Home News 

Story

Ryland Home Complaints Could Lead To Building Code Change

Posted: 4:51 pm EDT October 4, 2004Updated: 9:57 am EDT October 5, 2004

There's a chance that home construction problems, brought forward by homeowner complaints, could lead to a change in building codes throughout the state of Florida.

A lot of families were shocked to learn their leaky homes were built up to Florida's building code. Monday, Orange County's building department manager said it may be time to change the code and he had some advice on how to stop the leaks.

It looks like stucco on Donnie Garland's home. His Ryland Home owner's manual calls it stucco. He figured it was.

"[It] feels like stucco, but it's not," says Garland.

He learned that after the water started leaking under his stove during the hurricanes. Ryland told him construction crews really used a concrete finish. It's a third the thickness of stucco and provides no water protection.

Bob Olin, the head of Orange County's building department, says builders started using the finish a few years ago. While the stucco process is dictated by Florida code, the concrete finish is not.

They're investigating the reports of damage to see whether the code should be updated.

"We're looking now to see if the codes need to address what intrusion, moisture protection, weather proofing of walls," says Olin.

Their focus is more on the paint covering the concrete finish.

Donnie Garland showed us notes from a call to the paint manufacturer who said his paint wasn't elastromeric or waterproof.

"There needs to be a code change. If you're going to use this kind of finish, you should use an elastromeric paint, which is breathable, to keep out the water," says Garland.

But any code change wouldn't help him. He figures he has $8,000 in damage. Ryland told him to file an insurance claim, which would leave him paying for half of the damage he says was caused by what he thought was stucco.

The building department did have some advice for these families: Get your home painted with elastromeric, or waterproof paint. It could cost a few thousand dollars.

In one subdivision, they are talking about suing Ryland and families would hope to recover that money.

But, it's not just KB, Ryland or Landstar homes. We've received complaints from people living in homes built by Morrison, Maronda, De Luca, Pringle, and Bovis.

More Headlines

Make WFTV Your Power On

Did you ever turn your television off at night and notice the next morning that your set comes on to a different channel? You can set your cable box so that your TV comes on to the station you want. It's easy! Full Story ››
Step-By-Step Text Instructions


Click Picks
Video Clips
AP Photo/Peter Kramer
Heidi Klum and her post-baby body led the parade at the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show, which returned to New York with some fresh faces after four years on the road. View Images ››


Strange News Photos

From brilliant to bizarre, our 99-photo slideshow captures a variety of strange news. Photos are added often. Take A Look!

County-By-County News

Get Hyper-Local On WFTV.com

Visit our County-By-County section for the latest news headlines out of your county. » County-By-County

When you take videos or photos of Central Florida news or weather events, iWitness is your place to upload them. » iWitness

Visit your headquarters for county-by-county news and resources, and a place to share community videos and photos. » 9Central