Freehold Home Cold Room and Crawl Space - Unfinished Wall

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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 1.6: 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 1.7: Concrete Block Foundation Wall is Cracked
Article Type: Freehold
Article Number: 1.7
Warranty Year(s): One Year
Performance: Cracks resulting from normal shrinkage are acceptable; cracks in excess of 2 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 1.9: Exposed Cast-In-Place Concrete Foundation Wall Has Holes In Surface
Article Type: Freehold
Article Number: 1.9
Warranty Year(s): One Year
Performance: The exterior portion of foundation walls exposed to view above grade shall have no holes (including “honeycombing”) larger than 50 mm in diameter or 25 mm deep.
Warranty: One-Year – Work and Materials
Action: Walls with holes exceeding the acceptable condition shall be repaired.

Condition: FH 1.10: Cast-In-Place Concrete Foundation Wall is Cracked
Article Type: Freehold
Article Number: 1.10
Warranty Year(s): One Year
Performance: Cracks resulting from normal shrinkage are acceptable; cracks in excess of 6 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.

Condition: FH 1.11: Condensation in Crawl Space
Article Type: Freehold
Article Number: 1.11
Warranty Year(s): Two Year
Performance: Condensation shall not accumulate on crawl space interior surfaces.
Warranty: Two-Year - Ontario Building Code Health & Safety Violations. · Damage caused by dampness or condensation due to failure by the homeowner to maintain adequate ventilation is excluded from the statutory warranty.
Action: Adequate ventilation equipment shall be installed in accordance with the Building Code.

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 1.13: Foundation Wall Leaks
Article Type: Freehold
Article Number: 1.13
Warranty Year(s): Two Year
Performance: Foundation walls 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 or foundation shall be repaired.

Condition: FH 1.17: Condensation in Cold Room/Cantina
Article Type: Freehold
Article Number: 1.17
Warranty Year(s): One Year
Performance: Cold rooms shall be built in accordance with the Building Code, and shall be adequately ventilated to reduce the likelihood of condensation on interior surfaces.
Warranty: One-Year – Ontario Building Code Violations · Damage caused by dampness or condensation due to failure by the homeowner to maintain adequate ventilation is excluded from the statutory warranty.
Action: Cold rooms 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

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

Where crack width exceeds the acceptable condition, or where lateral or vertical movement is evident, further investigation may be required. The colour and texture of a repaired area may not match the surrounding concrete. See Also: 1.10 CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE FOUNDATION WALL IS CRACKED. 1.13 FOUNDATION WALL LEAKS

Remarks

It is impossible to completely eliminate all surface voids. At the builder’s discretion a brush coat may be applied. The colour and texture of a repaired area may not match the surrounding concrete. See item 1.15 “Brush coating on above grade poured concrete foundation wall is falling off”

Remarks

Concrete walls naturally crack during curing due to shrinkage. Where lateral or vertical movement is evident, further investigation may be required. The colour and texture of a repaired area may not match the surrounding concrete. See Also: 1.7 CONCRETE BLOCK FOUNDATION WALL IS CRACKED

Remarks

Crawl spaces shall be ventilated in accordance with the Building Code. Crawl space ventilation requires careful management by the homeowner to maintain acceptable moisture levels. Typical temporary conditions that may contribute to condensation are: a) at night in unheated crawl spaces, air entering the crawl space gradually cools the interior surfaces of the space. When outdoor temperatures rise the next day moisture picked up by the warm air is carried into the crawl space and condenses on the cool surfaces. b) at night in heated crawl spaces, outside air may rapidly cool foundation walls and provide a cool surface on which moisture in the crawl space can condense. c) if the house is left unheated in the winter, the floors and walls may provide cold surfaces on which moisture in the warmer crawl space may condense. d) stored materials obstruct ventilation airflow. These conditions may not be covered under the statutory warranty.

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 trickling water leakage 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. See Appendix A5 “How to Conduct a Water Test” for more information. See Also: 1.7 CONCRETE BLOCK FOUNDATION WALL IS CRACKED 1.10 CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE FOUNDATION WALL IS CRACKED 1.12 BASEMENT WALL OR FLOOR IS DAMP

Remarks

Condensation in cold rooms occurs when warm moist air comes into contact with a cold surface. The frequency of condensation may increase under the following conditions which are not warranted: - Ventilation openings are blocked by homeowner; - The door to the cold room has not been fully closed; - The cold room is exposed to sun.

Freehold Home Cold Room and Crawl Space - Unfinished Wall

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