Nhbc issue

[Wolfie00]

Both my gables ends are wet. Built 2005. Developers came out in 2007 and replaced lead flashing under coping stones. It was under lapping!!
Same issue in 2014. Nhbc came and placed small pieces of flashing around false chimneys. 2020 still wet. Out of nhbc. Only happens in strong wind and rain from certain direction I think. Now they don’t want to know. I’m arguing the house still isn’t finished from build or built to specific standard.
Any advice appreciated

 

[^woody^]

Best talk with a specialist Solicitor, as that may be a complex situation in terms of liability.

Check if your home insurance has a free legal advice service

 

[rssteve]

Looks like there isn't much overhang on the tiles. Wonder if the water is just working it way off the end of the tiles and tracking back under then onto the walls.

 

[tony1851]

It seems to have coping stones rather than tiles?
These are tricky to get right as water can get down between the joints; or the overhang and grooves may be inadequate or non-existent; or the flashing on the inner skin may be defective (the interior pic suggests that).
If the bricks are permanently damp, that will not do them any good long-term.

 

[Charlie George]

Tony the internal wall stops in roofspace,it must be boxed in above roofline.
Also in other thread you can see the lead is fully under copings.

 

[Leofric]

Unfortunately NHBC warranty only lasts for 10 years and that is for structural issues. Dummy chimney stacks can allow water to strike straight down if they don't have a continuous dpc across the whole of the stack. My own house had water dripping on to bedroom ceilings from 2 dummy chimney stacks until they were rebuilt incorporating this full dpc. I knew the problem because I worked on an estate where we had problems with water penetration from dummy chimney stacks except where they had cast stone cappings. We made sure they were rectified with dpc's as mentioned. Your situation could also be incorrect detailing of flashings, cavity trays and dpc's to the parapet walls.
There is something wrong with the construction going back to the warranty period I would say but not sure on the legal situation for having it rectified now.

 

[^woody^]

Unfortunately NHBC warranty only lasts for 10 years and that is for structural issues

The issue is that the NHBC have failed to rectify the defect under warranty, and so potentially the 10 year limit wont apply. If this is the same defect, and the OP can prove that its a single causation and the chain is not broken then the duty to rectify should still apply. Thats why the OP should see a specialist Solicitor and not dwell on whether the cause might be this or that.

 

[Leofric]

The issue is that the NHBC have failed to rectify the defect under warranty,

I said :-

There is something wrong with the construction going back to the warranty period I would say

Looking again the problem actually seems to have been reported in the first 2 years under the defects liability period anyway ,but yes see a specialist solicitor but they will need to employ somebody to investigate the construction situation and the OP will obviously still want to know the cause of the damp/water penetration.

 

[^woody^]

the OP will obviously still want to know the cause of the damp/water penetration.

I don't think they would want or need to know. If that was me I would not care why or how, but all I would want is for the problem to be rectified, and consequential losses or costs reimbursed. Eg - NHBC to fulfill their obligations.

 

[Leofric]

I don't think they would want or need to know. If that was me I would not care why or how

You are interested in building and you would not want to know, how could you not want to know I would certainly want to know . Anyway, more to the point I think they should be able to get the issue resolved . I dealt with NHBC for years and I don't see how they can be allowed to wash their hands of something like this when it was reported in the first 2 years after the house was built.

I’m arguing the house still isn’t finished from build or built to specific standard.

Quite right , good luck with getting it fixed.

 

[^woody^]

You are interested in building and you would not want to know, how could you not want to know

When I go for my fish and chips on Friday, I don't enquire as to where the spuds were grown, the fish caught, how the peeling was done or batter made ..... I just want the fish and chips, put the salt and vinegar on them and then I'm out of there.

Likewise for a leaking parapet. I'd just want the leak to stop, and not be interested in the life and times of the designer or builder.

 

[Leofric]

Likewise for a leaking parapet. I'd just want the leak to stop, and not be interested in the life and times of the designer or builder.

Well I would want to know the cause of the problem and that the person investigating it is going to propose remedial works that are a long term solution and not just a temporary repair.

 

[Nige F]

When I go for my fish and chips on Friday, .... I just want the fish and chips, put the salt and vinegar on them and then I'm out of there..

But is it vinegar or " Non Brewed Condiment " - acetic acid + colouring from 25l containers ?

 

[^woody^]

But is it vinegar or " Non Brewed Condiment " - acetic acid + colouring from 25l containers ?

I'll ask Leofric, he probably checks out those things. And while he's there, he can find out what's in the kebab meat. Yummy.

 

[Leofric]

I'll ask Leofric, he probably checks out those things. And while he's there, he can find out what's in the kebab meat. Yummy.

What happened to the thorough woody :-

How long has the external wall been painted? Did you do it, if so with what paint?

Condition of the wall above the area?

How long has that gravel path been like that?

How long have you lived there, how long has the settee been there and is this the very first time you've either looked or noticed it? How old is the house?

That is typical staining of either rising damp, or damp settling on the DPC and then moving upwards.
But as part of the elimination process, you need to determine is if anything has changed - whether work has been done to the structure or externals recently, or changes to the room layout or even heating and usage patterns.

ps as long as it is malt vinegar that's ok with me ​