Homeowners Of New San Jose Houses Fed Up With Falling Tiles, Plumbing Points

SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) – Residents of a brand new San Jose neighborhood are fed up with home builder KB Home because of numerous issues that surfaced after they moved in.

Two weeks after KPIX 5 first reported on dangerous falling tiles and other construction problems at KB Home's new Communications Hill community, neighbors are still wondering whether their homes are safe and whether the builder will fix them.

“I've heard from other homeowners that they're going to take care of it individually,” said Joe Ponte, owner of one of the homes.

On October 6, KB sent an unusual warning to all new homeowners not to stand under their homes because heavy porcelain tiles could come loose and fall up to two stories high.

Falling tiles found in a new KB Home project on Communications Hill in San Jose. (CBS)

The tiles, which are as thick as floor tiles, are used as decorative cladding in most houses in the settlement. But several of them broke away and fell to the ground.

“I think, oh my God. “What did I get myself into when I bought this house?” Ponte said.

A spokesperson for KB Home declined an interview request but sent a statement to KPIX 5 saying, “We have replaced all exterior tiles that required replacement and provide warranty customer service in response to warranty claims from our customers. We look forward to continuing to work with our homeowners until they are completely satisfied with their KB Home purchase.

KB housing project on Communications Hill in San Jose. (CBS)

Tile isn't the only construction problem homeowners have encountered.

Ponte said he spent months haggling with KB over his bathroom floor, which wasn't level when he moved in.

Additionally, poor waterproofing in the bathroom led to leaks and water damage to the ceiling and walls on the first floor. He said KB paid for the damage and they only agreed to repair the floor.

“This should never have happened in the first place,” Ponte told KPIX 5.

His neighbor's house has exterior gaps and unpainted surfaces.

Another neighbor, Stephanie Silcott, said she has had problems with the plumbing.

“I just don’t think there’s enough manpower to provide the service that was promised,” Silcott told KPIX 5.

Ponte said he expects KB to provide an action plan and timeline for resolving the issues.

A construction worker told KPIX 5 that crews were under pressure to complete the work as quickly as possible and that may explain the problems. KB Home has flatly rejected this accusation.

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