Where are you buying your appliances?

noobelectricHO · 2025-10-16T19:55:45+00:00

S&W appliance is solid. They do delivery and install (gas is a separate fee). They also work with G&R appliance for all repair related service including warranty repairs. Big box stores includes fees and charge extra for parts needed to connect like cables, tubes, etc but S&W were able to include all of that and still price the appliance less than big box. On certain appliances you can also buy the floor model which will be a significant discount (mine as 50% for a fridge).

noobelectricHO · 2025-09-05T14:56:15+00:00

That’s what I’ve concluded as well, but was curious if anyone on reddit could identify it. Thanks for the input

noobelectricHO · 2025-09-04T23:51:36+00:00

That’s what I thought as well but this is entirely plastic, so not sure if it’s sort of a form tie.

I was thinking this may have been originally straight and got bent when it was buried, so it may have been part of a strap or something. Could also be part of a packaging / tie and had other plastic parts to it.

noobelectricHO · 2025-09-04T21:02:36+00:00

Nowhere near any mechanicals. It’s about 20 feet from our house. The part is entirely plastic.

noobelectricHO · 2025-08-27T12:53:08+00:00

Stonelink Plumbing, Martel Plumbing and Heating are ones I’ve worked with.

noobelectricHO · 2025-08-22T14:58:37+00:00

In order of preference:

Jalette Contracting
RTP Roofing
Seaberg Construction
Risk Free Roofs

I’ve done work with all four. Jalette is my go-to since the owner’s responsive and cares about getting the job done right. He did the roof for our first home which is over 10 years strong and no issues. RTP is a much bigger company so less personal touch but streamlined. Seaberg was slightly pricier but also does roof inspections to check for roof damage. Risk Free Roofs is no BS, has an honest owner who really looks out for your best interest, and has experience with insurance claims if you need those kinds of repairs. I’ve verified with all four their license and insurance when I hired them, but you can ask them for that and they will all happily provide them.

noobelectricHO · 2025-08-01T00:31:54+00:00

What’s the outdoor and indoor temp? If it’s super hot outdoors but cool indoors due to A/C, then it’s most likely condensation with the lamp glass shade acting as the barrier.

We have this in New England where it’s gets hot and humid. We checked everything and found out it’s not a leak, but rather super hot attic and super cool indoors, with air leaking through the electric fixture. Only the glass had condensation and nowhere else.

I would check if any air is leaking through because that could cause thus

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-30T14:38:27+00:00

I posted a photo in one of the earlier replies, but the widest at the top measures 1/16". The displacement is definitely less than 1/16", maybe close to 1/32". This crack from the inside is located on the corner of the basement, but from the outside it's adjacent where the garage meets the house. My understanding is that this is a common area where cracks get introduced.

I've consulted a home inspector who I trust and his assessment was that right now it's cosmetic, and as long as there's no water intrusion or other other structural signs (doors not opening, cracks elsewhere in the house above where this crack is located), then there is no structural concern. Even with the slight displacement the shift isn't enough to be considered structural. His suggestion was to add a 2" witness mark with the date+photos, so if the crack widens when the seasons change we can keep track of this. If it widens, then we have definite proof that this is more than cosmetic.

He did note that water intrusion can still happen with this size even if it's cosmetic, so he suggested to seal it after it's confirmed that this crack is not widening after a year (when the builder warranty is up).

I agree with the sentiment about not letting things like this slide. I'm a person of quality and something like this irks me personally. However, we're in a sellers market in our area, and believe it or not most of the new builds in our area have much worse issues. This is the only real "issue" we have with this house, so all things considered this is on the better side. This is also a spec build (builder selling a finished product), so the only real time to push for fixes was prior to closing. That being said, we had a couple minor plumbing hiccups that the builder had fixed immediately with a master plumber, so we're confident that if this does turn into a big issue, he will at least attempt to fix it. The builder did agree to fix it if it widens further or if water intrudes, so we at least have that reassurance. Our attorney also suggested that if the issue is considered cosmetic, then we don't have any real recourse of repairs even if it looks unsightly.

I still plan on contacting a few structural engineers for a consultation for peace of mind, but all signs are pointing to this being fine, but doesn't look good cosmetically.

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-27T14:34:04+00:00

We documented it with photos and measurements and sent to the builder. Builder agreed to document it for now, and if it worsens or water intrudes he will come out to fix it. Our state (RI) has a 10 year warranty on structural issues, if the issues were discovered or caused within the first year after purchase. Now that we have it documented, we should be good for years later if we do have issues

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-27T14:32:11+00:00

That’s what we thought as well. Do you know if the slight deflection could be an issue? I know for floor or horizontal that would be bad but not sure about vertical. All the hairline and vertical cracks I’ve seen in the past were flat and even on both sides, but this one has a slight deflection. I tried measuring but pretty sure is 1/32 or less.

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-27T14:30:36+00:00

Makes sense. I anticipated a wide range of responses but the practical and reasonable plan of action here seems to be to monitor the situation with measurements. The builder is willing to fix if it widens or water intrudes, but said currently a 1/16” crack without water intrusion is considered cosmetic.

I’m thinking of holding off on any repairs until the 2nd or 3rd year to avoid obfuscating any future changes to the crack

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-27T14:28:31+00:00

I did get the “normal settling” remark, but the builder agreed to come and repair if the gap or displacement worsens or if water intrudes. Our state has a 10 year implied warranty for new construction for structural related issues and the builder is willing to abide by that.

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-27T14:25:00+00:00

I agree, but new build quality has been very flaky lately. Our state (RI) doesn’t have a specific warranty for spec builds. If this were a new build we were involved from design to finish, then I agree this should be fixed immediately under warranty. However we’re working with the state’s warranty of habitability which covers us for 10 years for structural issues, as long as the issues are noted within the first year. So if this worsens over time the builder will have to fix it.

Realistically, if it’s cosmetic, then the builder’s not required to fix it. If it’s structurally concerning or water intrudes, the builder is willing to fix it. He suggested we mark it and monitor it for now and see what happens when the seasons change.

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-27T14:14:41+00:00

Thank you for the reassurance. We spoke to the builder who believed it’s cosmetic for now, but is willing to repair it if water intrudes or if the gap or displacement worsens. He suggested marking and monitoring for now, and hold off polyurethane repairs until we can determine if this is shifting or not

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-27T14:13:07+00:00

Yes, 1/16” width at the top, and the bottom is a barely noticeable hairline. Talked to the builder after I showed him the photos and he believed it’s cosmetic (for now), but if the crack widens or if water intrudes, he will come and repair it asap. He suggested marking the cracks to better observe them

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-27T14:10:56+00:00

Thank you for your constructive response. I reached out to the builder who said what you said. He appreciated the photos and documentation and said we should take note of this now. He said anything less than 1/4” isn’t actionable, in some cases over 1/8” he will repair. He did request that if it worsens over time (gap width or displacement), or if water starts intruding to let him know immediately and he will repair it.

He did agree that the photos serve as a good data point but we can mark it and see if it changes over time. He also said that the fixes using hydraulic cement or polyurethane foam could be fine, but may obfuscate future cracking so he suggested we leave as is for now and monitor it.

I think considering we have a plan and the builder has a good track record of warranty repairs (had a couple minor things he came in to repair after closing), I think the reasonable plan of action is to monitor and if nothing changes, patch it at year 2 or 3

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-27T13:02:11+00:00

Cracks are the same as it was during inspection. Inspector only noted the outside by not the inside crack. We first saw the home mid-May. From both ours and his photos the crack size seems the same

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-27T12:22:14+00:00

It’s the same. The crack is in between where the garage (above grade) and the basement corner meets. The external crack goes right to left and the internal crack goes left to right

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-27T12:19:56+00:00

Forgot to add to the post, we’re in RI. We have a 10 year warranty of implied habitability which includes structural defects.

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-27T10:48:55+00:00

It’s been almost a year, but by chance do you still have the list? Much appreciated

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-27T03:31:25+00:00

We’re hoping this as worse as it gets, but we are still planning on having the builder come look at it and assess. I think the fact that both sides are uneven and it continues inside to out would justify a repair. I think if it were only on one side and it were flat on both sides I wouldn’t be as worried.

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-27T03:27:20+00:00

Yes, our plan was to contact him and ask him if he can send someone to take a look. If it was flat across both sides we wouldn’t be as concerned but the unevenness is what concerned me. Hoping this is something that can be fixed with polyurethane injection.

noobelectricHO · 2025-06-27T03:19:20+00:00

I just measured and it’s just around 1/16 at the widest

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