Leak behind the tiles

[Lanne]

I am wondering if anyone has any advice. I am convinced that the builders have used the wrong 'caulking' in our shower. It seems to me to be the same stuff that they used on the skirting boards etc..

The caulking has shrunk up a lil where the grout lines are and water seems to be penetrating in the back. So at 12 grout points - water is getting in behind the tiles. Mould is now growing but it is coming from behind the tiles forward, not sitting on top of the caulking.

I have told the real estate and asked them to tell the owners. I have insisted they invite the owners to the inspection tomorrow morning as we have this issue, the recent flood and concrete powdering in the alfresco (which is basically the slab) and .. no insulation in the ceiling. The house is 2 yrs old and warranty time is running out..

Do I want the ensuite shower pulled apart.. absolutely not - but i think this is a bigger problem.

Any advice on what the repairs are likely to be? What should we look for? Ask about or insist upon? Any assistance appreciated.

[rosierose]

Hmmm I think you have done the right thing, especially if house still under warranty..... but this house you live in seems to be more trouble that it's worth. When is the lease up....... I would be looking elsewhere.

Hope that doesn't sound harsh it just seems to give you a lot of probs that you really do not need...

[Julie-Ann]

Lanne we had a problem with water getting behind the tiles in our new shower. The builder first ripped up the tiles on the floor. There was so much water that it had broken down the water membrane. They then removed the tiles to the tap where the leak was coming from.
If they don't want to do that you can get someone in to seal the tiles and prevent water leaking behind. You would have to not use the shower for at least a few days to let it dry out before they seal it.

[Elements]

Lanne, being that we are facing this problem in both our ensuite and bathroom at this house we know what we are in for $$ wise, to fix it and have not attempted this project yet.
Being that the owners should have enough concern to get it fixed via there builder I hope they realise its as easy as ring their builder and getting it looked at.
If they at all think they have to pay they may put it off.....
I know these leaking tiles cause heaps of issues as we now have damp in our walls in both our office and kitchen walls and we will have to rip out all the tiles and our cabinets as the damp has eaten into the chipboard also
Anyway my point being I hope the owners take the info and run with it otherwise its just going to get worse for them and you to look after.

[Lanne]

RR - Not harsh at all.. We are trying to divide what is house and what is bad luck.. or outside of the house.

The house itself is not very liveable .. (as the owners tampered with a poorly thought out floor plan and have made cuts to claim an extra bedroom etc. It makes it tedious to live in.. but no rental is perfect.

The break ins and flood and so on.. not the house as such.. and the owners themselves have been lovely about it all so far (sent flowers, bought door, paid for locksmiths etc).

We feel the house is expensive.. but i noticed the house 5 doors down online tonight.. for $200 a week more (OH MMM GEEEE).. Moving here cost us $7K.. so I am in no rush to move again unless it become intolerable.

This new spate of issues (insulation, concrete, tiles etc) may be the straw that breaks for us.. ? I reeeeeally need some peace.

I am trying to gauge the level of difficulty and time in repairs.. and it sounds inconvenient and bearable .. THANKS guys. I knew i could get a decent answer here.

elements - i hope yours is resolved with the least fuss possible.. can you claim it on insurance of some kind or is that wishful thinking?

[Di]

Lanne, you are having a rough year and I do not know how you have coped.

It is great that you are informing the owners of the issues so they can be taken care of by the builder.

Also, if the ensuite needs to be re-done or there is any inconvenience to you while living in the house, you are entitled to a reduction in rent until such time as the issue is fixed. That is something to consider. If you moved out they would not be able to rent it out until it was fixed so they'd have no income stream at all.

Good luck for today.

[Lanne]

Thanks Di. it certainly hasn't been a good one.

I just had the inspection guy come through. He looks 15.. swore 4 times whilst here (not the f word but called suppliers w's etc.. so inappropriate).. *shakes head* USELESS would be an understatement.

He said.. oh the shower is clean.. I was expecting black mould. I pointed out that i wouldn't shower in a mouldy shower!! and that the mould is evident at each grout point. (i would say there is a 5c piece area at each joint.. it isn't like it isn't visible!) .. he said he would take a photo.

he photographed far too much of my house and nothing much of what he should have. I had to show him things he was supposed to be photographing. He even snapped an image of our christmas tree ... ???

I think he has enough do***ented evidence to go back to the owners with.. now i will have to chase to ensure they have

[Di]

Oh my. Could you voice your concerns with someone about who they sent and what he was photographing?

Sounds to me like they need an experienced building inspector.

[Lanne]

I think there should be someone more qualified too.

I would never ever ever put my home in with a real estate.. ever. We are yet to have one that has consistently looked after a property. Most can be bought off with cakes and look no further than the kitchen. One was obsessed with the ceilings..

I am tired. I feel like a cranky old lady and I am not even 35 yet. (14 hours to go I shouldn't have to whine and whinge and know about these things. .. but you do. so you get on with it.

[Di]

I think it is best to shop around for good Property Managers. My sister is one and she takes no carp from anyone and wins awards through the Ray White group for lowest rental arrears, etc.

She was told recently by a tradie that the work he had done was good enough for a rental property - she told him it wasn't and he had to re-do it to a high standard or he would not be paid.

Whining and whinging is good for you. If you don't get it off your chest, it will only build up and make you more cranky.

I feel like I am a cranky, whinging old bag and very much a half glass empty person this year and anyone reading much of what I post will probably think that too.

I am going to start 2012 grateful for what we have with my glass half full and put the building work behind us.