Leaks over time especially when exposed to chlorine in water supplies.
It's no longer allowed in building codes.

Faster and easier to install, but not "better".

Rain screening wasn't incorporated into building code until 2001 I believe. Our old condo built in 95/96 was not rainscreened. The envelope repairs to bring the envelope up to code worked out to a $40k assessment for us unfortunately, 2 year project beginning to end and our building is small only 30 units. Endless frustration running the strata council and trying to convince owners that voting down a major structural repair in their own home/investment was a bad idea. Paying the premium to be my own strata council of 1 is well worth it

Hey, I mean, if you're cool spending a million bucks on an overpriced shoebox where they can't even get the fit and finish right, go on ahead I guess.

It never ceases to amaze me how people are completely irrational when it comes to real estate here in Vancouver.

My memory is a bit fuzzy but I think rainscreen was incorporated into BC building code mid 2000 (05/06) and vancouver incorporated late 90's (96-97).

Even in house/and duplex that cost over 2 million will have finishing issue. Is common these days. When contractors is being rush and being undercut.

Agreed and it's the same crews doing all different levels price ranges of construction.

In the last 12 months we've worked on some high rises in Richmond where units were selling I believe somewhere in the 400's at the time of presales? We're finishing up a new hotel that had an insane schedule where we had 120+ guys on site at the peak, three new hospitals across Western Canada and we're working on a High end Mid Rise in West Van that is selling for around $2,200sf, some suites are in the 9 million dollar range.

A lot of the same crews more or less on all these projects.

Are you saying codes are now dictating copper again?

Funny I remember seeing the pressure test videos where they would crank up the pressure and it would swell in one area they circle it and bring the pressure down and up again but it would be another area that swells. Trying to show that the material is flexible and the same area wouldn't be weak and be likely to fail after a previous issue.

400k, 2M, 10M, doesn't matter.

unless the client comes out and say "hey look I know we're only working with this much time or this much resources and I'm okay with subpar results"

you will stand by your workmanship.

Poly B was used far later than 95, my former bosses house that was built in the early 2000's had some and had multiple failures which flooded the basement.

I've been to a few seminars regarding it, it's not so much the product is always bad but moreso inconsistencies with its production. I can't remember if it's zinc or what it was but depending on where it was manufactured it does not have enough material to pass quality controls in its fittings, it's not so much the actual pipe but the fittings and elbows that wear away and fail. Fairly easy to identify but hard if it's only in places which are inaccessible (i.e. Walls ceilings etc)

Also re: my comment about levels of rinishinf being accepted, didn't mean accepted by the home owner but by the developer/builder. Especially in high rise construction where turn over dates for the whole building typically occur over as short as a month or two. Simple things like drywall patches, paint, cabinet repairs, etc can take days, weeks, months in some cases. And it always falls back on the supplier or trade rather than the builder in my experience (unless the organization is completely inept)

A good drywall patch on a hole the size of a baseketball could take 3-4 days to complete, so in most cases it's better to leave deficiencies and have them addressed all at once as opposed to trying to address every little thing and end up behind schedule

There are other approved options out there like PEX.

I don't think copper was ever removed as an allowable piping material, if you want to spend the time & money to use it you still can.

Most residential now use PEX.
Commercial/Industrial use CPVC (e.g. Aquarise).

Copper is still used by old school contractors/engineers, and on some larger pipe sizes, but it's quickly being replaced. It's an inferior product to PEX and CPVC, it erodes because of our soft water, and also needs to be a larger pipe size compared to PEX because of the erosion.

Stainless steel is also started being used in commercial/multi-unit residential for risers where fire ratings are an issue.

Calling the developer to fix in-suite deficiencies means I have to take time off work to let the guy in (even though the building manager has a key). So... I just fixed it myself. Most handy doodz (or gals, sorry) can take care of these types of things themselves. I fixed a bunch of nail pops and re-painted myself. My paint cuts were done better than whoever did them originally too... all this coming from someone who's never had to do this type of stuff, though it helps that I've watched how the pros do it on various job sites.

How do you know there's no asbestos in your home? Did you get everything tested?

ANYONe know if you can get a HELOC without income

^^ My parents is retire and they got approve for HELOC. But that was years and years ago. Not sure if anyone have change since.

Having some issue with my apartment. Been figuring out on how to install a door/panel in the bedroom. Currently there are no bedroom door. The opening is 46 inch wide and 89inch tall. Way too big and tall for standard door. The ceiling and the sides use some drywall so is not very strong. Not to mention there is a power panel on the right side that's very close to where I want to install the door/panel.

Though about using sliding door but the rail needs a lot of support from the side and it won't do. (something like this https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...erior-door.jpg ). Side the side are drywall it just won't hold the door.

Though about using the rail on the ceiling itself again since the ceiling part is also very weak it won't hold the door. The good thing about this setup is I can install 2 rails so there are 2 sliding doors that will cover up the opening.

Though about taking out the both sides, the ceiling and make the opening smaller to the standard size door. But that would require a ton of work (adding layers into the wall itself, patch it and repaint it) Not to mention such a major job the management company might not approve.

The only thing I think might work is something call Chicology I can install the rail on the ceiling and since the door is not really a door but rather each curtain (4) clap down with the guide rails onto the rail itself so it looks decent. The size also fits the size without me doing much work to the unit.

Any suggestions from RS?http://i.imgur.com/ADYUR9v.jpg here is a pic. I will try to get a better one next time I am there.

^Framing in that opening for a door is a relatively simple job. I would recommend doing that especially if it's for a bedroom. Those adjustable panels don't seem suitable and probably won't be good for sound travel.

I guess I should take a more detail picture when I have the chance. Framing is an easy job but the size of the door have to have custom made and needs management approval. On the left of the opening the breaker is there and to the right is there is the wiring for the cable services...... Apartments everything needs approval. Oh well.

I like the way those sliding doors look. Especially nice in smaller bedrooms where you have to worry about bed placement compared to the entry way.

How did you not get a door in the first place or a proper design layout with enough space to fit a door? sorry for the stupid question.

Is really common in one bedroom apartment now. With a door it makes everything looks smaller and cramp. If the developers use a sliding door it might make the place look cheap and others might prefer to use a proper door instead.

Just take a look at new apartments going up, look at their show rooms there are no doors for one bedroom and it also shows in their layout/blueprint.

I'm not a banker but I would assume it would depend on how much equity you have in your home. Why not set up an appointment and ask your bank, that advice is free as a bird.

Selina Robinson: The new Housing Minister tasked with cooling the housing market

She has a little video on Youtube:

Housing minister Selina Robinson to tackle B.C.?s runaway housing prices | Vancouver Sun