One thing is clear about leaky homes: no one wants one. But, if you do find yourself in a leaky situation, it isn’t the end of the world. There are ways to rectify the situation and get your home back to health.
One of the main issues we are seeing with leaky homes is rotting timber framing. This is essentially the skeleton of the structure, so decaying frames must be replaced. All mould and spores must be treated to prevent fungal growth from spreading and causing future damage.
Ensure that the builder repairing your leaky home is skilled in this area and is fully aware of the guidelines around leaky home prevention. It is key that the cause is identified so the same mistake doesn’t occur again.
It is advised that you treat mould when wet as when mould dries out, spores are more easily spread. The Ministry of Health recommends using a commercial mould cleaner and ensuring that affected areas and materials are removed and disposed of safely. Protective clothing is highly recommended as some moulds can be extremely toxic.
When you are renovating your leaky home, ensure you install adequate ventilation, heating and insulation which can prevent future mould growth. By using an extractor fan in the bathroom and kitchen you can remove a lot of air moisture which would otherwise settle on surfaces.
At the end of the day, there is a silver lining to dealing with a leaky home. Renovating and recladding or modernising your home can add to your investment’s overall value and in time you will likely recoup your outlay in capital gain.
It is also an opportunity for you to make structural changes at the frame stage, which would otherwise be a messy job. But given that you are reframing anyway, you could look at extending your living area or opening up your kitchen to let in more light.