The New Home and What was Behind the Drywall.

A New Home for Christmas!

2022 was a hard year. My daughter and I had been without a permanent home for approximately seven months following a job loss. We relocated back to Texas after 3 years in Washington State. I have extensive education, and until I called an old friend in San Angelo, I could not find a job. When I was offered the position, all I could think of was having a permanent home for my child, and I desperately wanted to get her in by Christmas. The purchase of a newly constructed home represented stability after a prolonged period of housing insecurity. I didn’t want to have to worry about what needed to be updated or costly repairs.

Throughout the purchase process, both the builder and the real estate professionals involved repeatedly represented that the home had passed all required city inspections. Inspection approval was cited as confirmation that the home complied with applicable building codes. I was advised that obtaining an independent inspection at that stage would likely delay closing and that there would not be sufficient time to address any issues identified before the holidays. I was repeatedly assured that the home passed city inspection and was covered by warranties. I was told “We will take care of you.” I was LIED to, and the systems intended to protect consumers FAILED. I closed on my home Dec 22, 2022.

Discovery After Occupancy

After moving into the home, conditions began to emerge that raised concerns about how the house was performing and whether critical systems had been installed and verified as required. These were not cosmetic issues or isolated inconveniences. They involved fundamental building systems tied directly to energy efficiency, moisture management, and long-term durability — the very areas intended to be addressed through Energy Code inspections.

What follows outlines the categories of issues that became apparent after occupancy, organized by system rather than by symptom.

HVAC Performance and Indoor Comfort

Shortly after occupancy, it became apparent that the home was struggling to maintain consistent indoor temperatures. Certain rooms experienced significant temperature variation, and the HVAC system appeared to run continuously without achieving stable comfort. These conditions suggested potential issues beyond equipment sizing, raising questions about duct performance, air leakage, and overall system integration with the building envelope. We freeze in the winter and are hot in the summer.

Insulation and Thermal Envelope

As performance concerns persisted, attention turned to insulation and thermal continuity. Areas of the home exhibited uneven temperature behavior inconsistent with expectations for new construction. These observations raised concerns about insulation coverage, continuity, and air sealing — elements that cannot be reliably verified through visual inspection alone and are central to State Mandated Energy Code compliance.

Attic Ventilation and Moisture Risk

Conditions observed in the attic further amplified concerns regarding moisture management and ventilation. Proper attic ventilation is critical to regulating temperature, preventing moisture accumulation, and protecting structural components. Observed conditions suggested that ventilation design and execution warranted closer examination, particularly in light of the home’s overall performance issues.

Air and Water Intrusion

Over time, instances of air and water intrusion became apparent, particularly during periods of wind-driven rain. These events again pointed to potential deficiencies in the building envelope rather than isolated weather-related incidents. Attention was drawn to exterior wall assemblies and moisture-management components, including the EIFS system, where installation sequencing and detailing play a critical role in preventing intrusion.

From Suspicion to Documentation

Taken together, these conditions suggested a pattern rather than independent issues. Performance, moisture, and comfort concerns repeatedly pointed back to envelope integrity, air sealing, and verification — areas typically addressed prior to concealment and approved during inspection.

As concerns emerged, efforts were made to document conditions carefully and to work collaboratively toward resolution. Issues related to insulation, air sealing, moisture intrusion, and system performance were raised in writing and supported with photographs, third-party evaluations, and expert recommendations.

Communication with the builder reflects repeated attempts to clarify installation details, understand how code requirements were being interpreted, and address deficiencies before they escalated. In several instances, proposed solutions were discussed, including insulation and HVAC upgrades offered at the homeowner’s expense in an effort to mitigate ongoing issues rather than prolong the dispute. These communications also document how concerns involving building envelope integrity — including EIFS installation, base plate sealing, and moisture management — were acknowledged but often deferred, reframed as non-required, or dismissed. Over time, the volume and specificity of documentation increased, reflecting a shift from initial concern to a record-based effort to reconcile inspection approvals with observed conditions.