Consumption and Real Estate
I have a leak in my house. It is more than 3 months old. It has caused water damage to one wall. What 2 do?
Question : I have a leak in my house. It is more than 3 months old. It has caused water damage to one wall. What 2 do?
The leak has caused mold and bugs have infested some boards in the wall. The house is under warranty and the builder just wants to bleach thr boards and dehumifidy. The boards look in bad shape as the leak is at least 3 months old. I am looking for suggestions, etc. This is my first home.
in house warranty
Best answer:
Answer by jennifer k
If your home is under warranty you should defianetly have it fixed. Demand to have the wall taken out and the plumbing fixed and a new wall put up. Bleaching and dehumidifying will not fix the problem, just cover it up. This is why they make warranty’s. Act quickly though, most warranty’s only last a year, and you already lost a few months. 
Best of luck!
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#2 written by Dr.RS 1 year ago
If you are living in US the usual Roof leak warranty is 8 years! Get it done by them. There are cheap DIY kits to repair Roof leaks like Bitumen base sealing compounds, which can be used if you locate the exact place like window frame edges etc.; The cosmetic repairs are to done after sealing the leak. Make a self test by using your garden hose to pour water profusely on the roof area and observe for trace of a leak. Adopt Safety rules first before any attempt to climb the roof.
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the other answers are very good, the one thing everyone neglected was mold.
mold needs moisture to grow. it sounds like moisture is in abundance.
you may have a bigger issue than the water leak, obviously get the leak fixed and have a certified mold inspector/tester come and do a check/test. this could be pricey, depending on how many tests they do.
this is what i recommend…
outside air sample, this is necessary to come up with a base line.
inside air sample, must do.
and an test on the interior of the wall where the moisture is, normally a swab test.
expect to pay 3 to 5 hundred for the testing.
with the results you can approach the builder with the info and you now have more ammo to get him to respond.
get the test done, you might need it for legal action.
if the builder sends his own test guy then that’s OK but do your own, you don’t know if they are in cahoots together.
cover your butt.
if you live in Boise Idaho i know a reputable co who could do the testing for you.
good luck
Joe