The allure of a new home is powerful. The excitement of fresh paint, modern designs, and the promise of a comfortable future are often irresistible.
However, in the rush to meet demand, especially during housing booms, the quality of construction can suffer significantly.
Rushed construction often leads to cut corners, resulting in a multitude of problems for unsuspecting homeowners.
During the housing boom of 2005, over two million new homes were built in the United States. This rapid pace of construction created intense pressure on developers and contractors to build quickly and cheaply.
The result? Many homes with significant defects, ranging from leaky roofs to cracked foundations. This blog post aims to shed light on these problems, helping you understand the risks and make more informed decisions in the real estate market.
1: Leaky Roofs – The First Sign of Trouble
One of the most common issues that arise from rushed construction is a leaky roof. A roof is a complex system that requires careful planning, quality materials, and skilled execution.
It’s not just about nailing down a few shingles; it’s about creating a watertight barrier that protects your home from the elements.
The Importance of Roof Pitch and Drainage
The pitch, or angle of the roof, is crucial for directing water away from the house. A proper pitch ensures that water is directed at least six inches away from the house.
When designs are rushed, insufficient pitch can lead to poor drainage, causing water to pool and eventually leak into the structure. Eye-catching angles might be appealing, but if they compromise drainage, they become a significant problem.
The Role of Flashing and Underlayment
Flashing refers to metal panels installed at vulnerable points on the roof, such as seams, valleys, and around chimneys. These panels are essential for preventing water from seeping into the roof structure. Experienced contractors will install flashing at all these critical points.
However, rushed or inexperienced contractors might skip this step, because the shingles will conceal it. Furthermore, a protective layer of felt should be installed before the shingles are nailed down.
This felt backing acts as a secondary barrier against water infiltration. Neglecting this layer makes it easy for water to seep through seams and into attics, causing extensive water damage and even mold infestations.
Homeowners Against Defective Dwellings (HADD), a consumer rights group, has received numerous complaints related to leaky roofs due to hurried construction. According to HADD, this issue is a common symptom of inadequate building practices.
2: Leaky Windows – Drafts, Fogs, and Leaks
Improperly installed windows are another significant problem stemming from rushed construction. Like roofs, windows require a multi-step installation process that includes specialized skills and sealing materials.
When construction crews are under pressure to work quickly, these essential steps are often skipped or poorly executed, resulting in a host of issues.
Flashing and Sealing
To ensure a weatherproof window installation, the sides and top of the window (the head) must be sealed with a rubberized flashing material. This material looks like a giant strip of colored tape and provides a watertight barrier.
The sides of the window are flashed first, followed by the head strip, to prevent water from dripping from above. Interestingly, the bottom of the window is not sealed as tightly. This design allows any water that collects in the frame to drain out, leveraging gravity to manage water flow.
Impact of Poor Installation
Homeowners Against Defective Dwellings (HADD) has reported numerous cases of improperly installed windows, often lacking flashing or foam insulation.
This leads to drafts, fogged glass, and water leaks. When moisture infiltrates the walls, it can lead to severe issues including the saturation and swelling of wooden materials, causing walls to bulge and crack. Moreover, the persistent moisture creates a perfect environment for mold growth.
3: Basement Flooding – Water Where It Shouldn’t Be
A flooded basement is a homeowner’s nightmare. While some flooding is indeed caused by natural events like storms and floods, many cases of basement and crawlspace flooding are a direct result of poor construction practices.
Construction engineers often cite “moisture intrusion” as the number one complaint in newly constructed homes.
Grading and Drainage
The first line of defense against basement flooding is proper grading. If contractors are in a rush, they may not take the time to ensure that the soil slopes away from the house.
This is critical, because water should always flow away from the foundation, rather than towards it. In addition, roof gutters and downspouts must be installed to move rainwater away from the base of the home.
If water is allowed to run directly from the roof to the ground, it can pool right next to the foundation wall, causing significant damage. Overlooking these essential drainage features in rushed construction can lead to costly issues.
Foundation and Backfill
While a completely waterproof foundation is not possible, a well-constructed foundation can keep water at bay. When water builds up around foundation walls, hydrostatic pressure will eventually force the moisture through cracks and fissures.
To prevent this, foundation walls need to be cushioned with a thick layer of free-draining backfill, such as gravel. The loose gravel ensures that water flows directly down toward a subterranean drainage system.
This system includes a perforated drainpipe that allows water to enter and then directs it away to sewers or a sump pump. Failure to lay the right fill material can lead to flooding, even in dry areas.
4: Cracked Foundations – When the Ground Gives Way
Cracked foundations are among the most severe problems that can result from rushed construction. These cracks can compromise the structural integrity of a home, rendering it unsafe and difficult to live in.
The Blue Oaks subdivision in California is a stark example, where more than half the residents experienced cracked foundations in their new homes.
The Importance of Soil Testing
In many cases of cracked foundations, builders neglect to conduct proper soil tests. As seen in the Blue Oaks case, heavy clay soils can expand in wet conditions and contract in dry conditions, causing the foundation to shift and crack. These cracks then spread through the walls and tile floors, causing a host of structural and cosmetic issues.
Reinforcements and Materials
Builders who cut corners may also skimp on rebar reinforcements within the concrete of the foundation walls. These reinforcements are essential for holding the foundation together.
If not sufficiently tamped down, the soil beneath the footers can cause the house to continue settling long after construction, leading to cracks.
HADD confirms that cracked foundations are another common problem associated with too-fast construction.
5: Mold Outbreaks – The Unseen Enemy and Health Concerns
Mold growth is a common consequence of rushed construction, especially when moisture is present. Mold thrives in damp environments, and certain strains can pose significant health risks.
During the construction boom, when time and material were scarce, builders sometimes resorted to using damp plywood and sealing it behind drywall. This practice creates an ideal environment for mold to flourish.
Causes of Mold Growth
Plywood and other processed building materials contain a lot of natural sugars, which is a feast for mold. Furthermore, even in new homes, mold can grow quickly if moisture infiltrates sealed areas.
Improperly insulated pipes can create condensation, which can collect between walls. Poor attic ventilation can also encourage mold growth, even with minor leaks.
Unsealed heating and air conditioning ducts can also spread mold spores throughout the house, exposing residents to allergens.
The presence of mold, particularly strains like black mold, can cause serious health problems. Common symptoms of mold exposure include hay fever-like symptoms, dizziness, and skin rashes.
