Posted on: 09-03-09 13:14:07
Our basement is leaking again due to rain. Do you think our home inspector will be responsible for this ? Or can we go back to seller and claim expenses to fix it or otherwise ? When home inspection was done, season was different, so I do not know how he could have found out.
Hi !
here is what I did when my basement was in same situation as yours .
Identify the cracks from outside . Dig a hole of roughly 4x8 ft ..
Generally the cracks are small , so you have to scrape or break them to a little bigger size so that they can accomodate the cement filling . Once filled with cement you have to apply a coat pf tarcoal covering nearby area . On top of tarcoal wrap a covering of polythene ( sold especially for this purpose and I have tonnes of it if you need one free). Once you are through fill back the hole and let mud settle for couple of days . If you can follow these simple instructions you might be able to save couple of thousand dollors . Mind it I am not a professional myself but followed these instructions with a help of my friend . This is only a permanent cure .
I have no clue if you can sue these good for nothing inspectors .
Wish you all the best
Ashwani
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Growing Old Is Mandatory ..Growing UP is Optional
We can not see any cracks frm inside or outside.
Only thing we can guess is bcos prev owner made a deck / patio in the backyard of bricks / stones, water goes in between our house wall and deck stones and leaks in basement.
Quote:No, they won't.
Originally posted by Aashu
Our basement is leaking again due to rain. Do you think our home inspector will be responsible for this ?
They have disclaimers and clauses in the contract that protect them from these kinds of situations.
You can't expect a home inspector to dig under the foundation of your house and find leaks during a home inspection, right?
Quote:Under normal circumstances, no.
Or can we go back to seller and claim expenses to fix it or otherwise ?
However, if you can determine and prove that the previous owner knew about the damage and/or had experienced similar leaks and chose to conceal that fact during the sale, you may be able to recover expenses.
I can't advise on the legal aspect of this - you will have to contact a lawyer for this.
As for now, there are more rains on the way so you have to attend to this pronto.
What steps have you taken to identify the cause of the problem?
Have you checked the grading?
Have you spoken to the neighbours?
Have you inspected the basement to see whether the water is seeping up from the concrete floor or dripping down from the concrete sidewalls?
Have you made changes to redirect water away from the house by extending downsprouts, etc?
How old is the house?
Can you talk to the original builder and get recommendations from them?
Try to find a foundations expert and get them to come and inspect the basement.
Not a normal handyman or home inspector.
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
Thanks Patrick, do you know any foundation expert ...
Quote:I personally don't know any, but look in the Yellow Pages under Contractors - Foundation.
Originally posted by Aashu
Thanks Patrick, do you know any foundation expert ...
Online link as follows -
http://www.yellowpages.ca/business/00581600.html
There's over 30 mm of rain predicted for next 24 hrs.
Better get on the phone.....
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
ok !
