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Common Construction Defects
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The
following list of common construction defects is not intended to identify every
possible defect found in some new home developments in California:
Air
Conditioning
Common
Defects:
- Undersized units
- Air ducts not sealed
- Pans leak
- Power surges
-
Freon
leaks
Possible
Damage:
-
Inability to adequately cool
-
Excessive energy usage and costs
-
Freezing of units
-
Mold
-
Dry rot
Asphalt
Common
Defects:
-
Improper design
-
Improper thickness
-
Too
cold before installation
-
Overheated before installation
-
Improper sloping
-
Inadequate drainage
Possible
Damage:
-
Subsidence
-
Vertical displacement
-
Trip
and fall hazards
-
Cracks
-
Alligatoring
-
Water
Intrusion
-
Trip
and fall hazards
Balconies and Decks
Common
Defects:
-
Improper drainage or slope
-
Improper coatings
-
Improper installation of scuppers
-
Improper flashings and deck to wall transitions
-
Improper door threshold installations
Possible
Damage:
-
Interior leaks
-
Stucco
cracking and staining
-
Dry rot
-
Mold
-
Structural failure
Concrete
Common
Defects:
-
Improper Design
-
Too wet
before installation
-
Too dry
before installation
-
Improper sloping
-
Inadequate drainage
-
Vapor
barrier is missing or compromised
Possible
Damage:
-
Subsidence
-
Vertical displacement
-
Cracks
-
Water
Intrusion
-
Structural failure
-
Driveways are too steep causing cars to scrape
-
Vertical displacement
-
Trip
and fall hazards
Crawl
Spaces
Common
Defects:
-
Insufficient cross ventilation
-
Inadequate clearance between earth and wood structural members
-
Exterior grade slopes towards the structure
-
Lack of
code required access
Possible
Damage:
-
Water
intrusion and/or moisture in crawlspace
-
Mold
-
Dry rot
-
Structural damage
Drainage
Common
Defects:
-
No
drains installed adjacent to foundations
-
Drains
are too high
-
Drains
fail to have outlets
-
Drains
divert water toward the structure
Possible
Damage:
-
Water
intrusion and ponding
-
Structural damage and staining
-
Mold
Fireplaces
Common
Defects:
-
Unsealed gas line penetrations
-
Insufficient chimney height
-
Missing
or incomplete firestops
-
Insufficient clearance between fireplace and combustive materials
-
Improper installation of chimney caps
Possible
Damage:
-
Fire
hazard
-
Smoke
entry into living areas
-
Voiding
of manufacturer’s warranty
-
Water
intrusion
Framing
Common
Defects:
-
Missing
fire stops
-
Upper
floor is slanted or sags
-
Stairs
are too steep
-
Inconsistent riser heights
Possible
Damage:
-
Excessive fire risk
-
Stairs
become a trip and fall hazard
-
Vertigo
effect created
Foundations and Slabs
Common
Defects:
-
Cracks
-
Missing, incomplete or torn vapor barrier
-
Improper water proofing or no water proofing
-
Excessive capillary moisture through concrete
Possible
Damage:
-
Water
Intrusion, water vapor
-
Buckling of hardwood floors
-
Discoloration of hardwood floors
-
Damage
to carpeting and pad
-
Mold
Hold-Downs
Common
Defects:
-
Bolts
missing
-
Improper placing
Possible
Damage:
-
Excessive earthquake damage
Joist
and Beam Hangers
Common
Defects:
-
Missing
nails
-
Missing
hangers
Possible
Damage:
-
Excessive earthquake damage
-
Structural failure
Landscaping
Common
Defects:
-
Sprinklers spray buildings
-
Inadequate drainage
-
Trees
are located too close to buildings and walls
Possible
Damage:
-
Water
intrusion, mold
-
Ponding
-
Structural damage
-
Soil
erosion
Paint
Common
Defects:
-
Watered
down paint
-
Wrong
type of paint
Possible
Damage:
-
Peeling
-
Discoloration
-
Fading
Plumbing and Bathrooms
Common
Defects:
-
Excessive noise when water is turned on
-
Improperly installed toilets leak
-
Shower
pans leak
-
Drain
pipes leak
-
Improperly installed tile leaks
-
Improper venting to exterior
Possible
Damage:
-
Leaks,
water intrusion
-
Staining
-
Mold
-
Dry rot
-
Structural damage
-
Corrosion
Roofs
Common
Defects:
-
Improper slope to drains, ponding
-
Inadequate drainage, ponding
-
Under
layment is torn, short, missing or exposed
-
Gutters
are missing or leak
-
Inadequate flashing
-
Tiles
are not fastened down
-
Tiles
are overextended
-
Improper installation of parapet caps
-
Unsealed penetrations
-
Inadequate ventilation
Possible
Damage:
-
Water
intrusion
-
Stains
-
Destruction of ceilings, walls, insulation and other components
-
Structural damage
-
Destruction of personal property
-
Mold
-
Dry rot
Shear
Walls
Common
Defects:
-
Inadequate nailing
-
Substitution of incorrect nails
-
Missing
or inadequate coverage
Possible
Damage:
-
Excessive earthquake damage
-
Stucco
cracks
-
Drywall
cracks
-
Water
intrusion and mold
Soil
Common
Defects:
-
Failure
to adequately compact
-
Inadequate drainage
Possible
Damage:
-
Stucco
cracks
-
Patio
cracks and movement
-
Slab
cracks
-
Interior tile cracks
-
Water
intrusion and mold
Stucco
and Weep Screeds
Common
Defects:
-
Unflashed penetrations
-
Missing
weep screeds
-
Buried
weep screeds
-
Weep
screeds filled with stucco
-
Improper installation of foam trims
-
Inadequate attachment of the lath
-
Corroded metal lath
-
Insufficient embedment of lath
-
Holes
and tears in building paper
-
Brick
and stone wainscots improperly installed
Possible
Damage:
-
Water
intrusion
-
Water
trapped in wall cavities
-
Staining
-
Mold
-
Dry rot
-
Stucco
cracks
-
Drywall
damage
-
Bricks
and stones fall off building
Subterranean Garages and Storage Rooms
Common
Defects:
-
Lack of
water proofing
-
Exterior grade slopes towards the building
-
Lack of
proper drainage
-
Inadequate ventilation
Possible
Damage:
-
Water
intrusion and ponding
-
Structural damage to steel reinforcing
-
Excessive moisture and mold
-
Efflorescence and water stains
Windows and Doors
Common
Defects:
-
Improper installation or damaged product
-
Improper window and door flashings
-
Improperly installed building paper around windows and doors
-
Improper installation of alarm components
Possible
Damage:
-
Water
Intrusion
-
Staining
-
Mold
-
Dry rot
-
Fogging
between glass sheets in double paned windows
-
Excessive energy usage and costs
Construction Defect Attorneys
Serving California Property Owners and Homeowner Associations
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