- Condition
- CE 2.1: Exposed Balcony Concrete Finishes Have Construction-Related Markings Such as Rust Stains, Chalkmarks, Embedded Nails
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.1
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Balcony finishes should be free of left-over materials and markings from construction.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
Remnants from construction shall be removed. Minor surface imprints from formwork are acceptable.
- Condition
- CE 2.2: Exposed Balcony Concrete Finishes have Excessive Variation in Colour
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.2
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Variations in concrete colour are to be expected with cast-concrete construction. Variations are considered acceptable if the finishes provide a general uniformity in appearance when viewed from grade.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
Concrete with excessive variation in colour shall be cleaned or coated to provide a uniform finish.
- Condition
- CE 2.3: Exposed Balcony Concrete Finishes Have Formwork Ridges
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.3
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
There should be no formwork ridges on exposed balcony concrete surfaces.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
Formwork ridges shall be smoothed.
- Condition
- CE 2.4: Corrosion Of Coated Metal Elements
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.4
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Protective coatings shall remain intact and effective for the warranty period. Protective coatings shall remain free of corrosion.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
Corroded materials, corrosion shall be removed and the substrate refinished with appropriate protective coating.
- Condition
- CE 2.5: Defective Caulking
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.5
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Caulking should be installed in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications. Caulking shall remain intact without de-bonding, cracking/splitting or showing other signs of premature strain within the warranty period. Profiling of caulking should accommodate anticipated movement at the sealed joint. Caulking must cure as anticipated in the manufacturer’s specifications. All joints shown in the design to be caulked shall be caulked.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials. One-Year – Ontario Building Code Violation. Two-Year – Cladding Detachment, Displacement or Deterioration. Damage resulting from improper maintenance is not covered by the statutory warranty
- Action
Caulking which does not achieve the specified performance requirements shall be repaired.
- Condition
- CE 2.6: Water Collects on Window or Door Sills or Flashings
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.6
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Window and door sills and related flashings designed to control surface water shall not collect water.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
Window sills and flashings not meeting the acceptable performance shall be corrected.
- Condition
- CE 2.7: Drip Edges Do Not Shed Water Away From Wall Elements
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.7
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Drip edges shall shed water away from adjacent cladding elements and shall not concentrate water run-off onto the cladding unless so intended by the design.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
Where drip edges are provided, they must be effective
- Condition
- CE 2.8: Efflorescence On Masonry Surfaces
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.8
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Efflorescence commonly occurs on masonry and of itself is normal and not warranted. Concentrations of efflorescence that persist over time may indicate an underlying concern that may have warranty coverage.
- Warranty
One-Year-Work and Materials
- Action
If it is determined that a defect in work or material is the cause of the efflorescence, repairs to the defect shall be made.
- Condition
- CE 2.9: Efflorescence Icicle or Ice Damming Formation
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.9
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Attics should be provided with sufficient ventilation (if designed to include ventilation), air sealing and thermal insulation, and roofs should have adequate eaves protection to minimize ice damming and icicle formation.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
Where icicle or ice damming development can be related to a defect in the attic ventilation, eaves protection, thermal insulation, and air leakage from the interior or other workmanship-related concerns, the defects shall be corrected to minimize ice build-up.
- Condition
- CE 2.10: Damaged Precast Concrete and Other Prefabricated Claddings
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.10
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Precast concrete panels and other prefabricated cladding components should be intact without aesthetic damage visible from a distance of 6 m and with no missing sections. Damage to the panel should not detract from the architectural intent.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
Damaged panels shall be repaired.
- Condition
- CE 2.11: Precast Concrete Cracking
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.11
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
There shall be no cracks that penetrate through the full depth of a precast concrete panel.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
The vendor/builder shall obtain expert advice considering the structural and building envelope implications of the cracking to determine if remedial action is required. The identified actions must be completed.
- Condition
- CE 2.12: Deteriorating Masonry Cladding
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.12
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Masonry cladding shall be manufactured and installed to prevent premature deterioration.
- Warranty
One-Year – Work and Materials. Two -Year – Cladding Detachment, Displacement or Deterioration. Damage resulting from normal wear and tear, improper maintenance or additions, alterations and deletions made by the homeowner is not covered by the statutory warranty.
- Action
Masonry cladding that is deteriorated, detached, or displaced shall be repaired.
- Condition
- CE 2.13: Cracks in Exterior Stucco Wall Surfaces
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.13
- Performance
Fine hairline cracks that do not negatively affect the performance of the stucco are acceptable.
- Warranty
One - Year – Work and Materials. One - Year – Ontario Building Code Violations. Two -Year – Cladding Detachment, Displacement or Deterioration. Damage resulting from normal wear and tear, improper maintenance or additions, alterations and deletions made by the homeowner is not covered by the statutory warranty.
- Action
Stucco finish not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
- Condition
- CE 2.14: EIFS Cracking
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.14
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Surfaces shall be generally free of cracks.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials. Damage resulting from normal wear and tear, improper maintenance or additions, alterations and deletions made by the homeowner is not covered by the statutory warranty.
- Action
Cracks not meeting the acceptable performance requirements must be repaired. Repairs must meet the requirements of the system manufacturer. Every reasonable attempt should be made to match the finishes.
- Condition
- CE 2.15: Exterior Paint/Coating is Peeling or Bubbling
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.15
- Performance
Paint or coating on cladding shall not separate from the substrate.
- Warranty
One - Year – Work and Materials. One - Year – Ontario Building Code Violations. Damage resulting from normal wear and tear, improper maintenance or additions, alterations and deletions made by the homeowner is not covered by the statutory warranty.
- Action
Paint/coating not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
- Condition
- CE 2.16: Water Leak Through Building Envelope (Exterior Closure)
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.16
- Performance
The building envelope/exterior closure shall be constructed to prevent water entry into the interior of the building.
- Warranty
One - Year – Work and Materials. One - Year – Ontario Building Code Violations. Two -Year – Building Envelope Water Penetration. Damage resulting from normal wear and tear, improper maintenance or additions, alterations and deletions made by the homeowner is not covered by the statutory warranty.
- Action
Building envelopes/exterior closures not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
- Condition
- CE 2.21: Weep Holes Missing in Masonry Exterior Cavity Wall or Veneer System
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.21
- Performance
Weep holes in masonry veneer shall be installed to achieve the performance required by the Ontario Building Code.
- Warranty
One --Year- Work and Materials. One – Year – Ontario Building Code Violation
- Action
Masonry veneer not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
- Condition
- Common Element 2.22: Discontinuity In Air Barrier System
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.22
- Performance
The air barrier system shall meet the requirements of the Ontario Building Code.
- Warranty
One – Year- Work and Materials. One – Year – Ontario Building Code Violation. Two – Year- Health and Safety. Damage resulting from improper maintenance or additions, deletions or alterations made by the homeowner is excluded from the statutory warranty.
- Action
Air barrier systems not in accordance with the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
- Condition
- CE 2.23: Draft Felt At Electrical Outlet
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.23
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Electrical boxes on exterior walls that are installed in the plane of the air barrier system shall be installed to prevent air infiltration.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials. Damage resulting from normal wear and tear, improper maintenance or additions, alterations and deletions made by the homeowner is not covered by the statutory warranty.
- Action
Electrical boxes not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
- Condition
- CE 2.24: Movement Joints In Masonry Are Obstructed
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 2.24
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Movement joints in masonry construction shall allow free movement of masonry to prevent or relieve stress due to differential movement.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
Movement joints not meeting the Acceptable Performance shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 3.8: Condensation Forming Between Insulating (Factory Sealed) Glass Unit
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 3.8
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Insulating glass units shall be free from condensation between the panes.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
Insulating glass units with condensation between the panes shall be replaced.
- Condition
- FH 3.9: Exterior Door is Warped
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 3.9
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Doors shall not warp to the extent that they become inoperable or cease to be weather resistant. Doors between a home and an attached garage must be maintained to be gas-proof.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials. Two-Year - Ontario Building Code Health & Safety Violation for doors requiring gas-proofing. • Damage resulting from improper maintenance or alterations, deletions or additions made by the homeowner is not covered by the statutory warranty.
- Action
Doors not meeting the acceptable performance shall be replaced.
- Condition
- FH 3.10: Exterior Metal Door is Dented
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 3.10
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Exterior doors shall not be dented at the time of the PDI.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
Dented exterior metal doors noted on the PDI Form shall be repaired. If not noted, the homeowner must establish that the damage was caused by the builder.
- Condition
- FH 3.11: Shrinkage Of Inserted Panels Shows Raw Wood Edges On Exterior Wood Doors
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 3.11
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Wooden panels will shrink and expand because of temperature and/or humidity changes, and may expose unpainted surfaces; this is acceptable. However, gaps between the edge of an inserted panel and the rest of the door caused by shrinkage are not normal and not acceptable.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials. · Normal shrinkage of materials caused by drying after construction is not covered by the statutory warranty.
- Action
Doors not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 3.12: Cracks And Splits In Exterior Wood Doors
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 3.12
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Cracks penetrating through the door are not acceptable.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
Doors not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 3.13: Exterior Door Sticks
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 3.13
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Exterior doors and their hardware shall be installed to operate with minimal binding taking into account the weatherstripping seal and seasonal periods of high humidity.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials. · Alterations, deletions and additions made by the homeowner are not covered by the statutory warranty.
- Action
Doors and hardware not meeting the acceptable performance shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 3.14: Exterior Door Will Not Close Completely
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 3.14
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Exterior doors shall close completely and latch securely.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
Doors not meeting the acceptable performance shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 3.15: Plastic Moulding On Exterior Door Is Deformed
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 3.15
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
The plastic mouldings on exterior doors shall not deform when the door is installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials. · Damage caused by improper maintenance or material, design or work supplied by the homeowner is not covered by the statutory warranty.
- Action
Exterior doors not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 3.16: Exterior Door Swings Open Or Closed By Itself
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 3.16
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Exterior doors shall be installed sufficiently plumb and square so they do not swing by themselves due to the force of gravity alone
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials. · Alterations, deletions or additions by the homeowner are not covered by the statutory warranty.
- Action
Exterior doors not meeting the acceptable performance shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 3.17: Exterior Door Is Crooked In The Frame
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 3.17
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Exterior doors must have a proper weather seal when closed. The weatherstripping must contact the perimeter of the door.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials. · Damage resulting from normal wear and tear or improper maintenance is not covered by the statutory warranty.
- Action
Exterior doors not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 3.18: Exterior Door Hardware Or Decorative Metal Trip Has Discoloured
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 3.18
- Performance
Finishes on door hardware and fixtures may discolour.
- Warranty
None
- Action
No action by the builder is required.
- Condition
- FH 4.19: Water Leakage at Doors and Windows or at the top of the foundation
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 4.19
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Openings in exterior walls such as windows and doors, and junctions between cladding materials, shall not allow water penetration.
- Warranty
One-Year - Ontario Building Code Violations. Two-Year - Building Envelope Water Penetration. · Water penetration due to improper maintenance is excluded from the statutory warranty.
- Action
Defects resulting in water penetration around windows, doors, and over the top of the foundation shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 8.2: Exterior Air Infiltration Through Windows and Doors
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 8.2
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Windows and doors shall meet the rating for weather tightness required by the Building Code.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
Ensure the window or door has been tested to meet the required weather tightness rating. Adjust weather stripping and/or hardware to reduce air leakage by ensuring positive contact along the weather seal.
Cast concrete will inherently have colour variations. While upgraded finishes are possible, they are not mandatory and are at the discretion of the design team. There are no requirements in the Ontario Building Code to paint the surface. However, if the builder does apply paint (of the appropriate type) to the surface the warranty shall apply to the installed paint.
When the removal of marks or imperfections from the concrete forms is carried out, it must be carried out in a good workmanlike manner, and should not degrade the overall aesthetic appearance that was intended.
This item is not intended to address corrosion related to chips or other post-installation damage, but rather material failure of the paint finish. Components which are specified to be shop primed will be expected to corrode, and corrosion of these elements is not warranted.
Efflorescence is the formation of a white crystalline deposit on the surface of concrete and masonry when moisture evaporates from the surface. It is an indication that moisture is moving through the material to the surface.
Icicle formation can pose a hazard to building users. Some regions are more susceptible to icicle formation than others. Where water, snow or ice can accumulate on a building, provision shall be made to minimize the likelihood of hazardous conditions arising from such accumulation.
Precast concrete panels are often damaged during installation and require repair. Some damage may be acceptable without repair if located in service areas not accessed by residents or the general public, providing the damage does not impact the anchorage or permit water penetration. Damage occurring from owner-related activities e.g. window washing, is not covered by warranty.
Some cracking which does not fully penetrate a panel may still be structurally significant and may require review.
The colour/texture of repaired areas shall match the existing as closely as possible when dry. Variation in colour may be noticeable when wet. Where colour variation of the repaired area is visible under normal lighting and dry conditions from 6 m, the colour shall be adjusted. Professional tinting methods are acceptable to adjust colour. Masonry includes brick, block, stone, manufactured stone (or similar) and related materials Deterioration of masonry can result from problems with manufacture, installation or exposure.
Stucco refers to systems typically over 6mm thick incorporating Portland cement. Cracks may be acceptable from a performance perspective if the system is drained, but may not be acceptable from an aesthetic perspective depending on the location of the cracks. Some cracking in areas of the building which are not routinely occupied (mechanical penthouse for example) may be considered acceptable if it does not negatively impact performance (leakage resistance etc). The colour or texture of repaired areas shall match the existing as close as possible, and the patched area should not be readily apparent when viewed from a distance of 6 m under normal lighting conditions. Generally the cracks which are intended to be repaired will be visible from a distance of 6m however, in some instances; smaller cracks may negatively impact performance. The width of cracks will vary with temperature. Larger in cold weather, smaller in hot weather.
EIFS (exterior insulated finish systems) should be designed to minimize cracking through the use of control joints/limited panel sizes. ULC S716.1 Materials and Systems; ULC S716.2 Installation of EIFS Components and Water Restive Barriers; and ULC S716.3 Design Application provide guidance for the design and installation of EIFS. Some cracks may be acceptable from a performance perspective if the system is drained, but may not be acceptable from an aesthetic perspective depending on the location of the cracks. Some cracking in areas of the building which are not routinely occupied (mechanical penthouse for example) may be considered acceptable if it does not negatively impact performance (leakage resistance etc). The colour or texture of repaired areas shall match the existing as close as possible, and the patched area should not be readily apparent when viewed from a distance of 6 m under normal lighting conditions. Generally the cracks which are intended to be repaired will be visible from a distance of 6m however, in some instances; smaller cracks may negatively impact performance. The width of cracks will vary with temperature. Wider in cold weather, narrower in hot weather.
Paint/coating includes any finish applied to a substrate whether factory-applied or site-applied Paint/coating separating from the substrate may indicate a problem with trapped moisture. The colour or texture of repaired areas shall match the existing as close as possible. The patched area should not be readily apparent when viewed from a distance of 6 m under normal lighting conditions.
Leakage into the interior refers both to leakage into occupied spaces and also to leakage into the concealed portions of a wall system that is intended to be face-sealed. The building envelope/exterior closure includes the elements which separate the interior conditioned space from the exterior and includes cladding, windows, doors, vents, louvers, grilles etc. Roofing is covered separately. Joints and cracks in exterior wall surfaces and around openings shall be properly sealed to prevent the entry of water unless otherwise considered by the design. Repairs cannot alter the design intent of the cladding system. For example, leaks in a rain-screen system cannot be face-sealed.
The Ontario Building Code references CSA A371 “Masonry Construction for Buildings”; section 12 discusses requirement for weep holes.
Continuity of the air barrier is important to maintain acceptable conditions for building occupants to minimize the accumulation of condensation within the assemblies, to control heat transfer to roofs where ice damming occur and to allow proper operation of the building services.
Some drafts may occur around electrical outlets or receptacles on exterior walls, particularly when it is cold or windy. Convection air movement may simulate draft conditions.
The Ontario Building Code references CSA A371 “Masonry Construction for Buildings”
Condensation between panes indicates the airtight seal around the edge of the glass is broken. An extended warranty may be available through the window manufacturer. See Also: 3.7 WINDOW UNIT LEAKS DURING RAIN 8.5 CONDENSATION AND/OR FROST ON WINDOWS
Confirm proper operation of exterior doors during the PDI and record any malfunction on the PDI Form to avoid any dispute about whether the damage was caused by the builder. Exterior doors can warp to some degree due to temperature differential between inside and outside surfaces. Garage doors between the garage space and the outdoors are not required to be weatherstripped. See Also: 3.13 EXTERIOR DOOR STICKS 3.14 EXTERIOR DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY 3.15 PLASTIC MOULDING ON EXTERIOR DOOR IS DEFORMED 3.17 EXTERIOR DOOR IS CROOKED IN THE FRAME
Identify damaged doors on the PDI Form to avoid any dispute about whether the damage was caused by the builder. Filling the dent is an acceptable repair (e.g. spot putty).
None
None
Confirm proper operation of exterior doors during the PDI and record any malfunction on the PDI Form to avoid any dispute about whether the damage was caused by the builder. Exterior doors can warp to some degree because of the difference in the temperature between inside and outside surfaces. See Also: 3.9 EXTERIOR DOOR IS WARPED 3.14 EXTERIOR DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY 3.17 EXTERIOR DOOR IS CROOKED IN THE FRAME
Confirm proper operation of exterior doors during the PDI and record any malfunction on the PDI Form to avoid any dispute about whether the damage was caused by the builder. Slight pressure may be required during latching to compress the weatherstripping. Exterior doors can warp to some degree because of the difference in the temperature between inside and outside surfaces. See Also: 3.9 EXTERIOR DOOR IS WARPED 3.13 EXTERIOR DOOR STICKS 3.17 EXTERIOR DOOR IS CROOKED IN THE FRAME
Generally, exterior door manufacturers indicate storm doors are not to be installed over metal exterior doors. Heat buildup between a storm door and the exterior door can increase significantly, damaging any heat-susceptible parts such as plastic mouldings around a window insert or decorative surface-applied mouldings. The homeowner is also cautioned to follow manufacturer’s recommendations on maintenance and painting the mouldings a dark colour, with or without the use of a storm door; dark-coloured moulding is likely to deform and should be avoided.
Confirm proper operation of exterior doors during the PDI and record any malfunction on the PDI Form to avoid any dispute about whether the damage was caused by the builder. Doors will swing open or closed by the force of gravity if the hinges are not aligned plumb. See Also: 3.9 EXTERIOR DOOR IS WARPED 3.17 EXTERIOR DOOR IS CROOKED IN THE FRAME
Confirm proper operation of exterior doors during the PDI and record any malfunction on the PDI Form to avoid any dispute about whether the damage was caused by the builder. Variance in the width of the gap between the door and the frame is acceptable unless the proper operation of the door is affected. See Also: 3.9 EXTERIOR DOOR IS WARPED 3.13 EXTERIOR DOOR STICKS 3.14 EXTERIOR DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY
Some hardware may have a coating to inhibit discolouration. Maintaining protective coatings or removing discolouration is part of effective home maintenance. Oxidation and environmental pollutants can accelerate discolouration.
Flashings must be installed above exterior wall openings and at the top of the foundation (masonry veneer) to direct water to the exterior. Perforations in flashing due to physical damage or chemical incompatibility, deterioration, improper termination and lack of weep holes in masonry veneer can allow water to drain to the interior. See Also: 1.13 FOUNDATION WALL LEAKS Appendix A5 “How to Conduct a Water Test”
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