tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post4373642682683104735..comments2024-03-29T10:51:27.752+13:00Comments on Not PC: LEAKY HOMES, Part 2: What’s going on inside your walls?Peter Cresswellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699845031503699181noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-600629837464196932018-10-19T23:34:27.339+13:002018-10-19T23:34:27.339+13:00What about 1960s era cement/concrete clad timber f...What about 1960s era cement/concrete clad timber frame buildings? Any issues there i see some crack repairs on a few.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02301241021771848292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-72962705455736530942018-08-25T19:12:27.773+12:002018-08-25T19:12:27.773+12:00This is a nice post in an interesting line of cont...This is a nice post in an interesting line of content. Thanks for sharing this article, great way of bring such topic to discussion.<br /><br /><a href="http://omegainteriors.co.nz/" rel="nofollow">http://omegainteriors.co.nz/</a>MarkStonishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11754222332804575800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-30732626847514940772018-03-20T18:11:45.863+13:002018-03-20T18:11:45.863+13:00Truth is we haven't seen the last of this &quo...Truth is we haven't seen the last of this "leaky" problem. On my own jobs and any formmy clients I still use black building paper it's worked for 100 years plus. Cavity systems are not a fix I can see another problem coming with claddings failings. We don't do anything to protect the back of the cladding ie paint or second layer of building paper. And with moisture in the cavity penetrating the Claddings over time they will break down from the inside out. andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03555366882268977681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-71762699829785635012013-05-09T22:20:57.776+12:002013-05-09T22:20:57.776+12:00That is a really indepth article. I never really t...That is a really indepth article. I never really thought about walls like that before :-) But on a serious note it is something to consider, especially the part about thinking that your <a href="http://www.vincenttimber.co.uk" rel="nofollow">cladding</a> can protect from water in high pressure environments. Water unfortunately, always finds a way inAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-71876812416383323222013-03-19T21:18:26.527+13:002013-03-19T21:18:26.527+13:00I can name a person that worked for BRANZ who wrot...I can name a person that worked for BRANZ who wrote the appraisal certificate for one of the plaster systems , he immediately left Branz and went into partnership with that company , his job was selling the system to councils architects and applicators , he also put together the fixing manuals , he and his partner subsequently sold to nuplex for some millions and has a stress free life ,not like a lot of building owners, maybe some journalist could track this person down and interview him, ask him what his credentials were to appraise this system and for his story , it may enlighten everyone in to BRANZ role in this saga , He would be one reason why they rebranded to limit their liabilitiesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-62310712317812375672013-02-02T00:26:36.743+13:002013-02-02T00:26:36.743+13:00Very interesting reading re: leaky homes.what I ne...Very interesting reading re: leaky homes.what I need to know when re-gibing and insulating brick exterior walls, do I use building paper, or is stapling a couple of strips of strapping suffice to keep space between bricks and insulation. Ex state house built in 60's, so a good space between as well as a mesh plate at bottom. Or should I not insulate at all if it is goiong to create moisture,a corner room in winter becomes quite cold<br />DIYAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-41141295697146020662013-01-24T23:27:39.671+13:002013-01-24T23:27:39.671+13:00Thanks so much for this great and valuable informa...Thanks so much for this great and valuable information.<br />The problem is, the more I read up about leaky homes the more I'm finding it difficult to buy a house!! It all sounds very daunting.<br />I do have a question that I need an answer to and if you or anyone out there can answer I would be very very grateful.<br />I'm very interested in buying a 2 storey house in Botany, Manukau area. The house is built in 2004 by Fletcher Homes.<br />The first floor is brick and second floor looks like the plaster you've been talking about.<br />What should I be watching out for when buying these type of houses?<br />And does this type of building have the same or more or less risk of being leaky, as compared to the Mediterranean looking houses (i.e built with 2 stories of plaster right to the ground)?<br /><br />Hope to hear from you soon!<br />Thanks so much!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00076465484851641074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-81962037969377912752013-01-24T23:23:55.779+13:002013-01-24T23:23:55.779+13:00Jess
Thanks so much for this great and valuable in...Jess<br />Thanks so much for this great and valuable information.<br />The problem is, the more I read up about leaky homes the more I'm finding it difficult to buy a house!! It all sounds very daunting.<br />I do have a question that I need an answer to and if you or anyone out there can answer I would be very very grateful.<br />I'm very interested in buying a 2 storey house in Botany, Manukau area. The house is built in 2004 by Fletcher Homes.<br />The first floor is brick and second floor looks like the plaster you've been talking about.<br />What should I be watching out for when buying these type of houses?<br />And does this type of building have the same or more or less risk of being leaky, as compared to the Mediterranean looking houses (i.e built with 2 stories of plaster right to the ground)?<br /><br />Hope to hear from you soon!<br />Thanks so much!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00076465484851641074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-80411413557400514112012-10-11T01:23:02.626+13:002012-10-11T01:23:02.626+13:00You have great insight about construction and buil...You have great insight about construction and builders, this web blog help all of us with upcoming med projects, keep posting we look forward…reclad northshore ,http://buildingandbeyond.co.nznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-1218671965658339432012-07-26T11:57:25.903+12:002012-07-26T11:57:25.903+12:00Excellent read Pete. I was a timber machinist and ...Excellent read Pete. I was a timber machinist and treatment plant operator in the early 1990's to mid 2000's. I well remember the debates in the smoko room about supplying untreated timber sourced from young growth forestry blocks. <br />The regular comment was that 'this will end in tears', and so it has. Not only was untreated pine very prone to rot and weaker, it was very unstable. Whether kiln or air dried, finding a straight piece was a hard task. A 'twist' in a 4 mtr length was very common.<br />Being prone to movement would no doubt have made the problem worse by distorting the wall cladding causing failure of 'silicone sealing'.<br />When treating was untaken in this young growth radiata, CCA was absorbed like ink to blotting paper due to the larger cell size. One can only imagine how readily water would be absorbed and retained in a 'dryframe' wall.<br /><br />Our home is a 1880's cottage. Mortice & tenoned studs and plates, made from heart Rimu with no dwangs or 'nogs'. Built in a time when building permits, inspections and 'Master Builders' didn't exsist, but rather common sense when constucting to the elements obviously did. 127 years later, weathering numerous cyclones, storms, earthquakes and tornado's....she still stands proud.<br />This whole leaky building problem should have been addressed and fixed by the names of the people on the plans, permits and building contracts whom created the problems in the first place. The owners of these homes were trusting the names of those people on the paperwork.....simple as that.<br />How many of these 'architects', 'building inspectors'and 'master builders' have gone on to better things in their careers, accumulating wealth, while the home owners who trusted them have been left with heart break and finacial hardship?<br />Where's the responsibility? And the bigger question, who was the architect of the confusion and cover up that has dogged this issue?KW, Taranakinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-68146762013822173342011-03-12T06:45:48.318+13:002011-03-12T06:45:48.318+13:00Very interesting read and story.
Good break down ...Very interesting read and story.<br /><br />Good break down of the wall and how it is constructed.<br /><br />Thanks.Mold Guyhttp://www.removemoldinhouse.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-78289398485262458602010-09-23T05:59:55.006+12:002010-09-23T05:59:55.006+12:00Hi there,
THANK YOU!!!
But in the end- nothing is...Hi there,<br />THANK YOU!!!<br /><br />But in the end- nothing is really done! Meditations, tribunal..More stress...and more debt from my pocket.<br /><br />Victims are paying solicitors fee and still leaving in leaky houses, the guilty parts are not been prosecuted. They are still holding the same positions at City Council etc. and the all process of ripping off innecent citizens are will go again... Again paying for building consent, again fee's for surveyers etc. Where are there certified "professionals", who done their work oryginally? Went to another planet? Or go to Australia with huge profit from leaky houses development scam!<br /><br />Yet- instead of goverment to clean the mess and DO THE RIGHT THINK, go after people who cause this- they fight us in the court...<br /><br />What is happening here? Where is the Kiwi's spirit to take actions? Any idea's? Count me in!!!<br /><br /> Kiwi's stand up together and DO something about these atrocity!<br /><br />Who say's "WE are the people"?<br /><br />For me a silence or not taking any action is like saying " Is okey mate, don't worry" ARE YOU?<br /><br />Kindest Regards<br /><br />Mary ( one of the victim, who was taken for ride as weel and paid for Prendos certificate, LIM rapports, registered building inspector certificate from North Shore City Council stated: "that house is structually sound and not leaky" that was my suspensive condition on purchase in Deed of sale. And? LEAKY, rotten wood and more...) I'm saying- Enough is enought! <br /><br />Action speak louder then words. No more complains or stress out- take a stand! Question remain- How?<br />Any good advice will be appreciate it.Marynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-65337154660023373582010-06-14T23:17:00.670+12:002010-06-14T23:17:00.670+12:00Great post,a lot of stuff 100% right.. but i think...Great post,a lot of stuff 100% right.. but i think you've missed the biggest reason why NZ's buildings are leaking. In the early 90's water blasters slowly started to become the weapon of choice for cleaning.Today their use is prolific. Buildings CANNOT withstand the pressures these machines generate. Stop water blasting our houses and the leaky homes problem will be solved. If you want more info or to discuss things further e-mail: doug_muir@msn.comDougnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-72001716563424585532010-04-12T22:34:52.852+12:002010-04-12T22:34:52.852+12:00you say;
"None of the changes mentioned so fa...you say;<br />"None of the changes mentioned so far would have been fatal on their own. If water got in, it should have been protected by the building paper. If the building paper was badly installed in some few places, it still would have protected the home-owner in every other place. (Even on the Eden Two apartments, the installation errors only occurred in the same one or two places on every apartment)."<br /><br />I think you make some good points but if you think that building paper was the saviour then wait for another building failure round the corner. The problem was absorbant claddings that held moisture and transferred it through the paper/wrap and into untreated /unprotected timber. The paper was not meant to be a barrier and never could be.<br /><br />We need to understand the science better and the govt should be spending the $$$ to find out the real causes and solutions to current failures (and how to repair more cheaply) instead of filling the feeding troughs at BRANZ or at least direct some building levy money to the coal face.John the Buildernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-16271732359463596292010-04-08T10:06:44.643+12:002010-04-08T10:06:44.643+12:00I'm on my knees grateful for this article whi...I'm on my knees grateful for this article which informs and demystifies a massive can of worms. The author's fabulous sense humour was not lost on me either. In Scotland, we would call this 'pure dead brilliant' and believe me, that's a compliment! KazVKazVnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-38372477658790696202009-11-26T20:15:01.568+13:002009-11-26T20:15:01.568+13:00Hey Pete,
The architectural activist that I live...Hey Pete, <br /><br />The architectural activist that I live with thinks it would be a good idea to put up a sweepstake on which large corporate gets to you with a cease and desist order first and how long that takes to happen :-)<br /><br />Molly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-22304128593510113092009-11-22T18:10:37.448+13:002009-11-22T18:10:37.448+13:00Mort,
Steel frame buildings may rust and deform be...Mort,<br />Steel frame buildings may rust and deform beyond elasticity I don't know but what they do do is transmit noise throughout the structure.<br />You can feel the front door slam from 3 floors away.<br />PeteAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-28901856519122770312009-11-20T05:33:06.318+13:002009-11-20T05:33:06.318+13:00This is an awesome article that is so imformative ...This is an awesome article that is so imformative and i enjoyed reading it and took away alot of good pointers from itmetal framinghttp://products.construction.com/MasterFormat2004Index/finishes_09-00-00/Non-Structural-Metal-Framing_09-22-16noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-84725728442936820992009-11-19T08:45:08.571+13:002009-11-19T08:45:08.571+13:00What a great summation of the leaky homes problem....What a great summation of the leaky homes problem.<br /><br />The greens need to shoulder their fair share of blame with this problem as well. They are the group that jumped up and down about any sort of treatment in timber. Timber was always treated to repel insect attack. This treatment also helped repel water. Boric treated timber could be used in exterior framing and CCA treated timber was used in exterior situations wher the risk of water penetration was a threat. To use dryframe in situations like butynol deckings was always going to invite a problem. <br /><br />This pressure led to all the timber companies, appraisal firms like BRANZ chucking commonsense out the window and stupidly saying that dryframe was OK in outside walls.<br /><br />Dryframe is like blotting paper, a drop of water soaks in and the next drop soaks in and soon you have a problem.<br /><br />No matter how you looked at dryframe being used in exterior walls it was always going to be a problem and the govt needs to stand up and shoulder the blame for the past actions of Labour and the Greens. <br /><br />The architects that specified dryframe should also have known better<br /><br />The building regulations are now so over the top they are ridiculous. <br />Take the situation now where you have to put battens over the building paper before you fix the exterior cladding. What a massive extra cost that is not required. <br /><br />Hurlz1<br />The pulse of the nationHurlz1noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-77380824973747831822009-11-18T13:23:56.225+13:002009-11-18T13:23:56.225+13:00DOes the change in building code help this (I know...DOes the change in building code help this (I know part 1 said the evils of regulation)<br /><br />Spcifically I think about the use of treated timber and a 30mil cavitiy / air gap system for plaster housesSHaunnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-56070181842991879282009-11-17T06:15:45.776+13:002009-11-17T06:15:45.776+13:00Good post Pete.
I'm not sure about your "...Good post Pete. <br />I'm not sure about your "Bootleggers and Baptists" part where you say <i>"chemophobes who claimed the boric salts were toxic and were poisoning the occupants joined forces with the big timber companies who wanted to charge more for selling less timber."</i><br />The "Greenwash" was more likely to have originated from the building material companies themselves. The Green Party has never been against Borax timber treatments. Boric acid is fairly harmless. The only side-effect in mammals is testicular atrophy (smaller balls). I can't see the Greenies being too fussed about that.<br /><br />P.S. To bung a chainsaw through a brick or concrete block house, use a tunsten-tipped chain and cut through the mortar course (it's easier to repoint after). Otherwise use a big anglegrinder. And don't forget your dust-sheets.Monsieurnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-78318866684614730872009-11-17T01:07:15.870+13:002009-11-17T01:07:15.870+13:00Nice post again - good to see the issues put out t...Nice post again - good to see the issues put out there. Especially the big question - investigation into who knew about rot in dryframe timber & behind monolithic claddings (esp. Harditex)?<br /><br />Question - if fungi rot fibrous products like Harditex, paper & wood, then why didn't they rot the building paper between drywall linings and timber weatherboards? All wood or pulp products, but no rot? <br /><br />Was it the combination of pulp products with silicone sealants & insulation cutting down on drainage? Or a change to the building paper composition? (which you seem to hint at).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-10934969803701485912009-11-16T19:56:36.134+13:002009-11-16T19:56:36.134+13:00Thankyou. I grew up planting pine trees in the ear...Thankyou. I grew up planting pine trees in the early 60's and learnt from watching big old grandady pine stumps rot out in two years, that pine timber had to be treated.<br />I have had a lot to say on other blogs about this subject and the shabby way the govt et al are treating and have treated the unsuspecting.<br />I deal weekly with home owners that are affected and in one case of an apartment I currently have their possessions for a second time. They leak from the top down so every floor has its day.<br />Clark and her dishonest partners in crime at parliament have a lot to answer for in this debacle.<br />Worse still is Williamson's offer the other day for the Govt to pay 10%. What a joke. They are offering 10% and taking back 12.5% in GST so they make 2.5% on their shabby transaction and then of course there is things like PAYE, tax on company profits and so on.<br />Someone has asked about steel frames. Watch this space. Two problems that I can see. Earthquakes. A descent ground bending movement will distort the steel and it will not return to shape. Panel beating won't work so replacement will be required. Lots of bending= house stuffed. <br />Water and especially salt water. <br />As has been pointed out water gets everywhere. It carries salts and the salt will corrode the light galvanizing in side any frame. Take a while but have a look at any iron roof near the beach or in Rotorua and see what happens.<br />Ask the iron companies if they will give any guarantee with their roof iron and what guarantees they will give with steel frames. Once again these are a dry country product. <br />There is an old old saying , "Rust Never Sleeps"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-17394439943008939722009-11-16T18:03:11.824+13:002009-11-16T18:03:11.824+13:00A recent discussion I had with a builder/ building...A recent discussion I had with a builder/ building company about an intended build was how brick cladding systems haven't changed and aren't affected by the wethouse syndrome. Is this true?<br />What are metal framing systems like? Do they leak?<br />MortAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-80382880477247622782009-11-16T18:00:05.958+13:002009-11-16T18:00:05.958+13:00Now if only MSM would pick uip on this article. Yo...Now if only MSM would pick uip on this article. You have put into writing what many people who are on the end of litigation directives are now coming around to accepting how you succinctly describe events and decisions as the path which lead to them being shafted. But unfortunately they won't, because they are all lapdogs, imbeciles, corrupted sycophants, or just too plain retarded to know a good story when it smacks them in the face. The recent decision to abort investigative journalism by APN will only further reinforce the above memes.<br />Your point about unintended consequences appears to raised and reinforced the motif that what goverment legislates against, will invariably end up in resulting in more of those outcomes.<br />James Hardie are crooked as they come. The Australian Govt had to bail them out, because they stupidly let the buggers re-incorporate in the Netherlands, while diestablishing their Australian Head Division. Thus there is no real entity with which they can actually prosecute, because it has written off its historic obligations. The Australian Govt whould nationalise JHH's Australian operations given that is all the places are worth. At least they will get back some of the Aussie Taxpayers money.<br /><br />JHH are the prime culprits in this travesty, and for them to avoid their obligations by ripping houses to pieces and measuring the distance between fixation nails, then measure every one of those same nails until they find 1 anomaly which was outside the stated 150mm distance, and x length clefthead/flathead nail, and blithely state, "not our fault, you didn't adhere to the fixation system", is beyond despicable. <br />It was Labour in government that gave us the disetablishment reestablishment (ala JHH). Their shonky morals and actions (see Crown vs Philip Field) that allowed this cover up to occur, and no doubt political pressure over the decision to absolve the BIA from actions taken under BRANZ, to legitimize this affront to house buyers Nationwide. <br />Fletcher industries have probably managed to distance themselves from any comeback by hiving off the various divisions and lumping any liabiltiy with the now non trading Fletcher Forests. CHH has had its assets divested and is no longer the company it was when this saga began.<br />Ultimately it was BRANZ/ BIA that bought the bollocks hook line and sinker from those 3 companies and legitimized the inherently broken systems, despite evidence in 1996 from the Canadian Building authorities that similar systems would lead to this type of abject failure, and so unfortunately for me, and the other 3/4 of a million homeowners who don't own these pieces of rotting rubble should pay for it through our tax dollars.<br />A former high ranking member of a provincial property investors association and lawyer advised me once that there will come a time in the future when people will look at the period when a house was built (essentially the period you acsribe as that which correlates with the existence of BRANZ until 2010), and they just won't buy it. The entire era is tainted. It will be up to the owners of non-affected houses to prove that their pride and joy is not a wet-house. Probably on the soundest pieces of advice I have ever taken.<br />Joe Monolith householder is getting the shaft bigtime, and it appears no one will pay the piper. <br />One aspect that you have failed to thus far to point out is the polystyrene-tecture coat house solutions which also happened within the regulations are also inherently flawed. I have heard on one incident where the local building authority ordered that one such house be reclad as it was leaking, and upon the contractors stripping the cladding off, found that rats and ants had in fact eaten all of the polystyrene, and that the shell surrounding the house was a flimsy layer of plastic, floating in the breeze. I think it was likely the only thing keeping water out of the house in this case was the building paper. How many more buildings of this type of constuction will have the same problems?<br />MortAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com