​Cutting down on home energy costs is something we all desire, particularly during these challenging times. So, how easy is it for a homeowner to lower energy costs while at the same time make the home more energy efficient? Perhaps surprisingly, there are some relatively simple ways you can improve a home’s energy efficiency, let's look at one of those ways, sealing and insulating.
 
When a house is tightly sealed this will, not only help lower the amount you spend on your monthly utility bills, but it can also help improve the home's indoor air quality and comfort, this is also something that most homeowners can do themselves. 
 
A good place to start when it comes to sealing and insulation is the homes attic space, this is because hot air rises so air leaks are more likely to felt at the highest point. Begin by plugging up the larger holes, these are more commonly found in dropped ceiling areas, behind or under attic knee walls, and where the attic wall meets the floor. Smaller holes can be sealed. These small holes can often be detected by the presence of darkened areas in the attic’s insulation. The attic’s access panel is another area that will benefit from weather stripping or foam board insulation.
 
When you have taken care of the attic space what other places might need insulating or sealing? Some other areas of the home may include window or wall mounted air conditioning units, window frames, baseboards, electrical outlets or receptacles, doors, and areas around piping.
 
Yes, many areas of the home will benefit from being properly sealed and insulated. By doing this you will increase the home's energy efficiency and save on heating and cooling costs.

​Our homes are vulnerable to all kinds of problems and one of those areas is wood decay or wood rot.  If left untreated, wood rot can become a big problem, one that would be very costly to fix. So, what is wood rot and what areas of the home are more susceptible to it?
 
What is wood rot? It is a type of fungus that destroys wood. This is not to be confused with the damage done by termites or carpenter ants, however.  In order to survive this wood-decaying fungus simply needs oxygen, moisture, and a food source and while it particularly loves a warm, damp environment, it can survive in a lot of conditions. It's clear from this brief description that wood rot can become a problem in many homes.
 
What are the places most at risk of wood decay in a home? Here are a few of them:
 
Roof penetrations with damaged flashing.
Any wood that is in direct contact with masonry, concrete, or soil.
The underneath of windows or sliding doors that have not been correctly installed.
The subfloor around toilets and bathtubs and areas which surround corroded plumbing fixtures or leaks.
Foundation cracks and places where water collects around the foundations due to improper grading.
Decking support posts as well as ground floor exterior decking.
 
These are just a few areas of a house that are vulnerable to wood decay. If you are concerned about this becoming a problem in your home, why not contact us? We will be happy to advise you.

​Damp basements are a common issue for many homeowners and can result in a number of problems for the home, including poor air quality and mold.  If you are trying to determine the cause of your damp basement, you may want to start by looking at other areas of the property to see if they are in disrepair.
 
One area you should check is the gutters and downspouts.  If they are damaged in some way or have become clogged and are leaking, this can cause a pooling of water around the foundation of the home.  If downspouts have been improperly installed, this can also be a problem.  Downspouts need to be fitted so that water drains away from the home, 10 feet away is an ideal amount.
 
Another problem that may cause a damp basement is if the property has insufficient or uneven grading or slope.  When there is an uneven or inadequate slope around the home, water will not be able to drain away properly and may collect in pools around the home.
 
Your home's location may be another factor.  For example, if the home is located at the base of a hill or incline, you could see pooling water.  As a solution to this, some homeowners dig small ditches, called Swales, about 10 to 15 feet away from their property which will divert water away from the home.
 
These are just of the ways a basement will become damp.  Please feel free to contact us for more information regarding a damp basement or any home inspection query.

Are you about to move into a new home that uses well water? Perhaps this will be the first time you have lived in a home with this type of water source.  If it is then there are some things you will need to be aware of.  For example, to make sure the water is safe for drinking, you will want to get it tested.  The reason for this is that well water can have all kinds of bacteria in it.  What kinds of bacteria are we talking about?
 
To help you understand the importance of testing your properties well water, please enjoy this brief video.  It will help to give you an idea of the types of bacteria your well water could be harboring, and how frequently the water should be tested.

​With the long, cold winter months also comes dry air and the issues this can create in our homes. Dry air causes a number of problems from dry skin and increased static shocks to peeling wallpaper and the warping of wooden furniture. One remedy for dry air in the home is a central humidifier, let’s look at how this works and why caution is also needed when operating one.
 
A central humidifier is generally fitted to the forced air system of the home and fed water via a connection to the home's plumbing system. This is then able to bring dry air relief to the entire home. A good option is a ‘trickle’ type humidifier. Although central humidifiers will help to eliminate dry air, if not maintained properly, other problems may arise. For example, bacteria or harmful fungus may start to form. Too much condensation caused by the humidifier can create the ideal atmosphere for mildew and mold. If mold starts to develop, this could produce a hazardous environment.
 
Before you go ahead and install a central humidifier in your home, make sure you are familiar with how it works and ways to maintain it so as to prevent any negative effects on your home and health. If your home already has a central humidifier, how well is it working? When did you last have it inspected? When we think that the air we breathe inside our homes could be damaging our health, we can see the importance of having the homes central air system checked regularly.

​Are you already making your plans for 2020? Perhaps you have some home improvement projects you’d like to get done.  Regular home maintenance should never be overlooked as it can save you a fortune over time.  One thing that is often overlooked is an annual home inspection.  For example, when was the last time your home had a home inspection performed on it? Most people would say it was when they purchased the property.
 
The following video highlights the reasons why annual home inspections are such an important part of caring for your home.  If you have any questions regarding annual home inspections please don’t hesitate to contact us.  We are happy to help you with all your home inspection needs. 

​One of the most unpleasant smells you can experience in a home is that of sewer gas. Several factors can be responsible for sewer gas leaking into the home with some being more serious than others. Let’s look at a few of the causes:
 
 As mentioned, sewer gas will leak into the home for different reasons, one common reason is dried out plumbing fixtures.  An example of this is the plumbing trap which is designed with a water barrier to prevent sewer gas coming back into the home, if this dries out, there is no barrier to stop the gas from entering the home. You are more likely to experience this during periods of dry weather or in bathrooms that are not used very often.
 
Some other reasons for sewer gas leaking into the home are cracks which form in plumbing drains, ventilation pipes or foundations. On occasion, plumbing vents are positioned too close to the home's air intakes which is another way sewer gas can enter the house. Another simple reason you may smell sewer gas is airflow around the property.
 
Why is it so important to find out the reason that sewer gas is leaking into the house? Whatever the reason is for sewer gas to be leaking into your home, it’s important that you have the problem checked out by someone qualified who will be able to identify the cause of the leak. Sewer gas can be a dangerous problem and could lead to sulfide poisoning, asphyxiation, due to sewer gases displacing the oxygen in the house, or even risk of explosion and fire.

​Thinking about snow and ice is not the most pleasant thought for many of us but, by preparing our homes for it now, before temperatures fall too low, we will make sure we stay warm and cozy indoors this winter. What are some ways we can winterize our property now and get it ready for the cold?
 
Because we don’t usually need to turn on the heat during summer months now is a good time to test the home's heating system to make sure it’s working correctly. An easy way to check this is by turning the thermostat up and see how long the system takes to respond. If you notice it taking a long time, it may need to be serviced. Now is also a good time to change air filters and, if you use oil or propane to heat the home, have the tank filled. Chimneys and fireplaces should be inspected to make sure they are functioning properly and don’t pose a danger to the home’s occupants.
 
Freezing temperatures can play havoc on the home's plumbing system by causing pipes to freeze and burst. Any pipes that are in unheated areas of the home such as the attic and crawlspace, etc. should be covered in foam or fiberglass insulation to protect them against the cold. It is also important to maintain the temperature of the home at a high enough level so that pipes in these areas do not freeze.
 
Yard work is something we spend a lot of time doing during the fall months. Make sure to include gutter cleaning on your list of jobs. If debris is left in gutters during winter it can freeze and weigh down guttering, causing damage. To prevent cracks forming in the sprinkler system, drain it of all water and air. Protect any outdoor furniture you have by either storing it in a dry place or placing a good cover on it.
 
As we can see from these simple suggestions, now is the best time to prepare and maintain your home during the long winter months.

​Most people these days are aware that asbestos is dangerous and can be damaging to health but, they may not know the reasons why it is so bad.  If you are interested in buying an older property to fix up, you might want to find out a little more about asbestos and when it could become a problem.  So, what is asbestos and why is it so bad?
 
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was used in building materials to give them added strength, it was also used because it is an effective heat insulator and is good for fire resistance.  It was used in construction until the 1970’s and with the benefits it provided, we can see why it was thought to be a good product before much was known of the dangers. 
 
Why is asbestos harmful? When someone is exposed to asbestos fibers (which are very small) over a prolonged period of time, very serious health problems can occur such as Mesothelioma which is a type of lung cancer and Asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs.  If you disturb asbestos, which is easily done if you are fixing up an old home by sanding, scraping or handling it in general, tiny asbestos fibers can be released into the air and you can easily breathe them in.  These fibers will then stay in the lungs for a long time, increasing your risk of disease.  We can see, then, that if you find asbestos in your home, it would be recommended to be removed. 
 
Can you remove the asbestos yourself if you find it in your old home? You should not try to remove it yourself but seek the advice of someone who specializes in asbestos removal and who are properly trained to do so.  If you are not certain that there is asbestos in the home, why not have it inspected and find out for sure.

​Perhaps the title of this blog seems like a strange question but by incorporating strategically positioned trees and shrubs etc. into your landscape design, it could work to save on cooling and heating costs in the home.  How is this done? This is done with a method called landscape shading which, as mentioned, is the planting of trees in specific locations so that they provide shade to areas of the home that see the most sun during the hot summer months.  This method could reduce the indoor temperature of a home by as much as 9 degrees so its worth consideration. 
 
Good planning is the key to landscape shading.  You will need to know exactly the right place to plant a tree so that it will allow shade to fall at just the right time of day in the area its needed.   You will also need to think about the kind of trees to use.  Do you want the maximum amount of shade? Then you will need a denser type of tree.  Would you like the home to be shaded in the summer but benefit from the sun’s warmth during the winter? In this case, select deciduous trees which will lose their leaves in the winter.
 
Trees may not grow quick enough to see immediate benefits and this is something you will need to take into consideration.  Vines can be a good option if you are looking for fast results as they can be trained to grow up fencing or a trellis and positioned just where shade is needed.  You may also want to consider shrubs to shade pathways and driveways.
 
Yes, your homes landscaping can be designed to not only look good but also to work at saving you money.