Complete home inspection by Three Rivers Inspection reported water damage in the basement, living room and rotunda on July 28. While attempting to clean on August 9, nearly all nail heads come right off when removal was attempted along the wall that Joel with Quality Air Works indicated had sustained severe (undisclosed) water damage. Nails removed were in two parts and rusted. Dry wall in that area is separated from the floor and puckering in places.
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Our $800K "living room." Not much living could be done here. |
August 11, Rick Fountain (waterproofing) visits to assess problems by Russ with Three Rivers Inspection. Rick finds 1’ of standing water in sump pump in basement behind paneling. Pump is non-functional and needs to be replaced. Of course, it would have been impossible not to notice this when the sewer lateral work was being done, insofar as the pump was in the corner where the sewer connection was made.
Here's a guide to dealing with sump pump problems, and here's a picture of what a normal sump pump looks like. Ours didn't look like this. The walls don't have any mold on them, so it can't be ours!
Rick anticipates installing two French drains to prevent further water damage in rotunda and basement. He also confirms that French drains would have been added to the property in response to moisture problems inside the home. He also advises we consult a stucco specialist to address moisture damage beneath glass block.
Here's a guide to dealing with sump pump problems, and here's a picture of what a normal sump pump looks like. Ours didn't look like this. The walls don't have any mold on them, so it can't be ours!
Rick anticipates installing two French drains to prevent further water damage in rotunda and basement. He also confirms that French drains would have been added to the property in response to moisture problems inside the home. He also advises we consult a stucco specialist to address moisture damage beneath glass block.
When Todd Swann and partner Stuart visited 211 Hunt Road August 12 to determine the best way to proceed, both emphasized the need to deal with health & safety issues first, including water damage. They point out the same place that Russ with Three Rivers Inspection pointed out around the outside front where moisture has likely seeped into the house.
September 2 - Rick Fountain replaces broken, rotted, stinking sump pump with used one that functions. Also provides estimate for necessary waterproofing.
October 1 - Joel and crew demolish kitchen and tear out dry wall in living room, identify longstanding problems with the plumbing that explain the dishwasher that doesn’t wash and the faucet that sprays the kitchen. They point to additional places where there has been water and other damage undisclosed by the Exlers as well.
Joel also confirms that a wall in the living room has sustained water damage and further ascertains that it was not properly repaired. This area will need to be repaired and waterproofed as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
October 26 - Lorri calls Steve Orlando -- the guy who the Exlers hired to to do the lousy sewer lateral work that began our saga -- regarding the sinking trench outside. He indicates it is too late in the season to do further buttressing, but promises to return in the spring to complete the necessary repairs. (He never does.)
Rick Fountain and crew begin installation of the French drain on October 31. As predicted, the drain installed by the Exlers had been done so improperly, absent such crucial elements as moisture barriers to keep water from seeping through the soil and into the house and means of directing water in the opposite direction.
Here's a little guide on French drains -- when you need them, what they do, how they work. We had never heard of a "French drain" before buying this monstrosity of a house.
Here's a little guide on French drains -- when you need them, what they do, how they work. We had never heard of a "French drain" before buying this monstrosity of a house.
November 3, Dave, from Mr. Handyman, is sent to complete the living room drywall project. He discovers evidence of profound and extensive water damage to left living room wall that appears clearly to have been masked by the Exlers. He finds the stench overwhelming and the work consequently unsavory and difficult. There is clear evidence of recent repairs to wood framing behind drywall as newer wood is juxtaposed against much older wood.The entire length of the wall had been replaced with new sheathing and framing, which was itself already saturated with water and laden with mold, again due to the lack of proper drainage and water barriers. There is newer, cheaper insulation, much of which is moldy, abutting older, higher quality insulation. Dave notes that wood was replaced from the outside, and that entire wall of stucco was replaced at the same time. He also uncovered wood rot and mold in the same location that prior contractors have indicated had sustained water damage.
Mike Nick, technician, reported “They have a pipe leaking (growing green crap) coming from the water heater on the right.”
November 4 - Dave continues work on the living room, completing removal of water damaged and urine-saturated materials and application of industrial strength sealant intended to prevent any remaining odors from penetrating surfaces.
November 7-10: Rick Chase uncovers more concealed water damage as newer floor board placed by patio entrance and rotted wood by windows in the kitchen.
November 13 brings more rain, which is more rainwater in the entryway.
Water, water everywhere... and not a drop to... Oh, hell. Thanks Roz!!
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