Barrie Home Inspector

Home Maintenance and Tips for Home Owners

Month: August 2011

Canadian home sales stable in July

Real Estate

Canadian home sales stable in July.  OTTAWA – August 16, 2011 – According to statistics1 released today by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), national resale housing activity was stable on a month-to-month basis in July following an uptick in June.

Highlights:
• Sales activity was stable from June to July, but posted a big year-over-year gain due to weakened demand in July 2010.
• Year-to-date sales continue to run in line with the ten-year average.
• The number of newly listed homes inched up by less than one per cent from June to July.
• The national housing market remains firmly entrenched in balanced territory.
• The national average price posted the largest year-over-year gain since April 2010, but was below where it stood in June.
• Upward skewing of the national average price is diminishing due to fewer expensive sales and a declining share of national activity in Vancouver and Toronto.

National home sales activity held steady in July 2011 compared to the previous month, with just over half of local markets posting month-over-month gains.

Major markets that saw gains compared to June include Edmonton, Montreal, as well as Newfoundland and Labrador. Activity also held steady in Toronto, while Vancouver recorded a small decline.

“The continued stability in national sales activity shows that homebuyers remain confident about the soundness of investing in a home,” said Gary Morse, CREA’s President. “Mortgage interest rates are low and keeping home affordability within reach, making it an excellent time for buyers to take advantage of very favourable financing. Prices and affordability evolve differently among local markets, so buyers and sellers should consult their local REALTOR® to better understand how the outlook for housing supply, demand, and prices is shaping up in their housing market.”

Actual (not seasonally adjusted) sales activity came in 12.3 per cent above national levels reported one year earlier. This increase reflects weakened activity in July 2010, when levels for the month reached their lowest point since 2002.

A total of 284,537 homes have traded hands via Canadian MLS® Systems so far this year. This stands just 1.6 per cent below levels in the first seven months of last year, and continues to run in line with the ten-year average.

The number of newly listed homes edged up by less than one per cent from June to July. New listings were down in 60 per cent of local markets, but increased in many large urban centres including Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Ottawa.

The national housing market remains firmly planted in balanced territory. The national sales-to-new listings ratio, a measure of market balance, stood at 51.8 per cent in July, which is little changed from 52.3 per cent in June.

Based on a sales-to-new listings ratio of between 40 to 60 percent, about three in every five local markets in Canada were balanced in July. Half of the remaining markets may be classified as sellers’ markets, with a sales-to-new listings ratio of above 60 per cent.

The number of months of inventory stood at 6.1 months at the end of July on a national basis, which is little changed from the end of June (6.0 months). The number of months of inventory represents the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity, and is another measure of the balance between housing supply and demand.

The actual (not seasonally adjusted) national average price for homes sold in July 2011 stood at $361,181, which is the lowest level since January. While up 9.3 per cent from its year-ago level, the increase reflects a short-lived decline in the average price following the introduction of the HST in B.C. and Ontario, and tighter mortgage regulations earlier in 2010.

“Earlier this year, the national average price was being skewed upward by sales in some expensive Vancouver neighbourhoods, but this factor is now diminishing,” said Gregory Klump, CREA’s Chief Economist. “Upward skewing of the national average price is also shrinking due to overall sales trends in Vancouver, and most recently in Toronto. Their market shares as a percentage of provincial and national sales activity are declining from the elevated levels seen in the first half of the year.”

“Changes in the national average home price are open to being misinterpreted,” added Klump. “They often signify changes in the mix of sales activity across and within local markets, rather than a rising or falling price trend for typical homes in a specific market.”

“The national share of sales activity in some of Canada’s more expensive urban centres may retreat further from elevated levels recorded earlier this year, resulting in an easing trend for the national average home price,” he added. “Even so, the stability of Canada’s housing market will likely continue to stand in stark contrast to further expected volatility in financial markets.” 

PLEASE NOTE: The information contained in this news release combines both major market and national MLS® sales information from the previous month.

CREA cautions that average price information can be useful in establishing trends over time, but does not indicate actual prices in centres comprised of widely divergent neighborhoods or account for price differential between geographic areas.

Statistical information contained in this report includes all housing types.

MLS® is a co-operative marketing system used only by Canada’s real estate Boards to ensure maximum exposure of properties listed for sale.

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is one of Canada’s largest single-industry trade associations, representing more than 100,000 REALTORS® working through more than 100 real estate Boards and Associations.

Further information can be found at http://www.crea.ca/public/news_stats/media.htm.

– 30 –

For more information, please contact:
Pierre Leduc, Media Relations
The Canadian Real Estate Association
Tel.: 613-237-7111 or 613-884-1460
E-mail: [email protected]

1 All figures in this release, unless otherwise noted, are seasonally adjusted to remove normal seasonal variation. Removing regular seasonal variations enables analysis of monthly changes and fundamental trends in the data.

Home Maintenance Checklist

Home Inspection

Home Maintenance Checklist

Homeowners have a duty to make sure their homes are as healthy as they can make them. This ties in to healthy home maintenance, and a healthy home is said to be one that is built, maintained, and then rehabilitated in a way that promotes the good health of its occupants. A few goals that homeowners should have with regards to a healthy home is keeping it dry, orderly, ventilated, contaminant-free, free from pests, secure, and also maintained. Healthy home maintenance will lead to a lessening of allergens, a lower likelihood of injuries resulting from accidents, and also a prevention of sickness.

Spring

Yard & Exterior

Make sure to assess the water drainage in order to see that it flows away from the residence.
Check the whole area of the yard to evaluate whether there are any fall, trip, choking, and sharp-edge hazards. If there are, be sure to remove them from the yard.
If you have a pool on the property, make sure to maintain the fence around the pool so that it is intact.
Assess the year to see whether there are signs of pests in or around it, pests like roaches, rats, termites, or bats. If there are, an exterminator should be called.
Sanitize the window wells and evaluate the drainage.
Clean both the downspouts on the property, as well as the gutters.
Exterior Roof, Walls, Windows

Evaluate to see whether the shingles on the roof are in good condition.
Assess the valley, chimney, and the plumbing vent, and also the skylight flashing.
Check to see that the gutters emit water away from your home.
Assess the attic to see if it has any indications of the roof leaking.
See if any paint is peeling on the outside of the house.
In the area where the deck is connected to the residence, see if there are any indications of leaks.
To see if the flashing of the home is intact, be sure to check the bottom of the doors and windows.
Evaluate the home’s door and window sills to determine if leaks are present.
If the dryer vent needs cleaning, attend to it.
Determine if the exhaust ducts are clear. If not, then clear them.
Basement & Crawlspace

Determine that there are no puddles or wet surfaces here.
Look for the sump pump, and see if its valve is working properly.
Evaluate the floor drain to see if it is working.
Look after the surfaces of the basement by vacuuming them.
Interior Walls, Ceilings, Windows, Doors

Assess the operation of both doors and windows to see that they open and close smoothly.
Appliances

Attend to the screens and dryer vents of appliances by cleaning them.
Attend to the exhaust fan outlets and their screens by cleaning them.
Find the drain pans and coils on air conditioners and clean those.
Evaluate the operation of the dehumidifier, and clean its coils.
Plumbing, Fixtures and Appliances

Assess the drains and the supply time for any leaks that may have occurred.
Evaluate the functioning of kitchen and bathroom fans.
Electrical Equipment

Evaluate any electrical equipment for possibly damaged cords.
Do tests to determine if the ground fault interrupters are working fine.
Analyze carbon monoxide and smoke alarms to see if they are working well.
Garage

Make certain that fuel cans are stored properly.
Ensure that the garage door safety shut-off is in working order.
See if there are any indications of any water damage.
See if there are any indications of the presence of rodents, termites, roaches, or bats.
HVAC Equipment

Replace the filters on any air conditioners.
Fall

Yard & Exterior

Check the whole area of the yard to evaluate whether there are any fall, trip, choking, and sharp-edge hazards. If there are, be sure to remove them from the yard.
If you have a pool on the property, make sure to maintain the fence around the pool so that it is intact.
Assess the year to see whether there are signs of pests in or around it, pests like roaches, rats, termites, or bats. If there are, an exterminator should be called.
Make sure that the outdoor hoses and faucets are drained.
Sanitize the window wells and evaluate the drainage.
Clean both the downspouts on the property, as well as the gutters.
Exterior Roof, Walls, Windows

Assess the attic vents to see that everything is alright.
Make any necessary repairs on glass that has been either cracked or broken.
If the dryer vent needs cleaning, attend to it.
Determine if the exhaust ducts are clear. If not, then clear them.
Basement & Crawlspace

Determine that there are no puddles or wet surfaces here.
Look for the sump pump, and see if its valve is working properly.
See if there are any indications of termites, bats, rodents, or roaches.
Appliances

Clean out any outdoor air intakes along with any screens.
Furnaces, hot water heaters, and boilers should be cleaned.
Both ranges and ovens ought to be cleaned.
Plumbing, Fixtures and Appliances

Evaluate the hot water heater for signs of any leaks.
See if the boiler has any leaks.
Assess if the water meter or main or the well pump is exhibiting any signs of sweating or leaking.
Assess the drains and the supply time for any leaks that may have occurred.
Evaluate the functioning of kitchen and bathroom fans.
Electrical Equipment

Evaluate any electrical equipment for possibly damaged cords.
Analyze carbon monoxide and smoke alarms to see if they are working well.
Garage

Make certain that fuel cans are stored properly.
Ensure that the garage door safety shut-off is in working order.
See if there are any indications of the presence of rodents, termites, roaches, or bats.
HVAC Equipment

Replace the filters on any warm air furnaces.
Set the outdoor air to the heat recovery ventilation setting again.
Attic

Evaluate the attic to see if there are any indications of pests like bats, rodents, roaches, or termites.
Assess if the attic has suffered any water damage.
Make certain that the insulation is in place.
Annual

Exterior Roof, Walls, Windows

Only in the winter, determine if there are any ice dams or icicles that are present.
Interior Walls, Ceilings, Windows, Doors

Determine if there exist any indications of water damage.
Plumbing, Fixtures and Appliances

Inspect the connections in the washer hoses.
Look at the hoses of the dishwasher to see if any leaks are present.
Inspect the toilet supply and the shut-off valve.
Make sure the connections between the ice maker and the refrigerator’s drip pan are cleaned and assessed.
See if the surrounding area of the shower and the tub exhibits any sign of damage.
See if the drains and the traps under the showers, tubs, and sinks have any leaks in them.
Every two years, be sure to also clean the septic tank.
Electrical Equipment

Once every year, be certain to check all outlets for correct ground, neutral, and hot connections.
Attic

See if the fans still emit exhaust out of the house by inspecting the duct work connections.
As Needed

Interior Walls, Ceilings, Windows, Doors

Repair the doors and the windows, and apply lubricant to them also.
Appliances

Clean the screens that are found on the kitchen range hood.

National home sales hold steady in March

Real Estate

OTTAWA – April 15th, 2011 – According to statistics released today by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), national resale housing activity held steady in March 2011 compared to February.

Seasonally adjusted national home sales activity in March came in one tenth of a percentage point above levels for the previous month, with stable demand in most large urban centres.

With national sales in each of the first three months of 2011 running close to their five- or ten-year monthly averages, seasonally adjusted national sales activity in the first quarter of 2011 was up 4.5 per cent from levels recorded in the fourth quarter of last year, and reached the highest quarterly level in a year.

Most of the quarterly increase in seasonally adjusted national sales activity was due to demand in Vancouver and Toronto. Recent changes to mortgage regulations may have caused a number of sales in some of Canada’s more expensive housing markets to be brought forward into the first quarter that would have otherwise occurred later in the year.

Sellers looking to tradeup before changes to mortgage regulations took effect made their move early, resulting in a significant rise in newly listed homes in January and February of this year. With changes to mortgage regulations looming in March, seasonally adjusted new residential listings for the month dropped five per cent month-to-month.

Steady sales activity combined with fewer new listings tightened the national resale housing market. The national sales-to-new listings ratio, a measure of the balance between supply and demand, stood at 56.5 per cent in March. This kept the national housing market firmly entrenched in balanced territory, with March marking the firmest reading for national market balance in more than a year.

Based on sales-to-new listings ratios, more than half of local markets in Canada could be considered balanced in March, with two-thirds of the remaining markets considered to be as sellers’ markets.

“The majority of local housing markets across Canada are well balanced, but not all of them are,” said Gary Morse, CREA’s President. “Within a province or local market, the balance between resale housing supply and demand can vary widely and evolve quickly, so buyers and sellers should speak with a local REALTOR® to understand housing market trends where they live.”

The number of months of inventory represents the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity, and is another measure of the balance between housing supply and demand. The seasonally adjusted number of months of inventory stood at 5.6 months at the end of March on a national basis. This was unchanged from the previous month. Almost half of all local markets saw the number of months of inventory shrink compared to the previous month.

Throughout the first quarter of 2011, the national average price was skewed higher by strong activity in a few pricey areas of Greater Vancouver. March 2011 was no exception, with an increase of 8.9 per cent year-over year.

“A record number of multi-million dollar property sales in Richmond and Vancouver West are pushing up average prices for Greater Vancouver, British Columbia and nationally,” stated Gregory Klump, CREA’s Chief Economist. “If Vancouver is excluded from the equation, the national average price increase is cut by more than half to 4.3 per cent.”

“Looking ahead, evidence suggests that the potential rush of sales activity in March before recent changes to mortgage regulations took effect was a story that was largely focused in condo sales activity in Greater Vancouver. This confirms that the expected impact on sales activity of recent changes to mortgage regulations will likely be minor over the near term. Interest rates are now widely expected to remain on hold until at least mid-July, which is supportive for resale housing demand, market balance and prices,” Klump added.

PLEASE NOTE: The information contained in this news release combines both major market and national MLS® sales information from the previous month.

CREA cautions that average price information can be useful in establishing trends over time, but does not indicate actual prices in centres comprised of widely divergent neighborhoods or account for price differential between geographic areas. Statistical information contained in this report includes all housing types.

MLS® is a co-operative marketing system used only by Canada’s real estate Boards to ensure maximum exposure of properties listed for sale.

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is one of Canada’s largest single-industry trade associations, representing more than 100,000 REALTORS® working through more than 100 real estate Boards and Associations.

Further information can be found at:
http://www.crea.ca/public/news_stats/media.htm

– 30 –

For more information, please contact:

Pierre Leduc, Media relations
The Canadian Real Estate Association
P: 613-237-7111 or 613 884-1460
E: [email protected]

Inspecting Your Home for Moisture

Home Inspection

Moisture and water vapor move in and out of a house in three ways: with air currents; by diffusion through materials; and by heat transfer. Of these three, air movement accounts for more than 98% of all water vapor movement in building cavities. Air naturally moves from a high-pressure area to a lower one by the easiest path possible-generally, through any available hole or crack in the building envelope. Moisture transfer by aircurrents is very fast-in the range of several hundred cubic feet of air per minute.Thus, to control air movement, a house should have any unintended air paths thoroughly and permanently sealed.

The laws of physics govern how moist air reacts within various temperature conditions. The study of the properties of moist air is technically referred to as “psychrometrics.” A psychrometric chart is used by professionals to determine at what temperature and moisture concentration water vapor begins to condense. This is called the “dew point.” By learning how to determine the dew point, you will better understand how to diagnose moisture problems in a house.Ventilating roofs in hot and humid conditions may add (rather than remove) moisture from attics and enclosed roof spaces. However, not ventilating roofs may void the asphalt-composition roofing manufacturer’s warranty, and slightly decrease the life expectancy of the roofing material due to increased temperature of the roof’s surface.

Recommended minimum widths for roof overhangs for one- and two-story wood-frame buildings are typically 12to 24 inches. For taller structures, larger roof overhangs are desirable. Alternatively, porch roofs and upperfloor overhangs can be used to protect lower-story walls.
Some jurisdictions do not regulate roof overhangs. Common problems with guttering are associated with installation and maintenance. Home inspectors can check ifproperly sized materials are being used, if guttering is appropriately sloped toward adequately sized downspouts,and if discharge is directed away from the building’s perimeter. Discharging water at inside building cornersshould be avoided. Some local storm water requirements may require special infiltration or filtration treatmentsof roof runoff.

The installation of even the most weather-resistant wall envelope system on a house does not diminish the need or proper installation, particularly with regard to flashing details at penetrations. In addition, the use of roof overhangs provides performance benefits for all cladding systems by reducing the moisture load experienced over time, and by allowing greater opportunities for walls to dry in the event of periodic wetting due to wind-driven rain. The life expectancy of various siding materials may vary widely, from 10 to as much as 100 years or more, depending on type of material, climate exposure, maintenance, and other factors.

water in basement by barrie home inspector

Face-Sealed: This type of WRE relies exclusively on the ability of the outer surface of the wall and joints around penetrations to deflect water and prevent it from penetrating the wall surface. If a defect in     the wall surface or joint detailing (such as caulk) exists or occurs over time, then water will penetrate and potentially accumulate in the wall, causing damage to any moisture-sensitive materials within the   assembly. One example of this type of system is known as conventional or barrier EIFS (exterior insulation finish system). However, building standards only allow the use of a new type of drainable EIFS      (i.e., drained cavity) on residential construction.

Assessing your buildings exposure can determine the amount of protection required. The terrain surrounding a building impacts its exposure to wind-driven rain. The ratio of roof overhang width to the   height of the protected wall below also alters the exposure of a building to weather and wind-driven rain. Long roof overhangs relative towall height effectively reduce the exposure. Similarly, increased shielding of the site against wind tends to reduce the effects of climate. Understanding the exposure in this manner can guide inspections of flashing details, the potential benefits of having greater overhangs installed, etc.

Many performance problems with windows and doors are related to installation issues. Installation directionsincluded with window and door units should be followed carefully. Home inspectors are not required to confirm compliance with a manufacturer’s recommendations. However, knowing the general guidelines and techniques for proper installation of windows and doors will assist the inspector in recognizing installation problems that may promote moisture intrusion.

Having your home inspected by a Certified Building Code Official will identify most common moisture issues and the Barrie Home Inspector is available to help identify and correct moisture issues in your home.

City of Barrie Pool and Spa Fencing Requirements

Exterior, Personal Interest, Real Estate

City of Barrie Pool and Spa Fencing Requirements

By-Law 94-59
To regulate the protective
enclosure of privately owned
outdoor swimming pools and to
repeal By-law 77-104.
This By-law is printed under and by
authority of the Council of the City of
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Disclaimer:
The following consolidation is an electronic reproduction made available for information
only. It is not an official version of the By-law. The format may be different, and plans,
pictures, other graphics or text may be missing or altered. The City of Barrie does not
warrant the accuracy of this electronic version.
This consolidation can not be distributed or used for commercial purposes. It may be used
for other purposes, only if you repeat this disclaimer and the notice of copyright. Official
versions of all By-laws can be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office by calling (705) 739-4204.
Bill # 73
BY-LAW NUMBER 94-59
A By-law of the Corporation of the City
of Barrie to regulate the protective
enclosure of privately owned outdoor
swimming pools and to repeal By-law
77-104
WHEREAS, Subsection 23 of Section 210 of the
Municipal Act, 1990, (Chapter 302 of R.S.O.) permits a
by-law to be passed by a municipal council to regulate
fences and gates that enclose privately owned outdoor
swimming pools and other related matters,
AND WHEREAS, the Council of The Corporation of the
City of Barrie deems it expedient to provide such
regulations,
AND WHEREAS, the Council of The Corporation of the
City of Barrie adopted By-law 77-104,
AND WHEREAS, by resolution 94-G-124, the Council of
The Corporation of the City of Barrie deems it expedient
to amend the by-law to regulate the protective enclosure
of privately owned outdoor swimming pools.
NOW THEREFORE, the Council of the Corporation of the
City of Barrie enacts as follows:
1. SHORT TITLE
This By-law may be cited as the “Pool Enclosure
By-law”.
2. DEFINITIONS
In this By-law:
(1) “Authority having jurisdiction” means the Chief
Building Official and any Building Inspector or
Property Standards Officer authorized by the
Chief Building Official to administer this bylaw.
(2) “Building Inspector” means an inspector
appointed by the Council of the Corporation to
inspect buildings and structures pursuant to
the Building Code Act.
(3) “Chief Building Official” means the person
appointed by the Council of the Corporation to
administer the Building Code pursuant to the
Building Code Act.
(4) “Corporation” means the Corporation of the City
of Barrie.
(5) “Enclosure” means a fence, wall or other
structure or thing, including gates and doors,
which surrounds the perimeter of a pool which
would discourage the entry of a person into the
enclosed area.
– 2 –
(6) “Pool” means a privately-owned outdoor body of
water,
(a) contained in a container that is,
(i)artificial, manufactured or assembled;
(ii)capable of retaining <a href=”http://www.napoleon.cc/cottage/”target=”_blank”rel=”external”title=”Midland Cottage Inspections” >water measuring
more than 460mm (18.1 inches) in depth
at any point, and
(iii)capable of being used for swimming,
bathing, diving or wading,
(6) (b) and includes,
(i)manufactured swimming pools, both
above-ground and in-ground;
(ii)custom built pools; and
(iii)hot tubs and spas,
(c) but does not include,
(i)irrigation ponds on farms used for
watering livestock or for irrigation;
(ii)naturally formed depressions in the
ground surfaces
(iii)garden or fish ponds used as
landscaping features with plant
materials grown in and around the
pond; and
(iv)public swimming pools as defined and
regulated by the Ontario Building
Code.
(7) “Property Standards Officer” means an inspector
appointed by the Council of the Corporation
assigned the duties of enforcing the
Corporation’s Minimum Property Maintenance and
Occupancy Standards By-law.
3. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
The Chief Building Official shall be responsible for
the administration and enforcement of this by-law.
4. POOL ENCLOSURE PERMIT
(1) No person shall excavate for, erect or install
a pool, or cause the excavation for, erection
of or installation of a pool unless a permit
for the pool enclosure has been issued by the
Chief Building Official.
(2) To obtain a pool enclosure permit, an applicant
shall file an application in writing on forms
prescribed by and available from the Chief
Building Official, and shall supply any other
information relating to the application as
required by the Chief Building Official.
– 3 –
(3)Every pool enclosure permit application shall:
(a) describe the land on which the work is to
be done, by a description that will
readily identify and locate the site on
which the pool will exist;
(b) be accompanied by plans, sketches and
specifications about the pool enclosure as
described in this by-law;
(c) be accompanied by the required fees as
determined in accordance with Schedule
“A”;
(d) state the names, addresses and telephone
numbers of the owner, applicant and the
constructor;
(e) be signed by the applicant who shall
certify as to the truth of the contents of
the application.
(4) The Chief Building Official shall, where the
conditions in Subsection 4(3) above have been
fulfilled, issue a pool enclosure permit to the
applicant unless,
(a)the proposed pool or pool enclosure will
contravene this by-law or any other
applicable law;
(b)the application for it is incomplete; or
(c)any fees due are unpaid.
(5) Where an application for a permit remains
incomplete or inactive for 30 days after it is
made, the application may be deemed by the
Chief Building Official to have been abandoned,
without further notice to the applicant.
5. PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
(1) Every applicant shall furnish,
(a) sufficient plans, specifications,
documents and other information to enable
the Chief Building Official to determine
whether the proposed pool enclosure
conforms to this by-law and any other
applicable laws;
(b) a site plan referenced to a current plan
of survey certified by a registered
Ontario Land Surveyor and a copy of such a
survey shall be filed with the
municipality unless this requirement is
waived because the Chief Building Official
is able, without having a current plan of
survey, to determine whether the proposed
pool and pool enclosure conforms to this
by-law and any other applicable laws. The
site plan shall include,
– 4 –
(i)lot size and dimensions of the
property;
(ii)setbacks of the pool and pool
enclosure from existing and proposed
buildings and property lines;
(iii)existing and finished ground levels
or grades, and
(iv)existing rights of way, easements and
municipal services.
(2) Plans submitted shall be legible and be drawn
to scale upon paper or other suitable and
durable material to the satisfaction of the
Chief Building Official.
(3) Plans and specifications furnished according to
this by-law become the property of the
municipality and will be disposed of or
retained in accordance with relevant
legislation.
6. FEES
(1) The Chief Building Official shall determine the
required fees calculated in accordance with
Schedule “A” for the proposed pool enclosure
and the applicant shall pay such fees at the
time of making an application.
(2) Upon written request, the Chief Building
Official shall determine the amount of fees, if
any, that may be refunded in accordance with
Schedule “A” in the case of,
(a) withdrawal of an application,
(b) abandonment of an application,
(c) denial of a permit, or
(d) revoking of a permit.
7. POOL ENCLOSURE COMPLIANCE
(1) No person shall erect or install or cause to be
erected or installed any pool enclosure except
in accordance with this by-law.
(2) No person shall make a material change or cause
a material change to be made to a plan,
specification, document or other information on
the basis of which a permit was issued without
notifying, filing details with and obtaining
the authorization of the Chief Building
Official.
(3) No person shall erect or install or cause to be
erected or installed any pool enclosure except
in accordance with the plans, specifications,
documents and any other information on the
basis of which a permit was issued and any
changes to them authorized by the Chief
Building Official.
– 5 –
(4) No person shall place water or allow water to
be placed in any pool to a depth of more than
460mm unless the pool is safely enclosed by a
pool enclosure that complies with the standards
set out in this by-law.
(5) Every pool shall continue to be enclosed by a
pool enclosure that complies with the standards
set out in this by-law so long as water
remains, or is capable of remaining in the pool
to a depth of more than 460mm.
8. POOL ENCLOSURE STANDARDS
(1) Every pool enclosure shall be designed,
constructed and maintained so as to discourage
the entry of small children into the pool area.
(2) The following standards are deemed by the
Corporation to satisfy the intent of Article
8.(1) above.
(a)HEIGHT:Every pool enclosure shall be not
less than 1.2 metres (47.23 inches)
in height measured from the finished
grade and any climbable fixture or
feature on the exterior side of the
pool enclosure, to the top of the
pool enclosure, as determined at the
time of the initial pool enclosure
approval.
(b)RIGIDITY:Every pool enclosure shall be
constructed and maintained to be
rigid and secure, able to resist any
reasonable lateral forces that may be
applied to the enclosure material
within its minimum required height.
(c)OPENINGS:No openings, spaces or gaps in the
enclosure material shall allow the
passage of a spherical object having
a diameter of 100mm (3.94 inches)
within the enclosure’s minimum
required height.
(d)NON-CLIMBABLE:Within the enclosure’s minimum
required height, no horizontal or
diagonal components shall be located
so as to facilitate the climbing of
the enclosure. Horizontal or
diagonal members shall be spaced not
less than 900mm (35.42 inches)
measured between the top edge of
adjacent members.
(e)GATES AND DOORS:All gates and doors of the
pool enclosure other than from the
property’s dwelling unit, shall be
kept in a closed, secure and latched
position whenever the pool area is
unattended by a supervisory adult.
All gates shall be of equivalent construction
and height as the minimum requirements of the
pool enclosure and shall be supported on
substantial hinges.
– 6 –
(3) Without limiting the generality of the above
noted principles, the following situations
shall be further regulated within the minimum
required height of the enclosure as follows.
(a) BOARD FENCES
(i) All board material shall be of
minimum 19mm thickness (1 inch
nominal thickness).
(ii) All horizontal support rails
shall be of minimum 39mm x 89mm
(nominal 2″ x 4″) material.
(iii)All support posts shall be of
minimum 89mm x 89mm (nominal 4″
x 4″) material spaced not more
than 2.5m (8.2 feet) apart.
(b) LATTICE FENCES
(i) The openings of any lattice
material shall be not greater
than 51mm x 51mm (2″ x 2″) in
size.
(ii) All lattice material shall be
laterally supported at all edges
and at horizontal and vertical
spacing of not more than 1.2
metres (3.94 ft).
(c) CHAIN LINK FENCES
(i) All chain link fences, posts and
rails shall be of galvanized or
vinyl coated material.
(ii) All chain link mesh material
shall be a minimum of No. 14
gauge wire.
(iii)The openings of any chain link
fencing material shall be not
greater than 51mm x 51mm (2 inch
x 2 inch) in size.
(iv) The chain link mesh material
shall be supported at the top
and bottom by an approved
reinforcing cable or a rail.
(v) Every chain link pool enclosure
shall be supported by posts that
are not less than 38mm (1.5
inches) in diameter, spaced not
more than 2.5 metres (8.20 ft.)
apart.
(d) ABOVE GROUND POOLS
Only the ladders or stairs providing
access to an above ground pool need
be enclosed in accordance with this
by-law provided the following
conditions are maintained:
– 7 –
(i) The sides of an above ground pool
shall be not less than 1.2 metres
(3.94 ft.) in height measured from
the finished grade and any climbable
fixture or feature on the exterior
face of the pool wall to the top rail
of the pool wall, as determined at
the time of the initial pool
enclosure approval.
(ii) Pumps, air conditioners, heaters,
filters or other appliances or
equipment shall be located not less
than 1.2 metres (3.94 ft.) from the
top rail of the pool walls or shall
be enclosed in accordance with this
by-law.
(e) SPAS
Outdoor spas need not be enclosed by
a pool enclosure provided they are
enclosed by a solid, locked cover
that is secured over the entire water
surface when the area surrounding the
spa is unattended by a supervisory
adult.
(f) OTHER MATERIALS
(i) Other fencing materials may be
approved by the Chief Building
Official where it can be
demonstrated that the material
will perform with an equivalent
degree of safety as outlined in
Section 8 (2) of this by-law.
(g) TEMPORARY FENCING
For a period of not more than two
weeks, sections of a pool enclosure
can be replaced with temporary
fencing material such as plastic mesh
to facilitate maintenance or access
to the pool area, provided the
temporary fence material is;
(i) at least 1.2 metres (3.94 ft.)
in height
(ii) securely supported by posts
spaced not more than 2.0 metres
(6.56 ft.) apart, and
(iii) securely fastened to the
remaining sections of the pool
enclosure.
– 8 –
(h) PROHIBITED MATERIALS
(i) No barbed wire or anything
having similar dangerous
characteristics are permitted as
a component of a pool enclosure.
(ii) No electrical current is
permitted to be connected to or
conducted through any part of a
pool enclosure.
9. PENALTIES
(1) Any person who contravenes any provision of
this by-law is guilty of an offence.
(2) A person who is convicted of an offence is
liable to a ,000 fine as setout in the
Provincial Offences Act and in By-law 90-268.
10.BY-LAW REPEALED
(1)That By-law 77-104 is hereby repealed.
(2)This by-law comes into force and has effect on the
date of its enactment.
READ a first and second time this 18th day of April,
1994.
READ a third time and finally passed this 18th day of
April, 1994.
THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF BARRIE
____________________________________
MAYOR
____________________________________
CITY CLERK
BY-LAW NUMBER 94-
SCHEDULE “A”
1. FEES
The following fees shall be collected by the Chief
Building Official.
(a) Pool Enclosure Permit $ 50
(b) Pool Enclosure Permit when project
is combined with a deck permit or
changehouse permit issued concurrently $ 25
(c) Reinspections pursuant to an
Order to Comply $ 20
(d) Letters confirming compliance $ 30
2. PERMIT FEE REFUNDS
Upon receipt of a written request, the Chief Building
Official shall refund 60% of the permit fee where the
permit is being cancelled or has been revoked,
provided the request is received not more than 30 days
after the permit has been cancelled or revoked and no
inspections have been performed.
POLICY & PROCEDURE
FOR
POOL FENCE ENCLOSURES
1. REGULATION
The requirement to safely enclose a pool is a regulatory
matter of the City of Barrie administered by the Chief
Building Official. The regulations are contained in a
municipal by-law.
2. PERMIT APPLICATIONS
(a)Applications for a pool enclosure permit shall be
submitted by the owner or his agent, on prescribed
forms, to the office of the Chief Building
Official.
(b)The applications shall be reviewed and discussed
with the applicant to confirm thoroughness of
information. Fees shall be collected and a
receipt issued.
(c)The application shall be entered into the computer
filing system, and a permit number assigned to the
application.
(d)A file folder shall be prepared with supplementary
forms and a permit placard.
(e)The file shall be reviewed for compliance with the
municipal zoning by-law and signed by the zoning
inspector.
(f)The file shall be reviewed by any other municipal
staff as deemed necessary to confirm compliance of
the project with any other municipal regulations.
(i)The owner shall be notified of any other agency
approvals that may be required to be submitted, as
soon as they become known.
(j)Plans describing the type of pool enclosure shall
be reviewed for compliance with the pool enclosure
by-law.
(k)The owner shall be notified of any issues that may
affect the issuance of a permit forthwith as they
arise.
3. PERMIT ISSUANCE
(a)The permit shall be issued when the application has
been reviewed thoroughly and found to be in
compliance with all regulatory requirements.
(b)The applicant shall be notified of the permit
issuance and asked to come to the office to pick
up the permit documents. The applicant shall be
advised of the required inspection notification.
4. INSPECTIONS
(a)An inspection shall be carried out as soon as
possible after receiving notification of the
readiness to inspect.
(b)Notwithstanding the requirement to be notified, an
inspection shall be carried out of a property when
the permit is more than 4 weeks old and no
notification has been received.
(c)When inspecting, the pool enclosure shall be
thoroughly inspected to confirm compliance of the
enclosure with the requirements of the pool
enclosure by-law and of the approved permit
drawings.
4. (d)If the pool enclosure is complete and satisfactory,
the owner shall be advised that the pool can be
filled and that no further inspections will be
required.
(e)If the pool enclosure includes any sections of
temporary fencing, and such enclosure meets the
requirements of the pool enclosure by-law, the
owner shall be advised that the pool can be
filled, but that the enclosure must be completed
with permanent fencing within two weeks, and
notification given for a re-inspection.
(f)When reinspection of a pool enclosure is required
due to temporary fencing, the inspector shall
schedule to return to the property in two weeks
time, even if notification is not received.
5. CLOSING FILES
(a)The inspection file for a pool enclosure permit
shall be closed as soon as possible following a
satisfactory inspection of the completed pool
enclosure.
6. ENFORCEMENT
(a)If, during an inspection pursuant to a pool
enclosure permit, it is found that the pool
enclosure does not meet any item of the by-law
regulation, the owner shall be notified of the
deficiency and the options available to correct
same. The owner shall be asked to notify the
office for a re-inspection prior to the placing of
any water in the pool.
(b)Notwithstanding the requirement to notify, the
inspector shall schedule to return to the property
1 week following the last inspection.
(c)If, upon reinspection, it is found the deficiency
has not been satisfactorily resolved, the
inspector shall provide the owner with a written
order, specifying the deficiency, and requiring
compliance and a reinspection of the pool
enclosure prior to filling the pool. A maximum of
1 week shall be granted to comply with the by-law.
(d)Unless notified earlier, the inspector shall return
to the property 1 week from the last inspection to
determine compliance of the pool enclosure. An
inspection fee is charged for this inspection.
(e)If, upon reinspection, the pool enclosure remains
incomplete, the inspector shall prepare for court
charges as per the Provincial Offences Act.
DANGEROUS CONDITIONS
(f)If, at any time, the inspector discovers any
dangerous, unsafe conditions, such conditions
shall be brought to the attention of the Chief
Building Official to determine what emergency
measures are to be taken to protect the public.
WATER IN BEFORE AUTHORIZED
(g)If, upon inspection of a property, water has been
placed in a pool and the pool enclosure does not
meet the requirements of the by-law, the inspector
shall issue an order to the owner requiring
compliance with at least temporary fencing within
24 hours, after which the inspector shall prepare
for court charges if the matter is not corrected.
6. NO PERMIT
(h)If, during the normal course of duties, an
inspector finds a pool installed and there is no
record of a permit issued for the pool enclosure,
the inspector shall notify the owner in writing of
the violation of the by-law. The pool enclosure
shall be inspected thoroughly forthwith to
determine compliance. Any deficiencies found
shall be identified in writing to the owner, who
shall be given 24 hours to correct any
deficiencies with at least temporary fencing,
after which the inspector shall prepare for court
charges if the matter of the deficiencies are not
corrected. The owner shall be granted one week to
submit an application for a permit, with
appropriate follow up by the inspector.
COMPLAINTS
(i)Upon receipt of a bona fide complaint, an inspector
shall attend to a property where it is alleged
that a pool enclosure has not been provided or
maintained.
(j)If, upon inspection, it is found that the pool
enclosure does not meet the requirements of the
pool enclosure by-law, such deficiencies shall be
identified in writing to the owner, who shall be
given no more than 1 week to correct the matter.
(k)Unless notified earlier, the inspector shall return
to the property after 1 week to confirm
satisfactory compliance of the pool fence
enclosure. If the enclosure remains incomplete,
the inspector shall prepare for court charges as
per the Provincial Offences Act.
PERFORMING WORK
(l)If for any reason, a pool enclosure is not
adequately secured, the inspector may, after
reasonable notice, enter upon the lands with a
contractor to perform such work as necessary to
restore or complete the requirements for a safe
pool enclosure. All charges shall be invoiced to
the property owner or collected in a like-manner
as taxes, as authorized by Section 325 of the
Municipal Act.

Home Inspection And Your Furnace

Heating, Home Inspection

Home Inspection And Your Furnace.  Typical Methods of inspecting your gas furnace by qualified inspectors will save you needless expenses and repairs. Home inspectors usually find either high efficiency or standard efficiency furnaces in most homes.  Up-draft furnaces are common while down-draft types are rarely seen.

Over the last 20 years, a new generation of higherefficiency gas furnaces and boilers has come to market. Anessential difference in the design of these units is howthey are vented, eliminating the need for dilution air. Thecombustion of gas produces certain by-products, includingwater vapour and carbon dioxide.

Eliminating the need for a chimney is the primary method of energy savings in high efficiency furnaces.  Heat loss and products of combustion through the chimney is significant.  Newer furnaces have an AFUE rating which is based on estimated energy consumption of unit for one year.  This is expressed as a percentage.

The newer designs have been modified to reduce the amount of heated air that escapes during the on and off cycles and by extracting more of the heat contained in the combustionby-products before they are vented.
Natural Gas Furnace Components which are inspected during home inspection or service call.  The typical Natural Gas furnaces are comprised of a cabinet, distribution system, heat exchanger, fan and controls and a thermostat.  There are many additions that can be added to a gas furnace which include, humidifiers, air cleaners and HRV’s.
Standard Inspection Steps performed by a Typical HomeInspector will include these four basic inspection steps:

1. Remove burner and fan cover with power turned off.
2. Check the heat exchanger.
3. Start the furnace and inspecting flame, exhaust system.
4. Check the duct system and air flow through ducts andreturn air systems.

Gas Furnace Age and Life Expectancy

Most gas furnaces are expected to last from 20 to 25 years. The heat exchanger is usually guaranteed for 20 years. Failure of heat exchanger usually means replacement of furnace.
Having your furnace regularly serviced by a trainedtechnician can greatly enhance its life expectency.

 
Learn more about Barrie HomeInspections.  Stop by Roger Frost’s site where you can find out all about Home Maintenance and Tips and what it can do for you.

Uni-stone Pavers and Polymeric Sand

Exterior

Uni-stone Pavers and Polymeric Sand.  Polymeric sand is what professional uni-stone installers use to ensure a filler that is not bothered by the erosion of seasonal weather.

Wnen you open up a bag of polymeric sand and you find it looks like ordinary, free-flowing sand, but it is how it behaves when you put it down. But unlike regular sand, the polymeric product firms up in reaction with water and forms a barrier unlike using normal sand.

Installing polymeric sand is not that complicated and if you follow the instructions below will be fairly simple.

When you are installing polymeric sand in a new paving brick installation? There’s nothing different you need to do while putting the bricks down. If you’ve got an existing pathway that had ordinary sand applied originally, then you need to clean out all the gaps of old sand with a pressure washer. You must create a brand new installation, minus the laying of pavers of course. The main thing to understand about polymeric sand is that it must be installed on a dry surface.

Polymeric sand is activated by water, and it turns quite liquid even with a little moisture. You need dry conditions, with no chance of rain for a day. Check with weather man before starting project.

Spreading polymeric sand begins the same as with normal paver installation. Pour a thin layer as smoothly as possible over the whole pathway surface, then use a stiff-bristled push broom to spread the sand around and begin working it into the gaps.

The trick is to use a a gas-powered vibrator afterwards. This vibrates the sand deep down into the gaps, an essential part of any long-lasting installation.

The broom alone might seem to do a good job, but don’t be fooled. It actually leaves behind hidden gaps that lead to sand collapse later. Don’t skip the compactor.

With all brick gaps fully filled with sand, you’re about to face the most important part of the job: pre-activation cleaning. Since poly sand turns goopy when wet, you must have the surface of the bricks completely and absolutely clean before applying water.

Any sand remaining on the surface will mar the appearance of the brick, so be diligent. Use a soft-bristled broom to move all remaining surface sand into the gaps, going over the surface at least twice, just to make sure.

Now it’s time to activate the sand, and success here requires finesse. You need to gently apply a fine spray of water to moisten the sand, but not so much that it moves any sand up and out of the brick gaps.

It’s a balancing act, so be careful. After an initial misting, let the sand begin to firm up for 15 or 20 minutes, then add more water while watching carefully. Before you’re done, you need to apply enough water to wet the entire depth of sand you’ve added. This could take three or four or five wettings, just be careful.

The danger is that you apply water too fast, causing surface sand to be washed out of the gaps and onto the bricks. When you think you’ve wet the surface enough, take a framing nail or three-inch deck screw and burrow down into a joint gap just to be sure. If it’s not wet all the way, keep up the misting and pausing cycle.

Polymeric sand isn’t foolproof, and it doesn’t eliminate all the problems encountered with regular sand, but it’s still more than worthwhile. Use it to get the most from your paving brick installation and you’ll spend more time enjoying the look, without fretting that ordinary sand washes away so easily.

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