Replies

1. 
   Scott | May 20, 2006 06:22pm | #1

   I just designed, drew, GC'd, and wired our own place in BC. From an owner's perspective the only major change has been with the new home warranty program. From a builder's standpoint you may or may not be certified. If you want more info I can find a website for you.

   Scott.

   Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”

2. 
   GreatWhiteNorthGuy | May 20, 2006 08:31pm | #2

   Go to realestatetalks.com, click on the British Columbia forum and you'll find heaps of discussion about rain screening, how to inspect for leaky condos, etc. You may have to register - it's free - to use the "Search" function when trying to find recent discussions on leaky condos. In fact, the topic is rearing its head again as the frenetic pace of construction coupled with pre-sales (2 years lead time, in some cases)and the sheer volume of buildings to be properly inspected may cause the problem to develop again.
   Also, check out http://edwitzke.com/ for even more info for the lower mainland area. Be very diligent, check references, make sure they're enrolled in a building warranty program, etc. etc.
   I hope this helps. Happy house hunting!
   Cheers!
   Ken

   "They don't build 'em like they used to" And as my Dad always added... "Thank God!"
1. 
   experienced | May 21, 2006 04:49pm | #3

   Thanks, GWNG!!

   Since I'm in the building inspection industry, I've heard about Ed Witzke. I helped in some of the first rotting new buildings in Halifax in 1994-5. In the thread "What's this on my building" about a poor flashing/building paper, when seeing the photo, I joked about finding the cause of the BC condo problems. Most of our US friends may not know of or the the extent of the BC problems. Are the same problems occuring in Seattle??

   In 1989, the first building that I worked on with severe exterior moisture entry/rot earned the architect an award for infill housing in an older part of the city. By 1995, house was being stripped of rotting wood siding, sheathing, studding; two building scientists were flown in from Ottawa and the US. Since then, I have been claiming  that Nova Scotia has a "mini BC Condo" problem. (ps: Should the architect be stripped of his award since his building failed miserably?)

   At a large building science conference, a building I originally inspected for the Dept of Housing in 1999, showed up in a presentation from the largest building science company in Canada. The presentation was titled Rotting Wood walls- Not Just a BC Problem. Two out of three buildings in the slides were from Halifax!!! We now have mandatory rainscreen in the code since 2004.

   This part of the Witzke site is must see:

   http://edwitzke.com/rottenbuilding/rottenbuildingstart.htm

1. 
   GreatWhiteNorthGuy | May 21, 2006 05:19pm | #4

   The photos on Ed Witzke's site make you sick to the very pit of your stomach. So much unnecessary pain and suffering was caused by these "designs" and shoddy workmanship. The unfortunate part is that the consumer is still woefully naive when it comes to this problem. A whole new generation of buyers is waiting in line at sales presentation offices to handover their hard-earned dollars only to see this happen again. I don't know if it's the love of stucco or the fact that designers don't understand which way water flows, but it all looks like it's temporary construction, at best. Another case for ICF construction, I would think.
   Cheers,
   Ken"They don't build 'em like they used to" And as my Dad always added... "Thank God!"

1. 
   Scott | May 21, 2006 09:02pm | #5

   >>>I don't know if it's the love of stucco or the fact that designers don't understand which way water flows, but it all looks like it's temporary construction, at best.

   I don't think stucco can be held to blame. There are plenty of stucco houses from the 1950s and 60s that are fine (albeit many are a bit ugly). I think your point about crappy design and shoddy workmanship are more likely the cause.

   We took a $60K sh!tkicking in the leaky condo crisis. Design was an issue, but there were also huge code violations that the overextended inspectors had missed. The builders had also hired complete idiots as help. Tar paper was lapped the wrong way, flashing missing all over the place, the list was lengthy.

   Getting out of that situation was a huge relief, even with the monetary loss.

   Scott.Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”