- 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
- CE 1.3: Leakage Through Suspended Parking Slabs And Ramps
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 1.3
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
- Suspended parking slabs including suspended ramps shall be protected by a material/substance to prevent water penetration and leakage and to protect the slab from exposure to chlorides in accordance with the Ontario Building Code including CSA 413 and the design.
- Warranty
- One-Year – Work and materials. Two-Year - Building Envelope Water Penetration
- Action
- The waterproofing membrane not meeting acceptable performance shall be repaired to prevent leakage.
- Condition
- CE 1.4: Leakage Through Basement Or Foundation Walls Or Slabs-On-Grade
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 1.4
- Performance
- Basements/foundation walls and slabs-on-grade shall allow no water penetration/leaks
- Warranty
- Two- Year – Basement or Foundation 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
- Water penetration through the basement or foundation walls or slabs-on-grade shall be repaired.
- Condition
- CE 1.5: Cracks In Conventionally Reinforced Concrete Elements
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 1.5
- Performance
Cracks resulting from normal shrinkage or cracks anticipated in the design are acceptable.
- Warranty
One -Year – Work and Materials
- Action
No action required.
- Condition
- CE 1.6: Exposed Structural Floor Is Out Of Level
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 1.6
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
- Where a floor structure is intended to be level, the floor shall appear level when viewed from a normal viewing position. Where a floor structure has some slope it shall meet the requirements of the design. Where no design tolerances are specified, a maximum tolerance ratio of 25 mm in 3600 mm applies. Abrupt changes in the surface which create a tripping hazard are not acceptable.
- Warranty
- One-Year - Work and Materials. Ridges and depressions caused by normal shrinkage of materials are excluded from the statutory warranty.
- Action
- Floors with slope beyond the acceptable performance shall have finishes removed, the floor leveled and the finishes reinstated. Visible ridges or depressions exceeding the acceptable condition shall be repaired.
- 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
- CE 1.7: Concrete Surface Scaling
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 1.7
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Concrete surfaces shall not disintegrate to the extent that the aggregate is exposed under normal use.
- Warranty
One-Year – Work and Materials
- Action
The concrete surface shall be repaired.
- Condition
- CE 1.8: Ponding Water on Surfaces
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 1.8
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Surfaces which are sloped for drainage may have minor variations in the surface may impede immediate drainage and are acceptable. Standing water with a depth of less than 6 mm and in a pond less than 1m in breadth 24 hours after wetting is acceptable unless it is located in any area of the surface which cannot be easily avoided during normal pedestrian use (examples would be the area immediately beside a doorway or where an individual steps when exiting their parked car or similar) in which case any ponding remaining after 24 hours is not acceptable.
- Warranty
One-Year – Work and Materials
- Action
Ponding in excess of acceptable performance shall be repaired.
- Condition
- CE 1.9: Exposed Cast-In-Place Concrete Is Honeycombed
- Article Type
- Common Element
- Article Number
- 1.9
- Warranty Year(s)
- One Year
- Performance
Cast-in-place concrete exposed to view shall have no honeycombing.
- Warranty
One-Year - Work and Materials
- Action
Walls with honeycombing 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 1.16: 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.
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
Shrinkage cracks and cracks anticipated in the design do not require repair. Review by a structural consultant may be required to confirm acceptability of cracking.
Some architectural finishes deliberately expose aggregate; this would not be considered scaling. Scaling of exterior concrete surfaces including concrete porches, walkways, garage floor slabs, steps (including precast), etc., most often results from salts and de-icers being applied to the concrete surface, e.g. either intentionally for ice melting or unintentionally from road slush deposits. Cleaning salt deposits off concrete surfaces is normal home maintenance. Feathering the edges of patch materials, which creates a weak edge or installing the patch material too thinly should be avoided. Manufacturer’s installation guidelines should be followed. Concrete is generally not susceptible to scaling in a one year timeframe due to exposure to salt. Deep deterioration that exposes reinforcing would not be considered scaling but rather a structural degradation. This may merit further investigation. Mechanical abrasion caused by the actions of the homeowner is not warranted.
It is normal for water to accumulate on surfaces immediately after a wetting event. Only water which remains after 24 hours is considered ponding.
Honeycombing is a group of holes or voids in concrete caused by insufficient consolidation of the concrete. Random individual pinholes or small voids are not honeycombing. Some honeycombing 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, structural integrity etc.).
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