Mould
Hidden Dangers Lurking Overhead There has been a lot in the news in the past few years concerning mould in our homes and what to do about it, particularly with the summer floods in Toronto and Alberta. As a result, we have become better educated about mould's impact...
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide Detectors Every house needs at least one. In some cities, it is the law, in others, it is just good sense. Carbon Monoxide may seem like a relatively new issue to some, but its been around for a long time. It is a byproduct of burning fuels – initially...
Smoke Detectors
Mandatory Smoke Detectors We have all heard a fair amount about the smoke alarm laws having that came into effect March 1, 2006. In Ontario it is now the law that all residential buildings have working fire alarms on every level and violators are facing some pretty...
Rooftop Concerns
Rooftop Failure: What to Watch for It's your home's hat. An umbrella. A lid for the family pot, if you will. And it is one of the most important aspects of any sound building. Unfortunately, your roof is also one of the most common problem areas found during a home...
Outdoor Living
Outdoor Living Space Project Tips Spring is a popular time for homeowners across Canada to get outside and apply some good old sweat equity to their home investment. Winter months cooped up inside can spawn some creative ideas and solutions that backyard DIY'ers can't...
Furnace Facts
Early furnaces differed from today's models because they did not have electricity for a blower to distribute the heat. They relied on convection - the natural way hot air rises - to move the heat around. It wasn't until the mid 1930's that the first forced-air furnace...
Sump Pumps
Sump Pumps: Avoiding the Flood Sump pumps are often a home’s most critical defense in the Spring against water infiltration and damage to interior finishing’s. In many areas of Ontario, sump pumps are installed as standard in new home construction. However, some...
Tankless Water Heaters
Though Tankless water heaters have shown some serious concerns in its application, specifically freezing up, breaking down and not providing sufficient water, it seems that even those issues are not universal. Installing the vent a little higher off the ground...
Drainage Woes- Orangeburg Pipes
Orangeburg pipe is a type of drainage conduit that was used in homes and businesses in North America and abroad from the latter 1800's until the 1970's. In our area, the pipes were used regularly as main drain lines during the 1950's and 1960's when other materials...
Aluminum Wiring
Aluminum wiring can be found in properties through-out the GTA area. The following information will provide you with a concise over-view of: Historic usage Potential problems Physical properties of aluminum vs. copper wiring Identification tips Historic Usage Between...