​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.

​Are you moving to a new house in 2019?  A lot of planning goes into buying a new home and this can become rather stressful.  A home inspection is part of the home buying process and plays a vital role when it comes to choosing the right home as it is designed to any discover hidden issues that the property may have.  With this in mind, its important to choose a home inspector that will perform a very thorough inspection.  So, what is included in our thorough home inspections?
 
This short video will help to answer that question.  It will help you get a better idea of what is inspected on your potential new home and the level of detail that goes into it.  We know how important it is that you choose a home based on a thorough knowledge of its condition so that you don’t get any unwanted surprises later on.  We also know how important it is that all your questions are answered so that you can have peace of mind when it comes to your home inspection, so please don’t hesitate to contact us with any of those questions.
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Are you a first-time home buyer? If you are about to purchase your first property you will, no doubt, have a lot of questions about the home buying process.  One, very important, step in this process will be the home inspection so we thought we’d answer a couple of the questions you might have regarding it.
 
One of the first questions you might have is:
​Why do I need to have a home inspection done? Its very important to be aware of the exact condition of the home you are looking to buy.  A home inspector performs a comprehensive check of the property to make sure there are no huge problems you need to be aware of before you buy.
 
How long will a home inspection take? There are a number of factors to take into consideration such as the size of the property, whether there are other buildings that need checking on the property and the location.  On average, though, you should expect the inspection to take approximately 3 hours.  If it takes a lot less time, the inspection might not have been as thorough as it should have been.
 
Will I need to be present for the home inspection?  You do not have to be there but there are many benefits to being present for the inspection.  You will get to know your potential new home a lot more thoroughly and the home inspector can show you any areas of concern they might see, this will be better than reading the findings in a report.
 
We hope that the home buying process is a stress free and uncomplicated process for you.  Please feel free to contact us for all your home inspection needs.