My Boyfriend brought a town house about 6 months ago. There's a crawl space/basement that we have never been in. A couple of days ago, we decided to go down there to see what its like, and came to the horror that the whole thing was filled with 4 in of water!!! We immediately called the super and he replyed that he was aware of the situation and alerted the management company. On Monday, my boyfriend called the management company and they were unaware of the situation. I know it's probably just something like the sub pump broke, but isn’t water in the basement a big deal? Why are they taking there sweet time? And im just freaking out over nothing?
2006-11-21 02:54:30 · 8 answers · asked by lapreller 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Water sitting in the basement is a health concern. Moisture can spread to your woodwork and drywall, causing mold to form which is definately a health concern.
I manage properties myself. What the 'super' is doing is stalling because he knows it is going to take some money to repair the problem. First, he's going to have to identify where the water is coming from. It could be coming from the outside, or inside clean water or inside sewage water. Anyway you look at it, he's got a leak. Then he's got to figure out how to get it to drain. Yeah, a sunk pump would be a good idea but you still need to drain it. Finally, he may need to dig around the building and repair brick or install drains that keep the water away from the building.
I would stay on him to get it done. Furthermore, I would contact the local governing authorities and the housing authority in your area and ask them questions. I would ask them (bring a copy of your agreement) what your legal rights are.
I wouldn't let water sit in the basement for a day if possible. Sounds like it's been there for quite some time. Contact a contractor in the area regarding the risks of ignoring the problem.
2006-11-21 03:10:34 · answer #1 · answered by Jeffrey B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The water should be removed as soon as its found and where ever the leak is coming from needs to be fixed as well. Standing water, especially in basements go stagnant and eventually will start to mold and mold, especially black mold can spread and it also puts off spores into the air which over time, can cause severe lung problems and even death. If the mold gets too bad. you will have to move so keep calling those people until u get something done. Good luck =)
2006-11-21 03:00:08 · answer #2 · answered by Danelle 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If left ignored, it can cause structural problems to the building (which is ultimately the owner's problem), but it can also cause health issues for you and your family.
Write to the building management and demand that they come out and fix the situation. Give them a few days to respond, then send a follow-up letter. The follow-up letter should reiterate your health concerns, mention the number of times you've contacted them, and advise that unless you hear from them, you will correct the problem yourself. Advise them that the cost of the repair will be deducted from the rent.
In most states, that is completely legal, but you may want to check with your state and local government to ensure you have that right. I do and I live in Illinois.
2006-11-21 04:59:43 · answer #3 · answered by Cool-K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
water in a basement weakness your columns where your house is standings on if it stays like that for a long time, your bases are columns that connect wall to wall and it could become a danger when a lot of water is left for a long period of time and it also tells you, your cement has weakened and it needs to be patch with a thick hard layer of cement, if is something else that is just a pipe line or something mess up just need to get it cleaned up fast
2006-11-21 03:13:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That happened to us when we first bought this house. To end the problem we had a sump pump put in the crawl and to this day we never had any water in there again.
2006-11-21 03:20:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you may call the County well-being branch and checklist it. that's a contravention. call the emergency apartment administration employer returned and ask for the call of the guy you're speaking to and tell them which you're reporting them to the well-being branch. There might additionally be a state company which you will checklist the apartment company to.
2016-12-10 13:00:55 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4 inches of water is 4 inches too much! It can cuase health problems to you and your family and structural problems to the building.
Stay on the management company and super to get it resolved.
Try this website for help...
http://www.tenant.net/index.html Legal advice/ help for renters.
2006-11-21 03:16:55 · answer #7 · answered by Home Inspector James 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i fall else fails you can contact the local department of housing in your area. they will come out and inspect your place. i had to use them once and they gave my management company 30 days to fix problems or they would have to pay a big fine..it worked
2006-11-21 02:59:36 · answer #8 · answered by Mushroom whisperer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋