Water Intrusion Media Coverage

On 04/25/05 the Orlando Sentinel reported - "Builder foots bill for repair of homes – M/I absorbs costs to fix some homes. Several other builders also are doing so."

On 04/25/05 the Orlando Sentinel reported "Builders make few fixes to halt leaks – No big changes as storm season nears"

On 04/03/05 FloridaToday.com reported "Poor contruction led to storm damage, (mercedes) suit says"

On 03/04 and 03/05/05 the Local News Media reported on the fact that a complaint has been filed against Ryland (here is WESH Ch2's blurb online) in the Circuit Court of the ninth Judicial Circuit, in and for Orange County, FL Civil Division (Case no. 48-2005-CA-1930) - video footage and links are not currently available, but will be added if/when obtained - if you have digital recordings of these reports please let us know at:

On 01/27/05 the Orlando Sentinel reported "Building panel reviews state code - Homeowners urge proper installation techniques instead of changing the code"

On 01/26/05 WESH Ch2 reported that "Building Commission Plans Code Changes"

In the January '05 issue the Journal of Light Construction reported "Post-Storm Florida Faces Plague of Soggy Walls"

On 01/22/05 the Orlando Sentinel ran an editorial "Don't wait - Our position: It's important for Central Florida to strengthen building codes now"

On 01/14/05 the Orlando Sentinel reported "Building code changes could take 1 and 1/2 years"

On 01/13/05 the Orlando Sentinel reported "Builders pledge better quality - Storm leaks not our fault, they say"

On 01/12/05 WESH Ch2 reported that "Investigation Uncovers Why New Homes Leaked"

On 01/12/05 LOCAL 6 reported that "Home Builders Seek Changes In Code After Hurricanes"

On 01/12/05 WESH Ch2 reported that "Investigation Uncovers Why New Homes Leaked"

On 01/12/05 WFTV Ch9 reported that "Investigation Unveils Why New Homes Leaked During Hurricanes"

On 01/12/05 the Orlando Sentinel reported "Hurricanes 'overwhelm' area builders" and "Builders group to release its report on leaks"

On 01/12/05 the FHBA reported that "Study Reveals Reasons for Water Intrusion"

On 01/09/05 WFTV Ch9 reported that "Homeowners May Sue Homebuilder Mercedes Homes"

On 12/16/04 WFTV Ch9 reported that "Mercedes homes have possible multiple code issues in addition to leaky walls"

On 11/14/04 the Chicago Tribune ran an article entitled "Legal storm brews in wake of hurricanes"

On 12/10/04 in the Orlando Sentinel, Editorial Style pieces ran and on 12/15/04 there were replies - the pieces can be read here.

On 12/08/04, the Orlando Sentinel reported that "Panel opts to wait for study results before dealing with leaks in code"

On 12/07/04 WKMG Local 6 reported "For Now, FL Building Codes Will Not Be Altered".

On 12/07/04 WFTV Ch9 reported "Building Commission Shoots Down Changes In Building Codes". Only 1/2 of report is recorded, but text is on their site.

On 12/07/04 WESH Ch2 reported that "Mercedes Home is Now Stepping Forward" and also that The State Building Commission Will Not Ammend Building Codes".

On 12/07/04, the Orlando Sentinel reported that "Leaks could remain in building code – State group likely to do little more than tinker"

On 12/06/04 WFTV Ch9 reported "Orange County Lawmakers To Discuss Leaky Home Issue".

On 12/06/04 WESH Ch2 reported that "FL Building Commission took the first step in discussing changes to the FL Building Code" - the story is posted on their site as well.

On 12/03/04 national NBC Nightly News reported "A fight rages over rain-damaged homes - After the hurricanes, it's homeowners vs. builders vs. insurers" - the story is on the NBC Nightly News site as well.

On 12/03/04 WESH Ch2 reported that "M/I Homes is now in threat of being sued by it's homeowners".

On 12/02/04 WESH Ch2 reported that "Mercedes Homes is being sued by homeowners".

On 11/30/04 FOX 35 reported on "Hidden Hurricane Damage" that could be lurking hidden behind your walls.

On 11/30/04 the Orlando Sentinel ran an article "Meeting on home leaks ends without a decision"

On 11/29/04 WESH Ch2 reported that the BOAF met today and proposed changes to the FL Building Code were discussed. The story is in writing on their site as well.

On 11/29/04 WFTV Ch9 reported that the "In Wake Of 4 Hurricanes, County Wants Building Codes Changed".

On 11/24/04 WFTV Ch9 reported that Ryland homeowners are banding together to demand Ryland fix their homes.

On 11/17/04 WFTV Ch9 reported that there is a "Plan Being Developed To Prevent Water Leakage In New Homes"

On 11/19/03, just one year ago WESH Ch2 reported that "Mold Problem Frustrates Sanford Homeowner"

On 11/19/04 WESH Ch2 reported that "Fine Print has (Mercedes) Homeowners Afraid to Discuss Damage"

On 11/19/04 the Orlando Sentinel ran an article "Brevard Couple Upset by Leaking Home Face Lawsuit" and also a water intrusion related editorial cartoon

On 11/18/04 the Orlando Sentinel ran two stories: "Homeowners seek legal help for leaks" and "Rain, leaks worry British homeowners"

On 11/15/04 the Orlando Sentinel ran an editorial "Stopping the Seepage"

On 11/14/04 WFTV Ch9 reported on the protest that occurred outside the Orlando Ryland office during their scheduled Tennyson Park townhome pre-sales lottery. If anyone recorded this clip or knows details of if/how the lottery event went, please let us know at .

On 11/12/04 WESH Ch2 reported that the "City Gives Homeowners Avenue For Complaints"

On 11/12/04, the Orlando Sentinel reported that "Winter Garden Home builders are told to add waterproofing."

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Special Report - Ch2 WESH Building Homes: Building Problems (10/09, 10/10, 10/11 at 11pm)

• Part 1 - focused on Ryland and the fact that they have the most homes effected, but have not stepped up to fix the homes.
  
  
• Part 2 - Names of builders and if they are fixing homes or not. The story is also posted on their website.
  
  
• Part 3 - homeowners that have the City of Orlando on their side and also Winter Garden passes local building code law that homes must be sealed.
  

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On 11/11/04, the Orlando Sentinel reported that "Winter Garden is likely to require new homes to be sealed to prevent seepage."

On 11/10/04 the Orlando Sentinel reports "Sopping houses get short shrift"

On 11/05/04 at 6pm, WFTV Ch9 said local government efforts may not work - only the FL Building Commission can change the FL Building Code.

On 11/04/04 at 11pm, WFTV Ch9 followed up on the code changes that may be in store and how current homeowners may not get the benefit of code changes.

At noon on 11/04/04 WESH Ch2 reported more details on the effects of leaky homes on building codes - video available on their site.

On 11/03/04 both WFTV Ch9 and WESH Ch2 reported updates on the Orange County Building Division's investigation. Channel 9 included Ryland as part of their story topic.

On 11/02/04 the Orlando Sentinel reports "Investigators seeking answers about leaky homes zero in on paint."

On 10/25/04 the Orlando Sentinel focuses on Ryland and mentions this website in an article named "
Paint on walls is even thinner than excuses."

On 10/19/04 WFTV Ch 9 reported that a lack of enough waterproof may be the culprit causing our homes to leak during rain.

On 10/19/04 the Orlando Sentinel reported that "Paint jobs may be the culprit in leaks". Please consider before you run out and paint though, that your walls may still be wet inside and painting now could trap moisture in, creating a feeding farm for mold. You may need to remove drywall to help dry them out.

On 10/18/04 WESH Ch2 reported on the Orange Cnty Building Division's efforts.

The story is on their site too.

On 10/16/04 the Orlando Sentinel ran an article titled "Builder faces homeowner backlash"

On 10/14/04 WESH Ch2 posted this story on their site.

On 10/14/04 the Orlando Sentinel ran an article titled "Building code may change to stop leaks"

On 10/12/04 Ch2 reported on leaky homes in Seminole County view video on the WESH Ch2 site.

On 10/12/04 the Orlando Sentinel ran an article about leaky homes in Seminole County.

On 10/11/04 WESH Ch2 reported that more than 250 homes in Seminole County have complained of leaky block walls to the building dept. and that Ch2 has joined w/ the Orlando Sentinel to investigate the leaky home issue and will have a special report soon.

On 10/09/04 WESH Ch 2 reported on residents of Avalon Park holding signs up saying my Ryland home leaks, etc.

On 10/07/04 WESH Ch2, continued their story highlighting Cambridge Homes. Ron Resch is the inspector using the infrared camera and can be reached at 1-800-247-0467.

On 10/07/04 News 13 began rotation of the story.

On 10/07/04 The Orlando Sentinel ran an article on the issue.

On 10/06/04 at 6 & 11pm - WESH Ch2, picked up on the story, view 11pm clip (beggining is missing - this is in Avalon Park we believe).

The story is in writing on their site too.

On 10/06/04 at 6pm, Ch 9 talked about elastomeric paint and the fact that many new home builders started using this concrete finish instead of stucco since it's 1 step vs. 3.

On 10/06/04 The St. Pete Times ran an article about the same issue in Ryland homes in their area.

On 10/05/04 on the 6pm news, Ch 9's story says the HBA of Metro Orlando is investigating the problem.

HBA of Metro Orlando - www.comehomeorlando.com

On 10/05/04 on the noon news, Ch 9's story says Florida building codes may be changing due to this issue.

On 10/04/04 on the 6pm news, Ch 9 progressed their story to talk about the issues w/ the actual "stucco" covering used on all the new homes in Cent. FL having water intrusion problems and questioned building codes - View Clip from 10/04 6pm.

This story is in writing on the WFTV website too.

On 10/04/04 coverage continued on the noon news - View Clip from 10/04 noon.

On 10/02/04 on the 11 pm news, Ch 9 did a story from Eden Isle taped during our Community Meeting and it reran 10/03 am - View Clip from 10/03 am.

On 10/01/04 on the 6 pm news, Ch 9 did a follow-up story from Eden Isle at Summerport - View Clip.

On 9/30/04 on the 6 and 11 o'clock news and again on 10/01 noon news, WFTV Ch. 9 did segments on the Ryland water intrusion issue. View the 11 pm story

The story is in writing on the WFTV website now too.