Freehold Home Cold Room and Crawl Space - Unfinished Floor

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Condition: FH 1.1: Efflorescence (Typically a White Powder Film) Is Present on Concrete or Masonry Foundation Surfaces
Article Type: Freehold
Article Number: 1.1
Performance: Efflorescence can occur on concrete and masonry foundation surfaces.
Warranty: None
Action: The builder is not required to take any action.

Condition: FH 1.2: Interior Concrete Surfaces are Powdery
Article Type: Freehold
Article Number: 1.2
Warranty Year(s): One Year
Performance: Concrete surfaces shall be sufficiently hard to prevent powdering which results in exposure of the aggregate.
Warranty: One-Year - Work and Materials · Surface deterioration due to owner-applied substances is excluded from the statutory warranty.
Action: Where powdering occurs exposing the aggregate the concrete surface shall be repaired to provide a hardened surface.

Condition: FH 1.4: Concreate basement floor is cracked
Article Type: Freehold
Article Number: 1.4
Warranty Year(s): One Year
Performance: Cracks resulting from normal shrinkage are acceptable; however, cracks in excess of 4 mm in width are not acceptable.
Warranty: One-Year - Work and Materials · Cracks resulting from normal shrinkage of materials caused by drying after construction are excluded from the statutory warranty.
Action: Cracks in excess of the acceptable condition shall be repaired.

Condition: FH 1.6: No reinforcement in basement concrete slab
Article Type: Freehold
Article Number: 1.6
Warranty Year(s): One Year
Performance: Unless the slab is specifically intended and designed to be a structural slab, reinforcing or mesh is not required.
Warranty: One-Year - Work and Materials. Seven-Year - Major Structural Defect
Action: Where a structural slab is not reinforced as required by the design, repairs shall be made; otherwise no action is required.

Condition: FH 1.12: Basement Wall or Floor is Damp
Article Type: Freehold
Article Number: 1.12
Performance: Dampness on wall or floor surfaces caused by capillary transport or condensation of water vapour may occur. Only actual water penetration through an opening in the wall or floor may be covered by the statutory warranty.
Warranty: None. · Damage caused by dampness or condensation due to failure by the homeowner to maintain adequate ventilation is excluded from the statutory warranty.
Action: No action by the builder is required.

Condition: FH 1.14: Water Leakage Through Basement Floor Slab
Article Type: Freehold
Article Number: 1.14
Warranty Year(s): Two Year
Performance: Basement floor slabs shall allow no water penetration.
Warranty: Two-Year - Basement Water Penetration. Water leakage resulting from improper maintenance, exterior grade alterations made by the homeowner, an act of God or failure of municipal services or other utilities is excluded from the statutory warranty. Secondary damage to property or any personal injury resulting from the water penetration is also excluded from the statutory warranty.
Action: Defects resulting in water penetration through the basement floor slab shall be repaired. Subsurface investigation may be required.

Condition: FH 1.16: Basement Floor Drain is Too High
Article Type: Freehold
Article Number: 1.16
Warranty Year(s): One Year
Performance: Basement floor drains shall facilitate water drainage.
Warranty: One-Year Work and Materials One-Year Ontario Building Code Defects in materials, design and work supplied by the owner, secondary damage caused by defects such as property damage and personal injury, damage resulting from improper maintenance, alteration, deletions or additions made by the owner, or damage caused by municipal services or other utilities are excluded from the statutory warranty.
Action: Basement floor drains not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.

Remarks

Efflorescence is the formation of a typically white crystalline deposit on the surface of concrete or masonry foundation surfaces when moisture evaporates from the surface. Efflorescence can be removed using a stiff bristle brush and water. See Also: 4.17 EFFLORESCENCE (TYPICALLY A WHITE POWDERY FILM) IS PRESENT ON MASONRY EXTERIOR FINISHES

Remarks

Some dusting of the concrete surface may normally occur; however, where the aggregate becomes exposed the condition is considered excessive. The colour and texture of a repaired area may not match the surrounding concrete.

Remarks

Generally, concrete floor slabs are not structural. Concrete floors naturally crack during curing due to shrinkage. Actual crack widths shall be determined using a wire feeler gauge* inserted inside the crack. Since the concrete floor slabs do not have to carry the load of the building, shrinkage cracks are generally considered aesthetic. Where vertical or lateral movement is evident, further investigation may be required. Where repairs are necessary, colour and/or texture will not match the surrounding concrete. See Also: 14.2 CONCRETE GARAGE FLOOR IS CRACKED. * Because it is of a manufactured, set size, an Allen Wrench/Key may be used as a wire feeler gauge.

Remarks

Concrete slabs in basements shall conform to the Building Code. Reinforcing of concrete slabs is not usually necessary unless unusual design or construction conditions are encountered. See Also: 14.3 NO REINFORCEMENT IN GARAGE SLAB.

Remarks

Condensation can occur during peak seasonal weather patterns. The homeowner should immediately reduce the moisture levels to prevent harm to property. Dampness can be reduced by using a dehumidifier or by increasing the amount of ventilation to the area. See Also: 1.13 FOUNDATION WALL LEAKS 1.14 WATER LEAKAGE THROUGH BASEMENT FLOOR SLAB

Remarks

Only actual water leakage through the floor slab resulting in an accumulation of water is warranted; dampness or condensation is not considered a warranted condition. The homeowner must take immediate steps to prevent damage to their property and report any losses to their home insurance provider. A thorough site investigation prior to construction and during excavation will assist in determining whether groundwater levels may adversely affect the use of the building. See Also: 1.12 BASEMENT WALL OR FLOOR IS DAMP

Remarks

Basement concrete floors (slabs) are generally sloped towards a floor drain in order to facilitate water drainage in the event of accidental flooding. The location of the floor drain should be at the lowest point, but may not necessarily be located conveniently to facilitate drainage over the entire floor area. Localized ponding is acceptable. Basement floor drains and grates shall remain clear and unobstructed at all times, and should be inspected and cleaned of obstructions as part of regular home maintenance.

Freehold Home Cold Room and Crawl Space - Unfinished Floor

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