Construction forum - Poured Basement Wall Honeycomb

Author

Poured Basement Wall Honeycomb

miracle-home client

2005-11-28, 11:21 am

We are in the process of building with Miracle Homes, located in
Richfield, WI. Their advertising motto is "We are a Chrisitian based
company". We are attempting to get an extended warranty (longer than
their standard of 1 year) to cover an issue with the poured basement
wall of a partial exposure which contains a large section of honeycomb
concrete. We were told by our expediter, that we should not be
concerned about this and that they would have someone come out and
apply additional concrete to match the brick pattern of the forms. We
experienced and extremely dry summer, but once the rains hit in
September, we had a great deal of water in the basement at this section
of the wall. In came the water, mud and worms. We took pictures and
showed them to the expediter who contacted the concrete contractor for
repairs. They applied a membrane to the exterior of the wall, and have
insisted that this section of wall will not leak again. We are
attempting to get the contractor to warranty this section of the wall
for more than their standard of 1 year. They are willing to go to two
years, but we still are not comfortable with that. We feel that if
they are so confident that the wall will not leak again, why wouldn't
they warranty it for 5-10 years? We were planning on building a
bedroom in the basement for our son in that corner of the basement, but
now are hesitant. I asked the contractor who would pay for any repairs
due to water damage if the wall did leak, and they told me that they
would come out and repair the wall, but I would have to submit a claim
to my insurance company for any damages to the landscaping, or bedroom.
This does not sound ethical to me. I then told them that if this is
the standard practice, that I want them to pay the copay for this
possible claim. They of course refused.
Are we being overly cautious? Could this become a structural issue in
the future?
Please HELP....
I have pictures that I am willing to send upon request. I did not see
anywhere to include them with this message.

Vic A. Bodnar

2005-11-29, 8:21 am

"miracle-home client" <jluecht1109@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1133189715.533667.245290@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> We are in the process of building with Miracle Homes, located in
> Richfield, WI. Their advertising motto is "We are a Chrisitian based
> company". We are attempting to get an extended warranty (longer than
> their standard of 1 year) to cover an issue with the poured basement
> wall of a partial exposure which contains a large section of honeycomb
> concrete. We were told by our expediter, that we should not be
> concerned about this and that they would have someone come out and
> apply additional concrete to match the brick pattern of the forms. We
> experienced and extremely dry summer, but once the rains hit in
> September, we had a great deal of water in the basement at this section
> of the wall. In came the water, mud and worms. We took pictures and
> showed them to the expediter who contacted the concrete contractor for
> repairs. They applied a membrane to the exterior of the wall, and have
> insisted that this section of wall will not leak again. We are
> attempting to get the contractor to warranty this section of the wall
> for more than their standard of 1 year. They are willing to go to two
> years, but we still are not comfortable with that. We feel that if
> they are so confident that the wall will not leak again, why wouldn't
> they warranty it for 5-10 years? We were planning on building a
> bedroom in the basement for our son in that corner of the basement, but
> now are hesitant. I asked the contractor who would pay for any repairs
> due to water damage if the wall did leak, and they told me that they
> would come out and repair the wall, but I would have to submit a claim
> to my insurance company for any damages to the landscaping, or bedroom.
> This does not sound ethical to me. I then told them that if this is
> the standard practice, that I want them to pay the copay for this
> possible claim. They of course refused.
> Are we being overly cautious? Could this become a structural issue in
> the future?
> Please HELP....
> I have pictures that I am willing to send upon request. I did not see
> anywhere to include them with this message.
>
There certainly is a question about leaking and with a situation like that
it will never be right. I would also be concerned about the structural
integrity of the wall. Did the inspector pass this? It may be time to talk
to an engineer about it. I would not accept this. Does it mean tearing the
wall down and redoing it--perhaps.

Vic

miracle-home client

2005-11-29, 10:21 am

Vic

Yes the inspector did pass it. I have already approached him about
this. This was his response:

As far as the wall is concerned, my inspections include
a footing inspection prior to the concrete being poured, which is to
determine the width and depth of the footings. The next inspection on
the wall is done prior to backfill of the foundation wall after the
walls have been poured. I look at the stone above the drain tile,
exterior insulation and anchor bolts or straps. It does look like to me
that at one time the wall did leak and that the contractor did attempt
to patch the area at the wall where the leak occurred. The wall did not
appear wet to me when I looked. The location of the patched wall is on
the downslope of the grade outside. I think at this point, the best
thing to do would be to excavate the area in question and check the
condition of the wall on the exterior. If the wall is cracked, the
contractor would need to provide a fix. When the final grading is to be
completed the grade should run away from the foundation wall and down
towards the back yard.
I will contact Miracle Homes and meet with them at the site and express
your concerns and try to find a fix.

Any suggestions as to how to proceed with the inspector?

I have attempted to find a structural engineer, but have not had any
luck in finding one. Do you have any web links or hints for locating
one that would be willing to tackle this type of problem?

Thanks

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