Best Time to Test for Radon? First Snowfall. Here’s Why.

Each year, more than 3,000 Canadians die from lung cancer caused by radon—the second most dangerous cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon comes from uranium, a natural element found in the ground. When uranium breaks down, a radioactive gas is released, called radon. You can’t see it, smell it or taste it, but it’s…

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The Wobbly Porcelain Bowl: Fixing a Loose Toilet

Nope. We’re not talking about a rough night at the bar. It’s one of our favorite expressions here at the office to describe a loose toilet. “I checked the toilet on the main floor– it spun like a top!” A loose toilet is not just an inconvenience – it could be a sign of trouble.…

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Honey, is our Dryer Vent made out of Flammable Flexible Tubing?

Sound crazy? It’s not. It’s unbelievable how often we see homes with flammable dryer vents installed, filled with lint, all ready to catch a spark. It’s winter. Not a lot of clothes hanging out on the ‘cord-a-linge’ this time of year. Most of us are using our dryers, and we’re putting a lot of wooly…

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Is Your Montreal Balcony Secure for Your Family?

Montreal is a city with a great many balconies, porches and back decks; and Montrealers make good use of them during the summers. Playwright David Fennario even referred to the city as “Balconville” in his play of the same name, alluding to the balcony’s central place in the city’s culture, where thousands of Montrealers retreat…

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Home Electricity 101: Safety in Grounded Plugs

All Montreal homes built before 1960 have the same energy: unpredictable. For us, the 1960’s brought about a new era of groovy energy; an energy we could get down with. We’re not talking bellbottoms, afros or free love. We’re talking energy in the literal sense. Safer home electricity standards were introduced in the 60’s: something…

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Basements are for Potatoes – not Couch Potatoes

Basements are for Potatoes; no, not couch potatoes. If that’s what you were thinking, then you’re not alone. Millions of Canadians use their basements as living space, thinking it’s the ideal space to set up a family room, games room, or even kids’ bedrooms. But in truth, it takes a great deal of careful design and…

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