The Most Common Construction Defects That Lead To Water Damage In The Pacific Northwest

As summer approaches Pacific Northwest property owners come out of hibernation, into the sun, and inevitably begin dealing with repair and maintenance on their properties including their homes and condominiums.  Now is a good time to review your property’s weatherproofing and examine any areas where you may have had any water intrusion over the past winter months.

It is through this annual review that you might identify possible construction defects in your property.  Some construction defects are more obvious than others, but some defects and their resulting damage may not become observable for many years.   For example, defects causing water intrusion, a constant problem in the Pacific Northwest, can cause both structural damage and possibly mold growth that gets progressively worse and can remain hidden for years. This is why it is so important to be familiar with and sensitive to changes in your property.

Below is a list of the most common construction defects in the Pacific Northwest that lead to water intrusion, mold problems, or both:

1. Leaking Windows.  Improperly manufactured or installed windows can cause a major headache.   Water leaking in the window or at the corner of the window opening on the wall after a rainstorm is usually the first symptom of a defective window or install.  Other lesser defects or identifiers of improperly installed windows include air drafts or warped or swelled window frames (usually visibly identifiable or via difficulties opening and closing windows.)

2. Defective Building Envelope.  A defective building envelope is usually caused primarily by an improper installation of exterior building materials (wood, vinyl siding, plaster or substitute, brick, etc.) Improper installation, (e.g. not in accordance with the plans, specifications, or requirements for the building materials used) may result in material cracking, water intrusion and a host of other problems.  We once experienced a sizeable facility whose building paper was lapped incorrectly, leading the building to literally drain into itself, starting at the top floor and continuing down all five stories—resulting in the ground floor experiencing substantial water intrusion as well as mold.  This is not something you want to experience in your building(s).

3. Improperly sloped decks and balconies.  Improper slope in decks or balconies (i.e. draining towards the building or home) causes water to be directed towards the building rather than away from it.  Improper slope can be, but is not always, associated with improperly installed deck membranes, which if not installed correctly can give a false sense of security when in fact the membrane is not waterproof or has been compromised with hidden punctures or other defects.

4. Improperly sloped or installed roofs.  The Pacific Northwest is known for its rainfall and too little slope on a roof or a specific area of a roof can allow excessive pooling of water.  This type of pooled water usually finds a way to drain to the next lowest point, usually exploiting a problem in existingroof materials or wall interfaces and leading to water intrusion.

5. Inadequate ventilation of crawl spaces and attics.  This problem oftentimes causes excessive humidity and, in turn, mold growth in the Pacific Northwest.  Sometimes the solution to removing the excessive humidity in an area is as simple as adequately venting bathroom fans.  In some cases, inadequate ventilation exacerbates mold problems brought on by larger water intrusion issues.

If you own a new property or a recently renovated property and suspect water intrusion as a result of construction defects, please contact Beresford Booth to discuss your legal options.  Our office works with a host of water intrusion experts who are available to inspect your property without delay.

BERESFORD BOOTH has made this content available to the general public for informational purposes only. The information on this site is not intended to convey legal opinions or legal advice.