Defects in new homes and problems they cause.
New homes with defects. QBIS. Learn how these faults can be avoided and help increase the life expectancy of your new home.
Design fault in new homes.
- Timber mouldings fitted around exterior of windows without flashing protection
- No flashing to sill of window.
- Sill timber with no slope.
- Sealant used instead of flashings.
Builders seem to have lost sight of importance of fitting flashing’s around openings and rely too much on using sealants. Rather than proper methods of construction to avoid seepage causing rot around windows and possibly to concealed wall framing!
What this design fault causes:
- Seepage through joint of horizontal timber and rot to concealed timber.
- Applied sealants will deteriorate from UV where exposed.
Rot may also occur to wall framing and sometimes the sub-floor structure (in a two storey house). Also refer to other posts and photos for more information. Impractical design causing rot
Rising damp causing slab edge deterioration:
Rising damp occurring to exposed edges of the house and garage slab. Although this is a common occurrence deterioration may occur to concrete over the long term (depending on the type of soil in the area, if salts are present in the soil).
This problem must be identified in a building inspection report. This will help the buyer be aware then have it addressed by an expert, before it potentially develops into a more serious problem.
Rising damp to corner of garage slab.
Most likely from improper fitting of membrane below the slab before the concrete was poured.
Cracking of garage slab.
Most likely from settlement or expansion of soil causing the slab to lift and crack. Not unusual, but would have to be monitored for further possible movement and have rectified if it becomes significant.
Damaged roof truss of a new house.
Fractured web member to part of a roof Truncated Girder truss (main supporting truss to other roof trusses). Although being a small component of the roof truss, the web is still a very important part of a roof truss.
This problem can easily be rectified by reinforcing the fractured web section with secured cleats to both sides of the web.
New homes with defects. Bathroom floor waste that is not serving any useful purpose
Without fall to this floor waste pipe it will not serve any purpose, when leaking occurs. This is a very common fault in new houses.
Potential termite access points in a newly built house
Insufficient clearance between lower external walls and paving may allow potential termite access. Slab edge exposure must be at least 75mm to comply with building code requirements. New homes with defects.