Construction defects - Damage control?

I don't know the details. The WU basement is now leaking after 10 years. I also wonder how that's supposed to happen, that's exactly why you build a WU basement, so you have peace for decades. But the colleague had to pump out several liters daily for some time. Everything downstairs is ruined. Something is supposed to be injected somewhere inside now.

Thanks! It would be new to me that concrete ages and can become leaky. I can only imagine that something has cracked, but where would such a force suddenly come from? Yes, injection usually works quite cheaply and well, but something like this is probably quite a shock.

Thank you! It would be new to me that concrete ages and becomes leaky. I can only imagine that something is cracked, but where would such a force suddenly come from? Yes, injection usually works quite cheaply and well, but I think something like that is quite a shock.

Definitely. It took 2-3 weeks just to find someone who would look at it, since the basement builder no longer exists. Nothing has been done yet. There are now holes in the screed and the water is currently being constantly pumped out.

1. are you really completely sure that it was groundwater? Why is there nothing standing there anymore, what was changed? What does the expert advise?

2. so what? In the worst case, you have thermal bridges. Is there going to be an ETICS in front of it? Or are you just genuinely worried about the statics?

3. what exactly are you afraid of here?

4. that’s more than annoying. What does the expert advise here? Is it maybe an option to suggest to the authority to slightly raise the terrain from the street side so that the max. height above the terrain surface is not exceeded? That way, at least a precedent that neighbors could refer to could be somewhat prevented.

to your questions:

1. yes, definitely groundwater. it was in late spring, when it rained almost all of May – the Danube was in flood, and also the Danube Canal, which is maybe 30 m away from our property. at that time, I communicated with the water authority responsible, and the groundwater level was measured about 1 m higher than usual. also, the groundwater flowed like a spring underneath the foundation plate even when it hadn’t rained for a long time.

2. statics – in a 20 cm Wienerberger Porotherm brick, long horizontal cuts (for pipes) were made. everything should have been vertical. the brick has insulation inside. moreover, a flat surface should have been made at the bottom on the floor plan. according to the company, the brick should look like it does on the pallet – practically no joints. and we paid for proper and correct execution, not for trash.

3. leaking roof! there is a tapered insulation that directs the water from the flat roof exactly into the gutter. there is an exact installation plan – each board has a certain place like in a puzzle. the company admitted that the tapered insulation was laid incorrectly. then the slope no longer fit, meaning it no longer directed water toward the gutter. but they didn’t remove or redo it; instead, they CUT another slope into the boards!!!! the roof was then, out of fear of uncertainty, supposedly flamed 5 times instead of the usual 2 times according to the master builder. there are now puddles on the flat roof where water stands. (my husband and the expert saw this). additionally, insulation that has not been allowed since February, which even attracts water, was used.

4. excavation and filling must be equal. that means it must not simply be filled. the building company has a new plan with the terrain changes.

I wasn't aware that concrete ages and can become leaky.

That's nothing new, keyword concrete cancer. The likelihood of this happening should currently be rather low, although the "incubation period" of about 10 years would fit.

oh, indeed.

So, summarized:
1) Basement not deep enough: practically resolved by approval.
2) Basement leaking: The builder has a plan and is willing to do something. Very good.
3) Roof leaking: There was probably some serious botching. How much of the roof would have to be torn off and redone?
4) Stairs and floor plan: Your private pleasure. But as long as you are still seriously trying to invest money here, it seems there is still capital in reserve that could be used much better for points 2 and 3.

Das einzige wirklich krasse Problem is doch der nasse Keller

I see it exactly the same way. In any case, the building is far from a total loss once the height is approved.

oh, indeed. So, summarized: 1) Basement not deep enough: practically solved by approval. 2) Basement leaking: The builder has a plan and is willing to do something. Very good. 3) Roof leaking: Apparently, it was badly botched here. How much of the roof would need to be torn down and redone? 4) Stairs and floor plan: Your private pleasure. But as long as you are still seriously trying to invest money here, it seems there is still capital in reserve that could be much better used for points 2 and 3. I see it exactly the same way. In any case, the construction is far from a total loss as soon as the height is approved.

why should WE as builders, who contractually agreed on and UNFORTUNATELY ALREADY PAID for a defect-free building, pay AGAIN for a roof and tiles incorrectly executed by the builder??? Of course there is still capital - we only agreed on the shell. The rest up to moving in with plaster inside and outside, flooring, walls, kitchen, bathrooms, interior stairs, furnishings, roof terrace, garden design, etc. also have to be planned..... we have to accept a house that does not fit in height by more than 50 cm - so terrace and garden have to be designed differently than planned, where the basement may never be watertight - but we ordered a livable basement and need one because we are 5 people... you forgot the improperly grouted and possibly statically problematic tiles if all that is NOT a total loss, WHAT do YOU consider one?