I just had a home that I have an offer on inspected today. I live in WI. He pointed out that the home does not have house wrap beneath the vinyl siding. He makes no opinion about this, but I am unsure as to whether or not I should buy the house. He said I could caulk around the windows and doors to seal out moisture? But I am wondering if I should not buy the house?
Thanks!
2006-10-11 09:12:24 · 8 answers · asked by dmiller91 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If the house is only four years old, are building plans and specs still available? If the walls and ceilings are insulated and there is a vapor barrier between the insulation and the drywall, you don't really need a whole house wrap.
2006-10-11 09:16:26 · answer #1 · answered by regerugged 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would question the home inspector more. Be aware not all home inspectors are astute on everything and you may want another home inspector if you are not satisfied. I would think a home that is less than 4 years old should have house wrap. If the builder got away without doing this, I wonder what else he forgot. Be very cautious and go to the town hall to see if there is a proper certificate of occupancy.
If the only thing wrong with the house is the wrap, I would deduct the price to allow for you to have another complete siding job done or have the buyer put the money aside in escrow. Especially in Wisconsin, house wrap is important to keep out moisture and seal drafts. Chaulk alone may not do the job properly.
Good luck.
2006-10-11 09:21:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
House wrap is not a moisture barrier. It is to minimize air infiltration!! It will actually let moisture out. If it were a moisture barrier, all of the moisture in the house in the winter could not get out it could freeze in the walls.
You can have a draft free house without house wrap.
2006-10-11 11:39:50 · answer #3 · answered by oil field trash 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No big deal
House wrap has only been around for around 20 years so lots of houses don't have it .
2006-10-11 09:18:19 · answer #4 · answered by mmmmmmm 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I built my house 14 years ago in Michigan I didnt wrap it
I havent had any problems
2006-10-11 09:22:04 · answer #5 · answered by danzka2001 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's more of a moisture barier. It will by no means be drafty inside, but it may allow the house to breathe a little bit, and it won't become musty inside.
2006-10-11 09:22:24 · answer #6 · answered by sethle99 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i build houses for a living and it is code in va that the house is wraped with house wrap.. if you really like the house find the cost of having it fixed with wrap and have the owner negoiate the cost off the price of the house me personally i would not buy it house wrap helps keep cold air out and warm air in
2006-10-11 09:18:42 · answer #7 · answered by littleman8975 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
ask to see last years heating bills.
2006-10-11 10:30:41 · answer #8 · answered by zocko 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋