POST TENSION CABLES

What.  PTC is one of the most popular and cost effective concrete floor construction methods in residential and commercial buildings.  It was introduced in 70’s and implemented by stretching a series of sleeve-covered steel cables across the width of a building then encased in concrete to act as beams.

Why.  PTC are a topic of discussion today because during/after construction there was a lack of maintenance in some buildings and costly repairs are now required for the corrosion (due moisture penetrating the cable sleeve) on those affected buildings.

Mortgages and PTC. If you’re purchasing a condo and you have less than a 20% down payment your mortgage will be insured by either Genworth, CMHC (Canadian Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) or Canada Guaranty.  If you decide that buildings with PTC are options for you then the next step is to confirm with your lender if their insurer of choice will insure buildings with PTC.   As of this writing Genworth does not so  that could change how you move forward and CMHC recommends annual testing and maintenance program for all buildings built between 1970 -1985.

Get Informed.  If you decide that buildings with PTC are options for you then you need to do your research.  One place to look for answers is in the Condo Documents:

• ..Post Tension Cable Report with engineers feedback on the overall condition, potential concerns and funding requirements for future repairs/replacements.
• ..The financial statements will illustrate if the Corporation is allocating funds.
• ..If work has been recently done on the PTC or building then it is usually noted in the audited financial statements.
• ..The Reserve Fund Study typically states what funding is recommended and the Reserve Fund Plan will state if funds are designated and highlight shortfalls.
• ..Condo Document Review. Ontop of reviewing the documents yourself you may consider having the documents reviewed by a condo document specialist as they can offer their opinion on the overall financial health and management of the building.

Should I  Avoid Buildings with PTC? As you can see there are indeed variables that could potentially cost you with a building with PTC yet this is no different than any other building so I believe that doing your research is the key to making a confident decisions.  By having PTC as a deal-breaker you could miss out on great properties in well-run buildings and sometimes at lower price points or high-demand locations.

Researched from “Are post-tension buildings too scary?” by Phyllis Fyckes, Calgary Real Estate News,

Vol. 21 No. 50 | December 11, 2003

Information is deemed to be accurate but not guaranteed.