SeaGate Homes Reviews

After two years in new Spec Home (where builder chooses all options / upgrades, then sells as it), received Palm Coast Water Department phone call, advising that the meter was showing unusually high consumption. Found large pond between my house and neighbors, very soft ground, and water running down the street gutter to the basin.

Shut off water at the meter, dug *** adjacent to the driveway where the ground was softest. At only 7 inches below grade, found multiple piping. Should have been simple to determine the water service because by Code, water service is required to be PVC Schedule 40. These were all thin wall pipes.

Turned the water back on, determined leak was from under the driveway. Took several pictures and sent to SeaGate.

Concerns: the leak was from under the driveway; no way, was I going to allow the driveway to be dug; Building Code states water services must be Schedule 40, and must be buried a minimum 12 inches below grade, these were thin walled pipes at only 7 inches depth. SeaGate sent a construction manager out, then issued a work order for a plumber, but never told the plumber we were without water. A day later, Plumber came, who was also concerned about what I found, but made temporary repair, stated they would return in a week after SeaGate provided further direction for repair or replacement with proper material.

Following week they dug several holes in the front yard and a trench through my side landscaping to trace this line for replacement, to no avail. Eventually determined these houses have two (2) public water service lines off the meter. One line feeds domestic water and one feeds an irrigation system. Also determined that it was the irrigation service that failed.

Original contractor failed to glue a seem under the driveway where two pipes connect. It took two years of constant water pressure to eventually push the pieces apart. SeaGate had no detailed plans showing any of this underground pipe, had they, this would have been a simple fix and my yard & landscaping would not have been dug up. After I moved in, I had an irrigation well dug, so this builder installed irrigation service was no longer needed.

The plumber capped it off at the meter. Problem solved. I inquired of SeaGate regarding the cost of the water usage leaking several days prior to the Water Department phone call. I was instructed to send copy of this and prior bills for review.

I did that. I later received notice from SeaGate stating because I installed my own irrigation well, this failed water-service was "not covered under the warranty," and that, they paid for the plumber's time and fix, as a courtesy, but would not reimburse me further. I, questioned this. My home was a spec home, I did not request an irrigation service, they chose to do so, and by the way, it was included in the price paid for the house.

I reminded them that they also chose my appliances, yet had I decided to change one out, and the electric wiring supplying it was found to be faulty, that would not resolve them from fixing it!

I absorbed this cost, and the cost of fixing front yard and trench through the landscaping. If the cost had been significant, I would pursue legal action.