Posts Tagged ‘Maintenance’
Carpenter Ants: Facts and Fiction for Homeowners
Carpenter ants are small insects that can cause big problems. As home inspectors, we often come across the signs of carpenter ants in a home and we need to let homeowners know why this could be important. Carpenter ants can damage wooden structures in a home, and their presence usually means you have a problem…
Read MoreTop 8 Dos and Don’ts for Water Heaters
The last few weeks have brought the bitter cold, blowing winds and snow we all dread. Winter in these parts is not for the weak. One thing you really want to avoid at any time of the year, but particularly in winter, is problems with your hot water tank. When you’ve been stuck outside shovelling…
Read More4 Good Reasons to Test Your Home for Radon Gas
November is Radon Awareness Month in Canada but most people don’t even know what radon is. People are aware of the importance of testing for things like carbon monoxide in a home but not everyone is aware of the need to test for radon as well. So let’s learn a little about radon, where it…
Read More8 Tips for Staging Your House Prior to Sale
The real estate market in the greater Montreal, Laval and South Shore region is heating up. A strong job market and a thriving economy are increasing demand. Inventory is relatively low with 16% fewer properties for sale than this time last year, which increases competition and drives up prices. In this article we will give…
Read MoreCarpenter Ants are NOT the Problem, They are the Symptom
Sure, as carpenter ants burrow into wood to create their nests, your home is slowly getting destroyed from the inside out. But carpenter ants don’t generally nest in nice dry areas free of food stuffs. They prefer moist, rotting wood. Carpenter ants indicate a bigger problem in the home. Carpenter Ants Like High Moisture Carpenter ants…
Read MoreThe Most Explosive Device in Your Home? Hot Water Tank Checkup
Did you know that a hot water tank can explode? When you combine high water temperatures and neglected pressure relief valves, you could have yourself an explosive tank that can literally blow your home through your roof. An old Mythbusters video makes light of a hot water tank explosion, but shows how potentially dangerous this essential…
Read MoreThe Most Important Home Maintenance Tool you will Ever Own
As a homeowner what do you consider the most important home maintenance tool? We’ve heard a wide range of answers: “Screwdriver.” “Hammer.” “Draino.” “Wrench.” “Measuring tape.” “Duct tape.” “Paintbrush.” “Hedge trimmer.” It’s true, trim hedges and fresh paint are all good for a home, but non of the tools listed above compare to this one: The #1 Tool…
Read MoreHow to Save $10,000 on your Electricity Bill
Is your Hydro-Québec electricity bill putting a hole in your wallet? It might be time to fix the holes in your home… I recently had a gentleman ask me how his electricity bill could possibly be $1000 per month. He asked me to poke around his house to see if I could recommend any energy-saving solutions. It…
Read MoreBurnt Toast Made you Disable the Smoke Detector?
You may have the wrong smoke detector. Reduce false alarms by using a different type. There’s nothing more annoying than a smoke detector that goes off every time you use the oven or burn toast. Many people take the batteries out of their smoke detectors because they get tired of false alarms – this is…
Read MoreAre you Ready to Become a Montreal Landlord?
This article is part of The Mose Report: New Homebuyer Series. Are you thinking about buying a duplex, triplex or multiplex and making the transition from tenant to landlord? For most tenants, it’s a dream come true. After years of dealing with nasty impatient landlords, we have an altruistic idea about what a landlord should be:…
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