Assessing Your Home Renovation Project (3 Of 3)

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 water seepage around fixtures or condensation on windows or toilets?
Are floors damaged around bathtubs or showers?

Repair or replace leaky fixtures.
Repair or replace damaged flooring.
Provide proper ventilation to reduce humidity, indoor pollutants and stale air.

Leaks will continue to cause damage.
Excess humidity will continue to cause damage, may cause mold growth and affect the IAQ.

Walls and ceilings

Do walls and ceilings have any cracks, holes, bulges, water stains or peeling finishes?
Do any doors or windows bind or stick?
Are any windows drafty, broken, operating poorly or is there moisture between panes?
Are there water stains or rot on windows or walls?

Repair any holes. Eliminate moisture sources that cause bulges, water stains or peeling finishes.
Assess cracks, binding doors or stuck windows for changes in moisture levels or structural movement. Repair or replace as required.
Replace broken windowpanes and poorly operating hardware. Replace sealed unit windows that have broken seals or rot.
Replace rotted wall materials. Eliminate moisture sources.

If the problem sources are not fixed, the bulges, cracks or binding will re-occur.
Hiding moisture damage behind new finishes will cause continuing deterioration and mold growth.
Faulty windows will eventually result in damage to surrounding wall areas.

Attics

Are there water stains or excessive dampness?
Is there black mold on any of the roof framing or sheathing?
Is the attic adequately ventilated?
Are there air leaks in the ceiling of the rooms below the attic? Is the attic hatch sealed?

Find moisture sources. Repair roof leaks. Air-seal the ceiling using polyethylene sheeting, sealed over octagonal boxes for lights, caulk holes for wires through sheeting or wall top plates and weatherstrip attic hatches.
Ventilate the attic at the soffits and roof peak.
Seal any air leaks in the ceiling of the rooms below the attic. Install a sealed attic hatch.

Moisture damage will continue to deteriorate the house. Unventilated attics will allow moisture to build up.
Air leaks in ceilings below the attic will reduce heating efficiency and can be sources of odours and pollutants.

Roofs

Does the roof have any curled or cracked shingles, bare patches, leaks, moss, or damaged flashing?
Do eavestroughs and downspouts direct water away from the foundation?

Repair or replace damaged roofing.
Clean leaves and debris from eavestroughs every spring and fall. Extend downspouts to direct rainwater away from the foundation.

Roofing will continue to deteriorate.
Surface water near the house can put undue stress on the foundation and is a primary cause of water entry problems.

Exterior walls

Is there any blistered paint, rotted wood, buckled siding, stained or crumbled brick or damaged stucco on exterior walls?

Find and eliminate the source of water penetration. Repair or replace damaged exterior finishes.

Water penetration may lead to more serious siding, structural and interior finish problems.

Rewards

Undertaking maintenance and repair projects such as correcting structural flaws, fixing leaks and making sure that all services are safe and adequate will make your home safer, more efficient and more durable.
After you have ensured safety, efficiency and durability, other renovations can be done to make your home more pleasant, attractive and suited to your lifestyle.

Skills to Do the Job

You can assess most of your house with the help of one of CMHCs inspection checklists. Professional home inspectors are also available to do a thorough inspection for you.

Repairing serious structural, mechanical or electrical problems will require the help of an expert.


Use the House Assessment Worksheet to record the present condition, any problems in your home and to help set priorities for your renovation.

House Assessment Worksheet
Present Condition / ProblemsRenovation Priority
Foundation
Basement Ceiling or Main Floor Structure
Heating, Cooling and Ventilation System
Electrical Service and House Wiring
Plumbing and Fixtures
Floors and Stairs Structure/Finishes
Wall and Ceiling Structure/Finishes
Kitchen
Bathrooms
Attics
Roof Structure/Finishes
Exterior Wall Finishes
Windows and Doors
Other
Costing Your Project

The cost of your assessment will depend almost entirely on how many professionals you need. They might include an engineer, architect, electrician, plumber, carpenter or professional home inspector.

Additional Resources

Developed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the ecoENERGY initiative provides a residential energy assessment service delivered by local organizations across Canada for a fee. Retrofits may be eligible for grants. To find a local service organization or grant information, visit www.ecoaction.gc.ca or call 1-800-387-2000.