Assessing the Renovation Project

Over the years, we’ve developed a good understanding of how buildings perform. Construction techniques for new homes have changed rapidly. Most of these improved techniques also apply to renovations.

If you plan carefully, you can renovate your home to make it look better, work better, last longer and be more comfortable. Before renovating, it’s important to assess the condition of your home to determine if there are any significant underlying problems that must be addressed before or during your planned renovation project.

Common Situations

In Canada, we need affordable houses to provide shelter from the elements. We also want our homes to be pleasant, comfortable and attractive.

Homeowners have higher expectations than in the past, particularly about comfort and interior design. Renovations are an opportunity to address some of these expectations.

Some of the reasons people decide to renovate are to:

• Upgrade or improve outdated or deteriorated systems — replacing an outdated furnace, old siding or windows are common upgrades.
• Maintain and repair various elements of your house — reshingling a roof or fixing foundation cracks are typical renovations.
• Address lifestyle needs — converting unused attic space to living quarters, add a sunroom or build a home office.

Healthy Housing

Renovating is an ideal time to make your house healthier for you, the community and the environment. When assessing your renovation project, be sure to consider the five essentials of Healthy Housing (Good Air Quality, Energy Efficiency, Resource Efficiency, Environment, Affordability).

House as a System

A house is much more than just four walls and a roof — it’s an interactive system made up of many components including the basic structure, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, the external environment and the occupants. Each component influences the performance of the entire system. A renovation provides an opportunity to improve how your house performs.

As you assess your renovation project, ask yourself how changing particular components will affect the performance of the whole house. For example, as part of a bathroom renovation you may want to add a hot tub that will generate large amounts of humidity during operation.Your existing ventilation may be inadequate to handle the increased moisture levels. It will be important to provide proper ventilation to avoid mold growth, indoor air quality (IAQ) problems and damage to the structure or finishes. You may need to consult with a qualified home inspector or a professional renovator.

Avoid Surprises

A systematic and thorough inspection will help you to assess the condition of your home. Look for any signs of deterioration and the possible causes. Start your inspection in the basement. Many problems in other parts of the house originate there. Depending upon the size of your project, you may want to ask a qualified home inspector or a professional renovator to help you assess your building and develop a plan. Here are some of the likely questions that you’ll want to think about.

Foundations
	Are there any cracks or is there damage to concrete walls or floors? Are there any damp spots, stains efflorescence (white, chalky stains) or blistered paint on the concrete, finished walls or floors? Does anyone notice bad smells or experience nausea or headaches when in the basement? Is there high humidity, any condensation or visible mold?
	Repair minor cracks if they leak. Seek an engineer’s opinion on serious structural problems such as major or expanding cracks, bowed walls or uneven floors. Clean up mold; discard moldy or rotting materials. Ensure that the floor drain has a trap or install a retrofit backflow preventer. Make sure that all plumbing fixtures (including washer) are vented and have traps. Install a sealed cover on the sump pit. Direct outside surface water away from the foundation. Improve underground drainage. Repair or replace damaged interior finishes. Keep the relative humidity between 30 and 55%. Ventilate and circulate air. Dehumidify or air condition in summer. Clean up mold according to CMHC guidelines.
	Serious structural problems could cause further damage or collapse. Water pressure on the outside of the foundation can contribute to leaks and structural problems. Odours will continue to be annoying and can pose health problems, depending on the source. Unresolved water sources will cause renovations to deteriorate quickly, whether the water comes from building leaks, plumbing leaks or high humidity. Mold can grow on almost anything and be a source of serious indoor air quality (IAQ) problems.

Basement ceiling or main floor structure
	Are there any headroom problems? Are there signs of rot, sagging floor joists or twisted beams? Are there water stains on the main floor structure or basement finished ceiling?
	Assess structural problems carefully. Expert help may be required. Repair or replace structural elements so they will accommodate renovation plans and expected loads. Fix any water leaks.
	Unresolved structural problems, poorly planned structural changes or new loads may cause future settling or collapse.

Mechanical and electrical systems
	Are there unusually high heating or cooling bills? Are mechanical systems capable of supplying current and future needs? Is the house too dry or too humid? Is the heat uneven? Is there ever a noticeable smoky or fuel smell? Is the electrical service and wiring capable of supplying current and future needs? Do fuses keep blowing or circuit breakers keep shutting off? Are there any exposed electrical wires or crumbled wire insulation? Do any lights dim or outlets spark? Are there leaks from pipes, taps, toilets or the water heater?
	Have a qualified service company inspect your heating system to ensure that equipment is up-to-date, functioning properly and sized to handle current and future needs. Air seal the house to keep it from becoming too dry. Use a humidifier (that has a humidistat) as required. Provide ventilation using exhaust fans or a heat recovery ventilator to reduce humidity in winter. Dehumidify or air condition to reduce the humidity in summer. Check for heat flow to each room. Repair any sources of smoky or fuel smells immediately. The smells could indicate serious fire or health hazards. Have an electrician assess the electrical systems and any problems such as fuses blowing repeatedly, sparking outlets, exposed wires or connections. Repair any water leaks. Repair or replace leaky fixtures.
	Without regular service, heating systems may gradually deteriorate unnoticed, leading to serious health and safety concerns. Problems can arise if HVAC needs cannot be met by the capacity of the services available. The heating supply must be enough for comfort. Proper ventilation is needed to control excess humidity. Electrical service, wiring and outlets may be unsafe or inadequate for increased loads. Plumbing leaks will continue to damage the finishes and the house structure. The leaks may also contribute to mold growth and IAQ problems.

General living areas, floors and stairs
	Are floors or stairs springy, sagging, warped or squeaky? Are floor surfaces damaged or carpets musty? Are handrails or guardrails loose?
	Assess the supports underneath the floor. Contact a carpenter for help. Repair as needed. Refasten or shim squeaking floors or stairs. Repair serious safety hazards immediately such as damaged floors or stair boards and loose coverings. Replace damaged flooring. Eliminate moisture sources. Repair loose handrails or guardrails.
	Damaged or uneven floors and stairs may be unsafe. Musty carpets are usually a source of mold. Loose handrails or guardrails are a safety hazard.

Kitchens and bathrooms
	Is there any