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Condo Building

Condo Unit

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.

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.

Article number

1.2

Article type

Freehold

Warranty years

One Year

Article title

Interior Concrete Surfaces are Powdery

FH 1.19: Radon Exceeds Acceptable Levels

Home type

Performance

Radon levels in a home shall not exceed 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3).

Warranty

One-Year – Workmanship & Materials Two-Year – Ontario Building Code Health and Safety Violations Seven-Year – Major Structural Defect • A complete list of “CONDITIONS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY” is on p.15 of the Guidelines.

Action

Where long-term test results indicate that radon levels in a home exceed 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3) and are the result of a Building Code violation or a defect in work or materials supplied by the builder, repairs shall be made.

Remarks

Radon is an invisible, odourless and tasteless radioactive gas commonly found in soil. Differences in air pressure between the interior of the home and the surrounding soil can draw air and gases, including radon, from the soil into the home through below-grade openings such as cracks in foundation walls and floor slabs; construction joints; gaps around service pipes, support posts, floor drains, sumps; or cavities within masonry walls and hollow metal columns. According to Health Canada, long-term exposure to high levels of radon has been associated with an increased risk of developing lung cancer. When radon is trapped in enclosed spaces, it can accumulate to harmful concentration levels. Health Canada recommends that indoor radon levels not exceed 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3). Soil gas control requirements are outlined in the Building Code and detailed in its Supplementary Standard SB-9, “Requirements for Soil Gas Control.” A warranty claim for radon shall include the results of a long-term test (91 days or more). Tests shall be conducted in the lowest level of the home. Testing shall be completed using an approved do-it-yourself radon test kit or by hiring a certified radon mitigation professional. For a list of approved devices and certified professionals, please see Health Canada’s national initiative “Take Action on Radon.” Radon is an environmentally harmful substance and, depending on the radon levels within the home, it may qualify as an emergency situation. For information about the warranty process for emergency situations, please visit Tarion’s website. For additional information about radon, please visit Health Canada’s website. Notes Words in italics are defined in the “TERMINOLOGY” section on page 19. This article was added to the CPG on May 24, 2024, and reflects Tarion’s process, which has been in effect since 2013.

Article number

1.19

Article type

Freehold

Warranty years

One Year

Two Year

Article title

Radon Exceeds Acceptable Levels

FH 1.18: Water/Snow Accumulation in Basement Window Wells

Home type

Performance

Basement window wells shall provide adequate drainage for rain water in accordance with the Building Code, and shall be kept clear of debris and snow accumulation as part of regular home maintenance.

Warranty

One-Year – Work and Materials Two-Year – Building Envelope Water Penetration · Damage resulting from improper home maintenance is excluded from the statutory warranty. · Additions/deletions or alterations by homeowner are excluded from the statutory

Action

Window wells not meeting the acceptable performance shall be repaired.

Remarks

Window wells shall be kept clear of debris and snow accumulation to prevent water penetration into basements.

Article number

1.18

Article type

Freehold

Warranty years

One Year

Two Year

Article title

Water/Snow Accumulation in Basement Window Wells

FH 1.17: Condensation in Cold Room/Cantina

Home type

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

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.

Article number

1.17

Article type

Freehold

Warranty years

One Year

Article title

Condensation in Cold Room/Cantina

FH 1.16: Basement Floor Drain is Too High

Home type

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

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.

Article number

1.16

Article type

Freehold

Warranty years

One Year

Article title

Basement Floor Drain is Too High

FH 1.15: Brush Coating on Above Grade Poured Concreate Foundation Wall is Falling Off

Home type

Performance

Performance/Condition:Hairline cracks are normal in brush coated surfaces; brush coating that is separating from the concrete foundation is not acceptable.

Warranty

One-Year. Work and Materials. · Cracks resulting from normal shrinkage of materials due to normal drying after construction are not covered by the statutory warranty.

Action

Brush coating not meeting the acceptable condition shall be repaired.

Remarks

Brush coating is not an OBC requirement and absence of brush coating is not a warranted issue. Brush coating is a concrete slurry sometimes applied over poured concrete foundation walls to provide a more uniform finish. Some variation in the colour or texture is acceptable. For surface finishes of exposed cast-in-place concrete foundation wall refer to 1.10. See Also: 1.8 PARGING (NOT BRUSH COATING) IS FALLING OFF ABOVE GRADE

Article number

1.15

Article type

Freehold

Warranty years

One Year

Article title

Brush Coating on Above Grade Poured Concreate Foundation Wall is Falling Off

FH 1.14: Water Leakage Through Basement Floor Slab

Home type

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.

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

Article number

1.14

Article type

Freehold

Warranty years

Two Year

Article title

Water Leakage Through Basement Floor Slab

FH 1.13: Foundation Wall Leaks

Home type

Performance

Foundation walls shall allow no water penetration.

Warranty

Action

Defects resulting in water penetration through the basement or foundation shall be repaired.

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

Article number

1.13

Article type

Freehold

Warranty years

Two Year

Article title

Foundation Wall Leaks

FH 1.12: Basement Wall or Floor is Damp

Home type