Man oh man, where to start on this story. First of all, I know I have foundation problems, second of all I really suspect I have framing problems, and thirdly, I live in a condo and I am dealing with the HOA who is trying to cheap fix the problem which I am terrified is going to create a problem for me!
On to the story and questions.
We live on the bottom floor of a three floor condominium building. In 2010 we notice we have water damage, damage is obviously from water coming in from the outside wall. HOA said it was our responsibility to fix it. Hired a company that removed the Sheetrock, insulation, carpet and padding. They used a little moisture detecting thing and identified an area under the window as the place of highest moisture. There was a small crack in the foundation, and the company we hired said there is a foundation problem. We told the HOA, HHOA said the company could not touch the foundation, and that the HOA would fix the problem. HOA then dug up the window well, added some gravel, and said problem solved. The company we hired treated the wood, put in insulation, sheet rocked, taped, mudded the wall, laid new pad and carpet, and said see you in a few years, problem isn't fixed.
Oct. 6, 2014, come back from Disneyland trip. When we walk in the home we smell a wet, mildews smell. Discover more water damage. Call the HOA. There construction vendor comes up and rips up carpet, removes the same Sheetrock, removes the same insulation, and identifies a gap that is between the foundation and window frame, runs the entire length of the window frame, and is between 1/8" and 1/2". They fill it with caulk to try to fix the leak and say it has been leaking for years. They put a hose on the window and it looked like Niagara Falls.
Miscommunication happened, as well as the HOA. when they put water on the window Niagar Falls again. Owner of the company comes out, finds a hole near the corner of the window. Fills the hole with caulk, and tests it a few days later, still leaks. He then found the hole runs right through the foundation, and that there is a big hole on the outside as well. So the hole runs right through the foundation. He applied caulk to the outside, we are testing it today.
My question is, after a long story, can you repair a big hole that runs through the foundation with caulk? The guy said the hole is responsible for the crack, which is in the foundation in the middle of the window, is from this hole. Can calking that hole fix the hole in the foundation?
Also, with at least 4 years of water leaking and running all over the place, could their be water damage to the framing? I mean the lumber by the holde was drenched like a sponge. I was pressing on it and squeezing water out of it. I don't think caulking fixes the hole, and we want to sell the condo and I can not in good conscience tell a potential buyer the HOA has fixed the water leak problem with the foundation.
I have attached some photos. There are a couple of the hole from the inside of the wall. I took one of the wood at the hole and one with drier wood in the same area. I also show the wall and the crack, the contractor guy said it isn't moisture even though it looks completely different today. I also included some pictures of the gap, including one were the window frame, I believe it is pressure treated wood, looks like it has water damage and is rotting.
On to the story and questions.
We live on the bottom floor of a three floor condominium building. In 2010 we notice we have water damage, damage is obviously from water coming in from the outside wall. HOA said it was our responsibility to fix it. Hired a company that removed the Sheetrock, insulation, carpet and padding. They used a little moisture detecting thing and identified an area under the window as the place of highest moisture. There was a small crack in the foundation, and the company we hired said there is a foundation problem. We told the HOA, HHOA said the company could not touch the foundation, and that the HOA would fix the problem. HOA then dug up the window well, added some gravel, and said problem solved. The company we hired treated the wood, put in insulation, sheet rocked, taped, mudded the wall, laid new pad and carpet, and said see you in a few years, problem isn't fixed.
Oct. 6, 2014, come back from Disneyland trip. When we walk in the home we smell a wet, mildews smell. Discover more water damage. Call the HOA. There construction vendor comes up and rips up carpet, removes the same Sheetrock, removes the same insulation, and identifies a gap that is between the foundation and window frame, runs the entire length of the window frame, and is between 1/8" and 1/2". They fill it with caulk to try to fix the leak and say it has been leaking for years. They put a hose on the window and it looked like Niagara Falls.
Miscommunication happened, as well as the HOA. when they put water on the window Niagar Falls again. Owner of the company comes out, finds a hole near the corner of the window. Fills the hole with caulk, and tests it a few days later, still leaks. He then found the hole runs right through the foundation, and that there is a big hole on the outside as well. So the hole runs right through the foundation. He applied caulk to the outside, we are testing it today.
My question is, after a long story, can you repair a big hole that runs through the foundation with caulk? The guy said the hole is responsible for the crack, which is in the foundation in the middle of the window, is from this hole. Can calking that hole fix the hole in the foundation?
Also, with at least 4 years of water leaking and running all over the place, could their be water damage to the framing? I mean the lumber by the holde was drenched like a sponge. I was pressing on it and squeezing water out of it. I don't think caulking fixes the hole, and we want to sell the condo and I can not in good conscience tell a potential buyer the HOA has fixed the water leak problem with the foundation.
I have attached some photos. There are a couple of the hole from the inside of the wall. I took one of the wood at the hole and one with drier wood in the same area. I also show the wall and the crack, the contractor guy said it isn't moisture even though it looks completely different today. I also included some pictures of the gap, including one were the window frame, I believe it is pressure treated wood, looks like it has water damage and is rotting.
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