Do we need an expert for possible consequential damages?

Good morning,

I am new here and totally desperate. We are currently building or rather having it built. Now the following problem has occurred. Last week our screed was poured. Before that, other craftsmen were still in the house. On Saturday we were able to enter the house for the first time. Here we noticed that someone must have cut a large hole in the vapor barrier beforehand—which was not closed again. Now of course all our mold warning lights are flashing red and everything is in panic mode. The house is naturally very damp and I can well imagine that the moisture upstairs is already very present. We have an uninsulated, windowless attic (gable roof). I am waiting for a call back from my construction manager, whom I informed immediately on Saturday. I have such concerns that our little home is now going downhill or will become a mold trap in a few years. Would you call in an expert for such a matter—if yes, what kind would be suitable for something like this? Or how could the problem generally be solved? I am totally unsettled and just need to write down my worries for a moment. I hope I have not violated any forum rules and am looking forward to some feedback. Thanks in advance and have a good start to the week :)

I wouldn’t panic about this. You need to put pressure on the general contractor (or however you’re building) and insist on proposed solutions. They should come up with a plan to fix the defect. It is important that the hole is closed up again first. I assume there is already insulation on top. This probably needs to be completely replaced, but that is only one day’s work. If the attic does not dry out on its own (season ...), technical assistance will be necessary. The dryness should be proven by measurement.

This is solvable, it’s not the end of the world. However, an expert would be a real help and make it easier to enforce your interests against the general contractor.

I have now reached my site manager. A satisfactory solution was not offered. He said that in this weather, glue probably wouldn’t hold anyway!? I have involved a building surveyor with whom I will meet on Wednesday. That does reassure me a bit more^^ especially since this darn hole is finally supposed to be closed!

He said that in this weather no glue would probably hold anyway!?

To tape over the hole again? This statement is a testimony of inadequacy, especially since the hole should be sealed IMMEDIATELY. If it were my construction, I would promptly close the hole myself. Considering how much water passes through there per hour...

Hello "Luccarian". Whether an expert in building damage is knowledgeable in the field of floor technology will become apparent after their visit. Floor technology in particular (which also includes screeds) is complex, so courts usually appoint specialized experts specifically for this trade consortium. Regarding your information: I would not make too much of the topic of "mold" along with its fears at first! What kind of foil was it anyway, and what was its purpose? I do not ask without reason, because a vapor barrier, as you mentioned, is rather not used in mineral floors. As a cover for the insulation layer: yes, but not as a vapor barrier. So my question: at what point in the structure did you find it? ------------------ Regards: KlaRa

If I interpret this correctly from the picture, it is the vapor barrier upwards towards the attic. The original poster is concerned here about moisture moving upwards into the insulation.

To me, it looks like the electrician had to go up through the future floor hatch to pull his cables.