Buying a new build home but bricks appear soaked?

pinkcloud17

RelievedSheff said:

pinkcloud17 said:

stuart45 said:

The main problem with wet blocks is that the walls are more likely to suffer shrinkage cracks. Damp blocks do bond to the mortar better, and also mortar benefits from drying out slower.

Thanks. Apparently if cracks occur caused by shrinkage bigger than 5mm they will be covered by the NHBC.

No they won't!

NHBC do not cover shrinkage cracking. The developers might in the first couple of years but don't bank on it. They will use any excuse to get out of repairing them.

Luckily it is an easy and cheap fix with some filler and a bit of paint.

Oh really, I had read that somewhere, but I also read that it's very difficult to get them to fix anything at all. The thing I'm most scared of is damp and mould! I've heard of people with inadequate insulation in their loft making their walls turn mouldy and they don't do anything!

RelievedSheff

pinkcloud17 said:

RelievedSheff said:

pinkcloud17 said:

stuart45 said:

The main problem with wet blocks is that the walls are more likely to suffer shrinkage cracks. Damp blocks do bond to the mortar better, and also mortar benefits from drying out slower.

Thanks. Apparently if cracks occur caused by shrinkage bigger than 5mm they will be covered by the NHBC.

No they won't!

NHBC do not cover shrinkage cracking. The developers might in the first couple of years but don't bank on it. They will use any excuse to get out of repairing them.

Luckily it is an easy and cheap fix with some filler and a bit of paint.

Oh really, I had read that somewhere, but I also read that it's very difficult to get them to fix anything at all. The thing I'm most scared of is damp and mould! I've heard of people with inadequate insulation in their loft making their walls turn mouldy and they don't do anything!

We moved into a new build just under two years ago. Initially they were great at coming and sorting out little snags. This last year though, not helped by covid, they have been less forthcoming. 

My other half was furloughed a long while last year so he went round the house and fixed a lot of the snags. He probably did a better job than the tradesmen would have. 

Depending on when the houses was built it cam take a long while to fully dry out. We were lucky and the period that ours was being built was relatively dry. The houses below ours were built during very wet weather and took a lot longer than ours to dry out fully.

You need to make sure you let the house dry out naturally and ventilate it very well for the first 12-18 months. Let all the excess moisture dry out.

Babybelles

@RelievedSheff has given you some great advice. I bought a new build a couple of years ago & the back of my house (South facing) dried out quickly. However, the front of my house took longer which we realised when we had an extra plug socket installed. We noticed the plaster was still wet after removing the skirting board whilst the socket was being installed. This was in a room we barely used though (it was an empty room without any flooring) so I made a conscious effort to air it more frequently.

I’ve also noticed neighbours with North facing gardens seemed to have more problems with the house drying out & mould appearing.

To avoid problems just make sure you ventilate the house sufficiently. I open windows when I’m having a shower & make sure doors are open to the least used rooms so they get some air going into them. I also left the door to the under stairs cupboard open as my neighbours complained of mould appearing. Also pop the heating on & get the house warmed up. 

Good luck with the move, exciting times ahead for you!

pinkcloud17

Thanks for all the advice. I will make sure to keep all of the windows open as much as possible, avoid hanging my washing indoors and having too many long showers/ baths until it dries out. I even got a window vacuum to get rid of any excess moisture or condensation.

stuart45

Is it traditional cavity wall construction or timber framed?

ComicGeek

I wouldn't be happy if they have been laying blocks in temperatures lower than 4 degrees Celsius, it stops the mortar bonding properly to the blocks. We've had to stop laying bricks/blocks on our extension while it's snowing this week.

pinkcloud17

stuart45 said:

Is it traditional cavity wall construction or timber framed?

Timber framed

pinkcloud17

ComicGeek said:

I wouldn't be happy if they have been laying blocks in temperatures lower than 4 degrees Celsius, it stops the mortar bonding properly to the blocks. We've had to stop laying bricks/blocks on our extension while it's snowing this week.

Yeah this is concerning. Temperatures recently have been freezing and I thought they didn't build below 5 degrees Celsius. They have been rushing to get these finished by the end of March so don't know if this has caused them to do it in poor conditions.

pinkcloud17

stuart45 said:

Is it traditional cavity wall construction or timber framed?

Which one is preferable? I'm assuming the timber will be treated to prevent rotting?

stuart45

Subbies will often work in low temperatures, unless they are told to stop.