[Nipper]

I live on the south side of 466 and on my cul da sac there are two Gardenia's that have developed roof leaks at the raised block structure at the front entrance. My house was built in 2004. In 2014 we noticed a discolored spot on the ceiling of the office a few years ago. When we tore out built-in bookcases the entire wall was covered with mold. We called the warranty department. They sent a roofer out who said he repaired it. The repair to the office was more than $6,000. Two days ago we AGAIN discovered mold behind the newly constructed bookcases. The insurance adjuster said that our particular model has a design flaw and the fix was not done correctly (by the original roofing company that installed the roof). Below I am including a few posts related from TOTV related to my problem.
My question is: HAS ANYONE HEARD ABOUT A CLASS ACTION SUIT RELATED TO THIS DESIGN FLAW. The contractor who repaired the interior of our house said he gets at least a half dozen calls a year with people who have to exact same problem. And he is just one of dozens of contractors working in The Villages. Here are posts from three years ago:

1. Please let me know if you know of instances where Gardinia/Magnolia designer homes have experienced roof leaks, particularly homes built on the north side of Route 466. I'm getting a sense from a few cases I know of and from a conversation with a roofer that these models had design flaws that promote roof leaks.

2. Nine years and still leaks over front room (gardenia). Not the shingles but design flaw (valley goes towards vertical wall not eaves) allowing water (during heavy rains) to go over flashing and down inside wall of den. Many, many calls to home warranty, etc. ....now at our expense. Have had stucco redone and then caulking added after new leak at our expense.
As a follow up, haven't had a summer of heavy, constant rains since 2004, the year we closed on the house.
jmho ...but be aware of roof lines (valleys) and subsequent water flow.

3. I'm getting a sense from a few cases I know of and from a conversation with a roofer that these models had design flaws that promote roof leaks. Let me know please.
I live on the south side of 466 and on my cul da sac there have three Gardena's that have developed roof leeks and all three have been on the left side of the port a co (raised block structure at front enterance). There is a dead valley because the block structure doesn't allow the pirch to run continuous. I just had mine checked this week because a neighbors had leaked for the second time this year. Now the roofing and sheating in this section is being replaced at the HOME OWNERS expense.

[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by Nipper

I live on the south side of 466 and on my cul da sac there are two Gardenia's that have developed roof leaks at the raised block structure at the front entrance. My house was built in 2004. In 2014 we noticed a discolored spot on the ceiling of the office a few years ago. When we tore out built-in bookcases the entire wall was covered with mold. We called the warranty department. They sent a roofer out who said he repaired it. The repair to the office was more than $6,000. Two days ago we AGAIN discovered mold behind the newly constructed bookcases. The insurance adjuster said that our particular model has a design flaw and the fix was not done correctly (by the original roofing company that installed the roof). Below I am including a few posts related from TOTV related to my problem.

My question is: HAS ANYONE HEARD ABOUT A CLASS ACTION SUIT RELATED TO THIS DESIGN FLAW. The contractor who repaired the interior of our house said he gets at least a half dozen calls a year with people who have to exact same problem. And he is just one of dozens of contractors working in The Villages. Here are posts from three years ago:



1. Please let me know if you know of instances where Gardinia/Magnolia designer homes have experienced roof leaks, particularly homes built on the north side of Route 466. I'm getting a sense from a few cases I know of and from a conversation with a roofer that these models had design flaws that promote roof leaks.



2. Nine years and still leaks over front room (gardenia). Not the shingles but design flaw (valley goes towards vertical wall not eaves) allowing water (during heavy rains) to go over flashing and down inside wall of den. Many, many calls to home warranty, etc. ....now at our expense. Have had stucco redone and then caulking added after new leak at our expense.

As a follow up, haven't had a summer of heavy, constant rains since 2004, the year we closed on the house.

jmho ...but be aware of roof lines (valleys) and subsequent water flow.



3. I'm getting a sense from a few cases I know of and from a conversation with a roofer that these models had design flaws that promote roof leaks. Let me know please.

I live on the south side of 466 and on my cul da sac there have three Gardena's that have developed roof leeks and all three have been on the left side of the port a co (raised block structure at front enterance). There is a dead valley because the block structure doesn't allow the pirch to run continuous. I just had mine checked this week because a neighbors had leaked for the second time this year. Now the roofing and sheating in this section is being replaced at the HOME OWNERS expense.

Very popular model. Our Gardenia is 2 years old, no problems. I do remember during our outside walk through with the builder he mentioned something about the roof on the left side of the portico. He said they had made roofing modifications from previous builds to this portion of the house. He said they put rubber membrane as an additional under layment. He told me this because I had inquired if they put this membrane around the perimeter of the roof line to prevent water intrusion if i install gutters.

[Gpsma]

does the wonderful developer know of these problems? Surely they will make things right

[justjim]

OP, we have been here in TV for 10 years and your post is the first time Iv'e heard of this problem with the Gardenia model. Of Course, we have always lived south of 466. Sorry for your issues. Good luck and perhaps you have an issue that the POA would be willing to research and tackle.

[Jima64]

Maybe the same roofing crew did the houses on that culsesac and was having a bad few days.

[Nipper]

Originally Posted by justjim

OP, we have been here in TV for 10 years and your post is the first time Iv'e heard of this problem with the Gardenia model. Of Course, we have always lived south of 466. Sorry for your issues. Good luck and perhaps you have an issue that the POA would be willing to research and tackle.

I also live south of 466 in Winifred. The warranty office says they have no record of the repair. And if you've ever had warranty work done, you know they NEVER give you a receipt. If you ever have warranty work done, I would suggest you take a picture because that will be the only proof you have that the work was performed.

[villagetinker]

Nipper, would it be possible to attach a photo of the specific area with the design flaw, and an overall view. We have a Gardenia, and I would like to see if I can confirm whether we have the problem also. Thank you in advance.

[Nipper]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Nipper, would it be possible to attach a photo of the specific area with the design flaw, and an overall view. We have a Gardenia, and I would like to see if I can confirm whether we have the problem also. Thank you in advance.

The adjuster took photos, but I have not yet seen them yet. I don't think pictures would help you. We thought the problem was solved two years ago. It was not. I will post a photo when I get one.

[rubicon]

I am not an attorney but you may want to check with one concerning the possibility of a Statute of Repose which often protects a homeowner for such things for 10 years.

Water intrusion problems were a real concern in both Minnesota and Arizona for a time in the late 1980's and early 1990's for a variety of construction reasons,product defects and design flaws.

I had discovered a water problem but wisely kept an eye out for any sign of water over the years. I discovered the problem before the Statute of Repose expired. So the builder tore the front of my house down to studs to do it over and replaced all the windows which in this case were the cause of the water entry.

What you describe is the reason there has been heated debate among builders as to the effective manner of wrapping a house. Because while the water barrier application keeps water out, water barriers also keep water in if water can find an opening and travels behind the water barrier.

Whatever you do I would suggest you understand the applicable limits of the Statute of Limitations concerning property damage in the state of Florida because that is a critical piece here. I would also have an understanding as to the legal relationships as respect the building of your home ( ie who was the general contractor, who the sub contractors, suppliers etc)

Since I am not an attorney I cannot practice law and because I cannot practice law I cannot charge you a fee

what I have offered is my experience as an ordinary homeowner in dealing with a water intrusion problem. None of this may apply in your case . Again it would be wise to know your legal rights

Personal Best Regards:

[bob47]

My neighbor struggled with the same problem and it was "fixed" several times with gallons of butyl caulk.

He also had a leak in the back because the roof wasn't properly flashed. When I asked the repair crew why that area had wall flashing and not step flashing, they said "we don't use step flashing in Florida". More butyl caulk to the rescue.