building: Check Rooms Before Listing the House - 05/31/07 02:31 PM
Keep furniture to a minimum so these rooms do not appear smaller than they are. Ensure that traffic can flow in or through these rooms unimpeded. If they contain bookshelves or cabinets overflowing with books, magazines and knick-knacks, remove some of these items. Ensure bedroom closets look spacious, organized and uncluttered. … (2 comments)
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building: Check Interior Before List the House - 05/31/07 02:29 PM
Check stairs for loose boards, ripped carpeting, and missing or loose handrails and guards.
Most problems with interior walls are cosmetic and can be repaired with spackling compound and paint
Ensure doors open and shut properly. Minor sticking is normal but excessive binding indicates possible structural problems.
Open and close all windows to ensure … (0 comments)
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building: Check Indoor before Listing the House - 05/31/07 02:27 PM
A prospective buyer will usually enter through your front door; so, that is where you should begin your interior inspection. You want your buyer to see a neat, clean, well-lit interior. Get clutter out of sight; ensure that carpets are clean and floors are scrubbed and polished; and that walls and … (0 comments)
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building: Check Exterior Walls Before You List the House - 05/30/07 12:41 PM
The condition of your exterior walls directly affects the look and curb appeal of your home.
Replace old caulking.You may have to cut or scrape away old caulking to get a good seal. Do not seal drainage or ventilation gaps.
Is your exterior paint looking good? If you see faded colours and cracked … (1 comments)
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building: Check Roof and Chimney before List the House. - 05/30/07 12:38 PM
If you are uneasy about climbing onto your roof, you can inspect most items from the ground using binoculars. Otherwise, be careful when working or moving about on your roof. Unless roof repair is a simple matter of applying new caulking, you will probably need the services of a professional.
Check the … (0 comments)
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building: Professional Home Inspection Before Listing the House? - 05/30/07 12:37 PM
A serious buyer may want to have a professional home inspector check your house from top to bottom before making an offer. The option of hiring a professional home inspector is open to you, as well. If you can afford it, an inspection in advance of putting your home on the … (1 comments)
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building: Fix It First Before List It - 05/30/07 12:07 PM
If you need to make improvements to your home, do the work before it goes on the market. Potential buyers are not interested in hearing about your good intentions to look after defects before a transfer of ownership takes place. Even if fix-up work is underway, buyers may not be able … (2 comments)
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building: Check the House’s Curb Appeal Before You List It ! - 05/30/07 12:01 PM
How does your house look from the street? That is where prospective buyers will be when they first see your home; and, that is where they will form that all-important first impression. Stand at the curb in front of your house and note what you see.
Remove any clutter in your yard
Repair … (1 comments)
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building: Sustainable Neighbourhoods - 05/30/07 11:59 AM
Old or new, sustainable neighbourhoods are places where you and your family can find not just a home to live in but a community tothrive in - a neighbourhood that meets your needs while protecting the environment and leaving an affordable legacy.This type of neighbourhood offers homes that are located near … (0 comments)
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building: Is the House Ready for Listing? - 05/30/07 11:50 AM
When getting your home ready to sell, you need to look at your house in a new way. Think of your house as a product about to go on the market where it is probably competing with brand new housing. It needs to show well–which means clutter-free and well kept.
Today’s homebuyers … (0 comments)
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building: Wood Heating and Equipment Options - 05/24/07 10:56 PM
By Nalliah Thayabharan, Registered Home Inspector, Member of CAHPI-Ontario and Certified By ASHI,
Expert Building Inspections Ltd., Markham ON 905 940 0811 www.expertinspector.com
Many Ontario households use wood as their main fuel and even more use it as a supplementary source of heat. Most of these households are outside large urban areas … (1 comments)
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building: York - Unitary Products - How to find the Age - 05/24/07 01:30 AM
By Nalliah Thayabharan, Registered Home Inspector, Member of CAHPI-Ontario and Certified By ASHI,
Expert Building Inspections Ltd., Markham ON 905 940 0811 www.expertinspector.com
For those of you that like to date furnace and AC, York - Unitary Products changed their identification coding system on all products manufactured after October 6, 2004.Products manufactured … (0 comments)
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building: Fiberglass Windows are better than Vinyl Windows ! - 05/24/07 01:21 AM
By Nalliah Thayabharan, Registered Home Inspector, Member of CAHPI-Ontario and Certified By ASHI,
Expert Building Inspections Ltd., Markham ON 905 940 0811 www.expertinspector.com
Fiberglass is a natural insulator because it is does not conduct heat and cold and it doesn’t expand or contract. Most window and door frame components have an interface … (1 comments)
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building: Revisions to Ontario Refrigerant Regulation - 05/23/07 03:40 PM
By Nalliah Thayabharan, Registered Home Inspector, Member of CAHPI-Ontario and Certified By ASHI,
Expert Building Inspections Ltd., Markham ON 905 940 0811 www.expertinspector.com
On May 4, 2007, the Ontario Cabinet approved the revisions to the provincial refrigerant regulations that were announced in June of 2006. The new regulations include provisions to phase … (0 comments)
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building: Building Code exams are not required Engineers & Architects - 05/23/07 01:34 PM
By Nalliah Thayabharan, Registered Home Inspector, Member of CAHPI-Ontario and Certified By ASHI,
Expert Building Inspections Ltd., Markham ON 905 940 0811 www.expertinspector.com
Superior Court Justices Smith, Chapnik and Lane issued Reasons for Judgement in the Professional Engineers of Ontario legal challenge against the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing.The following represents … (0 comments)
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building: Access to Electrical Panel & Ontario HVAC Contractors - Decision by MTCU - 05/23/07 01:31 PM
By Nalliah Thayabharan, Registered Home Inspector, Member of CAHPI-Ontario and Certified By ASHI,
Expert Building Inspections Ltd., Markham ON 905 940 0811 www.expertinspector.com
MTCU Director of Apprenticeship, Rob Easto, announced that he will not adjust the interpretation he provided in October. In making this decision, Easto cited a number of factors which … (0 comments)
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building: NACHI Conference - 05/23/07 12:32 PM
By Nalliah Thayabharan, Registered Home Inspector, Member of CAHPI-Ontario and Certified By ASHI,
Expert Building Inspections Ltd., Markham ON 905 940 0811 www.expertinspector.com
I am surprised that recent National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) Annual Conference was held in the busiest time of year for Home Inspectors. Let's assume Ottawa prices … (2 comments)
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building: CEU - NACHI Conference - 05/23/07 12:19 PM
By Nalliah Thayabharan, Registered Home Inspector, Member of CAHPI-Ontario and Certified By ASHI,
Expert Building Inspections Ltd., Markham ON 905 940 0811 www.expertinspector.com
There were many very good educational seminars at the recent NACHI conference. I thought the conference itself was excellent - very knowledgable speakers, nice venue, lots of exhibitors, not to … (2 comments)
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building: Metal Roof Installation - 05/23/07 12:08 PM
By Nalliah Thayabharan, Registered Home Inspector, Member of CAHPI-Ontario and Certified By ASHI,
Expert Building Inspections Ltd., Markham ON 905 940 0811 www.expertinspector.com
My client called me and was wondering what was the proper procedure for the installation of metal roofing tiles. He was told by the Metal Roofing Salesperson that they … (0 comments)
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building: Client Playing Plumber! What a Day! - 05/23/07 12:05 PM
By Nalliah Thayabharan, Registered Home Inspector, Member of CAHPI-Ontario and Certified By ASHI,
Expert Building Inspections Ltd., Markham ON 905 940 0811 www.expertinspector.com
Had an interesting one this morning. The house has been vacant since last fall and was a Power of Sale. It was an ugly divorce situation and both parties … (1 comments)
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building: Energy Savings in Laundry Room - 05/17/07 09:35 PM
When purchasing a new washer, consider a front-loading washer. Clean the lint filter after each dryer load to maintain full airflow and maximize drying efficiency. Do all your laundry within a short period - by drying consecutive loads, the energy used to bring the dryer to the proper temperature harnesses heat … (1 comments)
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building: Energy Savings in Kitchen - 05/16/07 09:58 PM
Repair leaky faucets by installing new washers. Install a tap aerator on your kitchen faucet. Place your freezer in a cool, dark place. Place your fridge out of direct sunlight and away from the stove. Only use your dishwasher for full loads and do not activate the drying/warming cycle. When purchasing … (0 comments)
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building: Energy Efficient Condos in Toronto - 05/16/07 09:54 PM
Have you considered buying an energy efficient condo?
An energy efficient condo will:
lower utility bills reduced greenhouse gas emissions increased resale value less strain on our energy supply Green condos may also improve indoor air quality.
There are over 2,000 green condo units in Toronto. These developments have worked with the City's … (0 comments)
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building: Possible Locations of Hidden Mold - 05/16/07 09:38 PM
The back side of drywall, wallpaper, or paneling,
The top of ceiling tiles,
The underside of carpets and pads,
Pipe chases (with leaking or condensing pipes),
Walls behind furniture (where condensation forms),
… (4 comments)
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building: Tips on Mold Prevention - 05/16/07 09:30 PM
1. Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building envelope as soon as possible.
2. Watch for condensation and wet spots.
3. Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in air (humidity).
4. Keep HVAC drip pans clean with overflow and condensate lines unobstructed.
5. Vent moisture-generating appliances, … (0 comments)
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building: Harmonized Standard for Windows & Doors - 05/16/07 09:22 PM
Current Standards for Windows, Skylights and Door Systems
Windows
Division B, Section 9.7. of the 2005 edition of the National Building Code of Canada requires windows to conform to CAN/CSA-A440, “Windows” and CAN/CSA-A440.1, “User Selection Guide to CSA Standard CAN/CSA-A440-00, Windows”.
The Can/CSA-A440 standard classifies windows according to their performance in three areas—airtightness, watertightness … (0 comments)
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building: Gustav Handegord - Building Science Expert - 05/16/07 09:16 PM
Gus began his building science career at the University of Saskatchewan where he worked as a lecturer after receiving his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering in 1946. He then joined DBR’s Prairie Research Station in 1948, and thanks to serendipity, went on to the University of Illinois where he received his Masters … (0 comments)
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building: Leaders in Action - Stepping up to the Energy Challenge - 05/16/07 09:03 PM
Conservation Forum for Business Leaders
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Venue: Toronto Board of Trade - Downtown Centre
Concerns about global warming and other environmental issues are driving leaders to think harder about energy use, and there�s a growing awareness that greater efficiency has a positive impact on … (1 comments)
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building: Care and Maintenance of a Rural Septic Tank System - 05/16/07 08:49 PM
In rural areas, the septic tank system is the most inexpensive and efficient method to dispose of household sewage. A septic tank system that is correctly designed, located, constructed and well maintained will function effectively and safely for years. An improperly designed, located, constructed or inadequately maintained system can seriously endanger … (2 comments)
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building: What Home Buyers Should Know About Well Water Supply - 05/16/07 08:46 PM
Home buyers should always make their own investigations. These include a well driller's certificate and a potability test.
A clause in the agreement of purchase and sale should contain a warranty that the seller never had any problems with the drilled well on the property and that the water supply was sufficient … (0 comments)
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building: Ventilation and Air Pressure - 05/08/07 11:33 PM
Adequate ventilation is essential in all houses to ensure acceptable indoor air quality, control condensation, and in some cases ensure an adequate supply of combustion air for fuel-fired heating appliances. In the past most houses were ventilated by air leakage through cracks and openings in the building envelope, but in recent … (1 comments)
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building: Ontario Adopts a New Fuel Oil Code effective March - 04/23/07 09:51 AM
The Ontario Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) have developed a stand-alone document for Ontario entitled Ontario Installation Code for Oil-Burning Equipment – First Edition / 2006.The major changes between the provincial and national CSA B139 installation codes include:* Increasing its scope to include larger aboveground tank systems over a capacity … (0 comments)
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