You may live in a home that you want to enhance by adding additional living space. For example, solariums are one of the most popular additions to existing homes. Here are some things to consider when planning to build a solarium or another type of addition: Planning When your home was built, it was probably not anticipated where or when you would ...

Your big screen TV is missing! You go to your bedroom and your jewelry box is gone. You check your garage, and your electric bikes and ride-on mower are nowhere to be found. This is a terrible end to what was a wonderful summer vacation. Some things can be replaced, but some things of a sentimental value cannot.You feel violated; torn between fear ...

As the name implies, "Skylight" brings daylight into your home, especially helpful in windowless spaces. But first you must make a hole in your roof. The hole is the tricky part; you want the light, but not the leaks that so often occur with skylight installations. In this article, we will talk about the two primary types of modern skylights and pr...

Which homes need a back-up electric power generator and why do they need them? There are several important factors driving an ever-increasing demand for residential power generators: Climate change is creating more frequent failures of our electrical power grids through hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms, wildfires, and floods.Many people now have h...

If you are planning to sell your home, there is a strong likelihood that it will need a professional home inspection, either as part of the listing process or as a buyer's due diligence. At the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (CAHPI), we want this inspection to go well for you.To have the most appeal to your future Realtor® a...

The number of climate change deniers is trending downwards as everyday people are experiencing more and more extreme weather events. These climate-related events are destroying homes, businesses, and lives at an alarming rate. The insurance industry is reeling as their claims skyrocket - and everyone is obliged to pay more for home coverage, if the...

We all must have a roof over our head in Canada; the weather demands it! This discussion of roof covering materials may help guide you in deciding which type of roof covering is right for your home when it comes time to build a new home or replace an existing roof covering. The Most Common Shingle By far, the most popular roof covering in Canada is...

Energy prices in North America came into sharp focus in the mid 1970's when the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) instituted an oil embargo, greatly reducing production and availability of petroleum products.After World War II, North America had become overly reliant on high quality cheap crude oil from the OPEC nations, and we l...

Winter air in Canada can be very dry, especially for those people who live away from coastal areas.  Colder air is simply incapable of holding as much moisture as warmer air.  Depending somewhat on the way you heat your home, this low humidity can cause problems for people and items within the home.  We are going to discuss those pro...

Your home heat is probably on while you are reading this; living in Canada and given the time of year.We experience full-blown winters in this country and having some way to heat our homes is essential for survival.  We are going to explore the most common types of fuel-burning heating appliances, how they work, and their typical maintenance r...

I was explaining to my neighbour that November is Radon Awareness Month. "We should do our part in aiding this good cause and maybe help to save some lives." "What is Radon?" he asked. That's the question I most often get when people first hear the word "Radon". When you have finished reading this article you will understand what Radon is, where it...

All things, metaphorically and literally, need a strong foundation to create a stable environment.In this article, we are talking about the literal type of foundations; those that hold up buildings, and in particular, homes. We will focus mainly on poured concrete foundations in homes that have a basement, as this is by far the most common type. It...

Some of the questions your property insurance company is likely to ask you pertain to how the domestic hot water in your home is being heated.Their concern arises out of frequent claims that occur when domestic water heaters fail.These failures often result in significant damage when a water heating system leaks, discharging its content into the li...

When we speak of the necessities of life, food and water come first. Shelter is next. My father used to say, "Be grateful for the food on the table and the roof over your head". Virtually every form of human shelter involves a roof of some kind. We are going to explore the subject of roofs as they relate to modern residential homes; the various sty...

As the weather starts to heat up, so does the importance of a working air conditioner. After all, there's nothing worse than coming home to a stuffy, hot house on a hot summer day. But to guarantee you'll be able to enjoy the cool air as needed, you need to make sure your AC unit is properly maintained. Types of Air Conditioning Units Did you know ...

Siding (also called cladding) is the exterior wall covering on your home. It can be made of vinyl, aluminum, wood, stucco, or composite materials. While siding comes in many colours and styles providing a unique decorative element to your home, it also provides additional wall strength and protection from the elements. Types of Siding Aluminum or v...

Summer is just around the corner, and nobody loves summer quite like Canadians. After a long, cold winter, who doesn't look forward to spending time outdoors with family and friends? But - is your deck safe for your summer gatherings? We've provided a list of top reasons decks collapse or fail - here's everything you need to know heading into the s...

Spring is here! The snow is gone. Everything is starting to thaw, and the geese will be arriving before you know it. If you haven't already started thinking about getting your home ready for spring, it might be time to start! That's especially true if you plan to hire professional help, so don't delay, schedule your appointments today. Here are a f...

Spring is on the way, and here in Canada that means snow melt - a lot of it. While it's a welcome sight for many, the combination of melting snow, glacier melt in the mountains, and rain can all potentially cause flood damage to your home. To help prevent that from happening to your home this spring, we've put together a list of tips: Determine You...

 With Canada's changing seasons, it's important to maintain your home no matter what the time of year. Cold temperatures can wreak havoc on our homes, by following these 5 CAHPI-recommended winter home maintenance tips, you can ensure that your home is functioning optimally throughout the winter. 1. Change the Furnace Air FilterDid you know th...