Saskatchewan

New article on efflorescence

Efflorescence can be unsightly and it is important that inspectors can explain to their clients how it can be removed and prevented. While it is harmless it may indicate the presence of a more serious condition - excess water. Too much water in a residence can lead to mold and interior damage. In our new article on efflorescence for inspectors you can find out plenty of useful things about this substance.

New Article on Defensible Space

Did you know that in rural parts of California homeowners are required by law to have 100 feet of defensible space around their house? This is done to protect houses from wildfires and some level of defensible space is recommended virtually everywhere. These spaces are areas where vegetation has been removed so that wildfires will stop or slow down as they approach houses. Check out our new article on defensible space to find out more.

Central Humidifiers

August 20th, 2009

Many homes are equipped with central humidifiers, which are devices hardwired into the home's heating and plumbing systems so that the indoor air stays moist and comfortable during the dry winter months. Inspectors and homeowners should be aware that under the right conditions, humidifiers can introduce dangerous bacteria into the air. They can also cause condensation to form on cold surfaces, such as windows and walls, contributing to wood rot and the growth of mold. In order to prevent these things from happening, the humidistat must be adjusted daily and the humidifier cleaned out as needed. To find out more, take a look at our new article about central humidifiers.

Chinese Drywall

I'm sure at this point you've heard about imported Chinese drywall and how might cause health problems in homes. Class action lawsuits against builders, importers, and manufacturers of the material have been filed by people, mostly in Florida, who say their appliances are breaking and their health is suffering due to toxins. The companies that make and use the drywall claim there is nothing wrong with it but the Florida Health Department says different. Take a look at our new article on Chinese drywall information to find out more about how it can be identified and its potential dangers.

New article on how to increase home energy efficiency

July 20th, 2009

Home's are very inefficient. Hot air leaks through mail slots and windows, incandescent light bulbs burn up 90% of the energy they consume as heat, furnaces heat vacant houses, the list goes on. In spite of fears over pollution, global warming, dwindling natural resources and the high costs of electricity, American houses account for a staggering 72% of national energy consumption. Canadian buildings use even more energy. There are a lot of ways that homeowners can make their homes more energy efficient and a lot of reasons why they would want to do this. LED lights, for instance, are already far better choice than incandescent bulbs and they will become more affordable in the future. Take a look at our new article on ways to increase home energy efficiency to find out more changes that can be made.

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