Ants?
Ants?
Low cost and environmentally friendly!
Summer has arrived and so have the ants! These days we are more cautious about using pesticides / poisonous chemicals to get rid of unwanted pests.
Ants can cause extensive damage to a home causing thousands of dollars in repairs. Now is the time to walk around the exterior and interior of your home to check for ants and/or ant filings. Ant filings look like very fine sawdust in small piles and are usually the result of ant damage to the wood in your home. If you notice ant filings, you should consult a professional.
Two options to avoid chemicals are to use powdered cinnamon or corn meal to get rid of ants. These items can be purchased in bulk.
Sprinkle generous amounts in the areas of concern.
Hopefully you’ll enjoy an ant-free summer!
Concerns about the WATER PUMP on your well?
For houses that have their own water supply from a well: If your water pump is coming on and shutting off and then coming on again in less than 10-15 seconds, it usually means there is insufficient air pressure in the cold water tank.
If left uncorrected, the system will use more electricity and shorten the life of the water pump and pressure switch.
Have a plumber add more air to the tank or, if the tank's bladder has failed, the tank will need to be replaced.
James Kane, Registered Home Inspector, NCA #00155
Canadian Residential Inspection Services, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia
Tips for Preventing Molds and Mildew
It is a good idea to remove the inside screens from your windows over the winter months. This allows more air to circulate around the inside of the window trim and sill area, thus reducing the incidence of molds and mildews. Molds tend to grow in high moisture areas. In the winter months extra moisture may condense on the colder surfaces of the glass. Adequate ventilation helps expel that moisture.
Although some home owners block off heating vents to certain rooms over the winter months to decrease heating costs, it is never a good idea to completely block off your vents for the same reason - ventilation helps to expel moisture that may contribute to mold and mildew in a home.
When you remove the screens do a quick check of each window and clean the sill and trim if you notice anything that may be mold or mildew. Dry the area quickly after cleaning.
Check for tears and repair any damaged screens. Clean the screens before storing them in a dry area so they will be ready for installation - in case we have an early spring!
Bruce Hennessey
Certified Home Inspector
Canadian Residential Inspection Services, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
Stay Warm this Winter!
Get Ready for Winter!
If your heating equipment is over 20 years old, consider upgrading it. New equipment is much more efficient than the older versions.
Draft proof your home everywhere! Include attic hatches, doors, window frames, and any penetrations through exterior walls.
Consider upgrading your windows to dual or triple pane if they are more than 20 years old.
Change the furnace filter often and have heating equipment serviced and cleaned on a regular basis.
Install a programmable thermostat! This allows you to setback the temperature when you are asleep or away, automatically.
Lower the thermostat two degrees and wear more layers.
Upgrade attic insulation! It is almost impossible to have too much insulation. Edmonton's "Net Zero" home has four feet of insulation in the attic.
If you have a fireplace, replace any leaky dampers and repair chimney flues. Think about switching to energy efficient alternatives like electric inserts, or direct vent natural gas inserts.
Make sure all registers and ducts have unobstructed airflow.
Close registers in any unused portions of the home.
Stay warm this winter!
Richard Zyp
Certified Home Inspector, National Certificate Holder
Canadian Residential Inspection Services, St Albert, Alberta
Hot Water Tank Explodes!
When replacing your Hot Water Tank make sure that it is properly installed by a professional who understands the importance of the “temperature/pressure release valve” and the “discharge pipe” as well as their functions. It is extremely important that your hot water tank has a properly installed and functioning temperature/pressure release valve and discharge pipe. The valve will either be on the top of the tank or on the side near the top. This valve must not be capped off or plugged in any way! If it is, there is no way for pressure to be released. The discharge pipe is a pipe attached to the valve that, in case of pressure, will direct the steam towards the floor, into a bucket. If the heating element and/or thermostat were to malfunction, the temperature of the water inside the tank would increase to the point where it is producing steam. If the situation progresses, and there is no outlet for the steam, the increased pressure could cause the hot water tank to explode. The purpose of the temperature/pressure release valve and the discharge pipe is to prevent this from happening. Awareness and prevention are essential to a safe home; check your hot water tank! If you are unsure, or have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your local Canadian Residential inspector! Discovery Channel’s popular show “Mythbusters” video taped the possible consequences when a hot water tank malfunctions. Please, watch the video!
See the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu3FwgIHsQA
Summer Humidity
It is recommended that you use a de-humidifier in basement areas throughout the summer and early fall months (when your home is not being heated).
This will help to control general moisture conditions in your home and will reduce the incidence of molds / mildews.
Home Inspections
Home inspections are a necessity for anyone looking to sell or purchase a property, but especially if the property in question is a home. Choosing someone qualified to perform home inspections will ensure that not only will the results of the home inspection be thorough, but that the risk of future complications – potentially costly – will be reduced as much as possible.
What Home Inspections Include
Home inspections are the equivalent of a medical examination by a doctor, and cover the systems of a home from top to bottom. Included systems include central air conditioning systems, heating systems, plumbing systems, and electrical systems; physical components of a home inspection include an evaluation of the condition of the roof, foundation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, and other visible structures of the building.
Qualified home inspectors will do a thorough evaluation of all the systems and structures of a home. Rather than appraising a home's value, or ensuring that the building meets municipal codes, home inspectors work to determine the condition of existing structures and calculate the risk of any problems arising in the future
Childproofing the house
All windows above the first floor should have operable window guards, because children can fall from windows that are open as little as 5 inches wide.
Doorknob covers should be installed to prevent children from turning the door handle, and guards should be installed to keep children from pinching their fingers.
Cabinets should be secured with safety latches, especially if they contain potentially hazardous substances.
Safety locks or covers should be placed on toilets, dishwashers, ovens and stoves and stove knobs.
Bookshelves and other stand-alone furniture should be secured to prevent the risk of it tipping over.
Sharp-edged furniture should be removed from or covered in any room where the child is going to play.
Unused electrical outlets should be covered with safety plugs, and excess electrical cord should be bound with twist ties or wound around special spools.
Poisonous plants should be removed from the home. These include azaleas, daffodils, mistletoe, holly, morning glory, and many others.
Walls and floors should be inspected to make sure walls have no peeling or cracking paint, and that rugs are secured to floors or fitted with anti-slip pads.
People who live in homes built before 1978 should verify that there is no lead paint in the home, which may cause lead poisening in children.
To protect the child from house fires, smoke alarms should be installed and tested each month to make sure they work. Fire extinguishers should be placed on every floor, with an extra fire extinguisher placed in the kitchen. An emergency ladder should be available for evacuations from the upper floor of a home.
Spring Home Maintenance Tip for your Roof
Inspect for wind, snow, or ice damage. Check to see that the roof shingles are secure, tightly fastened and in good condition. If any of the shingles are loose, repair with asphalt roofing cement. If they are damaged or missing, replacement will be necessary and may require professional help.
Inspect the flashing around the chimney, pluming vent stacks, electrical masts, and in valleys where roofing sections meet. Repair or re-flash if the flashing has deteriorated.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors – What you need to know
· Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas. Low exposure can cause health problems and high levels of exposure can be fatal.
· Detectors are recommended if your home has gas, oil or wood burning appliances, or if your home has an attached garage.
· Unborn and young children are the most susceptible, also seniors and those with a history of heart problems.
· Place detectors near sleeping rooms or in children’s bedrooms.
· Check chimneys and vents for blockages and / or holes annually.
· Never start a vehicle, gasoline powered tools or a BBQ in a closed garage.
· Never use your vehicle remote while it is in a closed garage.
· Replace CO detectors every five years.
· If the alarm sounds evacuate the house, including pets and do a head count.
· CO detectors will be mandatory in a new construction, starting 2009.
You should have a CO detector in your house today.
Spring Home Maintenance Tip for your Decks
Spring is the time of the year when we are getting ready to start using our decks again. Prior to this you should be performing a quick check to make sure that your deck areas are still serviceable and safe for your family.
Check that they are securely attached to the house and are level. Check that the support posts under the decks are plumb. Over the winter months the wood and supporting beams may have deteriorated. Check for rotten boards and replace as required. It is not uncommon to need to re-level your decks in the spring.
In order to prolong the life of the wood, wash the deck to remove any mold or mildew, and apply water repellants or semi-transparent deck stain.
Dishwasher Hoses
Hoses on dishwashers and washing machines weaken over time and start to break down. This can result in extensive water damage to your home if not replaced. Check the water hoses on these items for signs of deterioration such as cracks and bubbles. If you notice any signs, replace the hose.
Rubber water hoses for washers usually have a life expectancy of at least 5 years.
A quick check before you leave for vacation is a great idea.
You don’t want to come home to any surprises!
Pellet Stove Maintenance
Pellet Stove Maintenance
There was a great demand for pellet stoves last fall to heat houses more efficiently than oil or electricity. Now that you have operated your stove all winter with a minimal of cleaning, it’s time to clean it yourself or have it cleaned professionally. Most manufacturers have detailed instructions on how to do yearly pellet stove cleanings either in their manual or on the web – follow these instructions carefully. The pipes need to be brushed and vacuumed well. Vacuum the heat exchange tubes as well as behind the baffles. The chimney cap also gets a build up of wet ash and should be cleaned. Doing this in the spring while your stove is still fresh in your mind will cause less creosote or ash smell through the summer when it is not in used and it will be ready to start up on the first cold night next fall.
If your stove is in a basement put an open box of baking soda in the burn box to keep the stove from rusting on the inside.
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