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Hubby and I went to go over our new house so we're prepared for our PDI tomorrow. The list was growing with just small, fixable stuff and we were quite satisfied, until we went into the basement.

The floors had pinkish stains around the edges, and as I was kneeling down, joking about some body being buried in the walls, I looked up and saw condensation in the plastic that holds the insulation in.

As I pushed on it, the walls were like sponges and the water leaked down, onto the ground. This goes ALL around the ENTIRE basement.

This can't be right, we're freaking out right now.. what can this be???



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Hi Cupcake Mom, nice hands!

Yeah, I would definitely inquire about that. That does not seem normal to me. Good luck.

we have the same problem, but our house is closing later, can you let us know the outcome of this when you speak to the inspector? thanks

Ha! Thanks.. never heard that one before

Ya, I'm sick to my stomach about it

I will let you know what they say tomorrow... I want them to rip it all out and redo it. It can't be good.

No man, it's a sincere compliment. Nice hands are key. The ones that don't look good are the short, fat fingers or the short, stubby nails with peeling cuticles you see on some people. Google Megan Fox's thumb, that's what I mean.

Back on topic, I have a feeling with all the rain we got in the spring, they probably worked fast and were careless. I'd definitely want that re-done since you don't want mold to grow (it can be hazardous to health if breathed in). I get that red residue on the bottom of my brushing-teeth cup after like 2 weeks.

i think this is pretty common in new mattamy homes. we have had the same problem (to a much lesser extent) from condensation trapped behind the vapour barrier every summer when it is humid. a de-humidifier helps. hopefully mattamy addresses this for you!

Completely normal in new homes. There's lots of condensation and moisture in new construction. It shows during the humid summer months. Happened in my 2 previous homes in the beginning. Ran the dehumidifier for several months to draw out the moisture. Now, year 4 in this house, nothing. I don't think I've seen it since year 2.

They will tell you it's nothing to worry about and they will not rip it off... If anything all they will do is put some cuts into the plastic to let it breath and dry out.

So, you don't think it's a problem with any cracks or leaks in the plumbing?

Glad to hear that... we'll see what they have to say this afternoon

It looks similar to the sweating our foundation did last year when we first moved in. There was a post about this last year as well and one of the neighbourhood home inspectors suggested cutting upside down V's into the vapor barrier to allow it to breath during the summer. When the summer was done I used that red Tuck tape to seal it back up. I haven't seen any more moisture from the foundation this year.

I did have questions from Mattamy at my year end as to why I had these large upside V's taped up in my basement. When I explained why I had done it the guy who had come out was fine with it.

That's normal in a new home. You need to go out and get a dehumidifier and run it all summer for 2 years to draw all the moisture in the cement.

Nothing to worry about.

The basement gets washed before the PDI and the water gets inside the insulation. This is very common and nothing to worry about.

I agree that this is normal in a new home at this time of year.

To remove the moisture, it would help if you had a dehumidifier with a hose to drain into the floor drain or the sump pit.

To help remove the moisture from behind the vapour barrier I would also suggest that you cut large upside down V's into the plastic barrier and pull plastic down to expose the insulation.

This will enable the moisture to migrate out from behind the barrier.

The V is intentional because in the fall the cut plastic will be easy to repair with some red Tuck Tape.

When / if you get your AC running, that will also help remove moisture from the home.

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

We had the same issue when we closed but the water disappeared after few days.

Agreed. If it were just in one or two specific locations you might suspect a crack but what you are seeing is just condensation.
Mould won't be an issue. The materials involved (concrete, fiberglass, and plastic) are not organic and do not support mould growth.

John Allingham, Professional Engineer
Owner & Certified Home Inspector
Halton-Peel Home Inspection
(416) 254-5869
inspect@peelhomeinspection.com
www.peelhomeinspection.com