North Augusta Water Woes

North Augusta, SC—Friday afternoon, the rain left some damp spots and damp spirits at the Hardy house.

Monday morning, the front yard has dried, but underneath the house, it’s a different story.

David Hardy says he’s dealt with this problem of ‘standing water’ underneath his house before.

David Hardy, North Augusta, SC: “The city of North Augusta has come out here numerous times; a couple officials came out here and looked at the problem. I showed them pictures of water underneath the house after I pumped it out, showing 6 to 7 inches of water. They said ‘it’s fine, as long as it’s underneath the house and gone within 48 hours.’“

But Hardy says Monday morning, the water from Friday is still here, and so is the problem.

Hardy: “My house is only 15 months old, and every time it rains, all that water goes up underneath there.“

He and his neighbor hired their own engineer to inspect the property. According to his report, the house was built without metal flashing that would keep the water out, and the report says the house was built below grade.

But that’s not the only problem hardy says he needs fixed immediately. He showed us pictures of mold that is now growing on the joists underneath the house.

Hardy: “I have a one-year-old son and he’s breathing all this mold. I have sixteen air purifiers going in my house.“

The only solution Hardy says, it to tear it down, and start over.

Hardy: “We built this house for my son. We didn’t want him to spend his first Christmas in a town home or an apartment complex. Now we may have to spend this Christmas in my parent’s home or a hotel somewhere.“

The Hardy’s are involved in a lawsuit with a long list of people, including the builder, and the city of North Augusta.

A lawyer for the builder says it’s still in the early stages of litigation and it’s too early for comment.

Our calls to the lawyer representing the City of North Augusta were not returned.