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Did you know that the Region of Waterloo takes roughly 75% of its water from the ground, while the city of Guelph relies primarily on groundwater? Let’s take a quick look at why water quality in your home is important, the differences between soft and hard water, and how to ensure you have safe drinking water in your home.

Soft Water vs. Hard Water

Hard water contains “excessive levels of the minerals calcium and magnesium” which can shorten the lifespan of plumbing and appliances. Although it has harsh effects on appliances, hard water is not dangerous to homeowners’ health. On the contrary, soft water is easier on appliances and plumbing because it allows soap to foam up and work properly since it provides “more of a blank slate in chemical reactions”.

Water Softeners

Since hard water is found throughout Guelph and the Waterloo region, many homeowners decide to use a water softener to protect their homes. Most softeners are ion exchange systems where calcium and magnesium are exchanged for salt. If you are looking to purchase a water softener, the first step is to find out the grains per gallon in your water, which you can find out here: http://watersoftenerfacts.ca/my-water-hardness/, then determine how much softener you should buy!

Safe Drinking Water

As we mentioned above, hard water is considered safe to drink in Ontario, however, there are instances that require monitoring water quality regularly, such as homeowners who own their own source of drinking water, like a well. Public Health Ontario provides testing for E. coli, while local public health units can test for chemicals. To find out more information about testing you water, check out Public Health Ontario website.

Reverse Osmosis Systems

If you are concern with the taste, appearance and smell of your water, a reverse osmosis filtration system is a great solution! Reverse osmosis is “a process in which dissolved inorganic solids (such as salts) are removed from a solution (such as water).” Through a filtration system, fluoride, lead, chlorine, and nitrates can be removed from the water.

Did you know that once a fire alarm sounds you only have a minute or two to get out safely? Fires can spread extremely fast which is why fire prevention and planning for emergencies is critical for all homeowners! In Ontario alone, there were 10,951 “loss fires” (a fire with an injury or fatality) in 2015. We believe that having a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector is the most important thing to have in your home so we’ve outlined a few key points you should know about these life saving detectors.

Smoke Detectors

Did you know that you should have a smoke detector on every floor of your home, including your basement? It is recommended to replace your detector every 10 years, and to check the batteries every month. The two most popular smoke detectors are ionization and photoelectric and it is recommended to use both types of smoke alarm technologies in your home. While ionization smoke alarms are normally more responsive to flaming fires, photoelectric smoke alarms are more response to fires that begin with a “long period of smoldering”. 

For more information about smoke detectors and laws in Ontario, click here.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide is a “by-product of incomplete combustion of fuel such as natural gas, propane, gasoline, wood, or other bio-fuels”. What makes carbon monoxide so dangerous is that it is colourless, odourless and extremely toxic. There are many things in a household that can produce carbon monoxide, including vehicles left running in a garage, dirty fireplace chimney and household appliances such as water heaters, gas stoves and clothes dryers.

It is recommended to have a carbon monoxide detector placed closely to all bedrooms (with additional detectors placed on every level of the house), and at knee-height. It is important to note that the detector should not be blocked by any furniture or objects that could block airflow to the device.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause symptoms including headaches, nausea, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. If you notice any of these symptoms and suspect poisoning, you should immediately leave your home and call 911.

When the fall and winter weather comes storming in, one of our favourite things to do is cozy up beside a warm fireplace! Gathering around a lit fireplace with friends and family, especially in the winter months, is something potential homeowner envision when viewing a home that has a fireplace. Although having a fireplace is a great feature to have in your home, you must be aware of fireplace safety to ensure there are no accidents.

Know your fireplace. Wood-burning, gas and electric fireplaces all have different pros and cons to having them in your home. Make sure you know which kind you have and what it requires in terms of maintenance and supplies (wood logs, screens, etc.).

Do you have children or pets? Install safety gates around the fireplace to ensure that they stay away from the fireplace itself, as well as the hard stone that normally surrounds it.  Make sure that the area around it is clutter-free, including toys, and that fireplace accessories like matches/lighters are out of reach. Don’t forget to teach your children the dangers of fire and fire safety rules when they are old enough to understand.

Make sure to have alarms correctly installed in your home. In case an issue does arise, you want to be alerted! Install a carbon monoxide detector in the same room as the fireplace, and to avoid false alarms from your smoke detector, place it a safe distance away. Make sure to change the batteries of your alarms every season to ensure they run correctly.

Never leave the fire burning unattended. Before your leave the house, or go to bed at night, make sure that the fire is completely out. Don’t forget to make sure the fire is properly enclosed with a screen or protective cover to avoid ashes escaping the fireplace.

During the buying and selling process of a home, appliances are typically used as a bargaining tool for potential homeowners. Since buying appliances can be a very expensive purchase, we’ve outlined the average lifespan of common household appliances to avoid unexpected expenses after buying a home.

Washer and Dryer:

The lifespan of a washer and dryer can vary quite a bit depending on the quality of the appliance and how much use it gets, but on average, they should last anywhere from 8 – 12 years. When shopping for a new washer and dryer, you may want to consider an energy efficient model to save on water and electric and gas bills. Don’t forget to clean the lint trap after each use to make sure your dryers’ motor works properly and effectively!

Refrigerator:

On average, a refrigerator should last anywhere from 10 – 15 years. As with other appliances, regular upkeep and maintenance can help increase the lifespan. Try to clean the refrigerators’ condenser coils (located under or behind the fridge) by wiping dust and dirt away at least once a year.

Stove/Oven:

Stoves should last between 10 – 15 years, but it is important to clean your oven and burners frequently to ensure grease and food do not build up, which could affect the lifespan.

Hot Water Heater:

Traditional electric or gas water heaters ca usually last anywhere from 7 – 10 years. The lifespan can vary depending on water quality, maintenance and water source. If you notice rusting on key components including the anode, try replacing the part before the water heater leaks; “One thing is certain: When a tank begins to leak, it’s done!” 

HVAC system:

Proper maintenance, changing air filters when dirty, and annual check-ups will allow your HVAC system to work properly for on average 10 – 15 years.

Remember, taking proper care, purchasing quality products and performing regular maintenance on any of these appliances will increase the lifespan.

In 2016, Canada saw around 1.2 million property crime violations, including breaking and entering, mischief and theft, with 28% (320,000) of these incidents occurring in Ontario. With the alarming amount of property crimes in Ontario, we thought it would be a great idea to share some of our best home security tips with our clients.

Moving into a new house? One of your top priorities on move in day should be to change the existing locks! You never know how many people (previous owners’ friends, family members, neighbours) have a key to that property. One of the more obvious tips for new homeowners is to have a security alarm installed. There are reports that state even fake home security stickers and signs can deter intruders from targeting your home. Lastly, check to make sure your windows are in good condition and that doors are made of solid material, such as metal.

The outside of your house plays an important role! It is important to install motion detector lighting outside of your home to ward off potential intruders; they are more likely to go to houses that are dark since homeowners may not be home, and there’s less chance they will be seen in the dark. Don’t forget to remove large trees and bushes that are close to any door, again, because intruders will less likely to be seen if trees are blocking entrances.

Take pre-cautions when traveling. When leaving your house for a vacation, try to create the illusion that you’re still home. Have trusted neighbours check inside and outside your house every couple of days, and ask them to bring in your mail. If you can, park a car outside, and leave an outdoor light on. Lastly, do not post that you will be out of town on any of your social media channels, especially if you have minimum security settings.

Protect your identity. Before throwing away confidential papers, including credit card bills and anything from the government, be sure to shred it! Even every day mail in your recycling bin can contain enough information for someone to steal.

And finally, our number one tip… Lock your doors and don’t hide a key outside of your house! Gone are the days that you could just leave your house unattended, or leave a spare key under the front door mat. These common spare key locations are very common and make breaking into a house much easier.

We wish it weren’t true but the summer is quickly coming to an end! As fall approaches, more time is spent around the home which makes the autumn months the perfect time to complete maintenance projects. We’ve compiled a list of the top things to inspect and maintain in and around your home before the winter rolls around.

Check your alarms. It is suggested to test and change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at the beginning of each season. Fall is the perfect season to get rid of extra clutter that could create fire hazards. It’s also a great idea to create a fire escape plan for your home, and do a trial-run with your family, especially if you live with young children who might need reminders of what to do in case of an emergency.  

Prepare your yard. Raking fallen leaves is a given during the fall, but don’t forget to get rid of dead branches, trees and plants to prevent issues during harsh winter storms. Clean up and get rid of certain flowers in your garden; annuals will not make it through the winter so removing them now prevents a messy spring. Don’t forget to clean out and organize your garage and shed to make room for all of your summer equipment, including lawn mowers, patio sets and gardening supplies.

Take a closer look at your roof. Look for missing or damaged shingles and don’t forget to check for water leaks. During the late fall, it is important to clean your gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage on your property.

Inspect and prepare heating sources, including fireplaces, woodstoves and furnaces. Have a professional inspect and perform routine maintenance on your heating sources to ensure they are safe to use for the winter. Chop or buy wood for your fireplace and make sure to store in a clean, dry area. Don’t forget to replace your furnace filter – it is suggested to do so every 2-4 months!

Prepare your windows for colder weather. Inspect your windows and doors for cracks in which air might come in from. If you notice any gaps, seal them with caulking.  

Although this list might seem overwhelming at first, it is important to note that the better you prepare your home in the fall, the less damage will occur in the winter and hopefully, less work will be needed in the spring. Spread this list out over September, October and November so that you still have time to enjoy the beautiful Canadian colours that the fall brings!

Owning your own house is a very exciting adventure, but common household issues and dangers can arise! Learn more about these common hazards and how to prevent potential issues in order to keep you and your family safe.

Household Hazards

According to a Home Safety Council study, the top home hazards include falls, poisoning, fires/burns, choking and suffocation, and drowning. Let’s take a quick look at these dangers below:

• Falls: When living with small children and older adults, it is imperative to continuously watch out for fall hazards. Wet floors, cluttered areas and play equipment all pose safety threats and are things you must pay attention to. Installing handrails/supports, using safety gates, and purchasing non-slip mats are great ideas to prevent falls.
• Poisoning: Carbon monoxide detectors are now required in all homes in Ontario to prevent accidental poisoning. A detector should be placed near all sleeping areas of the house to ensure the home is fully protected. Additional poisoning threats include medicine/vitamins, paint, and common household cleaning products, which all should be kept in a safe place where children cannot reach.
• Fires/burns: Most fires are completely avoidable by inspecting your home for potential risks regularly. Unplugging unused appliances, decreasing clutter around water tanks and furnaces, and never leaving candles unattended will lower your risk of accidental house fires. By installing and changing batteries of smoke alarms, having a fire extinguisher available and planning escape routes, you will be prepared in case of a fire emergency.
• Chocking and suffocation: Unintentional chocking and suffocation is the leading cause of death for infants under the age of one. By removing common chocking hazards around the house, such as small objects, cords, and soft bedding, the risk of chocking and suffocation is reduced.
• Drowning: Drowning in a bathtub and pool is quite common among children, which is why it is important to never leave a child unattended when near water, monitor water levels and place gates around pool areas.

Mould

If you’ve noticed a musty smell, and have persistent allergy-like symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing and red eyes, you may want to search your house for mould. If your house has had water leaks, flooding and/or condensation, you may want to take a closer look to see if mould is present. In order to prevent major problems, it is important to look for signs of mould and to have it safely removed be professionals before it becomes a bigger issue.

Asbestos

When asbestos containing materials are disturbed and the fibres become airborne, a health hazard arises, which is why it is important to be aware of asbestos while doing any renovation! You cannot identify asbestos containing materials visually, the only way to know, is to have suspect materials tested by a laboratory before additional work continues. If the product does contain asbestos, you will then want to hire a professional asbestos removal specialist to get rid of it before continuing your renovation.

Lead Containing Paint

In 1978, the federal government banned lead-containing paint, however, lead paint is still present in millions of homes! Lead from paint and lead-contaminated dust is one of the most common causes of lead poisoning. If your home was built before 1980, you can purchase a home lead test kit or send a sample to a laboratory to see if your house has leaded paint.

Although home inspectors do not specialize in these areas and do not provide testing services, they can help identify suspect materials and make recommendations as to how to proceed and ensure a safe living environment for you and your family.

Homeowners will receive a comprehensive and thorough post-inspection report after every property inspection completed by the Building Insights team. Every home is unique; therefore, every report will be different! To give you an idea of what our inspection report will contain, we’ve outlined what a typical report looks like.

Introduction

The first few pages of your inspection report will have information regarding the property, including your name and property address, as well as a table of contents to direct you through the report. A standard pre-inspection agreement will follow, which outlines the purpose of the inspection, legal information and what is included in the inspection. You will also be able to see your invoice in this section, which outlines the inspection date, customer/property information, cost of services and payment information.

The next page will outline key terms and definitions which will be used throughout the report. A short description of the property and the day of inspection weather conditions will be summarized.

Exterior Components

The next few pages will be dedicated to the findings of the property’s exterior, including windows, gutters, drainage, decks, porches, walkways, and retaining walls. Each section and feature will be rated acceptable, marginal, not inspected, not present or repair/replace. Information about the condition of the roof and flat roof areas will follow. Pictures and comments of the findings, especially areas of concerns, will be presented.

Internal Components

The next few pages will summarize structural components of the property, including foundation, framing and support, floor, attic space, cold room and crawlspace. From there, we will outline electrical information, plumbing and heating/ventilation. Pictures and comments of the findings will again be presented, and important dates of equipment and lifespan of equipment will be noted.

Interior

The last section of the report will discuss the condition of the inside of the property, including floors, steps, windows, appliances, sinks, and insulation.

Summary

Your report will conclude with a written summary of all of the findings and recommendations going forward. The summary is not the entire report, so it recommended that clients read the complete report for full understanding of issues.

After completing a home inspection with Building Insights, your report will be available to you in HTML or PDF format, and can be easily downloaded, forwarded or printed and remains accessible for five years through our website. To view a sample report for yourself, check out: https://www.homegauge.com/report/6372270/StandardReportFormat%28Upload%29.html.

Termites, also known as the “silent destroyer”, can be a scary thing to think about! To help you understand what termites are, where they live and how to prevent them, we’ve outlined crucial information that every homeowner should be aware of when it comes to these disruptive insects.  

Ontario Termites

Termites thrive in most southern spots in Canada, and especially along the coasts. In Ontario, we have several termite hotspots including Kincardine, Toronto, Guelph, Elora, Fergus and Kitchener.  Although there are many types of termites in the rest of the world, the only type found in Ontario are called “subterranean termites”.

The city of Guelph has seen a steady decline in active termite activity, and is at the lowest level since 1999, when Guelph started recording termite activity. Dr. Tim Myles implemented a five-year experimental period to use zinc borate, which he called the Trap-Treat-Release method, to fight against termites. 

What do termites look like?

The city of Guelph states that subterranean termites are “small insects, approximately the size of a grain of rice, are creamy white in colour, and have 6 legs”. Some experts say that termites look like white ants but without a constricted waist.

Where do they live?

Termites occur in large colonies, live underground and feed on virtually every type of wood. All termites are drawn to dark, damp places and can be found in wood in or around your home.  

Can you prevent termites?

All homes (even new homes) can provide food for termite infestations, which is why every homeowner should learn key prevention tips to avoid an infestation.

• Clear your property of any unused wood, including tree stumps, dead trees, and wood chip mulch.
• Fix any cracks in your housing foundation/entry points, as termites can enter through them.
• Store firewood and lumber off of the ground, ideally in the sun, and as far away from the house as possible.
• Fix any moisture problems that you house may have.
• Consider having your house pre-treated for termites, especially if your building a new home.

How to Spot Termites

Between April and November, it is recommended that homeowners hire a professional to do an annual inspection to look for termites, but there are also things homeowner can look for themselves. Examine any wood inside or outside of your house to observe the condition of it; if you notice any small holes or sawdust, this may indicate a termite problem. You may also see live or dead termites, droppings and wings near or in wood. You will also want to examine wood stumps, compost bins and under porches/decks to see the condition of the wood.

What to do if you suspect or find termites in your home

Once discovering or suspecting a termite infestation, it is highly recommended to hire a professional exterminator to eliminate these pesky insects. You will also want to notify your neighbours to inform them of the infestation, so they too can search and eliminate any potential problems. Some cities, such as Guelph, have strict termite procedures for anyone living within termite management zones, however, other cities, such as Kitchener and Waterloo, do not track addresses where termites have been found.

For more information about termites in Guelph, including termite management areas, check out http://guelph.ca/living/house-and-home/termites.

Visiting your potential home during a home inspection can be an exciting but nerve-wracking time; the house of your dreams is so close to being yours, but you’re not sure what problems could arise. On the other hand, if you’ve scheduled a pre-listing inspection before selling your house, the same anxieties can arise regarding the condition of your property.

Whether you are buying or selling, a home inspection is an invaluable investment, and we’re here to walk you through what goes on during an inspection.

Home Inspection Basics

On average, a home inspection takes between two to three hours. A home inspection will provide you with an unbiased, objective assessment of the property you are about to sell or buy. To put you in the best position to make a decision about your investment, clients are highly encouraged to attend the full inspection, ask questions about any concerns and learn more in-depth information about the property.

During the Inspection

Home inspectors will walk their clients through the interior and exterior of the property and will visually assess major mechanical and electrical systems. They will take their time to explain what they are specifically looking for and what they find along the way. Items that are typically inspected are plumbing, electrical, grading, roofing, siding, windows, doors, HVAC systems, the foundation, and much more! Don’t be afraid to voice your concerns at any time during the inspection.

After the Inspection

After the inspection is complete, the inspector will verbally go over what was found, the severity of potential issues and share their objective recommendations going forward.

They will also provide you with a comprehensive computer generated report detailing the current condition of the property. This report will include digital pictures of significant findings of the property, as well as comments with recommendations. Since all problems can be repaired, a home inspection won’t pass or fail. Potential buyers can take their time to discuss the findings privately, as well as with their real estate agent, to plan the next steps in the home buying or selling process.