Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Sep 02, 2023 7:06 am Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I purchased my newly renovated dream home 18months ago without a building inspection. Concreting was done 5 years ago which is above weep holes and in some places falling back into the house causing major problems. We have mould in 3 bedrooms due to rising moisture through slab due to the concreting done 5 years ago. We believe previous owners knew about this and have decided to change carpets and sell. Do we have a case in court? Re: Slab edge Dampness 2Sep 02, 2023 12:27 pm What is the case in court about? You should never be buying a house without inspection, if you had an inspection report and these details have been omitted, then you could have a case against the inspector. Why do you think previous owners are responsible? In the end of the day, this is the builder who is responsible for structural damage (and it seems it is still on the warranty), so you should better ask him to fix. I believe it is not just concreting over the weep holes, but also a failure of or missing DPC membrane. Re: Slab edge Dampness 3Sep 02, 2023 1:00 pm Previous owners should be responsible as they did not disclose major defects with the house eg.Moisture I’m looking at 60k in repairs and so much stress after noticing problem 18months after moving in. Previous owners were living here with that issue for 3 years. These types of people should not be able to get away with this. Re: Slab edge Dampness 4Sep 02, 2023 3:47 pm Turbo7 Previous owners should be responsible as they did not disclose major defects with the house eg.Moisture I’m looking at 60k in repairs and so much stress after noticing problem 18months after moving in. Previous owners were living here with that issue for 3 years. These types of people should not be able to get away with this. Hi Turbo7 Sorry to hear about your issues. For $60k what are the professionals saying the fix is? Have you had any of the walls opened up to confirm where the water is coming from? If it is the external concrete being higher than your weepholes, it shouldn't be too hard to saw cut you concrete back and put some strip drains in and then install some new weepholes. My question is, are you sure it's from the concrete and not water running back under the fascia and down the internal walls? I have seen wet floors being caused by gutters not being cleaned and or downpipes not being able to take the run off from the gutters. ie often the water comes from the top not underneath. So my question is, how certain are you that it is coming from the bottom? Cheers Simeon Architectural Homes & Duplexes - specialising in custom designing homes to your budget Get a Free Onsite Consultation Today or send a PM for information, questions or advice. Re: Slab edge Dampness 5Sep 02, 2023 3:56 pm Hey Simeon, it’s 100% coming from under slab moisture rising due to poor concrete workmanship. I’ve got my house inspected by a building inspector to confirm. I just can not believe some people can do this to a family, since we moved in we have been getting sick more often and my son has got Athsma. Re: Slab edge Dampness 6Sep 02, 2023 3:59 pm Turbo7 Hey Simeon, it’s 100% coming from under slab moisture rising due to poor concrete workmanship. I’ve got my house inspected by a building inspector to confirm. I just can not believe some people can do this to a family, since we moved in we have been getting sick more often and my son has got Athsma. My question is, from the photos no gyprock has been removed, so how did he come to that determination? Architectural Homes & Duplexes - specialising in custom designing homes to your budget Get a Free Onsite Consultation Today or send a PM for information, questions or advice. Re: Slab edge Dampness 7Sep 02, 2023 4:26 pm Plaster, carpet, skirting etc has all been removed. I have heaters, dehumidifiers, fans etc.. trying to make drying the slab process quicker. Could take 6-12months for this to dry. I’ve been checking moisture levels on the slab for last 4 weeks and they have not dropped Re: Slab edge Dampness 8Sep 03, 2023 3:05 pm Properties are sold under Caveat Emptor, buyer beware, that is why most people buying should get a competent pre purchase inspection. Unless there are recent building works subject to building permit (in which case the builder has warranty liability) or subject to Building Report under s 137b where works are disclosed and reported on, there is little you can do. If you buy without a pre purchase inspection, you underwrite your own risk as you found out. Having said that, as Simeon correctly pointed out there may be alternative sources of moisture ingress or there may be more than on problem with your house, it is essential you have correct diagnosis. Make sure whoever is giving you advice know what they are talking about or else the remedy may be too expensive and may even not be effective. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Slab edge Dampness 9Sep 13, 2023 7:23 pm Looking at the photos outside is that deck covered or exposed to rain. This is a common source of excess moisture around buildings and we have had 3 very wet years in a row. I agree with building expert and Alphington homes you have had one opinion on the source of water and it may be incorrect. Re: Slab edge Dampness 10Sep 13, 2023 9:02 pm The deck is covered. I’ve had building experts come out, it’s because the concrete is above weep holes and falling back into house. Water ends up in rebate, slab soaks it in and it slowly comes out through slab. Previous owners knew about this, they will be liable, going through solicitors at the moment Re: Slab edge Dampness 11Sep 13, 2023 9:40 pm Is most of the 60k for removing the old concrete paving and put a new concrete pavement that slopes away ? Generally you don’t need supporting piers/blocks under garage/non-habitable floating GROUND slab (That has no load bearing structures over) if it has good soil bearing… 2 8275 Hi Courtney The mitred edges are glued up with epoxy so those little holes and gaps are areas that weren't filled correctly. Silicone is the wrong product to fill them… 2 20779 You need to refer back to the structural engineering footings and slab design for edge beams depth. The depth on reactive clay doesn’t necessarily depend only on bearing… 1 8683 |