What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Alaska
We purchased a home this last year from the owner builder. The construction was completed in November of 2010 and we closed in January 2011. We have had some pretty cold weather lately. Yesterday I noticed that there was a large amount of frost builds up on the vents on the gable ends. I went up in to the attic to check as to why this was happening. I noticed a layer of frost build up on the interior surface of the roof end gable walls, as well as the 2X4 roof trusses.
First I checked the eve vents to ensure they were not blocked by insulation and the attic was getting proper ventilation, the vents were clear, that only left one option I could see that could cause the problem.....lack of a vapor barrier under the insulation. Sure enough I removed the insulation in several areas down to the interior ceiling and there is no vapor barrier. This is unacceptable and will cause severe damage to the home..
We had the home inspected during the process of purchasing the home, the inspector found a few items that required attention. The builder completed the repairs, one of was adding more insulation in the attic, the home was re-inspected at additional cost after repairs.
My questions are:
1) Since the lack of a vapor barrier was overlooked by the inspector (even though he noted the attic needed more insulation) can he be sued for damages through his missing a major building item?
2) Since the Owner / Builder failed to install the vapor barrier can we sue him for repairs / damages?
I have looked up code law which stipulates where I am in Alaska that a vapor barrier must be in place.
Putting a vapor barrier in place is going to require taking down all the ceilings which is tongue and groove knotty pine wood in every room of the house. This will be a huge endevour to take on and I do not have the funds to do this, plus I am disabled. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated. I feel like we've been ripped off just because the builder wanted to cut corners, and the lack of spending a couple hundred bucks to lay the vapor barrier. It looks like a winter wonderland of frost up there, and the mold/bacteria is another huge concern of mine once it begins to melt.
Thank you.
Thank you.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
We purchased a home this last year from the owner builder. The construction was completed in November of 2010 and we closed in January 2011. We have had some pretty cold weather lately. Yesterday I noticed that there was a large amount of frost builds up on the vents on the gable ends. I went up in to the attic to check as to why this was happening. I noticed a layer of frost build up on the interior surface of the roof end gable walls, as well as the 2X4 roof trusses.
First I checked the eve vents to ensure they were not blocked by insulation and the attic was getting proper ventilation, the vents were clear, that only left one option I could see that could cause the problem.....lack of a vapor barrier under the insulation. Sure enough I removed the insulation in several areas down to the interior ceiling and there is no vapor barrier. This is unacceptable and will cause severe damage to the home..
We had the home inspected during the process of purchasing the home, the inspector found a few items that required attention. The builder completed the repairs, one of was adding more insulation in the attic, the home was re-inspected at additional cost after repairs.
My questions are:
1) Since the lack of a vapor barrier was overlooked by the inspector (even though he noted the attic needed more insulation) can he be sued for damages through his missing a major building item?
2) Since the Owner / Builder failed to install the vapor barrier can we sue him for repairs / damages?
I have looked up code law which stipulates where I am in Alaska that a vapor barrier must be in place.
Putting a vapor barrier in place is going to require taking down all the ceilings which is tongue and groove knotty pine wood in every room of the house. This will be a huge endevour to take on and I do not have the funds to do this, plus I am disabled. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated. I feel like we've been ripped off just because the builder wanted to cut corners, and the lack of spending a couple hundred bucks to lay the vapor barrier. It looks like a winter wonderland of frost up there, and the mold/bacteria is another huge concern of mine once it begins to melt.
Thank you.
Thank you.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?