Question for Water Damages in a home
#1
08-23-14, 07:54 AM
Question for Water Damages in a home
We are buying a house . While we will go for an Inspection, there are a few issues which I have concerns --
1) The foundation wall (outside) has a stucco covering which is cracking in multiple places. The concrete under looks good. I am attaching some pictures. Is it of concern ?
2) There are water stains on walls near window . I checked with a moisture meter and it shows about 5% which I think is not abnormal . Should I be concerned ?
3) The upper level floor (carpeted) shows about 6 - 7 % moisture
The house is 1979 split ranch with old/original roof , good vinyl siding, wood windows (window sills look great ... no moisture as measured by my digital moisture meter).
PS: Pictures got inverted when adding
1) The foundation wall (outside) has a stucco covering which is cracking in multiple places. The concrete under looks good. I am attaching some pictures. Is it of concern ?
2) There are water stains on walls near window . I checked with a moisture meter and it shows about 5% which I think is not abnormal . Should I be concerned ?
3) The upper level floor (carpeted) shows about 6 - 7 % moisture
The house is 1979 split ranch with old/original roof , good vinyl siding, wood windows (window sills look great ... no moisture as measured by my digital moisture meter).
PS: Pictures got inverted when adding
#2
08-23-14, 10:34 AM
Hi krish,
You will need more than a moisture meter and a real estate grade inspection to keep you out of what could be a money pit. It is not that I see anything specific, other than what you are showing, but you really need a good independent inspector who has ONLY your interest in mind and no connection to seller or real estate agent/s.
As for the moisture meter it is only showing you the condition today, not what caused the water damage and not what is growing behind the walls.
When a house is flooded you have something like 48 hours to remove the wet materials before mold sets in. You need someone to certify that there is no mold before you proceed. Insurance companies may not provide coverage and banks may not finance a house contaminated with mold.
The fact that nothing was opened up says no one looked inside those walls.
Maybe one of the mods can flit the pictures.
Bud
You will need more than a moisture meter and a real estate grade inspection to keep you out of what could be a money pit. It is not that I see anything specific, other than what you are showing, but you really need a good independent inspector who has ONLY your interest in mind and no connection to seller or real estate agent/s.
As for the moisture meter it is only showing you the condition today, not what caused the water damage and not what is growing behind the walls.
When a house is flooded you have something like 48 hours to remove the wet materials before mold sets in. You need someone to certify that there is no mold before you proceed. Insurance companies may not provide coverage and banks may not finance a house contaminated with mold.
The fact that nothing was opened up says no one looked inside those walls.
Maybe one of the mods can flit the pictures.
Bud
#4
08-23-14, 02:00 PM
I just wanted to give you a taste of attitudes towards mold.
"This water intrusion has resulted in the substantial growth of toxic mold and other hazardous substances, which has caused injuries and illnesses to BOE employees."
From this link: California Nailed with $75M Lawsuit over Mold at BOE Building: Plaintiffs Accuse Fraud and Concealment
Ever since Katrina, mold has become the 4 letter word to avoid.
Bud
"This water intrusion has resulted in the substantial growth of toxic mold and other hazardous substances, which has caused injuries and illnesses to BOE employees."
From this link: California Nailed with $75M Lawsuit over Mold at BOE Building: Plaintiffs Accuse Fraud and Concealment
Ever since Katrina, mold has become the 4 letter word to avoid.
Bud
#5
08-23-14, 03:04 PM
Member
I think Pulpo is being bit too negative (Sorry). I would not just walk away. IOf you like the house enogh then a few hundred to have it inspected is money well spent. It's worth an independent inspector as Bud suggested. If the damage is only superficial you might be able to get a cost reduction on the house. It all depends on how much you like the house and location.
Concerning flooded houses with mold. If done properly even weeks or months later a proper mold cleaning will work. My daughters house was in the floods of Hershey and Lebanon, Pa a few years back. Her house was virtually under water. It took three applications but her house is 100% mold free and I mean absolutely FREE!
Concerning flooded houses with mold. If done properly even weeks or months later a proper mold cleaning will work. My daughters house was in the floods of Hershey and Lebanon, Pa a few years back. Her house was virtually under water. It took three applications but her house is 100% mold free and I mean absolutely FREE!
#6
08-23-14, 07:10 PM
With all the houses for sale today, there is no reason to risk buying a water problem not to mention that a split is okay when you're young but you don't want all those stairs when you get older.
#7
08-24-14, 01:09 AM
Member
Also, keep in mind that the conditions that caused the initial flooding and water stains are very likely to happen again. The only difference being that this time around, it will be your dime (or more realistically, several thousand bucks) that will be used to make the corrections and repairs.
Having lived very briefly in a place that had flooding and mold issues, I would walk. No, make that run. As fast as you can.
Having lived very briefly in a place that had flooding and mold issues, I would walk. No, make that run. As fast as you can.
#8
08-24-14, 04:23 AM
why're you interested in this house - for income OR for your own home ? none of us can 'see' the surrounding area so we can't really advise,,, nevertheless, when you're buying for biz, you usually get to name either price OR terms,,, that's not likely w/personal homes as our wants/wishes overcome critical thinking,,, all that being said, its your $$$ & your call,,, you did look on the flood plain map to see where this house's 'where' is, correct ? best wishes !
#9
08-24-14, 05:15 AM
Member
Agree with Stadry. Another question that has not been asked or answered is how was the water damaged caused? Natural disaster or man made? If natural then as Bridgeman says it will happen again. If man made is it because of design or carelessness? As Stadry says, personal wants and wishes always trumps common sense 
.
When I bought my home there was a definite water line mark in the basement caused by a HW tank that burst and left to dry. If assumed it was faulty design or natural flooding I would have passed on a great home.
Do your due diligence and investigate. Also being in a flood plane does not necessarily mean you have a flood problem. My other daughter had home in a designated flood plane that history said never had a flood. The bank insisted on flood insurance even though there was never a flood in the area. The reason being is that the Army Corp of Engineers labeled the area a flood plane because it bordered an area that might be prone to it and a creek was nearby, which incidentally was burmed with very high ground to prevent any possible problem. The Corp even admitted that no problem existed but refused to remove the label. She eventually moved because the flood insurance was killing her. And all for no reason.
. When I bought my home there was a definite water line mark in the basement caused by a HW tank that burst and left to dry. If assumed it was faulty design or natural flooding I would have passed on a great home.
Do your due diligence and investigate. Also being in a flood plane does not necessarily mean you have a flood problem. My other daughter had home in a designated flood plane that history said never had a flood. The bank insisted on flood insurance even though there was never a flood in the area. The reason being is that the Army Corp of Engineers labeled the area a flood plane because it bordered an area that might be prone to it and a creek was nearby, which incidentally was burmed with very high ground to prevent any possible problem. The Corp even admitted that no problem existed but refused to remove the label.
She eventually moved because the flood insurance was killing her. And all for no reason.
#10
08-24-14, 06:03 AM
Thanks for all the good answers. The house is not on flood plain . We will definitely go for a home inspection including infra red photography and probably a mold inspection.
Pulpo, not sure where you live but in Boston suburbs there are not too many houses for sale below 600K (that is if you want a nicer town/location).
Pulpo, not sure where you live but in Boston suburbs there are not too many houses for sale below 600K (that is if you want a nicer town/location).
#11
08-24-14, 07:46 AM
I'm not familiar with Boston suburbs but NYC suburbs have tons of houses for sale. They include houses damaged from Hurricane Sandy, foreclosures & every day sales. It's truly a buyers' market. Have you looked at foreclosures?
#12
08-24-14, 10:33 AM
Member
Pulpo, with all due respect, I think you're missing the point on this one. The OP is interested in this particular house and want's to know if we can help him determine if the damage is sever or cosmetic and if it can be fixed. Or at least what to look for to determine if it's reasonable to continue with this possible purchase. Keeping in mind total purchase cost, neighborhood, taxes, school district, and other considerations.
Yes you are correct that many other houses are available, but finding the one that's right for an individual is not an easy endeavor. Apparently this house has many of the aspects he and his significant other are looking for. Unless we can definitely tell him that this is a problem house I think it's worth the effort to look into it and get an experts (professional inspector) determination of the condition.
As with any house there will be faults and problems, major and minor. All can be fixed, but what is an individual willing to put into it in terms of effort and money?
If I were add up all the repair and improvements I put into my house, and would've been aware of those prior to buying the house, I doubt I would buy any house.
It's easy to tell an individual to skip it and look for something else (and I've done that several times) but in this case I think he needs more than that. Just say'n.
Yes you are correct that many other houses are available, but finding the one that's right for an individual is not an easy endeavor. Apparently this house has many of the aspects he and his significant other are looking for. Unless we can definitely tell him that this is a problem house I think it's worth the effort to look into it and get an experts (professional inspector) determination of the condition.
As with any house there will be faults and problems, major and minor. All can be fixed, but what is an individual willing to put into it in terms of effort and money?
If I were add up all the repair and improvements I put into my house, and would've been aware of those prior to buying the house, I doubt I would buy any house.
It's easy to tell an individual to skip it and look for something else (and I've done that several times) but in this case I think he needs more than that. Just say'n.
#13
08-24-14, 06:09 PM
Norm201 If the damage isn't severe, why doesn't the current owner have it repaired? What does the current owner say about the damage? If I were the OP, I'd tell the current owner to call me after he has it repaired. Bridgeman45 seems to agree with me.
#14
08-24-14, 06:41 PM
Member
Norm201 If the damage isn't severe, why doesn't the current owner have it repaired? What does the current owner say about the damage? If I were the OP, I'd tell the current owner to call me after he has it repaired. Bridgeman45 seems to agree with me.
The point being, there are two basic reasons to buy a home...One, you're in the business of buying homes (and I know of several people who do just that), and two, those who need a roof over their head and want ownership (the vast majority of us). The justification for both reason are far and wide and many.
I do agree with you that the OP should ask about it and as I said previously he can use the damage as a bargaining chip.
This is not a criticism of you, me or the many others who offer help in this forum, but I think we sometimes go a bit overboard in providing exacting "to the letter" advice in trying to keep everybody to code. As it should be. But many times a person is just trying to get something fixed without a hassle or spending a lot of money.
PS... I know I have dis-agreed with you other times, but I also agree with most of what you say. I'm not trying pick a fight or cause an argument.
