Construction defects come in many different forms. Consider how much goes into building a home, from laying a foundation to putting in a roofing system, installing flooring and more—and it is easy to see why there are so many opportunities for something to go wrong. Your new construction is made up of an intricate network of components and systems put together by a builder and their team. And while they may all have the best references and decades of experience, a defect (and even more than one!) could hide from them and from inspectors responsible for making sure the home is up to code before you have the green light to back up the moving truck and start moving in your belongings through that new front door.
Months later (and sadly, sometimes even years) a major leak, electrical issues, broken pipes, or more may alert you to something very wrong behind the scenes in your home. You may be surprised at how important ventilation is to your home too—and if that is lacking, it could threaten the integrity of the construction. You are probably familiar with the HVAC system and all that it is responsible for within the interior of the home, providing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. But there are other drainage and ventilation systems at work outside too; for example, if you have stucco on the exterior of your home, weep holes may be installed to help moisture and rainwater drain. Airflow is allowed through as a drying mechanism thanks to these small holes that are spaced evenly within the finish.
Problems may occur, however, if the weep holes are not installed properly or are not the correct size for ventilation needed to prevent excessive moisture, along with creating the potential for pests to climb in, nest, and cause damage. No weep holes at all can be an issue too but that is a more common issue with older homes. For a new construction with stucco, the weep holes are installed at the bottom of the façade as vents. If burrowing pests or wasps are a concern, weep hole covers are available too with perforations to allow proper ventilation to continue.
Do you suspect a defect in the stucco exterior of your home, the foundation, or the ventilation system overall? If so, contact your contractor as soon as possible so they can both examine the issue and then propose a plan for repairs.
If your contractor does not work to resolve a defect expediently and according to the ‘Right to Repair’ bill SB800, you may need to take legal action. Construction defect law can be complex, so if you suspect a defect in your home, consult with an experienced attorney such as Scott D. Levine, APC, who will be able to help you in further examining and identifying defects, as well as advising you in the pre-litigation process and more.
Scott Levine has litigated against builders, developers, and subcontractors regarding defects in homeowner associations, tract homes, custom home, and mid- to high-rise buildings. If your property has issues associated with construction defects, it is important to take immediate action. We will listen to your needs and then fight to get the desired results, while protecting your legal rights. Please call us at (213) 880-4585 or contact us by email at Scott@ScottLevineLaw.com.
