assessing the renovation project (2 of 2)

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.