We have recently moved to a downstairs unit in a brand new 2 family house.During inspection before the purchase we had noticed brown spots around the light fixture on the outside balcony. That was brought to the builders attention who we thought had repaired it. Actually all he did was to repaint. After a month and one heavy rain fall, water started accumulating in the light globe and the spots re-appeared. Needless to say that we shut off the electricity and took the light out. after 10 months of back and forth, he came yesterday to see how is water getting in. He started cutting the ceiling of the balcony. To our surprise we saw that it was made of painted styrofoam attached to a wood plank above it. Both Styrofoam & wood are rotten. Then there is space and beams and another wood plank. We know nothing about construction but never thought that styrofoam will be used for outside construction! Can anyone shed some light on how a balcony is build and how water can come through in that way. Thank, "Very unhappy first time home buyers".
Styrofoam doesn't rot. Sometimes the BX cable (if that's what was used) supplying electricity to the light fixture is run through uninsulated space above a ceiling, and moisture condenses on the cold metal sheath, and then runs down the BX cable and collects in the bowl of a lighting fixture. If that's not the cause, then there is a roof leak or a plumbing leak somewhere above the fixture.
Architect (NY) and Home Designer (PA)
Posts: 2436 | Location: Tobyhanna, PA | Registered: 24 October 2005
The balcony apparently has not been sealed properly. The concrete from upstairs neighbors is all wet and cracked and water has been penetrating through when it rains. But is styrofoam commonly used for balcony construction?
