| | It may be hard to believe but new homes have their fair share of problems too. There are many common problems that new home buyers face, and we have all heard horror stories about people who started out building their dream home only to end up living a nightmare. One problem that many new construction buyers find is site work that is not done properly. If the fill and backfill around the foundation is not properly compacted, the dirt can settle later, and this may cause your sidewalk, driveway, or porch steps to settle as well, and create cracks in paving and sidewalk materials. The proper amount of fill and backfill should be between six to eight inches deep, and it should be tamped down completely so that the dirt is completely compacted so there are no gaps or air pockets in the bottom layers of the dirt. Another problem near the foundation that can happen in new construction is that the grading is not sloping away from the foundation. This is important, because without this grading slope water, including rain and snow, can build up at the home foundation and may eventually leak into the basement and cause erosion to the foundation.
 New homes may also have problems with a vapor barrier that should be done with every concrete slab, unless it is in the garage area. If there is no vapor barrier for the slab, the basement can end up with moisture and water problems, which can encourage mold and mildew. These contaminations in your home can lead to musty, earthy, or damp smells in the basement, and even toxic mold which can have harmful health effects on you and your family. Another important area that many new construction buyers may face is wall bracing that is not correct, and this can occur whether you are buying a one, two, or three story home. Make sure that every corner and every twenty five feet of structural wall on every floor is properly braced.
Many new homeowners buy their new construction only to find out that the outside doors and windows do not have the flashing correctly installed, and there are no weep holes where the brick is located. Any doors and windows which are installed in brick must have flashing and weep holes installed. This will keep water from getting behind the brick and getting into the structure of your home. If there is flashing but no weep holes installed, even if the flashing is put in correctly the water can not drain to the outside surface of the bricks.
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Make sure to inspect the exterior of your home well. Check any wood to ensure that it is properly protected; otherwise moisture can get into the interior of your home, including the spaces between the walls. This is where mold can grow undetected, and some molds are known to be harmful when inhaled. Make sure any wood on the exterior of your home is correctly caulked and painted, to make sure that it is moisture proofed. Another important aspect of new construction is ventilation. This aspect may easily be forgotten but it is critical. Many contractors and builders create a home that may be airtight, to make it heat and cool efficient and this can cause a problem. Without any airflow through your new home, moisture can be trapped without any way to escape, especially in areas like the bathroom and kitchen where steam may be a factor. It is important that ventilation is provided, and you do not want a home that is completely sealed off from the outside. Use roof vents and other ventilation options, like a vent fan in the kitchen and bathroom.
You can ensure that your new construction is built right, and just the way you want it, by following a few simple guidelines. Inspect your new construction home at every step, so that if something goes wrong or is not done correctly you can have the builder fix it right away. This is especially important for areas that will be hidden later on. If you are not happy with the quality of something, or you believe the workmanship or installation is defective, notify the builder immediately, and have the problem taken care of right away. This is your dream home, and by staying on top of the project you will ensure the best results. Remember, hire a professional home inspector to go over the finished home, do not rely on city inspections alone to ensure your home is safe and built correctly.
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