WFTV 9
Ryland Home Complaints Could Lead To Building Code Change
October 4, 2004

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- 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.
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