- 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 6.2: The Domestic Water Supply System does not Deliver Water
- Article Type
- Freehold
- Article Number
- 6.2
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
The domestic water supply system supplied and installed by the builder shall be capable of delivering water from a municipal or private (well) source throughout the home.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials on pumps supplying water from a private well. Two-Year - Delivery and Distribution Systems. · Damage resulting from improper maintenance or additions, deletions or alterations made by a homeowner is excluded from the statutory warranty. · Damage caused by municipal services or other utilities is excluded from the statutory warranty.
- Action
Domestic water supply systems not meeting the acceptable performance shall be repaired.
- 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 6.8: 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 6.14: 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.
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
Conditions beyond the control of the builder, such as burst water mains and periods of drought affecting groundwater levels that disrupt or eliminate the water supply, are not covered by the statutory warranty. See 6.1 for Inadequate Water Supply. See Also: 6.1 INADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY 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.
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
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.