Brand New House - Full Of Unseen Moisture

[John McKenna]

Here are just a few IR images of a brand new home that had several areas
of moisture penetration that could not be seen with the naked eye.


By front door......................................... Corner of Bed Rm


MB closet below shelf ............................Upper part of Bed Rm wall


Ceiling-Wall intersection Bd Rm.............. Ceiling over Kitchen cabinets

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Nice one John . Be nice to do the same pictures in 6 months to see how big a change there is . Thanks ... Cookie

[Bob Elliott]

Ok other than showing pretty pictures, how did you report this as a defect.?
Also what contractor did you recommend.?
Roofing ?........Siding ?
Did you take a reading with a moisture meter?.
What was wet ? The drywall ? Something in the cavity between studs ?
Just curious.

[wsiegel]

I have the same questions as Robert.

[Peter C. Russell]

John, some digital pictures would help to understand what we are looking at.

[Charley L. Bottger]

Yes me too; some of the areas you are describing where can the possible source of water be coming from.Middle bedroom closet???? don't understand not being present at the time of inspection just looking at the pic's looks more like missing insulation.

[gporter]

Me also

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

New homes can have high moisture, from Rain during construction Green lumber, wet concrete .
Can take up to two years to balance out .
Be interesting to see what John saw........... Cookie

[ldapkus]

Door on the upper left looks looks like an exterior uninsulated panel door with a window (lite)to the right of the door. Other images look wet or uninsulated. Further investigation with moisture meter to verify.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by ldapkus

Door on the upper left looks looks like an exterior uninsulated panel door.

I think it is exterior Linas, just that the two blue areas are glass and cooler than the rest.

[cyezza]

Originally Posted by rcooke

New homes can have high moisture, from Rain during construction Green lumber, wet concrete .
Can take up to two years to balance out .
Be interesting to see what John saw........... Cookie

I agree with Roy. When I built my house, the humidity level was very high, I had to bring in ouside air. It took 2-3 yrs before It started to drop to a acceptable level without having to run dehumidifiers all the time

[John McKenna]

All areas were tested with a dual function moisture meter (ALWAYS).
Sheetrock was moist in all areas shown. I can tell you where the
moisture comes from sometimes and sometimes not (ie... roof leak,
plumbing, drain, AC condensation from freon line, duct condensation,
Improper weep holes over doors and windows, porch connections, etc..)

I always recommend further evaluation and repairs, as needed, by
a qualified Professional. Destructive examination is sometimes the
only way to find a moisture problem, sometimes not.

Note: Not one of these moisture problems could be seen with the
naked eye. What would happen to this house if left in this condition
as we go through this winter's rainy season?

Here is the picture of the closet.... with moisture staring you in the face,
yet unseen with the eyes.



The next picutre shows moisture by the door (glass in door not installed yet, just temp panels)

[Kevin A. Richardson]

Originally Posted by jmckenna1

All areas were tested with a dual function moisture meter (ALWAYS).
Sheetrock was moist in all areas shown. I can tell you where the
moisture comes from sometimes and sometimes not (ie... roof leak,
plumbing, drain, AC condensation from freon line, duct condensation,
Improper weep holes over doors and windows, porch connections, etc..)

I always recommend further evaluation and repairs, as needed, by
a qualified Professional. Destructive examination is sometimes the
only way to find a moisture problem, sometimes not.

Note: Not one of these moisture problems could be seen with the
naked eye. What would happen to this house if left in this condition
as we go through this winter's rainy season?

Here is the picture of the closet.... with moisture staring you in the face,
yet unseen with the eyes.

Was that an exterior wall?

Kevin

[John McKenna]

Exterior wall was partially unpainted and uncaulked Hardi Board.
The closet and door pictures are exterior walls.

The moisture in the closet came though the opening that was
made for the freon lines (they did not caulk over the metal
flashing they used to cover the hole in the siding and large
gaps were left open around freon lines.... and blowing
rain could penetrate wall).