Regular Maintenance is the Key Inspecting your home on a regular basis and following good maintenance practices are the best way to protect your investment in your home. Whether you take care of a few tasks at a time or several all at once, it is important to get into the habit of doing them. Establish a routine for yourself, and you will find the work is easy to accomplish and not very time-consuming. A regular schedule of seasonal maintenance can put a stop to the most ...
The building envelope is the outer layer of the building that separates the living space from the outdoor environment, both above and below grade. Many older homes have high heating requirements because of high rates of air leakage and building envelope areas that are not well insulated. Like any renovation, retrofitting the building envelope requires careful planning. Before you decide to go ahead with the project, it is important to clearly identify the areas that you want to improve. ...
Basement flooding is unfortunately a common occurrence in many parts of Canada. Basement flooding related insurance claims in Canada are estimated to be in the order of $140 million per year based on a multi-year average. This represents an average of approximately 30,000 to 40,000 incidents per year, with an average cost of damages per flooding incident between $3,000 and $5,000. Many cases of basement flooding are not reported. But the good news is that many types of basement flooding may be avoided. ...
Venting System Any combustion appliance or mechanical system, including fireplaces, gas stoves, and gas heating systems, produce by-products that need to be removed using a system of vents or flues. These are exhaust systems. To function properly, exhaust systems must be free of holes, cracks or rust. They should be installed in such a way that combustion products are carried out of the house before cooling and condensation occurs. Warm ...
Whether attached or detached, garages have many of the same components as the home itself. Many garages are wired for electricity. They have windows, doors and structural elements, including in many areas, special safety and security precautions required for walls shared with the residential structure to prevent fire or potentially dangerous gases from traveling from the garage into the residence. For these reasons, attached or detached garages and carports are part of a general home ...
The mechanical systems of a home can be extensive. Heating and cooling equipment can include indoor and outdoor equipment, fans and a duct or plumbing system running to each room of the home . As part of a home inspection, the inspector will review the age and condition of the system, noting whether or not the systems distribution is functional and if controls, including shutoffs, are adequate. The energy source and type of distribution system will be noted. Functionality of cooling ...
Decks are designed to be a place to enjoy the outdoors. They are meant for fun but can be dangerous if not properly constructed or maintained. To make sure an attached home deck is safe for use, deck stairs, decking material, handrails, guardrails, attachment to the home, support posts and footings should be regularly inspected for strength, condition and attachment. Consider these safety items: Are steps and decking material uniform and level to prevent tripping? ...
Proper insulation throughout a home or business helps lower energy bills by resisting heat movement through the walls, ceilings and floors. Where the interior of walls and ceilings is fairly easily accessible, adding insulation can be a relatively inexpensive way to get big return on energy savings throughout the year. Walls, ceilings and floors can be insulated. However, because it is generally covered by finish materials, insulation can be difficult to see. One of the first places ...
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