Guided diagnosis
Start from a symptom without jumping to a conclusion
The tool suggests checks and stop points; it does not make a professional diagnosis.
V14
Systems to check before closing the work
V14 connects envelope, air, fire, structure, water and code instead of treating each project in isolation.
Envelope and condensationVentilation and pressureFire safetyShower waterproofingDeck, stairs and guardsLoad-bearing walls and openingsRoof penetrations and flashingPlumbing pressure and systemHydronic and radiant heatRenovating while living at homeHidden services before drillingCode versionsRenovation dependencies
V15
Remaining system checks not to miss
V15 covers issues that can block a project, cause a loss or become expensive once concealed.
Underground utilities before diggingPool/spa safetyPrivate sewer/water serviceRenovating a rented unitOil, propane and tankOld electrical systemFireplace, stove and chimneyBefore closing wallsPost-renovation commissioningGarage door and springsTrees, roots and utilitiesAppliance connections and leaksDryer vent and exhaustCodes + climate by province
V16
Advanced diagnostics to cross-check
V16 connects water, soil, climate, safety, materials and seasonal use to existing projects.
Drinking-water quality and treatmentRodents, bats and exclusionRoof snow and iceJobsite safety and silicaNoise and vibrationRainwater and greywaterAddition, sunroom and atticRetaining wall and slopePyrite, pyrrhotite and ochreCottage winterizationMasonry and lintelsMaterial compatibilityCuring, drying and acclimation
V17
Specialized systems to cross-check
V17 completes gas, soil, water, fire, climate and structural interfaces.
V18
Specialized diagnostics to verify
V18 connects systems that become costly or regulated when a primary project triggers them.
V19
Edge systems to integrate into the project
V19 covers interfaces that become important when multiple home systems interact.
Legacy conditions and resilience systems
Check these before enclosing, excavating, modernizing or automating an existing system.
- Roof and gutter de-icing heat cables
- Well pump, pressure tank and booster
- Permanent wood foundation (PWF)
- Workshop ventilation: dust, fumes and solvents
- Attached greenhouse or four-season sunroom
- Solar panels and roof lifecycle sequencing
- Water leak detection and automatic shutoff
- Vermiculite, asbestos and attic renovation
- Shoreline, riparian zone, dock and stabilization
- Sewage ejector or grinder pump
- Sump pump, backwater valve and backup
- UFFI and renovation of an older home
Advanced systems and special cases
Checks that change sequencing, risk or which professionals must be coordinated.
- Manufactured or mobile home renovation
- Indoor pool humidity, envelope and ventilation
- Steam shower / steam room envelope
- HVAC, heat-pump and dehumidifier condensate drainage
- Duplex/multi-unit shared systems before renovation
- Log and heavy-timber home renovation
- Abandoned well decommissioning
- Exterior basement entry and drainage
- Flat roof overflow, scupper and secondary drainage
- Heated driveway and snowmelt system
- Residential potable-water cistern
- Outdoor kitchen: gas, electrical, water and fire
Hidden systems and critical interfaces
These checks target costly problems that often appear only after opening assemblies, conversions or changes of use.
- Legacy plumbing: materials, transitions and history
- I-joists/LVL: holes, notches and services
- Roof trusses: modification and attic storage
- Sewer gas, traps and plumbing vents
- Sensitive clay and landslide constraints
- Heavy floor loads: gym, aquarium, safe, piano
- Wildfire smoke: filtration and cleaner indoor air
- Water stagnation and recommissioning after work or vacancy
- Orphaned chimney after electrification
- Water-service replacement: grounding and bonding continuity
- Electric radiant floor heating in renovation
- Metal roof: sliding snow and ice
Deep retrofit and envelope interfaces
Measure, sequence, drain, dry and verify interfaces before concealing work.
- Deep energy retrofit: whole-home sequencing
- Blower-door airtightness testing
- Residential thermal storage heating
- Solar thermal water heating
- Continuous exterior insulation and thermal bridges
- Rainscreen and wall drainage plane
- Opening flashings: windows, doors and sill pans
- Stone foundation and compatible mortar
- Concrete balcony: spalling and reinforcement corrosion
- Brick veneer: cavity, flashings, ties and weeps
- Home emergency shutoff map
Building interfaces to diagnose before enclosure or replacement
These tools connect structure, water, air, frost, wind and mechanical systems so repairs do not hide the cause.
- Cold-climate heat pump: load, balance point and backup
- Ductwork, static pressure, airflow and balancing
- EIFS/acrylic stucco: water, drainage and repairs
- Spray polyurethane foam: assembly and quality control
- Slab-on-grade: moisture, vapour, radon and flooring
- Frost-protected shallow foundation
- Wind uplift: roof-to-wall-to-foundation load path
- Cathedral ceiling and compact roof: air, vapour and moisture
- Foundation cracks: track movement before repair
- Chimney removal: structure, roof, floors and safety
- Garage slab: heave, settlement and frost
Hidden details to verify before repair or enclosure
These diagnostics separate simple maintenance from measurement-first and conditions where structure, fire or services require professional review.
- Basement subfloor and moisture
- Cold room/root cellar: condensation and thermal separation
- Steel beams and columns in renovation
- Ductless mini-split: placement, condensate and maintenance
- Exterior stairs and landings: frost movement
- Firestopping around pipes, cables and ducts
- Tankless water heater: demand, energy and maintenance
- Adjustable steel posts: load and footing
- Bouncy or deflecting floors
- Sagging roof: rafters, ridge and supports
V26
Often-overlooked service interfaces
V26 connects systems that cross utility, plumbing, HVAC, envelope and metering boundaries.
Electrical service, mast and meterGenerator and backup powerDomestic hot-water recirculationWater pressure, PRV and thermal expansionHVAC zoning and motorized dampersVoltage quality, flicker and sagsAttic hatch and pull-down stairsExterior window shading and overheatingElectricity submetering in multi-unit buildingsHeat pump outdoor unit, snow and defrost
V27
Project risks and overlooked interfaces
V27 connects payment, water, envelope, ventilation and jobsite details that often create costly surprises.
Payments, change orders, releases and construction liensGutters, downspouts and roof drainageTile, stone and substrate deflectionSafety glazing, showers and guardsVacant home during renovationTemporary weather protection during renovationOutdoor air intakes and exhaust terminationsBuilding-envelope penetrationsDeck ledger, cladding and masonry interfaceLaundry room leak containment
V28
Finish and service details to verify
V28 connects small details that become costly once finishes are closed.
Traditional cement stucco, lath and drainageSlate or clay tile roofingKitchen island/peninsula services and supportHidden backing for grab bars and wall-mounted fixturesPlumbing cleanouts and service accessPost-renovation cleaning and indoor airOutdoor faucet: freeze and backflow protectionCladding clearance above gradeCondensation in exhaust ductsAttic soffit baffles and ventilation
V29
Household safety and compliance details
V29 connects smaller risks that often fall between finishes, appliances, plumbing and local code.
Sealant joints, backer rod and movementRange anti-tip and appliance anchoringAwning, canopy and pergola loadsInterior stairs, handrails and guardsWater-treatment backwash and reject dischargeMechanical room service access and clearancesCeiling fan and heavy light supportCorded window coverings and child safetyOutdoor receptacle: GFCI and weather protectionFloor drain trap seals and primers
V30
Shared, access and specialized interfaces
V30 connects projects where multiple systems, owners or rules meet.
Party walls: fire, sound and penetrationsDetached accessory dwelling / garden suiteEV charging in condos and multi-unit housingSolar PV: roof attachment, structure and flashingAccessible exterior entry: ramp, landing and thresholdStone veneer: support, drainage and attachmentPool: pump, filter, heating and equipmentSauna: heater, ventilation and enclosureSmoke/CO alarms during renovationWindows in masonry openings
V31
Commissioning and everyday safety
V31 helps verify systems after work and document the values that make a home safer to operate.
Range hood: capture, duct and makeup airHRV/ERV: frost, condensate and balancingCondensing-appliance condensateGas-to-induction cooking conversionLithium e-bike/e-scooter batteries at homeWater heater: temperature/pressure relief and dischargeHot-water temperature and anti-scald protectionPlumbing vents: frost, snow and roof terminationWindows and child fall preventionElectrical panel: circuit directory and mapping
V32
Post-disaster and legacy systems
V32 connects contamination, storm damage, legacy materials and recommissioning before rebuilding.
Sewage backup: contamination and recoveryPost-fire smoke, soot and wet materialsKnob-and-tube wiring in an older homeHail: roof and envelope impact assessmentFrozen/burst pipes: safe recommissioningTermites and wood-boring insects in structural woodMercury thermostats and legacy controlsStorm/tree impact: structure, re-entry and stabilizationLead paint: renovation dustElectrical systems after flooding: re-energization
V33
Invisible constraints before work
V33 checks electrical, legal, environmental and climate constraints that can block a project before demolition starts.
Aluminum branch-circuit wiringOld fuse panels and overfusingLegacy fluorescent ballasts and PCBsMigratory-bird nests and renovation workEasements and rights-of-way before workRenovating in a flood-hazard zonePermafrost and northern home foundationsCoastal homes: storm surge, salt and corrosionOverhead powerlines near home workGFCI/AFCI and modern protection during renovation
V34
Use, excavation and construction constraints
V34 connects use permits, soil, excavation, neighbouring structures and public-space logistics before hard-to-reverse work.
Building use or occupancy change before renovationArchaeological find during excavationContaminated soil found during excavationPost-tensioned slabs: drilling, anchoring and coringBlasting and vibration near buildingsExcavation dewatering and groundwater pumpingExcavation shoring and adjacent structuresPreconstruction condition survey of neighbouring buildingsProtected trees, roots and constructionPublic right-of-way occupation during construction
Before finalizing the project
V35 checks that can change drawings, permits, construction methods or structure.
- Professional plans: architect, engineer or other designer?
- Permit closeout, final inspection and occupancy
- Variance, design review and discretionary planning approval
- Temporary construction heating and drying
- Hot work, permits and fire watch
- Infrared thermography and moisture mapping
- Well yield, recovery and storage
- Snow drift at additions and roof steps
- Balloon framing and continuous cavities in old homes
- Wetlands and watercourses before construction
Hidden V50 interfaces
Detail interfaces V51
Residual interfaces V52
Hidden junctions V53
V46 decisions to diagnose before fixing
- Roof-truss uplift: seasonal ceiling-wall cracks
- De-icing salts: concrete, corrosion and scaling
- Older electric radiant ceiling: before drilling or demolition
- Wood flooring: shrinkage, swelling, cupping and moisture
- Central vacuum: exhaust, depressurization and fire separations
- Multi-unit dryer exhaust: shared ducts, pressure and fire
- Recessed lights under attic insulation: heat, air and safety
V47
V47 interfaces not to miss
These details are small on a drawing but can control water, structure or durability.