Serious Problem With Chimney. Failed smoke Test!

theharpers · 8th October 2006, 16:33

In November 2005, we purchased a new home from Bryant Homes. From day dot we have had nothing but bother. Ranging Starting with the ducts underground not being laid, meaning we had no tv/telephone for 3 weeks. They solved the problem by digging up the road to have them put in. The marble on the fireplace had been broken and replaced with filler. As the carpets were dirty, they sent two russian cleaners in who ruined the lounge carpet which had to be replaced. They sent a contractor to remove a pimple under the flooring who ripped it, and covered it with a board until my hubby and i kicked off. I could go on and on... 6 weeks ago i had a gas fire installed in preperation for the winter, only to be told by our corgi engineer that the chimney has cavities and the smoke is leaking into the loft and coming out of 3 place outside too. Bryant then sent a guy to mastick the holes in the loft. and a week later a corgi engineer called in to re-do the smoke test. The smoke is still coming out from the lead flashing around the chimney and from under the gables. Last tuesday i had Cico's chimney specialists out whom informed both myself and the two bryant reps that the chimney needs to be rebuilt. He is coming to see me again thisd tuesday to carry out a full survey of the chimney in order to be clear or its severity.
I am of the opinion that if the hole chimney need to be replaced then i would prefer to reject my house and it be swapped for another property in the area.
Does anyone have any advice for me on what i should be doing about this mess??

Tony · 9th October 2006, 21:09

If I were you I would instruct a solicitor to deal with this situation. It won't be cheap but you should be able to claim your expenses back from the developer and perhaps reasonable compensation. There may be damages to pay if anybody in the has fallen ill due to stress or perhaps loss of earnings if you are self-employed.

Kind regards,

Tony

Bluesky · 8th December 2006, 20:35

dont pay out for a solicitor we did that three years ago and are still using him because he has not solved our problems so far.

These problems include The bricks which were fitted arund the foundations of our 'new' house these bricks were the wrong ones for the job and so therefore we have suddenly relised that they have been sitting in water for 4 years they are now green and black and dont even dry out during the summer.

A land drain was put 2ft away from the foundations which lead to the water from the houses on the otherside of the road to dscharge there rain water through there land drain and then it runs on the side of our foundations in to the wood behind our garden which we did not know about an till lastyear.

We need help is there any advice that you could give us so that we can get on with our lives.

P.s. This is a David Wilson home!

zednine · 16th January 2007, 00:27

I am not sure what advice i can give except dont give up...

our chimney does not draw properly, but the builder just will not admit it is built wrong..going to be a an uphill battle..

so good luck,, you are not alone

Paul