​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.

​No one wants to find mold growing in their home but, if you do find it, you might wonder whether its OK to remove it yourself.  Although this will depend on a number of factors, if the area it covers is less than 10 square feet, then you should be able to deal with it yourself.  Before you do, though, keep in mind these few points:
 
Mold does not grow unless it has water so its important to identify the cause of the mold and fix that first.  If you do not take care of the underlying problem, mold will just grow back again.  Check to see if you have any leaks or other water related problems. 
 
While mold can be removed from hard surfaces with water and detergent, it is much more difficult to remove from carpets or more absorbent surfaces.  A carpet containing mold will likely need to be replaced. 
 
Before you paint over a wall that has mold on it, scrub the area thoroughly and make sure it is completely dry, otherwise the paint can begin to peel and look unsightly.  Do not try caulking a moldy surface either.
 
When mold and mildew forms on cushions, curtains or other soft furnishings, it tends to leave behind stains that are extremely hard to remove.  If you do not want to replace them, it would be a good idea to seek the advice of a furniture restoration company who can advise you on what to do.
 
Remember that mold is known to be hazardous to health so, before starting the cleanup process, make sure you are equipped with the appropriate protective clothing and wear a respirator.  Keep other members of the household away from the area unless they are wearing protective gear as well.

​This is a good question to think about because maintaining good indoor air quality is essential to the household’s well-being.  The HVAC system plays an important role in this, if not cared for, you could end up with an unsafe indoor environment.  It is advised to have a service performed on your HVAC system once a year but, what about the filter? How often should you change that?
 
As a guide, the HVAC filter should be changed every 3 months, but a lot depends on how often you use it.  There are also circumstances when it’s a good idea to change the filter even more frequently, as often as once a month.  If you have a large family or the home has many occupants, dust and dirt will accumulate more often, also if you have pets in the house you should consider changing the filter every month.  If any family members suffer from allergies or if there are smokers in the house, this is another reason to change it more regularly. 
 
We know how easily it is for outdoor particles to find their way inside the home.  If there have been any wildfires in the area or you live in a location surrounded by agriculture or even construction, you may find it beneficial to change the filter regularly.  Sometimes a filter can suffer damage or become damp and wet.  If you notice any of these things, change the filter immediately as they will render the filter ineffective and could spread mold spores into the air.
 
Yes, changing the HVAC filter regularly will go a long way to maintaining the health and well-being of the home’s occupants.

​For some homes and apartments cockroaches can become a major issue.  They have the ability to reproduce in alarming amounts, spread diseases like salmonella and dysentery and are even known to cause asthma and other allergies.  Adding further to the problem, cockroaches can exist on very little food and can be very difficult to completely get rid of, they have even been found to survive submerged in water for up to half an hour.  No doubt, you will want to do everything you can to prevent these persistent pests from becoming a problem in your home.  What are some steps you can take to maintain your home or apartment cockroach free?
 
Eliminate the attraction.  The perfect environment for a cockroach is dirty and greasy with a lot of moisture.  The kitchen is one place that contains all these elements.  Give the kitchen a thorough cleaning on a regular basis.  Be sure to include the area under the sink, kitchen cabinets and behind and underneath appliances such as the refrigerator and dishwasher.  Try to keep the sink dry, store food in tightly sealed containers and do not leave pet food out for too long.  Its also good to have a trash can with a tight lid.  Lit up areas discourage cockroaches so you could consider leaving some lights on at night.
 
Other areas of the home are also attractive to cockroaches.  They can be found in crawlspaces and bathrooms.  Keep the bathroom as clean and dry as possible and fix dripping taps and leaking pipes as quickly as you can.  If you notice any likely points of entry, seal them up.
 
What if the home already has a bad cockroach infestation?  This should be taken care of by a professional pest control company who can effectively treat the problem.  However, afterwards, place boric acid in areas with previous cockroach activity which will help to control them. 

One of the heaviest doors found in a home is an automatic garage door.  Its also the cause of many household injuries every year.  With good reason, then, its an area of the home that requires regular maintenance and safety checks.  These types of automated door usually work using a spring supported mechanism which is operated by a wall mounted switch or remote-control device.  There are many moving parts with a door like this which means it can easily malfunction.  We should note here, though, that, if the garage door does malfunction, its best to have a professional come to look at it.
 
Here are a few ways that you, the homeowner, can inspect your automatic garage door to make sure its in good working order:

• Ensure that the garage door has all its safety labels and warnings clearly visible for all to see.  Make sure the household is aware of the location of the manual release handle and instruct them on how to use it. 

 

• Educate children on the dangers of playing around an automatic garage door.  Be a good example to them by never walking under the door while it is in motion.  Its also very important to make them aware of the dangers of pulling on strings and pulleys attached to the garage door. 

 

• Have a periodic inspection of the garage door and its surrounding framework.  Do you notice signs of wear and tear?  If you find any issues or have concerns, it’s a good idea to contact the company responsible for their installation and seek their advice.

 
These basic guidelines will help you and your household stay safe while operating your automatic garage door.

​We have a video for you this month about whether purchasing a home that has a history of flooding is a wise idea.  There are different reasons why a home may have flooded in the past and it doesn’t always mean it will again.  However, its very important that you know these reasons before you go ahead with buying the property. 
 
A home is a place to feel safe and secure, somewhere you can come back to and relax.  We know that the home you buy should be a good investment for you and it’s a big decision to make.  Finding out as much as you can about the home’s history is crucial to knowing if it will be the great investment you are looking for.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information and advice regarding the purchase of your home and making sure it has a thorough inspection beforehand. 

​Put simply, traditional drywall is made up of thick paper covering a gypsum core.  Paperless drywall has a water-resistant gypsum core that is covered with fiberglass instead of paper.  So, how do the two different types of drywall compare?  Let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages to both.
 
Traditional drywall can be prone to moisture damage which can lead to all kinds of mold issues.  This is where paperless drywall comes in.  It does not have a paper covering and so is a lot more resistant to water damage and damp, this makes it a good choice for those rooms which see higher moisture levels such as a bathroom or basement.  Paperless drywall, because of its fiberglass covering, is also a lot stronger and less prone to damage than traditional drywall.
 
Does this mean that paperless drywall is always the better option? Not necessarily.  Paperless drywall has a few disadvantages when comparing it to traditional drywall.  Firstly, it is harder to install due to its ridged nature.  It can also be more difficult and take longer to achieve a smooth finish, this is easier with traditional drywall.  Fiberglass can cause skin irritations, which is another issue when installing it and, paperless drywall might not be as readily available as traditional drywall.
 
So, when comparing traditional drywall with paperless drywall we can see there are advantages as well as disadvantages to both.  You may also decide that, depending on the type of room you need it for, this will decide which type of drywall is best.  

​For those who love nature, finding different kinds of wildlife in your own backyards can be an enjoyable experience.  Sometimes, though, the animals you enjoy observing can start to become a nuisance, particularly if they start to destroy the beautiful landscaping you’ve worked so hard on.  While the first thought might be to use a chemical deterrent, why not think about possible alternatives?  Let’s consider a few:
 
The first step to take is identifying what animal or rodent is causing the damage, this way its easier to find the best deterrent for it.  For example, is the animal drawn to a certain food source found in your yard?  Perhaps there are certain types of plants or shrubs it enjoys.  If you find this to be the case, it might be better to remove them from your yard.  You might also try a barrier method around the perimeter which is designed to keep out wildlife.  Try using some type of visual deterrent or even a noise that will frighten the creature away.
 
As a last resort, capturing and relocating the animal is an option.  If you do decide to do this, however, it would be best to first consult your local animal control or wildlife agent who will be able to advise you on what to do.  Finally, after considering all your options, you might decide that the animal is not that much of a nuisance after all and the best course of action is to take no action at all.