I’m currently under contract with a house and has the inspection yesterday. The house was built in 2002. The inspector found some humidity in the crawl space and on one corner of the house there’s some damage to the band sill from what looks like water. He thinks that the there is likely some sort of leak coming from the master bath. The Joists are fine and it only effects one corner. The floor isn’t sagging or anything. What kind of job are we looking at to get this fixed? Wondering if it’s bad enough to just kill the deal. I have a copy of the report if anyone wants to look it over. I do know that in March 2016 the home owners filed a clan in with their insurance for a burst water pipe. Could that be the cause?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dusty78,

It could be, or a new leak. I’d pay for a structural engineer to survey as well as a reputable plumber. Any work required negotiate it off the price of the house. I wouldn’t let it be a show stopper if you really like the house.

Probably not that big of a deal. They can jack the house up and replace a sill plate.

I mean, I'd get it looked at by a contractor/engineer and have someone quote a price so you have a bargaining chip, but I wouldn't let it kill a deal if you like the house.

How's the housing market in the area where the house is located and how's the comps of the house?

Ask around for the cost of replacing the sill plate and replacing the flooring of the master bath. If the market is slow in the house's area and the comps are high, ask if a discount is negotiable.

No such thing as slow around here. Houses sell in hours. This house is listed fairly. My main concern is having a can of worms to deal with. I definitely plan on having an expert look at it hopefully in the next 2-3 days.

The house otherwise is in great shape

If they filed a claim for a burst pipe, then this could be old damage, or it could be a slow leak, I'd really want pictures.

Considering it's a brick face, is it true brick? As in a brick wall with an air gap to a wood sheathed frame? Or is it just a facade?

What is on the exterior near the water damage? Could there be an exterior source?

If other things about the property are right, like location and other features of the house, point out these problems and negotiate a fix from the seller.

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I do know that in March 2016 the home owners filed a clan in with their insurance for a burst water pipe.

How did you find this out? If it was from any source other than seller's disclosure then I'd run away not walk away.

Post photos if you can. Even if it wasn’t mitigated properly it should have dried out on its own by now. Is there actual damage or just staining? Could be nothing at all, I’ve been called out to look at “damage” from an inspectors report that was nothing more than concrete residue from when the lumber was used to frame a footer

Get some one with a good moisture meter to take a look to see if it’s still wet. If not, and no damage, wouldn’t worry too much about it. If wet, probably a leak in the bath above. Would start with the wax ring.

quote:

Originally posted by Dusty78:
The house otherwise is in great shape

It's a very nice looking house. The dormers, and the keystones in the lintels over the windows and garage door add nice touches (keystone is probably not the correct term, but YellowJacket can chime in). I miss double hung windows. Haven't even seen one in 16 years, since I moved to AZ.
 
Unless there is one I'm not seeing (in the back), it is the house of seven gables.
 

Well it’s a done deal. The issues were fixed and I closed on Friday. It’s scary cause my gun dealer lives behind my new house and runs his shop from home

Thanks for all the responses

Congrats on the home purchase. Let me know when you get settled, and we can go out and catch a drink.

quote:

Originally posted by Dusty78:
Well it’s a done deal. The issues were fixed and I closed on Friday. It’s scary cause my gun dealer lives behind my new house and runs his shop from home

Thanks for all the responses

Yeah, scary for your wallet!

"Hey neighbor, come check this out!" ...wife trying to drag you back inside... "Think about the children, college, retirement!"

Pretty house. Congratulations

Congrats, Dusty, great looking house.

Thanks guys. I closed Friday and immediately left for vacation so now I’m kinda anxious to get back....and hoping it rains cause the sprinklers are off.

I'm glad this worked out for you. Best of luck with your new house.