New extension issues - Help!

[PaulR79]

Hi, my parents have recently had a single storey extension built on the side of their house - eventually to be a "bin room" and a seperate utility room that stretches the length of the house.

It was completed about two weeks ago and has since had the electrics, platering and plumbing fitted where necessary.

The plaster is now completely dry but there is water seeping from the bottom of the wall along the concrete - see image attached. My questions then are; -

a) Should we expect this?
b) If so, for how long?
c) If not, what could the problem be?
d) How could it be resolved?

The builder is just dismissing this as normal - it may well be normal - this is what i need to know.

I'm no builder so don't know the technical terminology but the construction of the wall is; - brick, blue plastic, wooden frame, insulation, plasterboard, plaster, with a newly raised concrete floor

Any advice, guidance would be greatly appreciated!

 

[dishman]

I do not think you uploaded the images correctly. I just see icons.

 

[stuart45]

Can't see your image, even on your profile. Water seeping out the bottom in heavy rain is normal if it's not constructed properly.

 

[PaulR79]

Sorry - I will try again

Let me know!

 

[stuart45]

Heavy rain can drive through a single skin of brickwork.

 

[PaulR79]

Heavy rain can drive through a single skin of brickwork.

I am led to believe by the parents that it is not necessarily after any rain. Additionally, would this just be at the bottom or would it also come through the plaster/board?

 

[stuart45]

It runs down the inside of the brickwork and on to the floor.
Could also be condensation running off the plastic.

 

[PaulR79]

So given it could be either of these issues, should it subside? Also, my Mum is concerned that perhaps the construction of the wall is perhaps unusual?

 

[stuart45]

If there is no vapour barrier between the plasterboard and insulation, any moisture passing through the insulation could condense on the plastic.
It's not the best form of construction, but perhaps it was done a bit cheaper as it's a utility/bin room.

 

[Cabbyfan]

Is it actually on the walls or just the concrete floor ? External walls single or double skinned ?

Untitled

• PaulR79
• 31 Jan 2014
• 1

 

[PaulR79]

Just on the floor but is around the edges and corners. It appears to be coming from the gap between the concrete floor and the bottom of the plasterboard. I don't know the terminology for the type of wall but is brick, blue plastic sheet, timber frame, insulation, plasterboard and plaster in this order

 

[stuart45]

It does take a while for a new build to dry out, so there could still be some condensation coming from the elements. Utility rooms also produce a fair bit as well. I don't really like timber framing, but apart from cost it may have been a space saving thing.