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Water Intrusion and Drainage Defects: Protecting Your San Antonio Property

Water intrusion ranks among the most damaging and costly construction defects affecting San Antonio properties, causing structural damage, mold growth, and deterioration that can render homes uninhabitable. Proper waterproofing and drainage require careful attention during design and construction, but builders who cut corners or lack expertise create homes that allow water penetration from day one. Construction defect lawyers in San Antonio represent homeowners whose properties suffer water damage due to defective construction, pursuing compensation for repairs, remediation, and consequential damages. When construction defect attorneys in San Antonio investigate these cases, they often find multiple failures that combine to cause serious water intrusion, which builders should have prevented.

How Water Intrusion Damages Homes

Water entering building envelopes causes progressive damage that worsens over time if not corrected. Understanding how water damages structures helps homeowners recognize problems and appreciate the importance of prompt action.

Structural Damage. Wood framing absorbs moisture and deteriorates. Prolonged exposure causes rot, compromising structural integrity. Steel components rust and lose strength. Water-carried minerals and freeze-thaw cycles can damage concrete.

Mold Growth. Moisture creates conditions for mold colonization within 24 to 48 hours. Mold spreads through wall cavities, ductwork, and other concealed spaces. Remediation requires removing affected materials and treating remaining surfaces, often costing thousands of dollars.

Interior Damage. Drywall absorbs water and must be replaced. Insulation loses effectiveness when wet. Flooring materials, including hardwood, carpet, and tile, can be damaged by moisture migrating from below or above.

Health Hazards. Mold exposure causes respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and other health effects. Some mold species produce toxins that create serious health risks for building occupants.

Common Causes of Water Intrusion Defects

Construction defect lawyers in San Antonio encounter multiple types of failures that allow water to enter buildings.

Roof Defects. Improperly installed roofing materials, inadequate flashing around penetrations and edges, missing or defective underlayment, and insufficient slope all allow water entry. Even small roof defects can cause extensive interior damage over time.

Window and Door Installation. Improper flashing sequences, inadequate sealants, and failure to integrate openings with weather barriers create pathways for water to enter wall cavities. Water damage often occurs inside walls, where it remains hidden until extensive deterioration has occurred.

Exterior Cladding Failures. Stucco, brick, siding, and other cladding materials must be properly installed with appropriate weather barriers and drainage planes. Defective installation allows water to accumulate behind the cladding, where it damages sheathing, framing, and insulation.

Below-Grade Waterproofing. Basements, foundations, and below-grade walls require proper waterproofing to prevent water infiltration. Inadequate waterproofing membranes, missing drainage systems, and poor foundation drainage cause water intrusion below ground level.

Improper Site Grading. Lot grading should direct surface water away from structures. When builders leave sites graded toward buildings rather than away, water accumulates against foundations and finds pathways inside.

San Antonio Climate Considerations

San Antonio’s climate creates specific challenges for building envelope performance that builders must address through proper design and construction.

The region experiences periodic heavy rainfall that tests roof drainage systems, window installations, and site grading. Intense storms can deliver inches of rain in short periods, overwhelming inadequate drainage systems and finding weaknesses in building envelopes.

Hot summers and full sun exposure stress roofing materials and sealants. UV degradation accelerates material failure, and thermal cycling causes expansion and contraction that can open gaps in waterproofing systems.

Occasional severe weather, including hail and high winds, damages roofing and cladding, creating entry points for water. Buildings must be constructed to withstand expected weather events and remain watertight after regular wear.

Construction defect attorneys in San Antonio understand these regional factors and how they affect building performance requirements.

Investigating Water Intrusion Claims

Building water intrusion cases require thorough investigation to identify how water entered the structure and whose failures allowed the intrusion.

Moisture Testing. Specialized equipment detects moisture within wall cavities, beneath flooring, and in other concealed locations. Moisture mapping identifies the extent of water intrusion and helps trace entry pathways.

Invasive Testing. Opening wall cavities and other building components reveals conditions hidden behind finished surfaces. This testing documents the extent of damage and allows inspection of flashing, weather barriers, and other components.

Expert Analysis. Building envelope experts analyze construction methods, evaluate compliance with codes and standards, and identify deviations from proper practice. Expert opinions support legal claims by establishing what builders did wrong and how those failures caused damage.

Construction defect lawyers in San Antonio coordinate these investigations and work with qualified experts to build strong cases for homeowner clients.

Remediation and Damages

Water intrusion repairs often require extensive work beyond simply patching entry points.

Source Correction. Repairs must address the defects allowing water entry. This may require roof replacement, window reinstallation, cladding repairs, or drainage system installation, depending on intrusion sources.

Damage Repair. Affected building components must be removed and replaced. Rotted framing requires structural repairs. Damaged insulation, drywall, and finishes must be replaced.

Mold Remediation. When mold is present, professional remediation in accordance with established protocols is necessary. Containment, removal, treatment, and clearance testing ensure mold is properly eliminated.

Consequential Damages. Homeowners may recover damages beyond repair costs, including temporary housing expenses during remediation, damaged personal property, and diminished property value.

Personal injury lawyers in San Antonio who handle construction defect cases ensure that all categories of damage are identified and included in claims.

Water intrusion threatens your home and your family’s health. Bryan Woods Law Firm holds builders accountable for waterproofing failures. Call 210-824-3278 for a consultation about your water damage issues.

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https://www.coronanorcolaw.com/construction-defects-law-water-damage/
https://www.tnglaw.net/construction-defects-law-structural-defects/
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