Construction defects: waterproofing problems

Waterproofing problems are a construction defect that usually shows up as several kinds of damage in an apartment: damp walls, a leaking roof, damp exterior walls, and, alongside them, mold, peeling paint and sometimes cracks. Left alone, they damage the building and can lower its market value. See home inspection price.

What waterproofing problems look like in an apartment

A professional waterproofing expert opinion, and finding the source of the defect, are essential before you move in or buy. Bring in a court-recognized waterproofing expert and have a professional home inspection (bedek bayit) company test the property, including who is responsible for ceiling dampness. This ties in with a resale apartment inspection.

Dampness as a construction defect: getting a professional opinion

Dampness is a serious construction defect in its own right, and unresolved waterproofing problems significantly harm quality of life in the apartment. Common warning signs are mold on a kitchen or bathroom wall, a stain under the bathroom tiles, or dampness on a wall surface. Any of these means the home has a waterproofing problem that needs fixing quickly.

Finding the source and the right fix raises different questions depending on the case: is the apartment new from a contractor, or is the leak coming from a neighbor? Whichever it is, get a professional waterproofing opinion, and have a court-recognized expert and a home inspection company trace the defect, before you move in or shortly after.

Who is responsible for fixing waterproofing problems

Waterproofing problems are among the most common construction defects. Home inspection engineers run into them constantly, whether they are inspecting a new apartment, a resale apartment or any other type of building. In a resale apartment there is usually little recourse, since the previous owner gave no warranty on the property.

When you find a waterproofing problem, have it inspected by experts to trace its source. If you believe you were misled about it, a home inspection company's expert opinion can support a claim against the seller. The alternative is to hire a waterproofing specialist to provide a lasting fix.

Detecting waterproofing defects: bringing in a court-recognized expert

If a professional home inspection turns up construction defects or waterproofing problems in a new apartment from a contractor, take them up with the contractor. Unfortunately, many contractors try to avoid responsibility and make repairs that look fine on the surface without solving the problem for good.

This is where a home inspection company plays an important role, checking the contractor's repairs and giving its own opinion.

How a home inspection resolves waterproofing problems

Buyers of a new apartment from a contractor have the right to a home inspection at any point within seven years of the key handover, and the contractor must fix any construction defects it turns up. A home inspection company can provide expert opinions and professional testing on any waterproofing problems found during that inspection.

Ceiling dampness: tracing the leak and assigning responsibility

A home inspection company traces the source of the leak or dampness and gives the contractor an opinion on the problem and the repair it requires. If the contractor denies responsibility and the owner decides to sue, the company prepares an expert opinion that is admissible in court.

In summary: waterproofing problems and construction defects

A home inspection company, working with expert engineers, locates waterproofing problems and provides a professional opinion in a wide range of situations: leaks between apartments that lead to disputes with neighbors, insurance claims, and claims against a seller in a resale apartment, among others.

If you are about to move or buy, or you recently did, this is the time to bring in a home inspection company for a thorough check. That gives you peace of mind, and if defects turn up, a clear path to having the responsible party deal with them.