We bought a new home (new construction) 8 months ago. We found later the home had sat for 1 year plus with , water in the crawl space and no heat , through the worst winter in 100 years in Seattle. Prior to closing we had them replace a portion of the floor, which was buckling bad. Note it was not buckling when we made our offer. After the offer was accepted the turned on the heat and the floor of course did what wood floors do...I digress...

We now have one large crowning floor joist, which is cracking and bowing walls above it and has put enough pressure on the wood flooring that it is beginning to crack. Additionally there are now spots in the floor that are spongy and sqeeky when you walk over them. It is my belief these issues are all related to the original issues stated above, and I think it is time the contractor remove all of the wood floor and repair the floor joist and subfloor is well as the hardwoods.

Flooring is Prefinished 3/4" Oak T & G Nailed Down
Floor joist are 2" x 12" solid lumber (fir??)
Floor flatness at crowing joist = 1/4 -3/16 in 4 ft. (this is a very prominate crowning / such as a curb ramp)

Your thoughts are appreciated...

Not sure how the laws work in your neighbourhood, but it sounds like there are some developing structural issues with your home that SHOULD be covered by warantee. I suggest a well qualified home inspector be brought in to evaluate the problem and determine any future issues that may arise. Armed with a valid report, you should be able to go to the builder for rectification.

A major red flag here. Dennis is correct, sounds like serious structural problems, possibly due to the swamp under the house. Even could be foundation issues. Everything is fixable but since it's new basically, I'm sure the builder is responsible for any and all repairs. Hopefully, the builder hasn't dissolved his "corporation" and skipped town, as some have in the past.

Don't they require a home inspection prior to a sale up there? Thats crazy. If they did and the inspector didn't write that down in his report he is liable.

Personally I would back out of the deal asap.

Thanks for the response... floormeintucson.. there was a home inspection done prior to the sale/closing and many items were rectified. Including a large portion of the floor and new possitive drainage around and under the house. These were all items that the inspector found..Thank God...

The builder is sending his 'A" team out next week. from past dealings with this group the team is definately not "A" Grade..

I think I will get a few estimates of my own..

I would consider testing for mold. Which should include air quality testing.

I can tell you first hand a personal horror story related to stachybotris mold spores in the walls.
Please protect yourself & your family !!

Good point about the mold.

This reminds me of a "This Old House" episode where a crew was under the house fixing a bad foundation. When the host, Steve, asked the guys how it's going, the crew leader said: " Oh, just fine. Nothing a Stinger Missile can't fix."

LMAO Gary!

Seriously though there may be issues there that may haunt you forever even though they have "fixed" them.

Run for the hills! Call your realestate sales person and the mortgage people and tell them you want out or will sue some booty.

Seriously believe it... In 1997 My wife & I had near death issues from mold ( this was caused by a bad storm 4 years earlier), & all problems were supposedly repaired. This followed with, Hospital, lost our home & all belongings, needless to say big law suit.
We're lucky to be here. Dont mess with it.

I think the posters, above, are giving good advice.
I read the advice as:
Fix the problem with water getting under the house first, then worry about the floor.

The real problem, as I read it: Water under the house.