Construction Defects: Types of Building Issues – VOC
Your new home, condominium, or townhome should be a safe haven for you and your family. You buy a home with a sense of confidence that your home is built tightly and up to code and that the builder and developer has your best interest in mind. This is usually the case. But, sad to say, the housing development industry has experienced such rapid growth that it’s hard for building professionals to keep pace. When they have chosen a type of house to build they make decisions on the materials to use, e.g., carpets, plastics, or varnishes. These decisions are made quickly and frequently; consequently, choices are made without having enough information to make an adequate choice, or quite frankly with reducing costs wherever possible in mind. More Information here @ San Antonio Construction Defects Lawyer
The result of such a lack of due diligence is construction defects that can risk someone’s health. For example, if a builder or developer hires a contractor that does not have the know-how to build a roof and is unable to recognize poor building materials, then the roof will not be installed properly. Moisture can seep in, causing mold issues, but to the contrary, the roof can be built tightly such that there is lack of breathing room for the wood. VOC or volatile organic compounds can be released into the air and can get into the house. The VOC comes from an organic chemical compound that has vaporized into the air. These VOCs can come from paint thinners, dry-cleaning solvents, and other chemicals used in the building process. A builder, or more importantly, the contractor or subcontractor, has to understand how different chemicals will react if for example the area they are going be used in is built tightly allowing for high vapor pressure. The contractor needs to know that volatile organic compounds are a serious potential problem that can also come from carpers, plastics or even varnishes.
If VOCs are not taken care of properly, they can be released into the environment, where they can cause soil contamination and/or groundwater contamination. VOC vapors can also add to air pollution. Your home that has off-gassing of the carpets and plastics can begin with being a problem for just you, but can quickly become your neighbor’s building issue and his neighbor’s building issue.
You need an attorney who has experience with construction defect cases. Do not hesitate to contact an attorney to put together the best resolution plan for you and your home.
