Blog
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS SPRAY FOAM?
Consider the benefits of spray foaming. Are you building or renovating your home. Have you heard about spray foam? This article will try to highlight the benefits and differences of spray foam verses conventional insulation. I recently visited a home that was being...
IS MY HOME BUILT TO WITHSTAND THE WINTER?
Beware of US built mobile homes that do not meet Canadian standards. This week’s topic is about the dangers of buying an out of country mobile home. I have come across two brand new trailers that were built in the U.S. that did not meet the national building code. If...
HOW SHOULD MY TRAILER FLOOR BE INSULATED?
Trailer skirting and insulation Trailer insulation is a subject that is little understood. In particular the insulation under the trailer. The thing to remember about trailers or mobile homes is that there are a self-contained building. That is to say they roll out of...
Thr trouble with rushing into the deal-make sure to do your homework
Being a good inspector is only half the job. Tailoring the inspection to the clients’ needs is also very important. Assessing the clients’ needs and abilities to make sure the inspection is tailored to those needs is a serious job. Many of my inspections have been...
What is “GRANDFATHERING” and how will I be affected by it.
Grandfathering, what is Grandfathering. The past two weeks I have heard the phrase “grandfathering” a few times with respect to septic systems. First of all I’ll explain the term. According to Wikipedia, a grandfather clause is a provision in which an old rule...
Enough “IS” Enough – when renovations get out of hand.
In my business I often come across issues with the homes I inspect as you can imagine. Most of the time these “issues” are things that I flag for my customers so they understand what is wrong or will soon be wrong with the home if the problem is not repaired. Most of...
Finally its Barbeque Season.
If you are like me, a barbequed steak is a true summer treat. It is a time to gather in the great outdoors with friends and family. There is just something about cooking outdoors that is kind of neat and the taste of food cooked over open flame is the best. Of course...
A BIT OF ADVICE FOR THE DO-IT-YOUSELF TYPE – Keep records of renovations
A well documented renovation /repair is worth its weight in gold when its time to sell your home. As a home Inspector I see things all the time that concern me. In order to do my job I pass these concerns on to my clients. This week I came across a home that had...
WHAT IS A SEWER SCOPE, WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE ONE
Recently I decided to purchase a sewer camera and line locator. In all my years as a home inspector I have cautioned people on the risks of tree roots in the sewer line. After using the sewer camera I am learning that tree roots are only one possible issue with sewer...
Old Man Winter decides to give us a break!
Wow this has been is a brutal winter. Most of us are groaning about how awful this winter has been, or shall I say still is. I on the other hand am grateful that the winter is sticking around a bit longer. I think of this winter as a boxing match between nature and...
The importance of using vapour barrier in a crawlspace.
One of the most misunderstood areas of the home is the crawlspace. There has been disagreement on several parts of the crawlspace for decades. The big questions are; do you heat the area or keep it at the outside temperature, should the walls be insulated and vapour...
The Furnace Emergency Switch
I wonder how many people reading this can remember a time when someone mistakenly shut off the furnace switch in their home. I have a pet peeve when it comes to this common mistake. Years ago as I recall, the furnace switch always had a red cover and was labelled...
Get your sump pump ready for spring.
For anyone who follows my blog you will know I have some concern about this year’s runoff due to the high volume of snow we have received this year. In this issue I want to talk about sump pumps. For some homeowners the sump pump is a critical component in the home. I...
I predict we are headed for a record snow melt this spring. I am concerned for the hundreds of homes in the Midwest that are likely to flood as a result.
One of the greatest issues I find by far is a negative slope around the home. If the home is well built it is possible that the soil next to the wall can handle this onslaught of water but most do not. The result of course is water intrusion into the basement. I want...
Hey Mr. Contractor, are you incompetent or just lazy?
I realize the title is a bit harsh but I wanted to drive home the point that many contractors are really dropping the ball these days. Now I don’t want to come across as a smart aleck or a know it all, as this would be totally wrong. I do want to talk about some...
How often should a home be inspected?
Client asks; The home I am going to buy was inspected by the sellers two years ago so should I get it inspected now? This is a question I face from time to time and this week I came across a situation that confirms that you should always have an inspection regardless...
Asbestos – Where is the danger, how real is the risk?
I recently inspected a home that had some possible asbestos containing vermiculite in the attic and some possible asbestos wrap on the furnace plenums. Furthermore there was likely some asbestos in the floor tiles in the entry and the basement. So what now? Should...
Dealing with cold weather water issues.
Here in the Midwest we have suffered our fair share in this bleak artic tundra this year. Ok, its not that bad but it seems to be when your fighting through the snow drifts. This week I tried to help a friend deal with a frozen hydrant on a local acreage. We added hot...
Septic Design and the impact of garborators.
Are you considering moving your family from the city to the country? There are a lot of differences between living in the country and living in a town or city. People have migrated to the cities over the years to take advantage of a lot of the conveniences of city...
It tis the season – For fires so be careful.
This year several homes will experience fires due to overloaded electrical circuits, don't let your home be one of those. We all like the pretty lights of the Christmas tree and other lights that signify the Christmas season. Unfortunately many homeowners don't stop...
Is your home cold in winter? Do you know why? Maybe it’s your Imagination!
Understanding how your body works can help you understand why you feel cold in your home. There are a few areas that affect how comfortable you are inside your home. They are air temperature, air movement and humidity. A comfortable room temperature in the summer is...
Does your Home contain Lead Paint? Is it making your Children sick?
Until recently I always thought of lead paint poisoning as a plot by people in plush carpeted rooms in a high rise building with nothing better to do then scare the rest of us into a cave where we could find safety from the world. For those of you reading this you...
If the home you are about to buy is older you may want to consider having the sewer line scoped.
It has been my experience that what you cannot see can hurt you when it comes to your home. One area that is often overlooked is the sewer line to the city or town system. As a home inspector I often look at the front yard for large trees which are likely to have deep...
Try to avoid the Avalanche of Snow
It’s that time again and the winter white stuff has arrived all too early in my opinion. With the snow comes some hidden hazards that I thought I would bring to your attention. We all understand the weight of water but most of us think of snow as being light and...
Changing a low voltage razor plug to a GFI
If you live in an older home chances are you will have a razor plug in you washroom. I would say about 40 % of the older homes I inspect will have a low voltage razor plug in place. There are several issues with these plugs which I will discuss below. I...
How thorough should an inspection be?
The inspection business can be political at times. Ok lets be honest, it is usually political to some degree. Perhaps political is the wrong word. Lets say controversial. Often times a home inspector will discover issues in a home that are hidden and unknown to the...
Technology and protecting your home.
Last week I went to a meet the teacher conference at my daughters high school. Was I in for a surprise when I walked through those doors. I used to be a high school teacher myself many moons ago and somehow had the idea that school was school and I knew what I...
Choosing the right wood heat system.
THINKING OF HEATING YOUR HOME WITH WOOD. Good choice but make sure you get all the details and make sure the fireplace or wood stove is safe to use. The subject of wood heat is vast and cannot be effectively dealt with in one issue but I will try to touch on as many...
What do you expect? Its an older home!
Are you asking too much of the seller? Buying a home is not much different then buying any other commodity. Yes I know we inspectors and realtors always make the famous statement that “This is most likely the most expensive purchase you will ever make in your...
Tips for getting your home ready to sell
Most of the inspections I do are for residential buyers. When someone is buying a home they hire me to go through the home looking for current and future problems. There are several items that I come across on a regular basis that I will go over here so you can check...
Buying the right house is more then just curb appeal.
Recently I inspected a very large home. This single family home had it all, several times over. I mean there were four entrances and too many rooms to recall. The main floor had two kitchens and a large office, den and two living/dining rooms. While there was lots of...
Even nice guys get it wrong sometimes
EVEN NICE GUYS GET IT WRONG SOMETIMES. This week I inspected a wood stove and chimney that was installed several years ago by a well intentioned and very nice older gentlemen. Unfortunately he got it wrong, very wrong. The chimney was installed upside down and had...
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR BASEMENT FLOODS
HOW TO DEAL WITH A FLOODED BASEMENT The recent heavy rains in Lloydminster and Edmonton have left a lot of families in a tough position. If your basement has moisture in the floors and walls you need to act quick to avoid the worst impact of the moisture, MOLD. Mold...
SOME SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS WHEN BUYING AN ACREAGE WITH A WELL.
In previous issues I talked about well flow tests. This issue will deal with how to properly assess the well and its components such as the pressure switch and tank and the well pump itself. I will also mention a bit about what types of samples I recommend the buyer...
Well Testing procedures
As an acreage owner I have had to haul water from the city and it is not fun, not by a long shot. Well water supply and water quality are more critical then you may think. In order to help my clients reduce their risks of a well failure and to help them understand...
Inspecting the septic tank and field
For many of us living out side the city, we have had experience with wells and septic systems. These components are critical to every rural property yet they are often not inspected or under inspected. At Border Home Inspections we recommend the following. First of...
Your roof needs to be closely inspected
The roof of a home is perhaps the most critical component of the home yet it is the most over looked even by inspectors. The current trend in inspection training is for the trainers to recommend that no-one walk on the roof during the inspection in case they fall....
Insurance Companies want your inspection report – but do they have a right to ask for it?
This issue has come up several times recently and I wanted to address it once and for all. When you hire an inspector you will be asked to sign an agreement which explains the limitations and scope of the inspection. Within most of these agreements will be a...
Home Heating
Home heating is taken for granted much of the time. We turn up the thermostat and magically we get instant comfort. Of course there are many considerations to think about when we turn up the heat, not the least of which is the environment. This discussion often leads...
Will I need to upgrade my Electrical Panel to get insurance?
Electrical panel Sizes Many homes built in the 1960,s have been modernized over the years and many look like they are much newer with the updates. Most of the homes of this era are on their third set of shingles and the second set of windows and exterior siding. The...
Exterior Hardboard Siding and older vinyl windows
The most destructive elements of a home are the sun and moisture. The exterior materials in the home have to be designed and maintained to withstand these destructive forces of nature. We have seen different materials come and go that have been less then satisfactory...
Structure and the effects of poor renovations
The structure of a home depends upon a network of components all working together to form a safe and strong building envelope. Most homes in the past half century or so have been designed by builders with the help of architects and building engineers and more...
Foundations Concrete and Pressure treated wood
FOUNDATION Concrete foundation issues can be grouped into two major problems type, displacement and leakage. Displacement is when cracks or movement occur due to external pressures placed upon the walls and floor by the wet expansive soil outside the home. Cracks in...
WHY IS THERE WATER COMING IN AROUND MY CEILING FAN?
Are you experiencing this problem? This time of year when the outside temperature is well below freezing in the evenings and it warms up during the day you begin to experience problems with frost and condensation. Most people believe this is from leaks in their roof...
TIPS TO KEEPING YOUR HOME HEALTHY AND SAFE: Take action today to prevent un-necessary future maintenance costs
1 DIRECT DOWNSPOUTS OUT AWAY FROM THE HOME. All downspouts should be at least 8’away from the foundation wall. We see a lot of leaky basements as a result of downspouts draining next to the home. 2 CHECK YOUR SHINGLES ON A REGULAR BASIS It is vital that the shingles...
My House isn’t selling: What can I do to help sell it?
Tips for the seller: With so many homes on the market sellers need to develop strategies that will set them apart from other home sellers. Having a pre-sale inspection is one of the greatest advantages you can have in a slower market. Prospective buyers will be drawn...
WHY IS THERE MOLD ON MY CEILING?
Mold requires moisture to grow. This moisture can form when the outside elements make their way in (intrusion) or when the inside air tries to get out (condensation). The picture of mold in this situation is from condensation. Upon discovering the mold the homeowner...
PAINT: What causes paint to peal on wood siding
Recently I came across what is known as alligatoring paint on wood siding. I thought the problem might have been due to using the wrong type of paint but a quick call to Pat at Border Paint soon cleared up the real issue. Pat said that what happens is that after many...
DECK TIPS: Common Deck Seating Problem
Common bench seating structures (like brackets found at your local building supply stores) are not designed to be on decks higher then 2' off the ground according to local building standards. The bench seats are actually considered "a climbing apparatus". Children...
Be careful when traveling with a cell phone.
This is just a quick reminder to anyone who might be planning a trip abroad. We all carry cell phones now a days and phone companies know how to make us pay. I recently traveled to the United States and Mexico on a cruise. Having experienced high cell bills in the...
The new business of trying to trick your client into buying
Have you ever been called by a telemarketer who offers you the world, only to find out that its another world. When I was in retail sales many years ago we were sent to many training sessions that drove home the concept of "trading up by trading down". This is the...
DOING IT YOURSELF IS CHEAPER – BUT IS IT SAFE
Don’t misunderstand me, I love to find out how to do something myself so I can save money. The problem I often see is with the quality of the work done by the so called do-it-yourselfers. Lets face it, the status one achieves after four years of training and about...
ONE SMALL MISTAKE COSTS THOUSANDS TO MAKE IT RIGHT
I recently inspected a basement wall in a ten year old home that was leaking. I was disappointed but not surprised to find out that all the effort was a result of the poor workmanship of the builder. In this case the wall was taken apart to find the source of the...
WHAT TYPE OF INSULATION IS BEST?
Typically insulation has been measured in R-VALUE over the years. While this gives us some sense of how well the product works there are other things that we should look at to determine which product is best to use. There are factors to consider such as water...
WELL INSPECTION LLOYDMINSTER: HOW TO SHOCK CHLORINATE YOUR WELL
Shock Chlorination is preformed to kill bacteriological growth to prevent sickness and eliminate unwanted tastes and odors from your well. The process of shock chlorination is not that difficult but if the procedure is not completed properly it may be ineffective....
IS MY WELL WATER SAFE TO USE??? HOW CAN I BE SURE?
I have lived on an acreage for most of my adult life and have experienced different styles of wells and well water. I have even had to treat dugout water for household use because the well was a low producer. In any case I want to take a few minutes and explain a few...
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO WORK ETHIC???
A while back I wrote about some great customer service I received while on vacation. Today I wanted to talk about poor service and its effect on business. Recently I preformed an acreage inspection for a fine couple. When I explained my fees they were a bit surprised...
OUR MOST EXPENSIVE MISTAKES TEND TO BE OUR BIGGEST LESSONS
Two weeks ago I was singing the praises of an Air Canada employee for her great customer service. This week I have to thank yet another Air Canada lady for getting me out of a bind I created. That's right I made a mistake and it was a costly one. The long and the...
I recently repaired a partially cloged washer fill line. It was a bit tight but with a bit of extra elbow grease it came apart. A total of 5 minutes allowed the homeowner to once again wash in cold water, AFTER 5 YEARS! I couldn't help but wonder how much extra it...
CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SO IMPORTANT
On a recent flight across the country I experienced some great customer service and thought I would acknowledge it here. In my business I try to be as professional as possible and the great service I received from Laurie on an Air Canada flight reminded me of just how...
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