Signs of Defects

You can't make claims about the defects you can't see. Too often, homeowners and their representatives don't spot the signs of construction defects until it's too late. By educating yourself on what to look for, you can better protect your rights. Here are some of the most common signs of defects in townhomes and condos.

Water-related

Any sign of moisture or water leakage inside your home
Dry rot anywhere
Ponding water or flooding outside your home
Absence of gutters and downspouts
Water seeping through the slab
Wet slabs or moisture in crawl spaces
Roofs that leak or pond water
Windows, sliding glass doors, or skylights with water stains around them
Extremely hot water that scalds on contact
Lack of water pressure
Stains on walls or ceilings
Irrigation systems (usually sprinklers) that cause flooding or water ponding

Cracking

Cracks in drywall, tile work, cabinets, and concrete slabs or foundations
External stucco cracking, flaking, or staining
Sidewalks, driveways, or garbage slabs that crack, have efflorescence, or begin to disintegrate
Pest infestations through cracks in slabs or walls

Electrical

Lights that flicker on and off
Power breaker switches that often trip

Integrity/Foundational

Uneven or sloping floors, or walls out of plumb
Windows or doors that don't close correctly
Openings in attic crawl spaces between units
Chimney caps without spark arrestors

Mold

Visible mold
Dizziness, drowsiness, or an unusual number of colds or allergy symptoms you didn't have before you moved into the building
Odd smells and odors