If you love to cook then you know that your kitchen can sometimes take on a life of its own. Some kitchens are warm and inviting. Others are cluttered and can seem to suck the life right out of a person. If you want your kitchen to be more inviting than it is, the answer might be to create a…
Did your breathing sound like Darth Vader this winter? Maybe there are some things that can be done around the house to improve the situation. Improved indoor air quality is a very important aspect of new home construction. As Home builders build ‘tighter’ envelopes in a quest for increased energy efficiency, the necessity to exchange or purify bad air in the…
It’s no April Fool’s joke to have water in your basement. I have experienced it first hand as a homeowner and have witnessed the damaged caused by water when the proper measures are not taken. I have taken an excerpt from the CMHC web site regarding how to prevent water entering your home where you don’t want it. Why Do…
In 2002, the Johns Manville company converted its entire line of building insulation to formulations that do not contain added formaldehyde. Prior to 2002, there had been limited use of acrylic binders to replace formaldehyde by Johns Manville and its competitors, and JM’s conversion was the first full-scale application of the technology. In 2008, Generations introduced this insulation into it’s…
Types of paint It can be confusing when selecting the sheen of paint you want since the term used for the sheen varies by manufacturer. Low-sheen (low-gloss) paints have none to little observable sheen. The amount varies slightly by manufacturer. Low-sheen paints can be called: flat, matt, eggshell, satin and velvet. Higher sheen paints are semi-gloss, gloss and enamel. They…
Past customers always ask how to clean a food disposal unit. Cleaning your garbage disposal is a quick and easy way to help keep your kitchen smelling fresh and your sink drain working properly. Although well-maintained garbage disposals that are used correctly should generally clean themselves, the following tips will help keep your garbage disposal in tip-top shape. Remember, never…
Acrylic Tubs and Showers need special attention: The major advancements in plumbing fixture variety and selection occurred with the use of fiberglass and acrylic plastic. These materials allow manufacturers to create an unlimited variety of shapes and sizes. These units also offered freedom from the use of ceramic tile on the walls of shower stalls and bathtubs. This was a…
With the advent of new building codes a few years ago, came some new moisture problems in the attic spaces of new homes. New fire code restricts venting of eaves in some situations where homes are closer together. this potentially life saving code revision has , in some cases, reduced the opportunity for proper attic ventilation. Just as other builder’s…
Each winter, after the first really cold period, I see a lot of comments on social media about moisture on windows. I am not a scientist but I understand the basic reason for this: In simple terms, when air cannot hold anymore humidity (vapour) it begins to turn to liquid, or sometimes referred to as “sweating” Condensation on windows…
The only thing worse than finding moisture in your new home, is hearing from your homebuyer that they have unexplained moisture in their new homes. Often, I receive e-mails or calls about moisture in a new home. Typically the questions revolve around three potential situations. New building practices have led to more opportunities for moisture to collect within the home. …