Builder refuses to change water-damaged insulation

[tyl3r_k86]

I'm new to this forum and hoping to get insights here. We're building a house in the suburbs of Phoenix, and we've run into a big issue with the insulation. The builder installed foil-faced foam insulation from Johns Manville in the walls, but a monsoon storm hit before they could get the roof fully dried in, so the insulation got absolutely soaked.

The foil face is peeling off and the foam behind it is wet to the touch. The builder agreed to replace the affected panels, but he insists that the areas under the 1x4 pressure-treated wood strips they used to secure it are fine. He says the treated wood prevents moisture from getting trapped underneath. I'm worried about potential mold issues down the line once the drywall is up, and I'm not convinced his explanation holds water. Am I being overly cautious, or is this a valid concern? What do you propose I do to address this? Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[birds.of.a.feather]

That's a valid concern because foil faced foam isn't meant to stay wet, and pressure treated strips don't stop moisture from getting trapped. If it were me, I'd push for full replacement in any area that got soaked coz its cheaper now than dealing with hidden mold later

 

[RidWan]

The spots under the furring strips could definitely still be holding moisture, and treated wood doesn't magically stop water from getting trapped, get those sections pulled and replaced too before the drywall goes up, you only get one chance to do it right without tearing walls back open later

 

[Lauren G]

If water got to any panels, even under the wood, remove them. Wet foam or damaged foil means they're not doing their job anymore.

 

[HeyRee]

I'm new to this forum and hoping to get insights here. We're building a house in the suburbs of Phoenix, and we've run into a big issue with the insulation. The builder installed foil-faced foam insulation from Johns Manville in the walls, but a monsoon storm hit before they could get the roof fully dried in, so the insulation got absolutely soaked.

The foil face is peeling off and the foam behind it is wet to the touch. The builder agreed to replace the affected panels, but he insists that the areas under the 1x4 pressure-treated wood strips they used to secure it are fine. He says the treated wood prevents moisture from getting trapped underneath. I'm worried about potential mold issues down the line once the drywall is up, and I'm not convinced his explanation holds water. Am I being overly cautious, or is this a valid concern? What do you propose I do to address this? Thanks in advance for any advice!

When building, keep moisture out to ensure things last. A dry wall is key before sealing because fixing mold later costs a lot more than just replacing the wall early on.

 

[Alan]

Did you have anyone else look at it, like an independent inspector? sometimes a third party opinion helps move things along. Would love to hear how you handled it @tyl3r_k86

 

[birds.of.a.feather]

Yes

Did you have anyone else look at it, like an independent inspector? sometimes a third party opinion helps move things along. Would love to hear how you handled it @tyl3r_k86

Yes Alan, true talk about the independent inspector, I just hope he got it all sorted