Knowing the questions to ask and what to expect during the building process could save thousands of dollars down the road. Also winter temperatures mean foundations need to cure longer before they are backfilled with dirt, he said. Another potentially ugly winter weather situation is frozen water pipes. Conversely, extreme hot temperatures can reduce the life expectancy of a house, primarily the exterior. Wind is another element which can create havoc for your home.
Wind creates pressure which places the home's structure under strain.
A wind condition known as racking' occurs when the force of the wind is not square on the house. Wind can also contain a component known as up-lift' which occurs when air moves rapidly over the top of the house and creates an area of lower pressure on the leeward roof slope, walls and the inside of the house. In minor causes, you'll see cracks in the sheetrock, or in an extreme case, a houses's structural components can actually be pushed outward. Next comes the concern of excessive moisture, which according to both Washam and Rhodes, is probably the number one problem in new home construction. Spring rain showers can be pleasant, but not when they're filling your new basement, dripping through your new roof or blowing in around your new window frames.