The rain finally stops, and I’m able to dry out the basement. I have to remove the solid wood laundry room door which got water logged and started to split. I also decided to remove large amounts of carpeting and padding since it would all need to be replaced anyway, thanks to the Great Stuff accident.
Year: 2014
Gutters installed
My family and I spend the day installing new gutters, downspouts, and leaf guards on the two long edges of the roof. ($328.51)
New gutters are working!
Rain hits the Twin Cities again. The new gutters work perfectly.
One Year into the Ordeal
It has been one year since I purchased the house. At present:
- I believe the structural concerns have been addressed.
- I believe the concrete and carpentry work is 50% finished.
- I believe the electrical work is 90% finished.
- I believe the plumbing work is 90% finished. I have not been billed for labor, yet.
- I believe the HVAC work is 80% finished.
- 50% of my square footage is still unusable, including the master bedroom, closet, bathroom, rec room, and dining room.
- I have spent $14,701.85 so far to correct hidden code violations, $10,000 of which is on a credit card.
- I have spent $1,571.84 to make planned improvements and upgrades to the house.
- I have spent $1,141.17 compensating for incidental emergencies.
- A criminal investigation is still in progress by Anoka County.
I am extremely grateful to my friends, family, and strangers alike who have helped me do salvage work, keep my spirits up, and continue stand with me as I fight predatory remodeling.
Flooding analyzed
An engineer I trust analyzes my flooding problem, and reports that while there are many types of concrete, the product used to re-pour my basement floor is still a good fit. However, the self-leveling concrete was improperly installed, suffered damage in the flood, and will need to be removed. I start looking for concrete experts to properly level and swale the floor before construction continues.
The engineer also suggests that I hire a contractor to install drain tile.
Where is the crawlspace access?
The dining room addition gets no heat in winter and is unusuable. Also, there is no access to the crawlspace under the dining room floor, so I suspect it has been covered up.
The styrofoam smeared with concrete stucco looks suspicious and sounds hollow, so I decide to break off a piece to investigate.
There are cinder blocks behind the styrofoam, and the bottom ones have been properly sealed with tar.
With this information, I suspect that the crawlspace access is probably in the finished basement, covered with drywall.
Basement flooding again, even worse
Heavy rains hit the Twin Cities again, causing heavy flooding throughout the metro area a second time. Despite the new gutters, my basement was not spared. This time, it’s even worse, entering the house from all sides and seeping up through the floor, including under the stairs. I spend the next 2 days removing the water with a shop vac.
Bad tile job cracks
The tile in the upstairs bathroom cracks, indicating that it was improperly installed by the flippers.
This tile cracks, too!
The tile by the front door has cracked, indicating that it was improperly installed by the flipper.
Crawlspace access discovered!
I suspect that the crawlspace access beneath the dining room has been covered up with drywall, probably in the basement. I carefully mark the area to be demolished.
After removing the drywall, vapor barrier, and pulling back the insulation, my suspicions were confirmed: the foundation access had been covered up by the flippers.
Here is the crawlspace underneath my dining room, which has been starving for heat during the winter months. Finally, I have a way to solve the HVAC problems and replace the old silcock pipe.
The crawlspace is also full of construction debris that was thrown inside by the flipper.
