Help! My House Is Falling Down | Series 2 Episode 8

[@cathiefinch6659]

Curious-did not her neighbours on either side of her have water issues too? Also those of you judging her as a hoarder- not necessarily true. All the property in the basement level had become sodden with sewage water. You wouldn’t want to handle it either. Probably started stacking things to get them out of waters reach and then it gradually became impossible to cope with. So overwhelming! Glad to see it was all sorted.

[@faz..]

I think Dennis needs to take an action against the previous owners who did the entire conversion. She should also consider suing her conveyancer as it is their job to advise her to demand building regulations and planning approval for the works. The contractor is a bit of a hero!!

[@moiraf.2562]

Since this is an old house, I'm guessing the load bearing walls were removed at an earlier time. Most likely when the cellar was converted from servant's quarter into a modern living space, maybe in the 50ies. People took to the idea of home modernisation and DIY at that time, and there was probably less awareness of the danger that digging out the foundations meant...

[@dariamorgandorfer6918]

maybe she did. maybe that's how she managed to get it done plus a new kitchen.

[@fashionearrings]

The background music of this show is just too loud and unnecessary.

[@sophiamcnamara9851]

Agree it drowns out their voices

[@cherrybarb4651]

That's why I stopped watching all the American home reno/decoration shows - music blaring and drums pounding during conversations. Drove me mad. And now they're doing it here too.

[@NYCHeartandSoul]

Totally I can barely make out what she’s saying

[@lynnesusangray1951]

PLEASE PRODUCERS....STOP PLAYING THE UNNECESSARY LOUD MUSIC!

[@AgentAO7]

For some reason this episode has louder background music. Other episodes are not like this.

[@aileengilchrist9152]

If the root of the problem was sewage water coming from the basement next door should that not have been dealt with first? Also any costs for foundation problems should be shared between all flat owners in the building.

[@jerryf581]

The music is so loud, that I have no idea where the water/sewage was coming from.

[@neilfranklin5644]

Watch with the subtitles on.

[@carlacaldwell5675]

The music in the background is so loud you can't hear what is being said. It jangles ones nerves trying to listen. Very unpleasant.

[@Jules_Pew]

As it's a leasehold, all the flats are liable for structural problems and the cost will be shared, but they'll be suing next door's insurance company no doubt.

[@LMCEK]

I wonder why they didn't go through home insurance on this one. No way this is her responsibility

[@misskeir]

I honestly can get my head around why she didn't contact her insurance company the moment the smell/mould/water appeared? I can only suspect that she may have bought outright and was too silly to get home insurance as a mortgage company would have made her do it as par for the course. She hid her head in the sand for years knowing she had never insured her home. I feel sorry for her but in many ways she was as negligent as anyone because the damage could have been mitigated years before so much damage was done to her home and to her life.

[@emsalsa9385]

I would imagine because she waited way too long and the insurance would have just denied her claim. She should have tackled this long ago

[@ahmedusman6652]

May be she is stressed and nervess.

[@louatfernli665]

@@misskeir insurance is not avl for homes that are not structurally sound, if there is a known damp issue and even Japanese knotweed will mean most insurers will not cover, you have to contact insurers as soon as you notice an issue. Maybe she never had any insurance although most mortgage providers insist on it..

[@annaandersson3907]

I don't get it. The neighbor's has to be affected to. They share walls don't they? And the water damage have to come from somewhere. Did it get fixed? And how can it be only her ting to pay for? It's nothing she caused? Many unanswered questions in this

[@leslyeglover2761]

Background music is far too loud, making it difficult to understand the dialogue. I cannot help but wonder if the neighbours were consulted, since they are bound to have J. Knotweed on their property and water in their basements. Obviously the previous work done on the basement was substandard, maybe without planning permission.

[@dawnfayette4873]

What the heck it's a row house... don't several units have the same issue? Isn't the unit with a foot of sewage next door liable?

[@jeanineadele]

In each of these shows they never have the money for the structural repairs so the contractors discount or donate it but then they always have plenty of money to decorate. Something doesn't pass the smell test here.

[@LMCEK]

I think they get interior design services as part of being on the TV show. Nobody wants a grand finale to be shots of cinder block walls lol

[@K1MB3RL3Y88]

Your housing insurance should help pay for interior repairs like that and the TV show probably help out with getting her good offers ect.

[@tmmtmm]

@@LMCEK on some of the episodes it goes beyond that. It's like 'ooo i can't spend 2 grand repairing this pipe which is decimating my house' then in the final reveal they've done a full on no stone unturned kitchen renovation and loft conversion.

[@victorgoncalves2442]

These shows make things worse then they really are (in most cases) , and make the owners more dumb than actually are . Plus they pay the owners to be on the show . Things dont ad up , dont tell the entire truth .

[@nanvonoffenbach]

hahahahaha Ohh I don´t have money but I will buy this new Kitchen

[@rumpelstielzchen6359]

Would the other owners of the house not be liable to help with the costs? If the foundation goes, the whole house goes. And Denis didn't cause the damage.

[@mikeheap7978]

She's left the problem and let it get worse. I'm suprised the neighbours haven't sued her.

[@kellyk.3855]

My question also...the sewage had to be coming from other houses next door. Why did they not find out where it was coming from?? If coming from next door, and it's not fixed, then it will still affect her place in the long run if not sooner. So many unanswered questions....

[@annawilkin9067]

A very strong lady to have managed to live like that for so long and to have kept on functioning - incredible. I have heard that mould can effect one's psychological state and jI noticed that Denis's face was very puffy and pallid, this in addition to her looking understandably overwhelmed and helpless - a vicious cycle. I hope everything has continued to improve for her.

[@dotwillcoxson5352]

Music is too loud. Hard to hear people speaking.

[@sarasjv44]

Being that its sewage, how are none of them wearing gloves to clear out the stuff and touch things down there!?! 🤮 Also, since it was new when she bought it, she should sue the building & selling companies

[@virginiamoss7045]

I saw that and I went, out loud, "Yikes!"

[@jjb8171]

Sewage water is one thing, herbicides are another. The guy that applied it wears full protection, he doesnt touch the herbicides though. Removing the died of plants is done bare handed. That is a very bad idea.

[@mp3bbb]

The most interesting part, the tanking and final finish was never shown making it pointless watching this show.

[@MrPrentissDJones]

Insurance to pay for it! and next-door neighbor needs to be sued for sewage

[@virginiamoss7045]

That's my conclusion. And the upstairs owner(s) should be assessed or whomever owns the building. They need to replace the top molding on the outside of the building as well; it''s the only one missing.

[@rubysmith3143]

this is what i don't understand why did the owners of the flat next door did not pay for the repairs plus the owners of the flats on the second and thread floor help to pay for supporting walls it was there flat's that where going to full too

[@carinbergman9638]

And why does the city council not fix the sewer problem???

[@garyslingsby1]

surely the owner of the leasehold would be able to confirm who was responsible for the building work traceability of substandard works to sue to recover costs etc etc and home insurance surely

[@juliepatchouli3944]

Denis seems like a lovely person and this is more than anyone should have to deal with. It seems procrastination in taking proper care of her house and yard has left her living in a sewer and she has so many books, magazines and junk it probably adds to feeling overwhelmed.

[@PreppingAngel]

Whats with a truck load of magazines? A hoarder issue?

[@glennpalalagi5296]

Colin your the man and your company that you work for is a god send true heros

[@rumpelstielzchen6359]

I would have thrown away everything in the basement. Everything in there has mould spores in any crack and crevice. Any paper or textile would smell of mould. Nothing worth saving.

[@happydays1336]

Yes...everything is so gross and unhealthy. The fact that she's put some of her destroyed, filthy and moldy things into storage is why I think she's a hoarder.

[@fjklfdasdf]

@@happydays1336 yes, i believe she is

[@inesolujic2534]

Absolutely. Every single porous item in that house which is a health hazard. She could save items like clothing and linens if they're boiled or properly disinfected, but all those magazines, books, etc are not salvageable.

[@frienduke]

And the garden was neglected for years! What do you expect when you don’t look after your garden?

[@orangge386]

It' hard to watch this with music so loud you can barely hear the woman speak.

[@alexandrajames8734]

The poor woman has just given up by the looks of her house and her garden. Looks a bit of a horder too from the piles of magazines. Her family should have tried harder to help her.

[@antifugazi]

I don't think she is a horder, I think she has moved things away from the damp and so everything is piled into 1 room

[@antifugazi]

To be fair it IS a lot of magazines, I saw a Vogue 1987 in there

[@K1MB3RL3Y88]

Couldn't imagine living in such horrific conditions. I don't understand how this poor lady has been able to live like that without serious health issues.

[@bernadettehooper4318]

"No one can cope in isolation." So true, Sarah. Someone, sometime removed load bearing walls. Is there no insurance?

[@cavisco]

They need to turn up the music, I could still hear a woman talking in some parts.

[@sophiamcnamara9851]

😄

[@happydaze7976]

🤣🤣🤣

[@TheFiown]

This basement is typical of 'digging down' to add height as it used to be done for a quick fix and sale with no structural verification. She is lucky that the whole building didn't crumble on top of her.

[@cboy5oc]

What about finding the "broken drain" that all the water/sewage is coming from? I would not like the idea of just diverting the water.

[@MR-tn5kv]

OMG this poor woman, heartbreaking. How horrific. I can’t imagine dealing with this. Thank Goodness there are people that cam and do help. I

[@wrenchaholic_]

What about the sewage problem? You installed a waterproof membrane and pump but didn't fix the problem. All I see was a Band-Aid on a much bigger problem aside from the foundation being dug below grade.

[@virginiamoss7045]

Looks like that to me.

[@wendygillard2133]

The poor lady must have some hoarding/depression issues to let the property get this bad. The mould alone would have been a health hazard.

[@inesolujic2534]

I'm only 10 minutes in and agree. She let this go on for 6+ years, that is not normal. There are also stacks of magazines, papers and books piled sky high all over the house. Definitely hoarding and/or depression. Very sad :(

[@sharonloomis5264]

@@inesolujic2534 I don't think so. She has been overwhelmed. And since the bottom was wet, she moved everything upstairs. Her number 1 problem is accepting help. Then her neighbors house. They look connected. If connected then both houses have the same problem.

[@suzanneedmonds1566]

Personally I didn't find the music so loud I wasn't able to hear the dialogue. The damage that occurred to the basement was more than just horrible or even scary. I was stunned that Denise lived in those conditions for as long as she did.

[@SalomiSmit]

the whole episode is about down stairs but we did not get to see the end results, thats frustrating.

[@inesolujic2534]

The sewage leak started in 2004 and this show is from 2010-2011 😮 she let her house deteriorate for 6 or 7 years without addressing it?! Why didn't she call her insurance company?! 😮I'm only a few minutes in and cannot believe what I'm seeing.

[@adhc8560]

"This work will cost, at the very least, 75-" I couldn't hear the rest of it due to the soaring orchestral racket.

[@acousticsong-guitarco964]

Yes, and this is not the only show that loves putting Lou’s music over the voice overs!!! Unbearable!

[@librarynan4610]

So glad this lady could be helped. Knowing what to do is half the battle.

[@carolynallen9016]

Binge watching love these shows, greeting from America stay safe and blessings for 2021

[@caseyflorida]

Just encapsulate the house and not identify and fix the sewage leaking problem??? WTF

[@nolagarrison]

I couldn't get over this! I watched it before bed, and I was so disturbed that she apparently STILL has raw sewage leaking all around her flat, it's just being kept out by a membrane!

[@myoldvhstapes]

It was briefly mentioned that the neighbouring basement was full of sewage "as expected" and that having THAT owner fix their problem would solve the issue. It should have been explained better. This episode was filmed around 2011 and the flat owner started having water ingress in 2004! So she did not investigate the source for 7 years.

[@nolagarrison]

@@myoldvhstapes your reply brought me back to all the trauma I felt from this episode. And of course, the next question is, did the neighbors not realize that their cellar was full of sewage? Or did they also ignore it for years? I have had to deal with some nasty plumbing problems, but I dealt with them as quickly as possible, because I am a somewhat normal human being!

[@inesolujic2534]

Whoever renovated that building needs to be taken to court. Absolute and complete negligence. Also, it's not this woman's responsibility to fix the foundation of a joint building - every unit should share the cost.

[@elwoodblues452]

You allmost can't hear the voice over because of the music effects👎

[@keithstewart511]

an excellent show which was spoilt by the overload of music. I found it difficult to hear the commentary sometimes.

[@lancevivianmarsh4274]

Again, the music is far too loud, couldn't understand Sarah some of the time. Is the music really necessary?

[@omeomy33]

Deadly mold is common in Texas. Insurance stopped covering mold removal decades ago when everyone filed claims after flooding. They will pay for water damages. Expert mold removers are covered in hazmat outfits like they are dealing with the plague! They remove everything including personal items that are always covered in mold spores. Nothing in the house including clothing is worth saving because you could carry the spores with you in these items.

[@mrose1545]

I can't believe that inspector wearing decent shoes, kicking around sewer mud, putting his hands in water that could be from neighbor's toilet.

[@christinehendry6615]

Thank you for uploading this. However, you need to look at your settings when recoding. Your current setting is magnifying the background music to unbearable levels.

[@anitapretorius4124]

If they can make the music a bit louder it would be great....

[@lindataylor1127]

What about fixing the leaking pipe??? Also, the music background is so loud that it competes with your narrative

[@frienduke]

Everything need to go to dumpster! What storage?! Everything got moldy! People!!!

[@abmoralesrosado]

Had to skip to the end since I couldn’t hear any of it! The volume of sound and music hurt my ears and my head.

[@debrap947]

The loud music is so annoying. Is there no home insurance for this kind of thing?

[@b_uppy]

It's normally sold with the purchase of the house, as a one time deal, since this was new construction when she bought it.

[@inesolujic2534]

Why are these people sticking their bare hands into raw sewage?! Has no one on this show heard of gloves and masks?? Every single episode they're scraping mold without masks, touching sewer water drenched carpets, baseboards, etc with their bare hands, and all kinds of other dangerous and unsanitary stuff 😷

[@brendadavis2548]

The music is TOO LOUD!!!

[@marchellabrahams]

Music is far too loud.

[@cheskydivision]

How does this not affect the connected neighbors????

[@shastac1396]

This is more like an episode of Hoarders. Her poor friends... she didn’t even warn them. They should have been advised to wear their hazmat suits. 😖

[@mandybewkes5300]

None of the experts are wearing masks or gloves. I can't believe they would even breath in let alone touch anything!

[@sarahdaw6648]

HOW did she buy this wreck from???? The Authorities should be going after them!

[@cappsginny699]

Who, not how

[@sarahdaw6648]

@@cappsginny699 Thanks grammer Nazi...

[@sarahdaw6648]

Spelt with an "e" just to give you something to do....

[@acousticsong-guitarco964]

@@cappsginny699 whom

[@Drdoombrain]

Comments not wrong about the music level, that sound editor must have been Ravin the night before or something.

[@janetm8902]

May I please recommend the music be turned down - missing some of the commentary. Thank you for sharing this incredible story - I cannot, cannot believe how one could manage this on their own.

[@redpill5136]

yikes-the MUSIC are really LOUD!!!!! i couldnt watch this! bye!

[@millcity9711]

The background music is too damn loud

[@foudo13]

The background music should be far louder , so we can't hear anyone say anything . We all like to guess what is said and thereby become professional lip readers ! Sarcasm is a great stress reliever btw.

[@sroberts605]

What a nightmare. Have to say I'd never choose a basement flat, they always seem damp and claustrophobic to me. Such complex problems here that the programme leaves far more questions than it answers which is frustrating. I wish the format of this series was different - the repetition and unnecessary dramatisation leaves little time to show the problem fixing. It detracts from Sarah Beeny's charm and experience.

[@tammysarrazin7078]

the man who is a expert (Simon ?) has a fantastic array of ties lol i find it debonair lol

[@ahmedusman6652]

She is so honesty and scared, I think she is alone no children no husband.

[@miauwmiauw848]

I agree the music is horrible

[@jtaforJesus]

I love this channel but I have a serious concern that may be affecting a lot more people than just me. When you make a cut where she is explaining the problem or the next step THE MUSIC DROWNS OUT WHAT SHE SAYS!!! Can this be addressed? I'm so sorry to complain but its really frustrating to hear what she is saying!!! Thank you!!! I want to continue watching your channel but I want to be able to understand what's going on. Thank you so much for a great channel and awesome series and episodes!

[@kayesmithme]

Was it not insured ?

[@emsalsa9385]

I feel for her, but I'm frustrated for her that she let it get so bad. I'm making a bold assumption (based on what looks like hoarding tendencies coupled with the fact that she just let these things go so far,) that this got so bad because her mental health is suffering....vicious circle. You just can't be bothered to take care of things when your mental health suffers but on the other side things fall into disrepair and make your mental health worse. I hope she got this sorted and KEPT it that way

[@WeeFreeGinny]

If she were a hoarder she wouldn't be able to put so much stuff in the skip. She just had to reduce her living space to such an extent that it looked like a hoarders flat. But I agree that it is amazing how they alw

[@modestaslukosius2913]

I own a construction company, and once I see a horder house I'm running away as fast as I can, none of my guys would agree to work in the crazy horder smelling house, and is the same with most of the companies which aren't desperate, so no surprise she could not find a someone to take on this project. she has to sort horder, and then to call a builder

[@katbar6066]

I can understand why. The place was just feral- amazed there were no rats. For someone who looked quite well to do she was living in self made squalor. Half a dozen skips full of crap should have been removed.

[@puffypuff9779]

I couldn't have coped as well as the owner, have to admire the spirit. 🦄

[@AgentAO7]

Why is she the only one concerned?? This is a rowhouse. Most probably all the other neighbors share the same problems. This should be a collaborative effort with her next door neighbors.

[@frienduke]

How much stuff does one woman need?!!! Her house looks like dumpster- too much magazines, papers, too mischievous of everything!

[@happydays1336]

I don't understand why the homeowner didn't take care of this much sooner. Why would anyone want to live in a house like this? It boggles the mind.

[@happydays1336]

She looks like she's a bit of a hoarder on top of everything else. She's got piles and piles of newspapers or magazines or ? piled up everywhere.

[@paulomontero12]

Wait? I thought it had to done otherwise the building could fall?

[@07laines07]

Japanese knotweed... English version of Kudzu; the vine that ate the Southern US.

[@robynw6307]

If the place was newly refurbished when she moved in 10 years ago, surely there is some responsibility on those who did a bodgy refurbish job.

[@juliehogle5252]

This is a very interesting series!

[@fusunonal3838]

Music is soooo loud... WHY??? NO NEED for thIs LOUDNESS😡. But otherwise the prog. is nice👍

[@lancevivianmarsh4274]

Were there other parties living in the house, above her? Was the house her property and she rented out the flats above her?

[@wrenchaholic_]

I would recommend digging up and burning the brush and roots before you spray chemicals all over everything. You inhaled all those chemicals when it was burned.

[@sherunswithscissors]

Need to dig up and remove soil 4’ down by code for building.

[@virginiamoss7045]

It wasn't clear just how they were proceeding, but I'm with you on this. However, Roundup is essentially a super fertilizer that kills the plant by prompting overgrowth throughout the plant down into the roots so there's no toxic chemicals.

[@leseize26]

OMG ! STOP this horrible music !!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to collapse faster than this house !

[@beelinekhan460]

for knotweed get a couple of sheep! new study in Austria tried everything, only permanent nibbling on new shoots will keep it at bay.

[@paulomontero12]

Why did she let those weeds get outa control?

[@amandaletendre601]

The background music overshadowed the dialogue. This was an awful home and I think she may have had hoarding issues going on 10 years of neglect.

[@6360carolyn]

My gosh why doesn’t she get rid of all the newspapers and magazines for a start?

[@acousticsong-guitarco964]

I’m once more very much surprised that no one is held responsible for this mess. To start with the seller. In this case she bought it ten years ago, so maybe that’s the reason she couldn’t go to court, but in most cases the new owners bought the property recently. This is what is called over here a hidden defect for which the seller is responsible.

[@paulomontero12]

Better make sure the pump is always in proper working condition!

[@moritz_schoenermann]

Where comes the sewage leaking from ????? ABSURD ! ! ! !

[@myoldvhstapes]

It was briefly mentioned that the neighbouring basement was full of sewage "as expected" and that having THAT owner fix their problem would solve the issue. It should have been explained better. This episode was filmed around 2011 and the flat owner started having water ingress in 2004! So she did not investigate the source for 7 years.

[@moritz_schoenermann]

@@myoldvhstapes People must be a unbalanced mentally to support it that long without even going to talk aboout it to neighbors or previous owners. Also creating a "dry cell" inside does not avoid all this water from ruining the structure of the building. It is like hiding the Sun with a sieve . . . The real problem stays unaddressed . . .

[@davidawilliams252]

The music is TOO LOUD!!! And these uploader of these videos ignore this problem or cant edit!!!!

[@nanvonoffenbach]

Why does she have so many magazines?

[@hamelindabell1222]

She's a hoarder.

[@theblondeone8426]

id try and sue someone with this situation - the city or the realtor or previous owner

[@mysterioustravels4305]

I feel like i am watching a horror movie because of the music it's pretty annoying. Being independent is great but there is always a saying "no man is an island", do not shatter your world to the people who wants to help you when the going gets rough anyone of us needs somebody.

[@jillpayne5242]

What’s with all the magazine hoarding ?

[@cantocant2346]

I wondered that as well. Seems to be the worst thing to hoard in damp conditions.

[@jeanineadele]

Was thinking the same thing. Can you imagine the mold in all that paper.

[@MrPrentissDJones]

Yo, who owns a house without insurance

[@redpill5136]

only idiots would do so...

[@virginiamoss7045]

People who have so much money that a loss would not affect them at all. Or those who have so little money they can't afford it and their mortgage doesn't require it (if there is such a thing) or it's paid for, but the owner can't afford it.

[@carinaekstrom1]

I love the show, but the music and sound effects are too overpowering. Just some constructive criticism.