What changes the interpretation
- Freeze-thaw, snow loading and winter indoor humidity are major context signals.
- Below-grade moisture and foundation drainage are common diagnostic branches.
- Provincial and territorial requirements can differ.
Regional intelligence pack
Canada
Cold-climate and marine intelligence for Canadian homes, including frost, snow, basements and high seasonal temperature swings.
en-CAlocalemixedmeasurementsCADplanning currencycoldbaseline climate
CA1country codes
Regional weighting layer
Climate families
Compare all climates →Weather and moisture drives
Subarctic
attic frost
Long heating seasons, very low outdoor temperatures and large winter vapour-pressure differences.
Very coldwindow condensation
Cold winters amplify thermal bridges, stack effect and condensation risk at envelope weak points.
Coldbasement damp
Heating-season moisture transport, basements and seasonal drainage frequently shape symptom timing.
Marinefacade staining
Frequent wind-driven rain, mild temperatures and long damp periods make drying capacity and detailing critical.
Mixed humidcrawl-space moisture
Homes experience both heating and cooling seasons, so moisture drives can reverse through the year.
House DNA by era
Open era index →Original construction matters
Before 1945
Historic cold-climate homes
Masonry basements, solid framing, plaster and successive heating-system upgrades.
1945–1979Post-war Canadian homes
Basements, split levels, early vapour control and variable attic ventilation.
1980–2009Tighter envelope era
Improved insulation and glazing with greater dependence on controlled ventilation.
2010–presentHigh-performance era
Advanced air sealing, mechanical ventilation and highly insulated assemblies.
Local words, canonical graph
HouseSymptoms understands the terms people actually use.
The regional layer changes labels without duplicating the underlying symptom, cause or component.
Open terminology map →Air Brickfoundation ventAtticatticBoilerfurnace or boilerCladdingsiding or claddingConsumer Unitelectrical panelDamp Proof Coursedamp-proof courseDownpipedownspoutDrywalldrywallEarthgroundExtractor Fanexhaust fan
Relative context—not live quotes
Indices support early comparison and handoff wording. They never replace local pricing or a professional quote.
Building-science consultant
Callout 63Investigation 121Repair complexity 179
Home inspector
Callout 47Investigation 105Repair complexity 158
HVAC contractor
Callout 63Investigation 121Repair complexity 184
Licensed electrician
Callout 58Investigation 116Repair complexity 173
Licensed plumber
Callout 58Investigation 110Repair complexity 168
Structural engineer
Callout 84Investigation 147Repair complexity 231
Regional source registry
4 connected sources