Guardian In Action: Residential Defects
After heavy rainstorms, a new homeowner was besieged with a building surround of up to two feet of water. While the developer’s proposed fix was expressed as the only viable solution, Guardian’s investigation into cause and origin commenced with site inspections and a full site survey around the building pad. Rather than simply providing an evaluation of the sump pump proposal, Guardian evaluated the site data, proposed an alternate solution, and began reviewing the issues with public works and building department officials. The property, it was concluded, was not graded per the original, approved plan and the finish floor of the residence was installed twelve inches too low. A more practical and cost-effective manner of addressing the issue, Guardian concluded, was with a creative solve: maintaining the pad elevation of the existing structure by installing a passive gravity drainage system which tied into the main City storm drain. Since the reliance on a mechanical sump system was in neither the developer’s or homeowner’s best interest, the alternative design proposal was accepted as the optimal solution, and Guardian was commended by all parties for its construction insight and ability to look beyond the obvious.