Good Questions and Honest Answers for Homeowners, Sellers and Buyers
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HOMEOWNERS AND HOMESELLERS

I don’t see any signs of moisture. Should I be concerned?
Many of the moisture problems found in homes were caused because of construction shortcuts or oversights that aren't easy to see once the construction process is complete. It’s what you can’t see that should concern you.

I’m going to sell my home. Should I have it inspected before putting it
on the market or should I wait for a buyer to request to inspect it?
CMT’s experience indicates that buyers are not always as flexible with purchase agreements when moisture problems have been found during the buyer's inspections. If you are the seller, you will maximize your purchase price and minimize delays by controlling all aspects of the sale of your home. Letting the buyer be the first to find moisture issues in your home will seriously complicate the purchase agreement.

The age of my home is beyond ten years. Should I get it inspected?
Moisture issues do not improve without repair. If left undetected and unrepaired, the damaged area and cost to repair will continue to increase over time. Small leaks always grow into large leaks and cause the need for expensive repairs.

I own a newly built home. When should I get it tested?
CMT recommends that a home not be tested before the two-year anniversary unless signs of moisture are noticed. This is because a new home needs to be allowed time to dry (i.e. time to let the moisture always found in new construction wood to dry out). If moisture is found after two years, it can usually be attributed to a moisture intrusion issue. It is always best to find moisture intrusion before it causes damage. Reputable builders will help avoid costly repairs by responding to documented moisture issues before significant damage occurs.

My builder has always been great to work with. Should I just have
my builder check the home for moisture?
First of all, moisture testing requires tools, skills, and experience most builders don’t have. A reputable builder will recommend that you have an independent inspection company, like CMT, check for moisture. Often, CMT has been brought in and found the real water intrusion problems after the builder has already completed his or her own inspection or hired a "builder-friendly" inspection company. Because the builder could be held liable for the cost to repair water damage, the builder is not always motivated to find and document water intrusion problems. At CMT, our only motivation is to give you an honest and accurate opinion and analysis.

During the construction process, the local building inspector inspected my home. Isn't the inspector liable for any damages from construction defects?
No. Building inspectors have no liability for construction defects. The builder of the home is required to provide a safe and dry home, whether or not it is inspected.

I live in Minnesota. Is there a home warranty that covers moisture issues?
In Minnesota, the builder must warrant major construction defects on the structure
of the home for a period of ten years from the date the occupancy permit was issued. This warranty is required pursuant to Minnesota statue 327A.02. In order to file a claim, a homeowner must notify the builder in writing, within six months of any signs of moisture. If adequate repairs are not made, the homeowner has two years from the initial notification date to file a lawsuit. CMT suggests having the home moisture tested, prior to notifying the builder, so that all issues can be addressed. If issues exist, always seek legal advice.

My builder is no longer in business. Does that mean that I’m
responsible for the repair cost?
As long as the discovery of the problem is within the statutes of limitations that apply to the structural warranty, the builder, and the builder's insurance policy that was in effect at the time the home was constructed, may be responsible for water damage to the home.

If water damage is found, can partial repairs be made or does the
entire home need to be repaired?
In most cases, partial repairs can be made if the exact cause of the damage is ascertained and if the damage is limited in nature. For example, damage at the end of a deck ledger board would be eligible for a partial repair. Many issues and decisions have to be considered by the remediation contractor, engineer, city building official, attorney, insurance company, etc., not to mention the appearance of the repair, before a partial repair can be recommended.

Will my home owner's insurance policy cover any of the moisture damage?
Most home owner's insurance coverage is limited to one time individual events like a plumbing leak, roof leak, flood, etc. Most moisture issues found in walls are caused by construction defects, which are not typically listed as a coverable item in your home owner's policy. CMT recommends that your home owner's policy be reviewed by an attorney—one that is knowledgeable in construction defect law—prior to notifying your insurance carrier about moisture issues. 

I have staining on the exterior of my home. Does this mean that
there are moisture problems?
Exterior stains can be caused by a number of factors and are often found where high concentrations of water exist. Where water is concentrated, the potential for moisture intrusion is greater. It's a good idea to have stained areas tested by moisture intrusion experts, like CMT.

I have a black mold growing inside my windows. Does this mean
that there are moisture problems in my walls?
Possibly. Black mold growing on the inside of windows means that condensation is occurring around the window. Condensation moisture may be draining into the wall cavity. The experts at CMT will evaluate whether window condensation has created a moisture issue in your wall cavity.

Click here for Moisture Myths for Homeowners and Homesellers

 

HOMEBUYERS

I’m having a home inspection conducted on the home we are buying. 
Can the home inspector conduct a moisture test on the home?
Typically, home inspectors do not conduct intrusive probe testing. Their inspection limits are visual only. They cannot alter, change or damage the property as part of their home inspection. However, a home inspector may tell you that he or she is conducting a moisture test on the home with scanners or infrared devices as part of the home inspection process. Be cautious of these results. The only way to accurately locate and verify moisture issues on a home is through probe testing, which is best handled by experienced and trained moisture inspectors like CMT—not by home inspectors.

I’ve heard that probe testing is not accurate? How accurate is probe testing?
Many homes have been torn apart to find no significant moisture damage because they were probed tested by unqualified, inexperienced inspectors who provided inaccurate probe readings. There are many ways that probe readings can be mistaken, misunderstood, or misinterpreted. Experience and training are critical to making sure that all probe readings are interpreted accurately. At CMT, we stand behind our damage assessments as long as we are part of the investigative process.  We have no limits of liability clauses or contracts to sign when you hire us.

I’m buying a home that the seller had tested.
Should I rely on those test results?
With any major purchase, you should do your homework. Call us. We’ll give you an honest, no-charge assessment of any previous moisture test performed on the home. Because we have extensive experience in moisture testing and have provided countless second opinions, we know who is dependable and reliable and are familiar with the testing methods they use. Our goal is to assist you in making the right decision and protecting your investment, whether or not we test the home. Why do we offer this free service? Because you probably have a friend or a neighbor that may need to have a home tested, and we think you’ll appreciate the honest services we provide enough to recommend us to others.

Click here for Moisture Myths for Homebuyers