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Old 09-08-2008, 11:16 PM
 
Location: NW Austin
1,133 posts, read 4,170,603 times
Reputation: 174

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There's a house we like but it's on a sloped lot since it's on a hill. We saw it at a open house yesterday. The listing agent said that on a few occasions when it rained a lot, water came through the foundation and up through the floor in one of the closets. The satillo tile floor is stained from the water.

They dug out and built a small retaining wall recently to help alleviate the problem but apparently it didn't completely fix it. So more work needs to be done to prevent more incidents from happening. Not sure what kind of things can be done - a bigger area dug out and extent the retaining wall or some kind of waterproofing along the back foundation?

Also wondering if a moisture problem could be a mold problem? This seems like a big red flag... we don't know how much money it'll take to fix. It's kinda scary. Anyone have any experience with something like this?

Thanks!
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Old 09-08-2008, 11:31 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX!!!!
3,757 posts, read 9,022,692 times
Reputation: 1762
I remember back in 1999, there was a big problem with toxic mold in the area. It was in the paper, it was on the news. Our next door neighbors had to abandon their house (and moved into the rental next door) because of it. I imagine since the climate hasn't changed much down there that it still could be a problem there.
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Old 09-08-2008, 11:35 PM
 
Location: NW Austin
1,133 posts, read 4,170,603 times
Reputation: 174
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jennibc View Post
I remember back in 1999, there was a big problem with toxic mold in the area. It was in the paper, it was on the news. Our next door neighbors had to abandon their house (and moved into the rental next door) because of it. I imagine since the climate hasn't changed much down there that it still could be a problem there.
I saw something on tv about a family in Dripping Springs that had a fabulous new home but it was contaminated by black mold and her husband had some horrible health problems, as well as her toddler son. Scary stuff! I wasn't sure if that was an isolated case or if it's more common.
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Old 09-09-2008, 08:11 AM
 
Location: Austin, TX
15,234 posts, read 35,413,416 times
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Black mold has been around for centuries, I suppose, but became a media darling last decade. Suddenly, all mold seemed to be deadly black mold, when in reality, the 'black mold' (not just mold that happens to be black) is relatively rare and is reallly not dangerous in small quantities unless you are snorting it or something. Houses that had flooded were really the main dangers.

That said, I would hate to have to deal with water incursion in a new home .
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Old 09-09-2008, 09:31 AM
 
Location: SW Austin & Wimberley
6,330 posts, read 17,976,190 times
Reputation: 5531
I would avoid a home with a permenant condition that allows uncontrolled water intrusion. The only exception would be if an engineered and lifetime guaranteed modification was made to the landscaping and structure and was factored into the price. If you can't find someone who can design and stand behind a complete solution, think real hard about it.

My mom has this problem in a back room addition which was built by previous owners on a patio slab, below grade. We've spend thousands on french drains, gutters, landscaping, etc., to no avail. Guess what she has as a permenant piece of furniture in that room? A dryvac. Guess what the flooring is and will always be? Painted concrete.

Trust me, you don't want a nuisance like that. Whenever you're on vacation away from home, you'll be checking the weather and, if it's raining in Austin, wondering if your closet is seeping water. Don't underestimate this mental intrusion. I've received plenty of calls from my Mom when she is travelling and finds out it's raining in Austin, "can you go check the back room?"

It's no way to live, and it will make the home hard to sell someday. Never buy a home with uncurable misfit attributes.

Steve
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