Here’s a list of the 10 most frequent construction defects in production housing, based on 100 lawsuits and the highest amounts paid out, either by settlement or at trial:
Window Failure — Leaks around sill-jamb corners of aluminum windows; fogged dual-pane glass; vinyl windows with poorly designed weeps.
Concrete Slab Moisture — Excessive capillary moisture through slab on-grade foundations due to drainage and landscape issues and/or poor-quality concrete.
Framing — Missing structural hardware; incomplete nailing; and damage to structural shear panels.
Waterproofing — Condominium podium deck and planter failures; basement and below-grade leaks; balcony failures.
Exterior Wall Leaks — Intrusion at windows, doors, and vent/pipe flashings; missing building paper under vinyl and horizontal siding; gable end and fireplace leaks.
Foundations — Soil-related issues such as subsidence, expansion, excessive groundwater, and undersized foundations.
Shower Waterproofing — Failures in water-resistant gypsum board under tile and unsealed receptor pans.
Paper-Backed Lath — Leaking and deterioration around windows due to complex design and installation.
Roofing — Missing flashing at roof/wall intersections; leaks at pipe vents; improper ice dam protections.
Fire/Life Safety — Breaches behind tubs and showers; design flaws in Type V one-hour-rated buildings; breaches in attics and one-hour assemblies.
Source: Quality Built
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