Please Help!!! New Construction and windows leaking

16 years ago

We are building a new home and are at the stage where they just finished texturing inside. It rained pretty heavy yesterday and then it's raining again now. The masonry was supposed to start bricking yesterday, but couldn't due to the rain. When we went out yesterday, we had water in four rooms total. It appears that it's leaking around the transom windows in these rooms. It's to the point where it's ran down the wall and into a big puddle on the floor. I just left there now and our gameroom has three picture windows in it. They are all leaking, just dripping to the window pane below. The builder is assessing it as I type this. My question is, does all the sheetrock that got wet need to be replaced? That's what we're thinking, but think they builder may say it just needs to dry out. I worry about mold and mold spores. Three members of our family have severe allergies, and I'm afraid they will be affected by this if we don't get it replaced.

Featured Answer

sierraeast

16 years ago

I wouldn't let the bricklayers start until you get your windows flashed properly. Brick similar to stucco isn't what keeps water and moisture out, it's the underlayment/flashings/ drainage planes that keep water/moisture from reaching inside the walls. It's important for your windows, over doors, as well as any other protrusions to be flashed properly when you have claddings such as brick and stucco. It's equally important for most any siding type for not only moisture intrusion, but air infiltrations as well.

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Comments (9)

macv
16 years ago
Photograph everything and get a design professional involved immediately. There will be no easy or cheap answers and the contractor has an obvious conflict of interest.

Do you have photos of the window installation? What kind of flashing was specified?
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rsc2a
16 years ago
And to answer your question: yes, all damp sheetrock and insulation should be replaced.
sierraeast
16 years ago
Pull out all the wet rock/insulation to let things dry out, but dont replace until you get the leaks stopped. The brick isn't going to make your house waterproof. As Macv mentioned, get a professional not attached to your project to take a look at those windows/flashing installs.
worthy
16 years ago
The question is how damp. When I have curved walls and vaults the drywallers leave the drywall out in the rain for a few minutes to get just the right flex to it. And some insulation is actually sprayed in damp.

In any case, better it happened now when corrections will be easier than after the veneer is on. Remember, too, it may be the windows, not the builder's techniques, that are at fault.
rockmanor
16 years ago
I would certainly insist on replacing the drywall and insulation that got wet. But before that's replaced, be sure to see how your windows were installed. You might consider contacting your window manufacturer to see if they have a rep in your area who can check them out. My concern isn't so much for the windows but for the installation job. We went through >6 mos. of major inconvenience and expense all because the builder of our spec house thought he knew better than the window makers and didn't bother installing sill pans or correctly flashing the windows. Even after the builder paid to remove/replace brick, re-caulk (multiple times), etc., he whined about the window manufacturers insisting on needless (in his opinion) and costly installation procedures. Sadly, we know that the way this house was built is no different than most other houses in our area, whether they sell for $300K or $3MM. I went up against two other builders who insisted they'd "always" built houses using shockingly slipshod methods and thought that I was just difficult and picky for wanting to conform to building code (inspections are a joke here, so there's no comfort to be gained from a house passing inspection.) It's easier and cheaper to correct the problem now than after you're living in the house. Good luck!
vette09
5 years ago
What ended up solving this issue? I’m having the same issue myself. Thanks
Klancie Madl
4 years ago
Me too…
PRO
PPF.
4 years ago
@Klancie Madl

Why not start your own thread -- this one is 12 years old.