Common Construction Defects

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The following list of common construction defects is not intended to identify every possible defect found in some new home developments in California: 

Air Conditioning

Common Defects:

• Undersized units

• Air ducts not sealed

• Pans leak

• Power surges

• Freon leaks

Possible Damage:

• Inability to adequately cool

• Excessive energy usage and costs

• Freezing of units

• Mold

• Dry rot

Asphalt

Common Defects:

• Improper design

• Improper thickness

• Too cold before installation

• Overheated before installation

• Improper sloping

• Inadequate drainage

Possible Damage:

• Subsidence

• Vertical displacement

• Trip and fall hazards

• Cracks

• Alligatoring

• Water Intrusion

• Trip and fall hazards

Balconies and Decks

Common Defects:

• Improper drainage or slope

• Improper coatings

• Improper installation of scuppers

• Improper flashings and deck to wall transitions

• Improper door threshold installations

Possible Damage:

• Interior leaks

• Stucco cracking and staining

• Dry rot

• Mold

• Structural failure

Concrete

Common Defects:

• Improper Design

• Too wet before installation

• Too dry before installation

• Improper sloping

• Inadequate drainage

• Vapor barrier is missing or compromised

Possible Damage:

• Subsidence

• Vertical displacement

• Cracks

• Water Intrusion

• Structural failure

• Driveways are too steep causing cars to scrape

• Vertical displacement

• Trip and fall hazards

Crawl Spaces

Common Defects:

• Insufficient cross ventilation

• Inadequate clearance between earth and wood structural members

• Exterior grade slopes towards the structure

• Lack of code required access

Possible Damage:

• Water intrusion and/or moisture in crawlspace

• Mold

• Dry rot

• Structural damage

Drainage

Common Defects:

• No drains installed adjacent to foundations

• Drains are too high

• Drains fail to have outlets

• Drains divert water toward the structure

Possible Damage:

• Water intrusion and ponding

• Structural damage and staining

• Mold

Fireplaces

Common Defects:

• Unsealed gas line penetrations

• Insufficient chimney height

• Missing or incomplete firestops

• Insufficient clearance between fireplace and combustive materials

• Improper installation of chimney caps

Possible Damage:

• Fire hazard

• Smoke entry into living areas

• Voiding of manufacturer’s warranty

• Water intrusion

Framing

Common Defects:

• Missing fire stops

• Upper floor is slanted or sags

• Stairs are too steep

• Inconsistent riser heights

Possible Damage:

• Excessive fire risk

• Stairs become a trip and fall hazard

• Vertigo effect created

Foundations and Slabs

Common Defects:

• Cracks

• Missing, incomplete or torn vapor barrier

• Improper water proofing or no water proofing

• Excessive capillary moisture through concrete

Possible Damage:

• Water Intrusion, water vapor

• Buckling of hardwood floors

• Discoloration of hardwood floors

• Damage to carpeting and pad

• Mold

Hold-Downs

Common Defects:

• Bolts missing

• Improper placing

Possible Damage:

• Excessive earthquake damage

Joist and Beam Hangers

Common Defects:

• Missing nails

• Missing hangers

Possible Damage:

• Excessive earthquake damage

• Structural failure

Landscaping

Common Defects:

• Sprinklers spray buildings

• Inadequate drainage

• Trees are located too close to buildings and walls

Possible Damage:

• Water intrusion, mold

• Ponding

• Structural damage

• Soil erosion

Paint

Common Defects:

• Watered down paint

• Wrong type of paint

Possible Damage:

• Peeling

• Discoloration

• Fading

Plumbing and Bathrooms

Common Defects:

• Excessive noise when water is turned on

• Improperly installed toilets leak

• Shower pans leak

• Drain pipes leak

• Improperly installed tile leaks

• Improper venting to exterior

Possible Damage:

• Leaks, water intrusion

• Staining

• Mold

• Dry rot

• Structural damage

• Corrosion

Roofs

Common Defects:

• Improper slope to drains, ponding

• Inadequate drainage, ponding

• Under layment is torn, short, missing or exposed

• Gutters are missing or leak

• Inadequate flashing

• Tiles are not fastened down

• Tiles are overextended

• Improper installation of parapet caps

• Unsealed penetrations

• Inadequate ventilation

Possible Damage:

• Water intrusion

• Stains

• Destruction of ceilings, walls, insulation and other components

• Structural damage

• Destruction of personal property

• Mold

• Dry rot

Shear Walls

Common Defects:

• Inadequate nailing

• Substitution of incorrect nails

• Missing or inadequate coverage

Possible Damage:

• Excessive earthquake damage

• Stucco cracks

• Drywall cracks

• Water intrusion and mold

Soil

Common Defects:

• Failure to adequately compact

• Inadequate drainage

Possible Damage:

• Stucco cracks

• Patio cracks and movement

• Slab cracks

• Interior tile cracks

• Water intrusion and mold

Stucco and Weep Screeds

Common Defects:

• Unflashed penetrations

• Missing weep screeds

• Buried weep screeds

• Weep screeds filled with stucco

• Improper installation of foam trims

• Inadequate attachment of the lath

• Corroded metal lath

• Insufficient embedment of lath

• Holes and tears in building paper

• Brick and stone wainscots improperly installed

Possible Damage:

• Water intrusion

• Water trapped in wall cavities

• Staining

• Mold

• Dry rot

• Stucco cracks

• Drywall damage

• Bricks and stones fall off building

Subterranean Garages and Storage Rooms

Common Defects:

• Lack of water proofing

• Exterior grade slopes towards the building

• Lack of proper drainage

• Inadequate ventilation

Possible Damage:

• Water intrusion and ponding

• Structural damage to steel reinforcing

• Excessive moisture and mold

• Efflorescence and water stains

Windows and Doors

Common Defects:

• Improper installation or damaged product

• Improper window and door flashings

• Improperly installed building paper around windows and doors

• Improper installation of alarm components

Possible Damage:

• Excessive condensation

• Water Intrusion

• Staining

• Mold

• Dry rot

• Fogging between glass sheets in double paned windows

• Excessive energy usage and costs

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