Prime Real Estate for Cottontail the Bunny (Reading, PA) - 08/22/11 11:26 PM
These guys are rare visitors or itinerants in our Montreal neighbourhoods. They do successfully live and breed here but there is not much 'space ' here in our residential 'flora' for these 'fauna'. So they are occasionally seen but not that common.
I was recently in PA this summer. It's lovely country. There's no rabbit that wouldn't just love it.
 
This is a re-blog. Should you wish to leave a comment please click through to the original blog and do it there for the writer who's work this is.
Via David Artigliere, ARTI Home Inspections, ASHI Certified Home Inspector (Reading, … (6 comments)

YUCK Cockroaches!!!! - 08/22/11 10:58 PM
In the Montreal area cockroaches are relatively rarely encountered in residential inspections. They can be more common in some types of commercial buildings though, and to say they are rarely encountered does not mean that they are not found. 
For those who have to deal with the problem they will appreciate the eradication, control and abatement measures listed towards the end of this article.
This article is written and presented by a colleague (Brian Halliday), fellow InterNACHI member and associate here on AR (Active Rain). Please leave your comments directly on his blog. Thank you.
Via Brian and Heather Halliday - … (4 comments)

Safety tip: Do you have ICE on your cell phone? You should... - 08/22/11 12:40 PM
This is a simple, no cost idea that could help in an emergency. I found this through a re-blog but I'm re-bogging it again so Montreal area cell phone users and real-estate professionals can benefit from this safety tip.
Via Craig Snead / Real Estate Investor (Quality Home Investments, LLC / Dearborn Heights, MI):
Safety Tip:   Do you have ICE on your cell phone? You should...
This is not the same as having your phone on ice. ICE is an acronym for In Case of Emergency.
This idea has been around for a number of years, yet not everyone is adapting.
… (3 comments)

Pointe-Claire 100th Anniversary Celebration - Pointe-Claire Days - 08/18/11 12:59 AM
Pointe-Claire 100th Anniversary Celebration - Pointe-Claire Days
It's 100 years since the incorporation of Pointe-Claire as a city. And the city is having a bash this weekend. Most of the activities will be in the Village. This is the original area settled, locally called the Pointe-Claire village and is actually 300 years old as a settlement.

This is the announcement flyer put out by one of the merchants in the village. The merchants association is actively participating in and promoting the event as well as a volunteer citizens committee (That's actually been organizing this since 2009.)
Saturday the street will … (6 comments)

"We Won't Fix Anything Unless It's A Code Violation" - 08/13/11 03:09 PM
 The photos themselves tell the story. This article, as well as highlighting some new construction deficiencies, also illustrates the problems inherent with extended and horizontal exhaust duct systems. 
This is a reprint of an article by one of my associates, Jay Markanich (VA), and should you wish to comment on his article please click through the links and do so directly on his blog.
For anyone wanting answers about this and similar problems for a home or property in the Montreal area please contact me Robert Butler at any of the numbers listed below.
Via Jay Markanich - Virginia Home Inspector (Jay Markanich … (2 comments)

Window Stains: When To Be Concerned - 08/13/11 02:29 PM
This article highlights an all too common problem detail with the siding finishes around doors and windows. Home owners with this and similar siding types should become familiar with how these components work and what is needed for their maintenance.
This is a reprint of an article by one of my associates, Reuben Saltzman, (MN) and should you wish to comment on his article please click through the links and do so directly on his blog.
For anyone wanting answers about this and similar problems for a home or property in the Montreal area please contact me Robert Butler at any … (1 comments)

Know what you are looking at? Easy, Read the signs, Follow them! - 08/13/11 01:38 PM
Know what you are looking at?  Easy, Read the signs, Follow them!

DO you know?
Well there's a couple of my foot prints there in the attic floor insulation.
But there's more. A lot more. All over the place.
 They aren't individual tracks like mine. No, they are pathways for much smaller feet. 
And here they are roads well traveled. They are more compressed and well defined. These two around the stud in particular.
That's because this is the only direct route to the other side of this wall, to the addition section of the home.
But fainter, less traveled … (33 comments)

Telegraphing - Not just the original Text Messaging System ! - 08/11/11 10:20 AM
Telegraphing - Not just the original text messaging system.
Calling it the original text message system is a very apt description in todays world, but long before 'text messages' as we know them today appeared, to telegraph had another meaning.
To reveal underlying or hidden conditions that are not directly visible, often through solid materials like these shingles; thats telegraphing the surface below.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In the photo on the left I've used red lines to show the information that is being telegraphed through the roof shingling. The photo on the … (6 comments)

Hello HAIL hole ? Heck no hail hole, that's one of three.......... - 08/10/11 01:03 PM
Hello HAIL hole ? Heck no hail hole, that's one of three.......... what?

Have a look at this hole, looks like an impact puncture from this angle. Hence the 'hail' in the title. But if hail did this 'damage' there would be lots of other impacts as well. Then I found another one (2nd photo) ;

 
And this second one was similar but had a new wrinkle;

Now this one has a debris 'bulb' strainer, the type normally used to keep leaves and other junk out of the drains for flat roofs. This roof is definately not … (12 comments)

How do you slowly blow up your neighborhood? - 08/03/11 09:12 AM
Here is a good example of the difference between a good inspector and everyone else. Nobody else would have given this tiny plant a second thought. It's far from being an emergency but it exactly the timely information that owners of this property need.
This is a re-blog so if you have comments for Loren please click through to the original blog and leave your comments there.
Via Loren Green, Phoenix Home Inspector & Designer (Greens Home Design L.L.C.):
This is a follow up to the post What not to do when listing a house part 2.  I said that there was another … (6 comments)

 
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Robert Butler, Montreal, Canada Home Inspector

Montreal West Island, QC

More about me…

Aspect Inspection

Address: Montreal - West Island, Serving the greater Montreal region, Pointe-Claire, QC, H9S 4l7

Cell Phone: (514) 914-1249

Email Me

Usually I'm presenting an aspect of home maintenance, value improvement or 'how too' instructions to feature best practice ways to do things around building and property issues. Some times it's building tech history or how thing came to be as they are, the back story on terms, expressions and phrases. I keep track of the strange, the unique, the special and interesting things I get to see, including the dangers. These are filed as OMGs. OMGs always have photos, so I share the file with you from time to time. The rest come out of thin air. More than once I start writing a comment on someone else's blog and end up inking a whole new blog. Am I inspired or am I ranting? You can decide.


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