Houselopnik - whomp whomp edition

"razorbeamteam" (razorbeamteam) 02/18/2020 at 12:59 • Filed to: pittyparty

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We had to walk away from our dream house today. This place was amazing and it was the only place my wife and I both had no reservations about. It was big and bright, and didn’t make you feel like you were living in the city. We haven’t seen anything else like it since.

Unfortunately the Hardie board siding had been improperly installed. The seller refused to acknowledge the defect and we couldn’t reach a deal. After having multiple contractors come and look at it, there was just too much at risk and we had to walk. This sucks so hard and I’m extremely bummed about it.

House buying has to be one of the most emotionally tolling things someone can do. Spending almost all your money on a single asset is terrifying . Honestly, renting might be the move for a few more years.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 13:24

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Sorry that sucks, my wife and I have bought 3 houses and it’s always an emotional  roller coaster. They have never been perfect but we have always found the seller willing to give a little on defects. The last house we bought was a solid “fixer”. We have been there 7 years and are still working on it. If I ever do it again I wouldn’t buy a fixer.

Brickman > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 13:25

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Any way to see if there is any water damage behind the siding? Shouldn’t be too hard for the seller to pop one out.

Sovande > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 13:30

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That sucks.

Was the hardi plank just missing the butt joint flashing? You can fit a piece of flashing under the existing planks. I have bid renovation jobs like this. Cement board manufacturers used to recommend caulking the joints but then discovered flashing is more effective as there is far less mainte nance.

razorbeamteam > Brickman 02/18/2020 at 13:32

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They’re refusing to work with us at this point. They didn’t even want us getting our own contractor out there to get a quote. They told us that no matter what, they were not willing to replace the siding, only fix the gaps with caulk. We were too worried about advanced water damage from the 12+ years that the siding has been on the house already. 

For Sweden > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 13:33

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that’s a bad butt

Future next gen S2000 owner > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 02/18/2020 at 13:34

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My last house wasn’t supposed to be a fixer but I’ll be damned if we aren’t deep into projects.

Future next gen S2000 owner > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 13:35

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I’ve come to accept that location matters more than almost anything to me. I can fix stuff and deal with repairs. It sucks but it is easier than fixing the location.

nerd_racing > For Sweden 02/18/2020 at 13:48

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It’s crack is showing and everything! 

Thisismydisplayname > Sovande 02/18/2020 at 13:50

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Hell, our whole exterior is dependent on caulk joints. We just had to replace a half dozen sheets of that fake stucco board and 100’ of cedar trim. Not as bad as it could’ve been, but still a chunk of change. I wouldn’t worry too much about the gaps and either flash or use sealant joints, or both and call it a day.

We at least didn’t pay for a pristine exterior with our buy, so we knew we needed to do work going in.  

Thisismydisplayname > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 13:53

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That’s no fun. But wouldn’t the installer be on the hook for proper procedures to maintain the warranty? Either way, why not just have someone come out and caulk the joints and then flash over them, and be done. If the house was wrapped, you’re probably not looking at anything major for water damage. But you never know I guess.

If you can get any kind of concessions in the price, then you can address it later.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 13:54

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I’m fascinated by your decision. Assuming the entire house needed to have the siding and underlayment replaced, what’s the rough estimate of cost?  That cost must have been enough for you to give up the otherwise perfect house. It’s a tough decision but probably for the best if you have reservations. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 13:54

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12 years!

That’s a big oof 

Thisismydisplayname > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 02/18/2020 at 13:57

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We bought a fixer, but were able to do the kitchen and baths and carpet and paint before we moved in. Much better than trying to do all that while living there. Still a mi le long honey do list, but nothing earth shattering.

Easy for stuff to linger for sure.  Our previous house was move in ready, just paint and carpet in the master and we were good to go.  That was definitely a nice way to go, but I do like having the kitchen and baths that we’ve always wanted with the new place.

Stef Schrader > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 14:01

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Yikes. Welp, they’ll have fun holding onto it for a while, I guess. That sucks. I’m sorry.

Censored > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 14:01

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Hardie board is awesome when installed right. Usually they wont let anyone but the approved contractors install it, which makes this raise to me even more red flags. The Hardie install process is tho rough, down to caulking everything. If all or most the joints are like this, it is a 100% reside. My buddy had it installed on a 1000 sq ft 1890's house, and when they delivered the siding, they also delivered a pallet of caulk, which was all used.

Cash Rewards > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 14:08

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Sucks, but that's probably the right call

ttyymmnn > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 14:10

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Seriously, though, that sucks. Sorry.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 14:17

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I feel for you man.  House hunting sucks and you have to give up your dreams sometimes.

razorbeamteam > Sovande 02/18/2020 at 14:27

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You can, but we were worried that it was just too late. The contractor we called said there was a lot of evidence that the siding was water damaged already. Putting caulk and flashing up would have been great, but if there’s already 12 years of moisture back there, then it wouldn’t make much of a difference. 

SpecsGTP > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 14:27

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Run. Run far and run fast. Don't take a risk that could end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars.

razorbeamteam > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 02/18/2020 at 14:28

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The quote was $70K to do the whole house, which is a 3-unit building. So not only would we have to agree to our share (or the seller’s share) but the other two units would have to agree as well. The sellers weren’t having any of it. 

Sovande > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 14:46

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The plank starts absorbing moisture before it even gets hung on a house and the waterproofing on the house should keep the moisture on the correct side of the walls. The siding system is designed to have the moisture between the plank and the sheathing of the house. That’s why the use of flashing as opposed to caulking is important. The flashing allows the water to escape. Weep holes in brick facades are used for the same reason .

Sorry it didn’t work out.  

Nom De Plume > razorbeamteam 02/18/2020 at 14:50

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Wise choice pursuing and exiting.  

Mid Engine > Censored 02/18/2020 at 16:10

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Meh, I re-sided my entire house on my own this past summer. It’s not rocket science.

Censored > Mid Engine 02/18/2020 at 17:01

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Didn’t say it is rocket science. What I was insinuating was that if they didn’t caulk the end joints, they likely didn’t caulk much else (end joints being the most important). In my area, Hardie will not honor the warranty if it wasn’t installed by a certified installer, and the certifications are thorough (caulking all seams butt and overlap). On my buddies place, they even san witched caulk between some of the overlaps.

shop-teacher > Sovande 02/18/2020 at 17:03

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I haven't installed the stuff in 15 years. Back then, as far as I knew, caulking every joint was the only way. Flashing seems like a way better system. I always thought all those caulk joints were a hinky way to do it.