Lansdowne Homeowners with Flooding

Comment

Comment by Mia Shearer on September 10, 2008 at 1:31pm

Because our neighbor's sump pump went out and the recent storm water filled up in their walkup and came inside their finished basement, we decided to replace our 4 yr old / original sump pump today. It's a good thing we did, the backflow / check valve was broken and the original sump pump Centex put in only 4 years old was a low end model and not in good condition. We highly recommend the plumber we used and wanted to share his information with the group: ROBCO Plumbing Inc., Owner: Rob Kushner 540-554-8786; 540-554-8789 fax
He had previously installed cut off valves for our humidifier, water filter and wet bar and today installed a high grade sump pump. He is going to return and install a backup system. Rob is meticulous, courteous, professional - he is responsive and does an excellent job at a reasonable price. He is licensed and insured and very familiar with the homes in Lansdowne.

Comment by Edward Abbot on September 8, 2008 at 9:17pm

Second issue is the basement. When it really rains hard, we have 4 or 5 wet spots in a cluster in the floor several feet away from the wall. Each spot is no more than 5 or 6 inches in diameter. There is no evidence of water penetrating the walls and the floor along the walls remains dry along with 99 percent of the rest of the basement. Since we have wall-to-wall carpeting, I cannot tell the extent of where the moisture is coming from other than the basement floor. I hate to pull up the carpet. I have been wicking up with moist areas with towels and then running fans to dry them out. After a couple days it goes away.

We have no sump pump and the house slopes from the front of the wall towards the back of the house. It appears to be well drained since I have not had any problems elsewhere in the basement.

Any ideas? Would this be covered by warranty?

Comment by Edward Abbot on September 8, 2008 at 9:05pm

I live in a Langston model home that was built in 2004. The set of picture windows along the staircase that face west started leaking for the first time since we owned the house. I suspect that the wind driven rain managed to sneak around the flashing or there was insufficient caulking.

Comment by Michael Murray on September 8, 2008 at 11:36am

Dear Neighbors: We bought our home here five years ago. For longer than that I have worked with Mr. Jorge Tercero, owner of Siding Doctors in Ashburn. He is a LEAK SPECIALIST.

He learned to repair house leaks in Oregon where it rains almost all the time. We are so confident in our work that the labor is guaranteed for as long as you own the home.

FYI: The hardest part is diagnosis: just where is that water entering the house? Then it has to be thoroughly and properly repaired.

Please call me at home: 571 333 1136

www.Sidingdoctors.com

Regards,

Michael Murray
43778 Lees Mill Square
Lansdowne

Comment by Chris Internicola on September 8, 2008 at 11:09am

We've had a leaking bay window for over a year now. The builder claims the warranty on this type of problem expired after 1 year and we had been in the house for 3.5 years at this point.

I tried to find a contractor to identify and fix the issue, but they seem to be very hesitant to touch water issues caused by another contractor.

I've been trying to locate and fix this issue on my own for over a month now with no success.

During Hanna on Saturday we had a lot of water leak into the garage. The flashing where the garage roof meets the brick of the house must have failed.

I'm not happy knowing I have a leaky house and I'm tired of excuses from the builder. I'll be seeking legal cousel this week from lawyers with mold and water damage specialities.

Does anyone have know an attorney with this type of experience. I've found a few in the area already?

Does anyone have a similar situtation?

Comment by Julie on September 8, 2008 at 9:49am

We have a wood burning fireplace and we've had water coming in through our chimney since the day we settled on our house. It only happens when it's really heavy rain, like on Saturday and the builder has "fixed" it numerous times and we continue to have the same problem.

Comment by Ken Fraine on September 8, 2008 at 9:12am

I own a drainage consulting and contracting business call Drainage & Erosion Solutions (www.drainageanderosion.com). Feel free to post questions and I'd be happy to help out.

Comment by AGDIL on September 7, 2008 at 10:44pm

If you have had serious water leakage through windows or through a basement leak - what are you doing about the potential Mold issues inside the home. Obviously, you'll need to dry things out, but if there have been water leaks previously, there could be mold in the window frames and under the rugs and baseboards???