, but still they should be plumb and flat on the floor.
This one is not only askew, askant and aslant, but it wobbles dramatically as well.
This isn't good since the plumbing is plastic and can so easily snap.
Why … (16 comments)
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new construction problems: This Is New Construction - And You Call This Finish Work?
- 05/29/15 08:01 PM
This is new construction - and you call this finish work?
There were so many problems on this house that within a couple of months the homeowners knew they had huge problems. The builder is no where to be found. Disappeared! The phone answering machine is "full." Nobody responds to emails - company or individual.
Builder warranty? A builder warranty is only as good as the promise to honor it. This couple was told all along the way that they did not need a private home inspector as so many other inspections were being done daily by the builder "professionals" and county.
They were … (25 comments)
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new construction problems: New Construction Hardwood Floor - Is This "Cosmetic?"
- 02/13/15 07:04 PM
Here we are standing on a new construction hardwood floor - is this "cosmetic?"
We are in the wide hallway leading from a grand entrance and into a sweeping kitchen opening to a very large, bright family room beyond.
This is a multi-million dollar house.
As you walk in the front door and walk down that hallway, a few yards in front you see a little dab of white.
From the distance it looks like it might be a piece of paper or swaddle of cloth laying on the floor.
The closer you get you realize it is something in the … (26 comments)
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new construction problems: What You Get With Your New House Is Always What It's Cracked Up To Be?
- 12/27/14 08:06 PM
What you say? Your new house is always what it's cracked up to be?
Don't you mean ISN'T what it's cracked up to be?
No, I mean IS. When cracks abound that is...
And you ask, "How can there be any cracks? It's new construction?"
People are told that with the thousands of codes, and dozens of diligent inspections performed by the local jurisdictional authority, and the supervisor on site every day inspecting every minute of every aspect of every job, a private home inspection simply isn't necessary. And in a perfect world that might be true.
But this is not … (11 comments)
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new construction problems: New Construction HVAC - Installed, Supervised, Inspected And Approved
- 05/27/14 07:55 PM
Here we are again - new construction HVAC - installed, supervised, inspected and approved.
It looks great! Very professional!
This type of installation is getting more and more popular - the cabinet base on the side or the front is used to install an HVAC register.
Especially in areas where there is limited wall space.
Somebody from one of the trades - the HVAC professional, the cabinet professional - some professional cut the hole in the side of the cabinet to heat and cool this bathroom.
And it looks fine.
The professional supervisor had to have known this was done. It's … (31 comments)
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new construction problems: Can I Suggest A Sad Word With New Construction Inspections? Almost.
- 12/17/13 08:28 PM
Can I suggest a sad word with new construction inspections? Almost.
This builder was very upset with me following an inspection a couple of months ago. And in particular regarding this roof.
The builder even went to the point of calling other professionals and companies to rebut my inspection report.
What happened? The builder ended up doing a whole lot of repairs they did not expect to have to do! The builder was told by these various professionals that they were lucky that I informed them of these various problems, which would have risen up later to bite them badly. And … (63 comments)
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new construction problems: What Do We Do On New Construction When Doors Aren't Level Or Plumb?
- 02/20/13 06:48 PM
So answer the question - what do we do on new construction when doors aren't level or plumb?
One basic rule of carpentry is that doors and windows be level and plumb.
Level noun 1 a horizontal plane with respect to the distance above or below a given point
Plumb verb 3 testing an upright surface to determine the vertical
When doors are shipped they have little stabilizers on the corners that insure that the door framing is absolutely square. It is a perfect rectangle.
If it is a rectangle and level, it is also plumb. We used to test plumb with … (45 comments)
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new construction problems: Isn't A Front Porch Roof Heavy? How Should It Be Attached?
- 01/27/13 06:34 PM
I like a front porch on a house, which usually has its own roof. But, isn't a front porch roof heavy? How should it be attached?
Compared to Mother Nature's power, a front porch roof weighs very little. It should be attached such that it is a part of the structure of the house.
This porch is about 20' long, with its own roof.
The roof structure is such that a porch swing could be installed and the porch could be used for sitting or relaxing.
It is done right in that it extends off the end of the house, so … (45 comments)
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new construction problems: "We Won't Fix Anything Unless It's A Code Violation"
- 08/12/11 11:07 PM
More new construction fun! And guess who it's with ... again? And the same tricks - late afternoon phone call, the inspection needed to be done the next day, enormous amounts of insurance information - same old, same old.
The buyer called me in a panic. We had previously corresponded many times, but she did had not been told the requirements the builder has pertaining to inspectors and inspections not realizing things were far enough along to have the inspection. Even though I had warned her, she did not believe me (they seldom do). I told her to call the lady … (91 comments)
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new construction problems: New Construction With A Basement Bathroom Rough In
- 07/28/11 11:46 PM
Many people are buying new construction these days and not finishing the basement. They think they can do it better, cheaper or with more flair than the builder will deliver. Here is an example of new construction with a basement bathroom rough in.
This is a final inspection just prior to the buyer taking occupancy.
I did not do a pre-drywall inspection.
This is the "rough in" left for this buyer to finish into a bathroom.
What impresses me is this:
1. There is no third drain for a sink or tub. Only two drains were placed in the floor.
2. … (49 comments)
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new construction problems: A Good Wood Door Will Not Stay "Good" Unless It Is Finished Professionally
- 07/27/11 12:17 AM
Nothing is more important to the longevity of any wood product than its finish. These are true words - a good wood door will not stay "good" unless it is finished properly.
This is just one portion of a front door on a house I inspected for a one-year warranty.
This is an expensive house and that is a good wood door.
AND THAT IS A JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL FINISH JOB. My eighth grade shop teacher would give me a D for that work.
The job was done with a small brush. Brush strokes are seen everywhere. The single coat is … (17 comments)
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new construction problems: On New Construction The Finish Work Is Crucial - Remember The Golden Rule?
- 07/02/11 12:23 AM
When good money is spent for a new home everything should be pleasing to the eye. Materials selection, fixtures, finish carpentry, the final product - all should demonstrate pride in workmanship which leads to pride in ownership. The final walk through with the client should be a REVEAL - look what we have done for you!
Unfortunately with so much modern, new construction, this is not the case.
A large, covered porch outside the master bedroom is a feature most of us would drool over. A nice retreat, private, comfortable furniture and it can be enjoyed in any weather. What could … (46 comments)
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new construction problems: There MUST Be Continuity For Load Transfer - Danger, Danger, Danger!
- 06/30/11 01:23 AM
There is almost never an inspection on new construction that does not stir up a bees hive! So often I run into things that I KNOW an architect did not design. It is the supervisor and subcontractors on site that are very, very relevant to the final product people buy and end up living in.
Nice house. Pretty porch arrangement. That upper veranda comes off of the master bedroom. Very nice porch.
Very unusually, I could see the underside of the upper porch from the front stoop. There was no covering.
And in that underside I could see how two of … (15 comments)
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What happens when a spring is found under new construction?
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