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WJ: Avalon homes undergo foundation repairs
By Joanne MacDonald, Neighbourhood News Staff
Thu, Aug 25, 2005 3:00 PM EST
Houses on Marshfield St. in the Avalon development of Orléans are having their foundations repaired.
An east end foundation expert says homeowners in the Avalon development in Orléans whose relatively new homes have been beset by foundation cracks should be pointing their fingers at the City of Ottawa.
Up to 100 homes in the Avalon development have experienced foundation problems -- namely recurring cracks -- due to settlement issues. A statement released on August 8 by the homes' builder, Minto Developments Inc., said the company first became "aware of unusual foundation performance affecting a limited number of homes" in Avalon in mid-2003.
Since then, the company said it's been monitoring Avalon's geo-technical conditions to try to determine the reasons for the foundation problems and in efforts to devise a comprehensive remediation plan.
The company is currently working on a selected group of affected homes -- at 150 through 164 Marshfield St. -- doing both remedial works and repairs. Minto has pledged to homeowners that they intend to "return the home to its original condition upon purchase..."
The houses affected by the foundation problems are all located within a block or two of Innes Road and "were amongst the first 100 or so of the nearly 2,000 homes that we have built in this community and are the only homes affected by this issue," said Minto's release.
City's responsibility?
Patrick Lecours of Mr. Foundation said he believes the city is responsible for the situation the homeowners now find themselves in Avalon, an area he describes as one of the city's "hot spots" for settlement issues.
"I would say point your fingers at the city because they have the money and the knowledge and the resources to hire private consultants before saying to Minto, 'Go ahead and build it,'" said Lecours.
"Due diligence is ultimately reflected back to the city. They're (the city) paid many fees so if you're paid those fees, you're supposed to provide a service."
Peter Black, the city's Manager, Building Inspection Division, Building Services Branch, said Ottawa's poor soils are a challenge to build on, but the Building Code doesn't prohibit construction in difficult soils ? only that minimum building standards be met.
"The construction was building code compliant when the homes were initially constructed in 2002. Despite this, problems have developed. Thus, Minto is now faced with undertaking the repairs," said Black.
Building permits have been issued and approval has been given for Minto's engineered solution, and Black said the city is ensuring the remedial work is compliant with the Building Code.
"The City does not warrant the work of the builder," said Black. "The builder, however, does warrant their product and in this case, the builder is following up on its warranty to its purchasers by undertaking this remedial work."
Ron Victor and his family have lived for two-and-a-half-years in one of the Marshfield residences now undergoing repairs. He said the family noticed problems only a few months after moving in, namely cracks in walls and doors that wouldn't close properly.
"I would call the company to fix it and they would come every time because we were covered under the warranty," said Victor, who added that his neighbours were also finding cracks in their foundations.
But he said the repeated repairs failed to stop the cracks from reoccuring. When his home warranty expired, Victor said the crack in the basement foundation kept getting bigger. Instead of dealing with Minto's Avalon office, Victor decided to then contact Minto's head office in Ottawa.
Heaving floor
"The cracks in the basement were mostly on the floor but the cracks on the main floor were in the wall, mostly in the living room and the family room and kitchen," said Victor. "In the front (entrance) of the house, you could see the floor was heaving."
Victor said repair work began in his house in mid-July and is expected to take four to six weeks to complete.
"The most important thing now is the work getting done. It's not convenient for us. We have not enjoyed the summer at all," said Victor. The family has to cross "a bridge" to walk into their house, he said, because a ditch about 10 feet deep has been dug around the house so that workers can complete the foundation repairs.
Despite "lots of dust and noise," Victor's family hasn't considered moving from their Avalon home.
"They tell me the work will make the house more solid than before," he said.
Another Marshfield Street resident, who asked that his name not be used, said repairs to his house only began in mid-August.
But the man said he's concerned the foundation problems could affect his family's chances of reselling the house.
"I cannot say I'm very happy. The problems means we cannot sell our house," said the man. "I would lose money. We want to see how they're fixed."
Meanwhile, Patrick Lecours said if prospective homeowners are alerted to a possible "foundation issue" at the time that their house -- either a new or older home -- is being inspected, they should consult with a foundation repair expert.
He said such a move is advised especially if a home inspector writes in his report that homeowners should "Keep monitoring the cracks."
"You may have to pay a fee to get a foundation inspection, but that fee pales beside what the cost could be for repairs," said Lecours. He added it would also be advisable for prospective buyers to make the state of the home's foundation a condition of sale if more than one crack is found during the initial inspection of the home.
Lecours added, "Most foundation problems are usually too much water or not enough...If they (builders) know there's a settlement issue, they should build accordingly."