Morris Charney’s 160 Articles and Posts on Construction Defects
1. Mechanical defects, sources of contamination, impediments to creating a healthy environment
31] May 22, 2019 Chemicals in cars, interior air quality is not good
30] May 22, 2019 Air quality problems in UK homes
29] May 7, 2019 The importance of having enough air changes to avoid a build-up of CO2 levels
28] May 2, 2019 Gaz stoves in houses without continuous air changes [at the very least] compromises indoor air quality
27] April 18, 2019 Microplastic particles are also polluting the air we breath
26] Jan 2, 2019 Does it make sense to air-condition at vacation destinations with ideal climates?
25] Dec 10, 2018 Indoor air quality—more polluted than ever
24] Aug 29, 2018 The fresh air intake in buildings has to be filtered
23] Aug 11, 2018 Air quality testing-misdiagnosis, indoor CO2 levels
22] Aug 8, 2018 Air Quality in California, Union of Concerned Scientists
21] Aug 3, 2018 Creating a healthy indoor environment
20] June 23, 2018 Good quality air
19] June 11, 2018 Abandoned wood burning fireplaces affect indoor air quality
18] Feb 2, 2018 Doing something about poor air quality in buildings
17] Jan 25, 2018 Non-ducted ceiling, wall, or floor-air returns either don’t work to begin with or become contaminated over time
16] Sept 14, 2017 Montreal Protocol “ a great success?” Phasing out R22
15] Aug 25, 2017 Close wood-burning fireplaces if you are concerned with your health
14] Aug 17, 2017 Fresh air intake?
13] July 8, 2017 Air exchangers/heat recovery ventilators that make air quality worse
12] April 27, 2017 Bathroom exhausts that exit through soffits don’t work
11] April 27, 2017 Air exchangers/heat recovery ventilators that don’t work make air quality worse
10] Mar 3, 2017 Deceptive labelling of air filters
9] Jan 27, 2017 Non-ducted in-wall returns don’t work
8] Jan 27, 2017 Air exchangers are badly designed
7] Nov 26, 2016 Air exchangers/heat recovery ventilators don’t work
6] Set 13, 2016 Secrets to good air quality
5] Aug 14, 2016 A radical proposal regarding air quality
4] April 24, 2016 Stop the pretense, lots of sick buildings in the downtown
3] April 7, 2016 Using ceiling spaces as return air plenums is unhealthy
2] Mar 27, 2016 Most air exchangers/heat recovery ventilators don’t work
1] Mar 9, 2016 In-wall non-ducted returns don’t work
2. Roofing defects, including insulation and ventilation problems, ice dams and icicles in winter
16] June 4, 2018 Failed products, failed methodologies
15] Feb 12, 2018 Heat lost into an attic in winter
14] Aug 28, 2017 Roof ventilation of mansards
13] July 9, 2017 Unsustainable roofing practice
12] July 9, 2017 Reroofing, taking responsibility for what happens below the roof deck
11] Dec 8, 2016 Ice and icicles leading to infiltration – roofing gaffs
10] Nov 27, 2016 Ridge vents that don’t work where there is snow – roofing gaffs
9] Nov 26, 2016 Venting a mansard roof – roofing gaffs
8] Sept 1, 2016 Leakage from the mechanical ductwork on or above the roof
7] Sept 1, 2016 Improperly installed roof gutters
6] May 7, 2016 Water ponding problems – roofing gaffs
5] May 7, 2016 Bad roofing jobs
4] Mar 16, 2016 Ventilation of a mansard roof
3] Jan 6, 2018 Construction defects causing damages in winter… icicles and ice dams
2] January 15, 2018 Types of defects causing problems in winter… bathroom exhausts and vermiculite
1] Jan 11, 2017 Chronic construction defects: common misconceptions
3. Health and sanitation issues, decontamination, preventative medicine
13] May 22, 2019 Trump’s policy of deregulation involving the emasculation of the EPA now includes decreasing the number of deaths shown to be caused by air pollution
12] Apr 15, 2019 Trump’s policy of deregulation is being applied to a vital standard that determines just how bad indoor air quality has become. The PM 2.5 standard is being used by the EPA and the WHO.
11] Apr 10, 2019 Just how healthy are older country houses?
10] Apr 10, 2019 Antibiotics becoming ineffective because of overuse
9] Mar 19, 2019 How to fight hay fever, IQAir
8]Feb 1, 2019 Evaluating air quality in a house
7] Feb3, 2018 A radical proposal regarding the decontamination of an unhealthy environment
6] June 16, 2017 Off-gassing issues
5] May 2, 2017 Coping with MCS symptoms (multiple chemical sensitivity)
4] Aug 20, 2016 Decontamination: lessons learned
3] July 20, 2016 Cleaning up mould in buildings
1] Mar 22, 2016 Garbage in the crawl spaces of Le Plateau houses, sanitation issues
4. Plumbing defects/sources of contamination/water quality
9] May 22, 2019 If the soil you grow your fruits and vegetables in becomes so contaminated that it affects the drinking water, then it’s only a matter of time for that food to become inedible
8] Apr 3, 2019 Learning lessons from natural disasters
7] Dec 16, 2018 How to do a collector basin properly
6] Jan 22, 2018 How not to do a collector basin with a sump pump
5] March 21, 2017 Just did an inspection at a condo built in 2012 in Montreal with asbestos cement piping in the parking garage
4] March 19, 2017 Tap water isn’t good in the older municipalities
3] Dec 26, 2016 Water quality issues
2] Dec 16, 2016 Erin Brockovich, water supply
1] April 30, 2016 The scoop on French drains
5. Site drainage, water management, flooding, and landscaping
7] Apr 3, 2019 Learning lessons from natural disasters
6] Dec 16, 2018 How to do a collector basin properly
4] May18, 2017 Basement has gotten flooded? What to do?
3] Dec 2, 2016 Large homes – French drains that don’t work
2] Nov 27, 2016 Housing on sloping sites, avoiding damp basements
1] April 30, 2016 The scoop on French drains
6. Electrical defects, EMF and RF
6] Apr 2, 2019 Acquired rights, gfi plugs, aluminum wiring
5] Jan 28, 2019 5G licensed to kill, insect decline
4] Oct 6, 2018 Urban planning priorities
3] Sept 17, 2016 Forget dual-energy, a rip-off, not in the consumer’s interest
2] Dec 5, 2016 Inspecting for EMF and RF radiation problems
1] Mar 16, 2016 Electrical deficiencies…fire, safety, and health hazards
7. Masonry defects, wall assemblies
4] Dec 18, 2018 Weep holes can’t be retrofitted
3] Jan 6, 2018 Brick window sills don’t work
2] Nov 27, 2016 Defects at stonewall veneers
1] Nov 12, 2016 Repairing older properties in clay type soils having stone foundations
8. Problems with current construction practices, disputes with contractors
20] Apr 9, 2019 So many building products or construction methods that just don’t work
19] Dec 20, 2018 Architects should be more involved in all such issues especially the design or maintenance of social housing
18] Dec 15, 2018 The ongoing presence of asbestos in buildings and even health products — children’s talc powder
17] Oct 29, 2017 Changes in construction methodology and its consequences
16] Sept17, 2017 The difficult process of creating a healthy environment
15] March 7, 2017 Too many defects in houses and commercial properties being offered for sale (or rent)
14] Jan 11, 2017 Chronic construction defects, common misconceptions
13] Nov 26, 2016 Lack of quality in new construction
12] Oct 16, 2016 Industry is out to make a profit, the consumer [home purchasers] needs better protection
11] Sept 29, 2016 Problems with fiberglass especially pink fiberglass batt insulation
10] Sept 28, 2016 Regulations are necessary in many cases
9] Sept 27, 2016 Replacing windows? Beware of subsidies
8] Sept 18, 2016 Why construction defects occur
7] Sept 17, 2016 Forget dual-energy, a rip-off, not in the consumer’s interest
6] Aug 25, 2016 Seniors choosing to stay in their homes or apartments – lack of maintenance
5] Aug 24, 2016 Buyer beware of house flippers
4] July 24, 2016 Old combustion fireplaces and chimneys, code enforcement issues
3] June 25, 2016 Building process is at fault
2] June 11, 2016 Repairing building or construction defects
1] May 2, 2016 “But I did it to code” contractor/client disputes
9. Poor building inspections/the detrimental effects of deregulation
24] Apr 22, 2019 Trump’s policy of deregulation and the emasculation of the EPA is now getting them to show decreased numbers of deaths from air pollution in the interest of supporting the coal industry.
23] Apr 15, 2019 Trump’s policy of deregulation is being applied to a vital standard that determines just how bad indoor air quality has become. The PM 2.5 standard is being used by the EPA and the WHO.
22] Feb 21, 2019 Look what’s happening to the EPA, Union of Concerned Scientists
21] Jan 14, 2019 This Coal Lobbyist Should Not Run the E.P.A. The New York Times
20] Nov 23, 2018 Trump’s agenda of environmental deregulation
19] Oct 3, 2018 Exposing kids to chemicals [NY Times]
18] June 4, 2018 Buying or renting a property? Diminished consumer protection
17] Sept 27, 2017 Ahistory of home inspections in the US and Canada
16] July 25, 2017 Letters to the editor that never got published
15] July 16, 2017 Thinking of buying a home in Québec then read this
14] May 17, 2017 What do I charge for a building inspection?
13] May 15, 2017 The aftermath of deregulation
12] Mar 21, 2017 The death of expertise, the campaign against established knowledge
11] Feb 27, 2017 What deregulation is really like
10] Nov 21, 2016 Home inspections
9] Nov 6, 2016 Impact of deregulation on home inspections
8] Sept 13, 2016 Taking the risk out of buying a heritage home
7] Aug 17, 2016 Time/cost required for good pre-purchase inspection report
6] Aug 14, 2016 Pre-purchase inspections: a radical proposal
5] June 7, 2016 How am I different? Professional fees
4] May 4, 2016 Pre-purchase inspections at condominiums should include the common areas
3] Apr 17, 2016 Possible benefits of a good pre-purchase inspection
2] Mar 20, 2016 Apparent defects which should be revealed in a good building inspection
1] Feb 27, 2016 Pre-purchase building inspections have become meaningless
10. Real estate agents are programmed to sell, the antithesis of consumer protection
9] Mar 22, 2019 Translating Broker Babble
8] Jan 30, 2019 Buying a condominium in today’s market
7] Aug 23, 2018 Staging a house for sale
6] July 8, 2017 An up-to-date certificate of location is essential even for a pre-purchase inspection
5] July 8, 2017 Typical home purchasers are too gullible, too naïve when it comes to their legal rights
4] Oct 2, 2016 Real estate agents are achieving new levels of deception
3] Aug 24, 2016 Buyer beware of house flippers
2] July 9, 2016 A real conflict of interest
1] June 12, 2016 Buyer beware when the listing says, “completely renovated”
11. Legal issues including latent defect claims
9] Apr 2, 2019 Acquired rights
8] Dec 20, Legal strategies that avoid resolving construction defects
7] Dec 12, 2018 Buying without legal warranty should sell the same way
6] Dec 12, 2018 Explaining latent mould and how it can be inadvertently reactivated
5] Mar 10, 2017 Considering the quality of justice
4] Mar 3, 2017 Buying a property without legal warranty as to quality
3] Feb 21, 2017 Too many bogus claims for latent defects
2] Dec 17, 2016 Strategy to avoid latent defect claims
1] Mar 4, 2016, Latent defect claims
12 Urban Design, Climate Change and Green House Gases
16] May 1, 2019 The history of climate, lecture by Dan Britt
15] April 22, 2019 Climate’s troubling unknown unknowns
14] April 11, 2019 Because of global warming, the ice in the Antarctic is melting at an accelerated rate causing sea level rise in coastal areas throughout the world
13] April 11, 2019 Opening in the Earth’s ozone layer above the Antarctic is healing. The cause was manmade
12] Apr 9, 2019 Learning from natural disasters
11] Apr 9, 2019 The building code is more than adequate
10] Apr 6, 2019 A not so radical proposal to do something about global warming before it’s too late
9] Apr 3, 2019 Learning lessons from natural disasters
8] Mar 27, 2019 Good urban planning in view of climate change – Copenhagen
7]Jan 17, 2019 Royalmount mega-mall project in Montreal vs Urban planning profession
6] Dec 13, 2018 Urban planning-choosing objectives carefully, protecting your constituents
5] Nov 25, 2018 Global warming and climate change
4] Jan 8, 2018 Weather and climate disasters in the US since 1980 cost $1.5 trillion in damages
3] Oct 6, 2018 Urban planning priorities
2] Oct 3, 2018 The Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] in the US
1] May 17, 2018 We need science to steer self-driving cars in the right direction
13 Architectural and Planning Education
6] May 8, 2019 Why urban planning as a profession isn’t being given a chance to succeed in Montreal and Toronto
5] Apr 4, 2019 Urban planners are being ignored. The developers are having a field day.
4] Mar 30, 2019 Bauhaus axioms “form follows function”, “collaborative multidisciplinary design” can work in capitalistic markets, reduce claims for construction defects
3] Jan 29, 2019 Trump doesn’t believe in Global warming and is emasculating the EPA
2] Dec 11, 2018 Architectural Education
1] Nov 16, 2018 Why architectural education needs to embrace evidence-based design; now