What is UFFI?

What Is UFFI?


Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) was developed in Europe in the 1950s as an improved means of insulating difficult-to-reach cavities in house walls. It is typically made at a construction site from a mixture of urea-formaldehyde resin, a foaming agent and compressed air. When the mixture is injected into the wall, urea and formaldehyde unite and "cure" into an insulating foam plastic.

During the 1970s, when concerns about energy efficiency led to efforts to improve home insulation in Canada, UFFI became an important insulation product for existing houses. Most installations occurred between 1977 and its ban in Canada in 1980.

Why Was UFFI Banned?

In the insulating process, a slight excess of formaldehyde was often added to ensure complete "curing" with the urea to produce the urea-formaldehyde foam. That excess was given off during the curing, almost entirely within a day or two of injection. Properly installed, UFFI might not have resulted in any problem. Unfortunately, however, UFFI was sometimes improperly installed or used in locations where it should not have been. Enough complaints were received, particularly from people living in small, well-sealed homes, that Canadian authorities became concerned about possible health implications. The further use of UFFI was banned in 1980.

What Is Formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is a pungent, colourless gas commonly used in water solution as a preservative and disinfectant. It is also a basis for major plastics, including durable adhesives. It occurs naturally in the human body and in the outdoor environment. Formaldehyde is used to bond plywood, particleboard, carpets and fabrics, and it contributes to "that new house smell." Formaldehyde is also a by product of combustion; it is found in tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust and the fumes from furnaces, fireplaces and wood stoves.

While small amounts of formaldehyde are harmless, it is an irritating and toxic gas in significant concentrations. Symptoms of overexposure to formaldehyde include irritation to eyes, nose and throat; persistent cough and respiratory distress; skin irritation; nausea; headache; and dizziness.

Health Canada has determined that 0.1 parts per million (ppm) is a safe level of formaldehyde in the home. Sensitivity to this level may vary based on individual age and health.

Should You Be Concerned About UFFI Today?

Tests show that UFFI is not a source of over-exposure to formaldehyde after the initial curing and release of excess gas. As it was last installed in 1980, it would certainly not be causing excess indoor formaldehyde today. Houses with UFFI show no higher formaldehyde levels than those without it. However, if UFFI comes in contact with water or moisture, it could begin to break down. Wet or deteriorating UFFI should be removed by a specialist and the source of the moisture problem should be repaired.

In new or other well-sealed houses, significant indoor formaldehyde levels may still occur when new carpets or wood composite materials, such as plywood, particleboard and waferboard, are used in home construction, cabinetry and furnishings. These are the most likely sources of high formaldehyde levels in the home today.

If you are asked for a UFFI declaration

Since 1993, a UFFI declaration has not been required for mortgage insurance under the National Housing Act. However, a UFFI declaration may still be requested as part of a real estate listing or an agreement of purchase and sale. Even though UFFI should not be a cause for concern, you may, depending on where you live in Canada, be asked to declare whether or not it is in your home.

Some home inspectors will have the training or experience to identify UFFI. You can make a physical check of the home yourself. Look for a series of small patched holes, 1.2 to 2 cm (1/2 to 3/4 in.) across, at regular intervals on exterior or interior walls. Foam may be obvious where floor joists meet the exterior walls of the basement or around electrical outlets or switch plates. These indicators do not necessarily mean that UFFI is present, but they may alert you to the possibility.

Luxury Home Sales Soared - Dramatic rebound characterizes Canada's luxury home segment in 2010

69 per cent of markets set records for best-ever first quarter sales

Mississauga, ON (April 26, 2010) – Luxury home sales soared in the first quarter of 2010 as affluent purchasers moved to take advantage of favourable market conditions across the country, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.
The RE/MAX Upper End 2010 Report, highlighting sales and trends in 13 major Canadian centres and five sub-markets, found that improved economic performance, increased personal wealth, immigration and foreign investment all contributed to a serious upswing in sales. Virtually all areas experienced double and triple-digit increases between January and March of this year over 2009 figures for the same period.
Nine out of the 13 markets examined (69 per cent) shattered existing records – setting new all-time highs for first quarter activity in the upper end.
“Real estate continues to resonate with purchasers at every price point,” says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. “With the top end of the market shifting into high gear, every segment of the residential real estate sector is now operating in tandem. Despite the upward momentum, there are still deals to be had – especially at the higher price points—a fact that is motivating buyers to act.”



While comparisons are being made to one of the worst first quarters on record – it’s important to note that the bounce back in many areas – including Greater Vancouver, Victoria, Winnipeg, London-St. Thomas, Greater Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal (Island), Halifax-Dartmouth, and St. John’s -- exceeds record levels reported in years past. Leading in terms of percentage increase in sales is Kelowna (700 per cent), Montreal (Island) (300 per cent), Victoria (275 per cent), Greater Toronto (263 per cent), Greater Vancouver (184 per cent), Hamilton-Burlington (169 per cent), Edmonton (164 per cent), London-St. Thomas (125 per cent), and Ottawa (121 per cent).
“Recovery in the upper end has been nothing short of remarkable,” says Elton Ash, Regional Executive Vice President, RE/MAX of Western Canada. “This segment of the market was hardest hit when the recession took hold—yet its comeback has been fast and furious. There is no doubt that mindset has changed and confidence has returned. One only has to look at the percentage increases to see the current upward trajectory.”

Economic performance has been a major driver, boosting consumer confidence levels across the board. The tangibility of bricks and mortar has also played a role in record activity – a development that began in 2008 as affluent purchasers reduced their exposure to equities and shifted their earnings into real estate holdings. Recovering stock markets – and portfolios – in the months ahead will further contribute to housing market activity.
“Luxury sales as a percentage of the market have been steadily increasing in recent years – with the exception of 2009,” says Sylvain Dansereau, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Quebec. “With the return to economic growth, it’s expected that the number of high net worth individuals will begin to rebound, following two years of consecutive decline. This will continue to help prop up Canada’s luxury market going forward.”
Immigration and foreign investment have also had an impact on the luxury segment – and in some markets, seriously bolstered sales. Middle Eastern buyers, Mainland China investors, and Europeans— to a lesser extent—are represented in virtually every market across the country. Canada’s sound banking system, political stability, and strong dollar are attracting foreign investment – and that is spilling over into high end residential real estate.
Most active in 2010 were business executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Location was first and foremost among upper-end buyers, followed by a preference for newer homes or those that are turnkey (completely renovated). With the exception of Toronto, buyers could be relatively particular and take their time in making decisions as balanced conditions characterized markets across the board.
Given adequate supply, prices are likely to hold steady or experience modest increases in the majority of markets in 2010. Canada’s most expensive luxury markets are shared equally among East and West, with Greater Vancouver topping the entry-level price point for high-end homes at $2 million, followed by $1.5 million in Greater Toronto and Montreal (Island). Upper-end value markets were most abundant in Atlantic Canada and smaller centres in Ontario, where luxury home prices started at $400,000 in St. John’s, $450,000 in Halifax-Dartmouth, $500,000 in London St. Thomas, and $750,000 in Ottawa and Hamilton- Burlington. Winnipeg and Edmonton represented good value in the West at $500,000 and $850,000 respectively.
Greater Vancouver holds the title for the most expensive home sold through MLS in the first quarter.
The property—an 11,600 sq. ft. home on ¾ of an acre on the city’s Westside, changed hands for $10.06 million. Other noteworthy sales include: $7.25 million in the Greater Toronto suburb of Mississauga, $6.25 million in Toronto’s central core, $5.75 million in Calgary, $5.5 million in Montreal (Island), and $5.3 million in White Rock/South Surrey. The priciest MLS listings could be found in West Vancouver ($29.9 million), Greater Toronto ($23 million in Bridle Path), Vancouver Westside’s Shaughnessy area ($22 million) and Victoria ($19 million).

Regards,
Zeenia Kola
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Ph: 905-828-3434
Email: zeenia@zeeniakola.com
Website: http://www.zeeniakola.com/
or
http://www.zeeniakola.com/AgentProfile/contactme.cfm