- Condition
- FH 6.1: Inadequate Water Supply
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 6.1
- Performance
Water supply from private water sources (e.g. wells) may fluctuate from time to time. Water supply from municipal water sources may vary with the supplied pressure.
- Warranty
None
- Action
None
- Condition
- FH 6.3: Pipes are leaking
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 6.3
- Warranty Year(s)
- Two Year
- Performance
- Domestic water supply and drainpipes shall not leak.
- Warranty
- Two-Year - Delivery and Distribution Systems. · Damage resulting from improper maintenance or additions, deletions or alterations made by the homeowner is excluded from the statutory warranty. · Secondary damage caused by defects, such as property damage or personal injury, is excluded from the statutory warranty.
- Action
- Pipes not meeting the acceptable performance shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 6.4: Faucet or fixture is leaking
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 6.4
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Faucets or plumbing fixtures shall not leak, drip or run on when fully closed or shut off.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials. · Damage resulting from improper maintenance, normal wear and tear, or additions, deletions or alterations made by the homeowner is excluded from the statutory warranty. · Secondary damage caused by defects, such as property damage or personal injury, is excluded from the statutory warranty.
- Action
Faucets or fixtures not meeting the acceptable performance shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 6.5: Plumbing pipes are frozen and/or burst
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 6.5
- Performance
Plumbing pipes shall be protected from freezing in accordance with the Building Code.
- Action
Plumbing pipes not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 6.7: Condensation Appears on Water Supply Pipes and Toilets
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 6.7
- Performance
Condensation on water supply pipes and toilets may occur when indoor relative humidity is high.
- Warranty
None
- Action
None
- Condition
- FH 6.8: Noisy Water Pipes or "Water Hammer"
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 6.8
- Warranty Year(s)
- Two Year
- Performance
Water supply pipes shall be installed to minimize the effects of water hammer and in accordance with the Building Code. Drainage pipes shall be installed in accordance with the Building Code.
- Warranty
Two-Year - Delivery and Distribution Systems. · Damage resulting from improper maintenance or additions, deletions or alterations made by the homeowner is excluded from the statutory warranty. · Secondary damage caused by defects, such as property damage or personal injury, is excluded from the statutory warranty.
- Action
Plumbing pipes not meeting the acceptable performance shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 6.9: Defective Plumbing Fixtures, Appliances or Trim Fittings
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 6.9
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Plumbing fixtures, appliances or trim fittings shall be free of both visual and performance defects.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials. · Damage resulting from improper maintenance is excluded from the statutory warranty.
- Action
Defective products shall be repaired or replaced.
- Condition
- FH 6.10: Cracking or chipping of Porcelain, Enamel or fibreglass surfaces
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 6.10
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Surfaces exposed to view shall be free from visible damage at the time of the PDI.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials. · Damage not recorded on the PDI Form is excluded from the statutory warranty. · Damage resulting from normal wear and tear is excluded from the statutory warranty.
- Action
Visible damage shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 6.12: Manufactured Solid-Surface Countertop (Integrated Basin) Cracks At The Drain
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 6.12
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Manufactured solid-surface countertops shall be installed to prevent stress cracking and in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials. · Damage resulting from improper maintenance or additions, deletions or alterations made by the homeowner is excluded from the statutory warranty.
- Action
Manufactured solid-surface countertops not meeting the acceptable performance shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 6.14: Sewer, Drains Or Fixtures Blocked
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 6.14
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Sanitary drainage systems and fixtures shall drain waste products to a public sanitary sewer or private sewage disposal system without interruption.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials Two-Year - Delivery and Distribution Systems Seven-Year - Major Structural Defect
Damage caused by municipal services or other utilities, and blocked sanitary drainage systems resulting from vegetation or alterations, improper maintenance or use by the homeowner, are excluded from the warranty. A complete list of “CONDITIONS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY” is on p.15 of the Guidelines.
- Action
Sanitary drainage systems and fixtures not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired. Complete failure of sanitary drainage systems is considered to be an emergency situation. For information about the warranty process for emergency situations, please visit Tarion’s website.
- Condition
- FH 6.15: Colour Variation in Sinks, Tubs or bidets (plumbing fixtures)
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 6.15
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
- Colour shall be consistent within a fixture. However, slight colour variation from one fixture to another is acceptable.
- Warranty
- One-Year – Work and Materials
- Action
- Fixtures not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 12.31: Cracks Appearing in Grouting of Ceramic Tile Joints or at Junctions With Other Materials Such as Bathtubs
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 12.31
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Hairline cracks in grout are common, however, loose or missing grout is unacceptable.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials. · Cracks resulting from normal shrinkage of materials due to drying after construction are excluded from the statutory warranty.
- Action
Cracks not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
- Condition
- FH 12.33: Grout is Not Uniform Colour
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 12.33
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
In a room or defined area the colour of grouted joints between ceramic tiles shall appear generally uniform under normal lighting conditions and from a normal viewing position.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials. · Damage resulting from improper maintenance and normal wear and tear is excluded from the statutory warranty.
- Action
Grout joints not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
Confirm proper operation of faucets and fixtures during the PDI and record any malfunction on the PDI Form, to avoid any dispute about whether the damage was caused by the builder. The Building Code requires flow control devices on faucets, showerheads, and fixtures for water conservation purposes, which can affect the water flow. After occupancy, the builder is not responsible for contamination or reduced water capacity from private water sources provided it can be shown there was a supply of potable water at the time of occupancy. Variations in pressure from municipal services can occur during peak usage times, from burst water mains or fire protection services using the system. See Also: 6.2 THE DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM DOES NOT DELIVER WATER 6.3 PIPES ARE LEAKING
Confirm proper operation of faucets and fixtures during the PDI and record any malfunction on the PDI Form, to avoid any dispute about whether the damage was caused by the builder. Some manufacturers of plumbing products offer warranties on their products that extend beyond the one-year statutory warranty. If a leak occurs after the one-year statutory warranty, service may be available from the manufacturer. See Also: 6.6 BATHTUB OR SHOWER LEAKS 6.9 DEFECTIVE PLUMBING FIXTURES, APPLIANCES OR TRIM FITTINGS
Homes must be kept at temperatures to prevent freezing at all times. If this is not possible, proper precautions should be taken to prevent freezing such as shutting off and draining the water supply system. For exterior hose bibs, shut off any associated interior valves and leave the exterior valve open as part of a regular seasonal maintenance program. Garden hoses must also be disconnected from the exterior hose bib. If a burst pipe is detected in a water supply pipe, the main water supply valve should be turned off immediately until the builder’s representative can assess the condition.
Condensation may appear on water supply lines and toilets from time to time and is normal.
Repetitive hammering of water supply pipes during normal operation may indicate a problem and should be investigated. A sudden thump or bang of water supply pipes when a faucet or fixture is closed abruptly is normal and not covered by the statutory warranty. Slight “ticking” sounds coming from pipes as they expand are normal and are not covered by the statutory warranty. The sound of water flowing through drainage pipes is normal and not covered by the statutory warranty. Anti-siphon valves on exterior hose bibs may make a high pitch sound or contribute to water hammer. This does not necessarily represent a defect. The anti-siphon valve may need to be cleaned and/or replaced as part of normal home maintenance.
Confirm proper operation of plumbing fixtures during the PDI and record any malfunction on the PDI Form. Plumbing fixtures, appliances or trim fittings must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. See Also: 6.4 FAUCET OR FIXTURE IS LEAKING 6.6 BATHTUB OR SHOWER LEAKS
Only identified damages recorded on the PDI form are eligible for warranty coverage. Maintain porcelain, enamel or fiberglass surfaces in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Professional re-finishing of porcelain, enamel or fiberglass surfaces are acceptable repairs. The coulour/texture of repaired areas shall match the existing as closely as possible.
Identify any damaged countertops during the PDI and record any damage on the PDI Form, to avoid any dispute about whether the damage was caused by the builder. Manufactured solid-surface countertops can be brittle and damaged by impact. Over-tightening of drains or fasteners may cause stress cracks. Care should be taken when cleaning or servicing to prevent cracking or chipping. See Also: 11.9 SCRATCHES/CHIPS ON COUNTERTOPS
Sewage backups into fixtures or drains (e.g., toilets, shower drains, laundry floor drains) are indicative of an interruption in the sewage disposal system. Backups occur when wastewater cannot drain freely to the main sewer system or septic field and has nowhere to go but to back up into fixtures or up through floor drains. This may be the result of a blockage, collapsed drainage pipe or a faulty backwater valve. This condition is warranted only if the blockage or backup results from the work or materials supplied by the builder. To help keep the sewage system working well and prevent sanitary sewer blockages, it is important not to flush or put the following products down drains: Hygiene products including sanitary napkins/liners, tampons, condoms, wipes (flushable/biodegradable/regular), cotton swabs, dental floss, diapers or rags. Fats, oils and cooking grease. When faced with a sewage backup, it is recommended that the plumbing in the home not be used until the stoppage is cleared out. This is to minimize further damage to the home. With respect to septic systems, improper maintenance by the homeowner includes: Connection of sump pump, roof drains or backwash from a water conditioner into the system. Placement of non-biodegradable items into the system. Use as food waste/grease disposal. Placement of surfaces not permeable to water over the disposal area of the system. Allowing vehicles to drive or park over the disposal area of the system. Failure to pump out the septic tank periodically, as required. Use that exceeds the system’s design standards. See also6.9 DEFECTIVE PLUMBING FIXTURES, APPLIANCES OR TRIM FITTINGS Notes: Words in italics are defined in the “TERMINOLOGY” section on page 19. This article was revised on May 24, 2024.
Slight variations in grout colour are to be expected when making repairs. See Also: 12.33 GROUT NOT A UNIFORM COLOUR
Minor variation in grout joint colour is normal. See Also: 12.31 CRACKS APPEARING IN GROUTING OF CERAMIC TILE JOINTS OR AT JUNCTIONS WITH OTHER MATERIALS SUCH AS BATHTUBS