condensation

[jackie]

we have a 2002 riverchase home that we bought in october 2001. Ever since we moved in we have had problems with water leaks and condensation. we have puddles of water sitting in our light fixtures, our walls have been replaced three times due to water damage and mold, and now our roof is leaking in various parts of the house. The manufacturer is supposed to come and gut our home again for the fourth time, however we feel that enough is enough and we want out of this contract. They say it is because we live on 20 acres of land with no shade and they are not responsible. We say they sold us a lemon. Does anyone have any suggestions? Please help, I have a baby due next week and my house is falling apart!!

[rmurray]

How would trees effect condensation?????
This is just some service tech running his mouth when he should not...
Moisture control is important....This home does have an air exchanger ...have them check it out to be sure it is operating correctly...Also...there are vent fans in the kitchen and baths..these should be operated when ever moisture is present..showers..cooking...

If there is no moiture barrier directly on the ground...put one on the home now..

Be sure the skirting is properly vented..read your set up manual to see how much vent is required...Many folks with block foundations do not have enough vents..This would be a dealer problem..

Make sure your dryer is vented outside of the skirting...

Another possible dealer problem..is that the home is not sealed between the halfs.....The floors and roof should be married very close and be sealed....End wall as well..

In the humid summers you should be running the a/c...Maybe your a/c is too large for the home...If so it will not run long enough to remove the moisture that is in it...If this is the problem..it is also a dealer problem..check you HUD certificate for the largest a/c allowed on the home and compare it with the air..If the a/c is too large...the dealer is obligated to change it..

A lemon home cannot cause moisture problems...You mention roof leaks...but these can even be a moisture problem...Condensation is the roof can happen..

[Tracy Mason]

I have to agree with rmurray in everything he said and would like to add that if your home is equiped with a a/c unit, the drain line needs to be vented to the outside of the home as well. If you have a roof unit, make sure that if the water supply line runs from a fixture in the home through the roof , it is not leaking.

Keep in mind that a dealer may/may not be responsible. It depends on who YOU chose to do the work.

[bobby]

Water in the light fixture indicates a negative pressure within the home. This also causes all the other condensation problems you have described.. I have seen many!
Two major causes of negative pressure within the home are1) Duct leakage... make sure all duct are tight, have them tested to know for sure. 2) Lack of return air pathways from bedrooms to the main body of the home... again can be tested and corrected....
I bet you keep your thermostat around the 70 degree mark or below.. this can be an indication of an underperforming a/c system. This does not cause a condensation problem, but can take a present problem and exagerate it. Find a respected a/c company to test how well your a/c is balancing it's heat and humidity removal.

Bobby Parks
Parks Mobile Air