New Build Defect Checker
Check for Common Defects
Select symptoms you observe in your new home. This tool helps identify potential construction defects based on industry data.
Potential Defect Identified
Buying a brand-new home should feel like a win. But too often, homeowners discover problems months-or even years-after moving in. These aren’t minor annoyances. They’re costly, sometimes dangerous, and often avoidable. In Halifax and across Canada, new builds are supposed to meet strict codes. Yet, the same defects keep popping up on inspections, warranty claims, and homeowner forums. If you’re building or buying new, you need to know what to look for before you sign anything.
Water Intrusion and Moisture Problems
Water is the #1 enemy of new homes. It doesn’t take much to start a chain reaction: a missing drip edge, a poorly sealed window, a cracked flashing, or even a gap behind siding. Moisture gets in, then hides-behind drywall, under flooring, inside wall cavities. By the time you smell mold or see stains, the damage is already done.
Recent data from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association shows that over 60% of new home warranty claims in Atlantic Canada involve water-related issues. The most common culprits? Improperly installed windows and doors, especially on second-floor balconies and bay windows. Builders sometimes skip the waterproofing membrane behind cladding to save time. Or they use the wrong type of flashing-like aluminum instead of rubberized asphalt-on roof-to-wall intersections.
Check for this: Look at the bottom of exterior walls where they meet the foundation. There should be a visible gap filled with flexible sealant, not caulk. If it’s sealed solid, water can’t escape. That’s a red flag.
Foundation Settlement and Cracks
A new home’s foundation should be stable. But if the soil wasn’t properly compacted before pouring concrete-or if the footings were too shallow-you’ll see cracks, uneven floors, or doors that stick. These aren’t always obvious at first. Sometimes they show up after the first freeze-thaw cycle.
In Nova Scotia, clay-rich soils expand when wet and shrink when dry. Builders who don’t account for this risk differential settlement. I’ve seen homes with 15mm-wide cracks in slab floors, all from a foundation poured on backfilled dirt that wasn’t tamped down in 15cm layers. That’s not normal. That’s negligence.
Look for diagonal cracks wider than 3mm near corners of windows or doors. Check if the floor slopes noticeably-like a slight tilt toward the garage. If you can roll a marble across the kitchen floor, that’s not just a quirk. It’s a structural issue.
Electrical System Errors
Electricity is invisible. That’s why it’s so dangerous when it’s done wrong. In new builds, the most common electrical defects are overloaded circuits, undersized wiring, and improper grounding. Some builders cut corners by using 14-gauge wire on 20-amp circuits. Others install GFCI outlets only where code requires them-missing areas like kitchen islands or laundry rooms.
Wiring errors are the second most common warranty claim after water damage. In 2024, a provincial inspection audit found that 38% of new homes in Nova Scotia had at least one code violation in the electrical system. The worst? Junction boxes buried behind drywall with no access panel. That’s not just a code violation-it’s a fire hazard.
Test this: Turn on every light and outlet in the house. If breakers trip when you run the microwave and toaster at the same time, the circuits are overloaded. Also, check that every bathroom has a GFCI outlet. If not, demand it be fixed before closing.
Insulation and Air Sealing Gaps
A new home should be energy efficient. But many builders use cheap, low-density insulation or skip air sealing entirely. You might not feel drafts right away, but your heating bill will tell the truth. In cold climates like Halifax, poor insulation leads to ice dams, condensation on windows, and mold behind baseboards.
Blown-in cellulose insulation is often installed unevenly-thin in corners, thick in the middle. Fiberglass batts get compressed around electrical boxes or cut too short around windows. That leaves gaps. Thermal bridging happens when framing members conduct cold straight into the interior. I’ve seen homes with R-20 rated walls that perform like R-10 because of gaps around pipes and wires.
Ask for the blower door test results. Every new home in Nova Scotia is required to pass one. If the builder won’t show you the report, walk away. A合格 score should be under 1.5 air changes per hour at 50 pascals. Anything higher means your house is leaking air like a sieve.
Roofing and Flashing Failures
Roofs are supposed to last 20-30 years. But in new builds, they often start leaking within 18 months. Why? Improper flashing. Roofers sometimes nail shingles too close to chimneys or vents, or use nails that are too short. They skip underlayment on low-slope sections. Or they install drip edges backward.
One builder in Dartmouth used synthetic underlayment instead of felt on a 3:12 pitch roof. The material degraded after one winter. Water pooled behind the gutters and rotted the sheathing. The homeowner didn’t notice until the ceiling in the master bedroom started sagging.
Walk the perimeter of your roof. Look at valleys, chimneys, and skylights. Flashing should be continuous metal-not strips of rubber taped over gaps. If you see nails sticking out of the roof or shingles buckling near edges, that’s a sign of poor installation. Ask for a copy of the roofing manufacturer’s warranty. If it’s voided because of improper nailing patterns, you’ve got a problem.
Plumbing Leaks and Drainage Issues
Plumbing in new homes often fails because of rushed connections. PVC joints glued without primer, drain pipes sloped too shallow, or vent pipes capped before inspection. The result? Slow drains, gurgling sounds, or worse-water backing up into basements.
In 2023, a study by the Building Envelope Research Group found that 42% of new homes in Eastern Canada had improperly sloped drain lines. One home in Truro had a 1.5% slope on its main sewer line. The code requires 2%. That small difference meant solids settled and clogged the line within six months.
Run water in every sink, shower, and tub. Listen for gurgling. Check under the kitchen sink for wet spots. Look at the basement floor for damp patches, especially near the foundation wall. If you see water pooling near the sump pump pit, the exterior drainage might be blocked or improperly graded.
Door and Window Installation Mistakes
Windows and doors are the weakest points in any home’s envelope. Too often, they’re installed crooked, without proper shimming, or with insulation stuffed too tightly around the frame. That compresses the seal and causes air leaks. Worse, the flashing is applied after the window is in place-instead of before.
I’ve inspected homes where the window frames were nailed directly to the sheathing with no weather-resistant barrier behind them. Rain ran down the wall, soaked the OSB, and rotted it from the inside. The homeowner thought the windows were leaking. They weren’t. The wall was.
Check the gaps around window and door frames. They should be filled with expanding foam-not caulk alone. Run your hand along the interior trim. If you feel cold air, it’s not insulated properly. Look for paint peeling around the frame. That’s a sign of moisture buildup.
How to Protect Yourself
Knowing the defects isn’t enough. You need to act. Here’s what to do:
- Get a pre-drywall inspection. Hire an independent inspector-not the builder’s. They’ll check framing, plumbing, electrical, and insulation before it’s covered up.
- Request the builder’s warranty manual. Know what’s covered, for how long, and who handles claims.
- Attend the final walkthrough. Bring a checklist. Test every outlet, faucet, switch, and vent. Don’t just nod along.
- Document everything. Take photos and videos of every issue. Write down dates and names of who you spoke to.
- Don’t sign off on occupancy until every item on your list is fixed. Builders will promise to fix it later. They rarely do.
New builds aren’t perfect. But they shouldn’t be a gamble. With the right knowledge and a few extra steps, you can avoid the most common-and most expensive-mistakes.
Are new build defects covered by warranty?
Yes, most new homes in Canada come with a builder’s warranty, usually through a third-party provider like Tarion in Ontario or the Atlantic New Home Warranty Program in the Maritimes. Structural defects (foundation, load-bearing walls) are covered for up to 10 years. Major systems like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC are covered for 2 years. Cosmetic issues like paint or trim are covered for 1 year. But you must report issues within the warranty period-and keep records of all communication.
Can I sue my builder for construction defects?
Yes, but it’s complicated. Most warranties require you to go through the builder’s claims process first. If they refuse to fix major structural issues, you can file a complaint with your provincial warranty program. If that fails, you can pursue legal action under the Homeowner Protection Act or common law for negligence. However, lawsuits are expensive and slow. It’s usually better to work with the warranty provider and get an independent inspection to prove the defect.
How much does a pre-drywall inspection cost?
In Nova Scotia, a qualified home inspector charges between $400 and $700 for a pre-drywall inspection. It’s one of the best investments you can make. Most inspectors will spend 3-4 hours checking framing, insulation, plumbing rough-ins, electrical wiring, and air sealing. That’s far cheaper than fixing a leaky roof or moldy walls later.
What’s the most overlooked defect in new homes?
The most overlooked defect is poor air sealing around penetrations-where pipes, wires, and ducts go through walls and floors. Builders focus on big things like windows and insulation, but tiny gaps around electrical boxes, plumbing stacks, and recessed lights let in cold air and moisture. These are invisible until mold grows or your heating bill spikes. A thermal imaging scan during the final walkthrough can catch them.
Should I hire my own inspector or rely on the builder’s inspection?
Always hire your own inspector. The builder’s inspector works for the builder. Their job is to make sure the home passes code-not to find every hidden flaw. An independent inspector has no loyalty to the builder. They’re paid by you, and their reputation depends on catching problems. I’ve seen cases where the builder’s inspection missed major framing errors that cost over $20,000 to fix after closing.
