David Wilson Homes on-going issues

[spu230479]

Since moving into a David Wilson new home in June 2019, we've had a long list of issues (had in excess of 70 visits since we moved into the house), we are left with a number that David Wilson Homes don't seem keen to resolve or compensate us on so could do with some advice as NHBC aren't helping either.  They've now advised us to go to the Consumer Code for builders for help.  We aren't sure where to go next but believe they are in breach of the sales contract.

1. Large parts of our house have been built with the wrong colour/size brick leaving large sections not matching the remainder of the house
2. Mortar is falling and holes appearing between bricks in various places in the property/garage
4. When they have landscaped the garden and removed an old building, materials were buried a just under the turf, subsequent tests have highlighted that this material is Asbestos so are garden is now classed as contaminated
4. We have creaking ceilings that they want to screw to the joists in an attempt to fix
5. We have loose pipes that make a dripping/clanking noise every time the heaters come on that they want to take large sections of our ceilings out to fix
6. Every time the boiler comes on it makes a really loud noise and it's in between 2 bedrooms and above the living room waking people up when it comes on, there is no sound proofing

[New Home Expert]

For a start, in my opinion the Consumer Code for Home Builders is as much use as a chocolate teapot.
I would bet my house on it they would only award you £500 IF you can prove written evidence required) what you are claiming for. Furthermore any problems with quality and defects are NOT covered at all by the CCHB!  The CCHB is funded to a large part by the NHBC too!

1. Bricks should match. The best you can hope for is a tinting specialist (Brick Doctor) who would paint tint the brick the blend them in to make it less obvious. Perhaps post a photo on here and Twitter and Facebook might shame them into rebuilding but I doubt it.

2. Weak mortar is a serious issue. One that if addressed would mean the brickwork could be replaced at the same time. However plc housebuilders and the NHBC are past masters at denying claims on this. It would take several years to get anywhere and lots of independent mortar testing, which even then the NHBC "expert" would dismiss out of hand. See more on weak mortar in my three blog articles .

3. It is a breach of NHBC standards to have any builders rubble and obstructions in the ground. As you have contaminated ground with asbestos write to the NHBC and the council as this is an environmental hazard. be aware the council may require you to clear the contaminants as the property owner.

4. Creaking ceilings and floor well covered on this forum. Use the search function. Screwing the ceilings and floors won't be a solution.

5. Pipes are likely to be plastic these days and held with plastic clips. Obviously they expand and contract causing the clicking. They should be wrapped with hair felt.

6. The boiler should not be making any load noises. If left, it could end up with the boiler breaking down altogether just when you need it the most. It could also be dangerous as it is likely to not have been installed correctly. This needs someone to look at it next week!

[Stevenbarry68]

I have been trying to gather some more information regarding "Micro Cracking" through having an issue with my own property, I have shifted through the internet tirelessly for information and have really struggled!

I have come across a company called "SLK Remedials" based in the midlands who have a very helpful video walkthrough and case study on their website and YouTube  regarding "Micro Cracking"  or Creaking ceilings as I have been calling it.

I have found it very helpful in my quest to discovering the underlying details surrounding this issue.

www.slkremedials.co.uk

[Maxell]

Creaking ceilings  can be any number of issues, the company you linked to are "selling" a service.
Finding the cause of a problem comes from experience. The type of noise such as cracking, squeaking, metal or wood, also how it's made such as loading or unloading specific joists and knowing the floor/ wall construction.

There is no single answer some floors can be fixed in an hour others can take a couple of days. Most can be improved but NHBC state squeaks can not be totally eliminated.

[Stevenbarry68]

Hi Maxell,

Yes I agree with you and understand what you are saying.

I personally contacted said company myself to seek more information as I was/am thinking the same way as yourself and they seem to be one of very very few I can come across on the internet.

I expressed my doubts of wether or not my issue was exactly what they are saying it to be...

They said in similar words that distinguishing the difference between a creaky floor, creaking stud wall or loose joist hanger is easy if you have the experience of working to resolve those distinct noises, just the same as the noises produced by micro cracking. The noises micro cracking produce are very unique and easy to diagnose, but only if you have the necessary experience of resolving that issue.

They also claim to have been resolving this issue for a number of years now so that makes me have a little faith in what I have been told.

[Maxell]

As you are still in warranty you should not instruct anyone to carry out works as this will give the Builder the opportunity to wash their hands of it. That said you could suggest the company to the Builder.

The company sounds like it has dealt with cracking noises like this before and will probably look to brace the joists to reduce deflection but as they said this comes down to experience. The noises on the video I would guess are amplified but they obviously understand the differences between the sounds and what they relate to.
All you can do is go back to the builder and ask they attend.

Good luck Maxell

[michalbuilder]

Hi Maxell,

Yes I agree with you and understand what you are saying.

I personally contacted said company myself to seek more information as I was/am thinking the same way as yourself and they seem to be one of very very few I can come across on the internet.

I expressed my doubts of wether or not my issue was exactly what they are saying it to be...

They said in similar words that distinguishing the difference between a creaky floor, creaking stud wall or loose joist hanger is easy if you have the experience of working to resolve those distinct noises, just the same as the noises produced by micro cracking. The noises micro cracking produce are very unique and easy to diagnose, but only if you have the necessary experience of resolving that issue.

They also claim to have been resolving this issue for a number of years now so that makes me have a little faith in what I have been told.

Hello,

I have a similar issue in my new build and wondered if you got anywhere with yours? Do you have a telephone number to SLK remedials? For some reason, it is not available on their website and they are not responding to my emails.

Many thanks