Condensate/dew water overlay-ready house

Dear community,

since I unfortunately only have limited knowledge of the matter, I am turning to you. We have purchased a finished shell house (basement, ground floor, upper floor, attic). During the last inspection to obtain a cost estimate for a turnkey package, we noticed a soaked wall in the attic at the corner (drywall, shaft). Furthermore, in the ground floor under a windowsill.

We immediately contacted the developer, who was on site 2 hours later and assured us that this had already been noticed and that a roofer was able to rule out roof damage. The developer said this was condensation. According to the developer, all walls etc. will be checked and replaced if necessary.

Of course, we are now concerned about the house and would like to ask for your opinion.

I consider it "very difficult" to impossible to give a well-founded opinion based on these pictures. Find an independent expert; hidden construction damage caused by water, no matter where it comes from, can be quite serious. I wouldn't believe the developer at first :oops: Of course, I don't mean to say that he's wrong! But if things go badly, he's lying to you, the damage is extensive, and you'll have to chase after it afterwards ...

On Monday we will call through and commission an expert. Does something like this basically happen? Is it common for something like this to occur? Or is this really an absolute special case?

The builder said this was condensation water. According to the builder, all walls etc. will be checked and replaced if necessary.

Did he really say that? So he wants to replace walls if needed? I rather don't believe that :cool: Condensation water in an uninhabited (and thus unventilated) house would not be unusual in itself. But like many here, you simply uploaded detailed pictures without the "surroundings." Possibly, from the context (environment), it can be concluded whether the condensation-affected areas could be potential cold bridges or not. Therefore: More pictures of the "big picture." More text about the circumstances (history), then maybe a "more" and more qualified answer ;)

The first picture is on the ceiling? I find that the stain has a strange shape for condensation water.

If it is a utility shaft, there are also pipes running through it and they also come out on the roof, e.g. exhaust hood, bathroom ventilation, gas pipe. If the shaft is not properly connected on the roof, water can sometimes run down there. For example, on the chimney there is a lead-zinc flashing; if it is not properly sealed, water runs down the chimney/stone. So I would go under the roof and check.....what is going on above the ceiling where it is damp.....