Senwi House Inspections: Resource Centre

A site designed to help the condo homeowner with the condo restoration process by giving information on project management, financing, HPO, litigation, premature building envelope failure, mould, warranty info,and ways to save the condo owner money in the restoration process

http://www.thecondoadvocate.com/

Inspections

Do I need to be at the inspection?

The Inspection Process consists of two integral parts; the verbal report provided on site by the inspector and the written report provided to the client after the Inspection. We strongly recommend that you are present for the verbal report that will be provided on site during the inspection or at the end of the inspection process. This verbal report will contain content that is not always included in the written report and will allow the inspector to address any questions and concerns you have on site. It will also allow the inspector to better explain any defects that have been identified.

Getting your home ready for sale

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/buho/buho_002.cfm

Having an inspection? What you can expect.

What to expect.pdf

How long will the inspection take?

The inspector will usually arrive on site at 8:30 AM to commence a private inspection of the dwelling exterior & grounds (This is one of the most important parts of the inspection and so 'tag alongs' are not permitted during this 1 hour period, to allow the inspector to focus on the exterior with no interruptions). Clients, and any dwelling representatives ,will usually meet on site at around 9:30 AM For a house or townhouse, the inspection will usually take between 5 - 7 hours. For an apartment the inspection will take between 2 and 4 hours. If the client has not been able to participate in the whole inspection process, a verbal on-site review will be available at the end of the process and will usually take 1 hour.

How to choose a home inspector.

2009-01 Are all inspectors created equal.pdf

How to spot a grow-op

RCMP Tips on how to spot a marijuana grow-operation

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2010/grow_op_cover_up/how_to_spot_a_grow-op.html

RCMP Tips on Grow-Ops

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/fio-ofi/grow-ops-culture-eng.htm

Recommendations for Safe Re-occupancy of Marijuana Grow Operations

http://www.ncceh.ca/en/ncceh_reviews/other/marijuana_grow_operations

Ways of searching to see if home was former grow-op

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2010/grow_op_cover_up/was_your_home_a_grow_op.html

Why does SENWI not provide InfraRed Inspections?

Do we provide IR Inspections.pdf

Why is the report not available on site at the end of the inspection?

It is the our goal to provide clients with a report that is accurate, comprehensive, and informative to help them make an educated purchasing decision. In order to do this; we provide illustrated narrative reports that are custom written for the property inspected (vs an on site checklist report). Our report generation process usually takes between 12-20 hours and allows for a thorough investigation of the defects identified on the day of the inspection vs those that provide a checklist style or preprogrammed reports on site who can only provide a fast general observation of the defects. The inspection report will usually be available to the client by the evening following the day of the inspection. Our clients feel that the end result is worth waiting for!

Market

Brief overview showing the number Detached and Attached sales for major cities around the GVRD

Market Activity.pdf

Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Monthly sales statistics

Get the data from the source. Find out of the market is really starting to pick up or drop and are you being pressured to make an offer that does not reflect the market direction.

http://www.rebgv.org/monthly-reports

Resource Library

Safety

How to lock out crime:

CMHC series of articles on how to secure your single or multi-family home

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/holooucr/

Attic

Attic Venting, Attic Moisture and Ice Dams

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_001.cfm

Maintenance

Should I block my gable vents in the Winter?

Q My house has large gable end vents. With cold weather arriving, I'm thinking about blocking them to reduce heat loss. Should I? A Bad idea. The best way to prevent heat loss is to add insulation and foam-seal gaps in the wall framing where pipes and wires pass into the attic. Once any heated, humid air escapes into the attic, you'll want to direct it out of the house as quickly as possible, through the gable (and ridge) vents. Blocking these vents restricts airflow and allows condensation to form in the attic. This will cause your roof sheathing to delaminate. BY NORMAN BECKER, P.E. Extracted from Popular Mechanics - Dec 2007 Homeowners Clinic

Decks and Porches

Fasteners

What fasteners should you use when building an exterior structure with pressure treated wood?

An excellent article from the Homeowner Protection Office on choosing the right fastener and hangers when using pressure treated wood on your project. (Note: Article discusses the use of galvanized hardware as one possible option. Any product that is use in stick or coil form for a pneumatic or electric applicator will not have adequate corrosion coverage where the individual fasteners are attached to each other. When the fastener is "shot" into the wood, the surface that was previously attached to the next fastener does not have any protective coating on it and will be the starting point for corrosion)

Choose right fastener for pressure treated wood projects.pdf

Maintenance

Maintenance of your Multi-Family Decks and Balconies

An excellent article by the Home Protection Office on the importance of maintaining your decks and balconies in multi-family dwellings.

Maintaining Decks and Balconies on multi-family dwellingsweb.pdf

Safety

Is your deck safe?

Find out by reviewing these points and ensuring the safety of your family and friends. Should you have any questions please contact SENWI House Inspections for a deck evaluation.

http://www.nadra.org/consumers/DSM_checklist2008.pdf

May is deck safety month

Prior to the BBQ season, why not download this safety checklist and ensure your deck is solid and your freinds and family will be safe. Should you have questions please contact SENWI House Inspections for a deck safety evaluation.

http://www.nadra.org/consumers/Deck_Evaluation_Form.pdf

Electrical

Maintenance

5-Step process to change a light switch.

Easy method for running new wire through conduit

Cheap Wire Snake.pdf

Enviro. Sustainability

Indoor Composting

http://www.naturemill.com/products.html

Alternative Energy Creation

'Clay' Roofing Tiles that generate electricity

http://www.srsenergy.com

Energy Efficiency

19 ways to lower your energy bills

Great article from November 2008 Popular Science

19 ways to cut energy bills.pdf

BC Hydro Power Smart Program

(Including fridge buy-back program)

http://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/

Install a timer on your electric water heater.

Because, why should you pay to heat your water during the night while you are sleeping?

http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=13110

LiveSmart BC government site

Chalk full of ideas on how to save money by saving energy. A win-win for both you and the environment!

http://www.livesmartbc.ca/

Natural Resource Canada - Tips for saving energy in your home

http://www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/new-home-improvement/home-energy-saving-tips.cfm?att

Save Energy - Switch to CFL Bulbs

Excellent article contained in the Home Depot Fall 2008 eco options magazine.

Why switch to CFL Bulbs.pdf

Setback Thermostats - Should you use them?

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/enefcosa/enefcosa_004.cfm

Terasen Gas - Energy Saving Tips

http://www.terasengas.com/Homes/SavingEnergy/default.htm

Ground Contamination

Digger Dicks Contracting Inc.

Digger Dicks provides a free inspection service to locate oil tanks on your residential property. They typically need 2-3 days notice. If an oil tank is located, the average cost to remove the tank when minimal leakage has occurred is in the $1500 - $3000 range (starts at $3000 in West Vancouver because of an additional requirement for an engineer). Obviously, this price can climb quickly when the surrounding soil is contaminated and requires remediation.

http://www.diggerdicks.com

Residential Heating Oil Storage Tanks - What is the Liability?

http://www.elp.gov.bc.ca/epd/remediation/fact_sheets/pdf/fs32.pdf

Residential Heating Oil Storage Tanks - Who has the Liability?

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/remediation/fact_sheets/pdf/fs16.pdf

Water Efficiency

Using Recycled Water for your Bathroom toilet

http://www.watersavertech.com/AQUS-Diagram.html

Water-Saving Tips for Your Lawn and Garden

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/la/la_006.cfm

Exterior/Bldg. Envelope

Cladding

CMHC outlines chronic problems with Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS)

CMHC EIFS SYSTEM Problems.pdf

Describes how to replace a damaged portion of vinyl siding

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/exterior/siding/repair/vinyl/panel/replace.htm

Maintenance

Perimeter Drainage Inspections

As the perimeter drainage system is usually below many feet of soil, it is considered hidden and not included in most home inspector's scope of inspection. As the cost to remediate a failed system can be high, it is important for a home buyer to have this system inspected separately prior to purchase. A private residential inspector who is a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner (ROWP) often has the tools required (fibre optic scope) to inspect these systems and make recommendations. Look for somebody who only does residential inspections. They will therefore not be 'motivated' to find problems that do not exist just so they can get the repair contract down the road (a problem with hiring repair companies to do the inspections) Many are available on a 2-3 day notice and charge in the $200 to $600 range depending on travel time, ease of access from down pipe connections, requirement for hand digging, and requirements to track pipes locations above ground to aid in repair. About 3 to 4 hours is common for readily accessible pipes, but a whole day may be spent where things are less accessible and digging, or even cutting into pipes is necessary.

http://owrp.asttbc.org/c/finder.php

Penetration Details

Are you one of those that think new construction is good construction?

See this excellent PDF from National Home Warranty with pictures of constructions errors found at time of construction. Imagine the damage caused to the building structure when these type of errors are not caught.

Do you think if it is new that it is right.pdf

Caulking Types and Application Uses with Tips

Caulking 101 - Tips and Trcks.pdf

Guide to correctly flashing a Rainscreen style building envelope

This is an excellent pictorial guide on detailing most penetrations through a building envelope using the "Rainscreen" design method. These methods are approved by the Home Warranty Program and warranty providers.

A reference guide of typical rainscreen wall and window details.pdf

How to Weatherize Your Home

Reasonably good article on where to look for air and water leaks on the exterior of your home and what to do about them. Describes the different types of caulk and their intended uses. 1 word of caution - if using the 'rain drip' (threshold sweep) on the bottom of your door as shown in the diagram beside 'installing weatherstripping', make sure you seal the top exterior edge of the threshold to the door with caulking (or better yet - install a drip edge to the door above the threshold). Otherwise as the rain beats up against the door it will flow behind this weatherstripping and now you have a device that acts like a gutter holding water and directing it to each side of the door. This will rot out the bottom of the door and the door jambs on the side of the door. (see below pdf for an example of how this area can rot out)

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2weatherize

rotted door and jambs because of rain cap on base.pdf

Windows

Foggy Windows?

If you have double pane windows/skylights with "fog" between the glass panes, have the windows/skylights replaced by a professional. The "fog" is caused by a failed seal between the glass panes and the spacer between them. There is no way to repair this failure; and the window must be replaced. Besides being unsightly, the loss of the seal between the panes allows the inert gas, that provides the insulating component to the window, to escape leaving only a fraction of its former insulating value. This leads to higher heating/cooling costs.

General Resources

Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

This site is chock full of good advise and How-to's for homeowners

www.cmhc.ca

Find out what your home is currently appraised at by the BC Assessment Authority

http://www.bcassessment.ca/

National Research Council - Canadian Building Digests

The topics reflect the diversity of the industry and cover virtually every aspect of design and construction in Canada.

http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/cbd/index_e.html

Step by Step Home Buying Guide

http://www.cmhc.ca/popup/step_etape/eng/steps/step1/step1_1.cfm

Understanding Your New Home Sales Contract

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/buho/buho_004.cfm

Air Quality

Another site that helps you identify and deal with Mould

http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/centres/environmental/Healthy-Environments/Removing_Mould.html

How to deal with mould on various surfaces

http://www.csao.org/images/pfiles/293_Mould.pdf

Mould - How to identify it and how to deal with it if you have it

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/momo/momo_005.cfm

Emergency

Do you have an emergency kit? Take the steps outlined on this site and be prepared!

http://www.getprepared.ca/knw/kt/kt-eng.aspx

Emergency Preparedness Information Links

http://www.pep.bc.ca/index.html

Using wood to safely heat your home in an emergency

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/em/em_005.cfm

When You Must Leave Your House Due to a Prolonged Winter Power Outage

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/em/em_004.cfm

Fasteners

Removing Stripped Phillips and Robertson Screws

To remove a stripped screw, try the following: (1) Apply a gritty kitchen cleaner to the head of the screw. (2) Insert a correctly sized screwdriver onto the head. (3) Hold the screwdriver end to the screw head with substantial force and back the screw out. The gritty cleanser provides the screw driver a substantially stronger bite and will not slip out as easily. If the screw is rusted and installed in metal, first tap the top of the screwdriver sharply with a hammer while resting it on the head of the screw. This will loosen the rust scale. Often a stripped screw head is caused by the use of an improperly sized screwdriver. The screwdrivers come in multiple sizes for a reason. Always use the screwdriver bit that matches the size of the screw.

Inspection Organizations

British Columbia Institute of Property Inspectors

http://www.bcipi.net/

National Certification Program

http://www.nca-anc.com

Moving

Tips for Renters that are moving out

Covers the following aspects of the transition: - Final Inspection - Return of Deposit - Ending Rental Agreement - Leaving before end of lease (sub-leasing)

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/reho/yogureho/fore/moou/

What you should know before renting in British Columbia

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/reho/yogureho/fash/fash_002.cfm

Recalls & Product Alerts

2008 CSA Recalls & Alerts

"Dynamic" car battery booster pack made by Wiz International and sold by Canadian Tire - Counterfeit CSA label - Return to Canadian Tire for Refund **** Weil-McLain CGs and CGi Gas Boilers - risk of CO poisoning - stop using the boilers immediately and contact installer for a free safety inspection and repair, if necessary **** American Flame AF-4000 series fireplace gas valves - Explosion Hazard - installed in residential fireplaces made by twelve manufacturers under the following brand names: Pacific Energy, Travis Industries, CFM Corporations, Canadian Heating Products, Portland-Willamette, Rasmussen, Chimeneas de Columbia, Twin Eagles, FDM, Inca Metals (Savannah Heating), Even Temp, and Valley Comfort - immediately stop using the recalled fireplaces and contact dealer for a free repair **** Kromschröder O-rings located in the gas valves of Vitodens 200 boilers - Made by Viessmann - Fire Hazard - Applies to natural gas and propane fired versions - repair by no later than July 2009 - Free O-ring exchange available **** Effikal Automatic Gas Vent Dampers- risk of CO poisoning - Consumers should immediately stop using the boilers, weather permitting, and contact their installer as soon as possible to confirm they have a recalled vent damper and to receive a free vent damper replacement **** Fiesta Barbecues (Blue Ember) - Propane & Natural gas versions - Fire Hazard - immediately stop using barbecue, and inspect the burner hoses for correct routing

http://www.csagroup.org/product_recalls/default.asp?APB=&endMM=12&manufacturer=&submitsearch=Search&

Chinese Drywall - Cross-Contamination is occurring - Part 1 Warning

Warning to companies that are prematurely trying to fix this problem. Replacing the drywall is not the end of the story.

WARNING ALERT for Those Rem...pdf

Chinese Drywall - Cross-Contamination is occurring - Part 2 Story

http://www.winknews.com/news/local/51335127.html

Chinese Drywall causing Health Concerns

symptoms include: - Your home or condominium may have a sulphur, or rotten egg type smell, especially when the windows, and doors are all closed, and the water is not running. - Since moving into the house, a homeowner or their family may have experienced symptoms of severe allergies, nose bleeds, or upper respiratory problems. If the homeowner leaves the home for an extended period of time, these symptoms may disappear. - The wiring behind cover plates appears charred or blackened. Should you suspect you have this drywall have your home inspected ASAP.

http://www.chinesedrywall.com/

Toxic Chinese drywall.pdf

Chinese Drywall Update - What gas are created by this contaminated product

http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/articles/12141/chinese-drywall-china.html

CSA Recall Listing website

http://www.csagroup.org/product_recalls/Default.asp?language=english

Fire on Ice brand gas fireplace installation kits

Forged CSA Label - Discontinue Use and contact Point of Sale or Gas Authority

http://www.csagroup.org/product_recalls/default.asp?articleID=9440&language=english

Florida Health Department - How to test your home for Chinese Drywall

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/indoor-air/inspections.html

Intermatic DT17 Series heavy duty timers

Faulty ground pin - Shock Hazard - Free replacement available

http://www.csagroup.org/product_recalls/default.asp?articleID=9429&language=english

Renovation

An excellent resource site for Do-It-Yourselfers

http://www.easy2diy.com/index.asp

What is behind the walls?

Article from October 2008 Popular Mechanics showing the makeup of wall structures and why it is important to investigate before drilling or cutting through your walls.

The Hidden Life of Walls.pdf

Safety

BC Safety Authority

Excellent source of information regarding electrical and gas safety and permits.

http://www.safetyauthority.ca/?q=homeowners_overview

CMHC on ASBESTOS

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_001.cfm

CO (Carbon Monoxide) Levels in the Home

Click on the link that follows to see the levels of CO allowed in your home. We recommend that you have installed a CO monitor on all levels of your home. As the density of CO can change with the humidity level (and therefore its ability to float or sink); we recommend that you install a monitor 1 ft off the ground AND 1 ft from the ceiling on each floor of your home. Also follow the below link to an excellent website that explains the dangers of CO.

http://www.carbonmonoxidekills.com/coinformation.htm

CO Danger Levels.pdf

CO Sensors – When are they required?

Instructions on where to mount your CO sensors

When is CO sensors required.pdf

Combustion Gases in Your Home — Things You Should Know About Combustion Spillage

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_004.cfm

First Alert Smoke Detectors, CO Alarms and Fire Extinguishers

http://www.firstalert.com/

Improving Your Security and Safety

Tips for determining and improving your safety in a multi-family dwelling (Condo)

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/reho/reho_006.cfm

Ladder Safety

http://www.ashireporter.org/articles/articles.aspx?id=617

Testing your home for lead

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_007.cfm

You Can Save the Life of a Child

ASHI Article explaining ways to 'Child-Proof' your home (articles concentrates on USA Code but logic is the same for Canada)

http://www.ashireporter.org/articles/articles.aspx?id=1754

Warranty Programs

HPO Home Warranty Program

Details on what is and what is not covered by your home warranty program.

http://www.hpo.bc.ca/Consumer/index.php

Grounds/Gardens

Get to Know Your Soil

Ensure your soil is ready for that beautiful garden you have been dreaming of

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/la/la_001.cfm

Municipal Pesticide Bylaws in BC

http://www.bclna.com/2010_MuniPesticideBylaws.htm

Water-Saving Tips for Your Lawn and Garden

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/la/la_006.cfm

Fence

Use this product with an excellent track record to help protect your wooden fence poles.

http://www.genicsinc.com/postguard.htm

Heating/Cooling

A guide to Residential Wood Heating

Guide to residential Wood Heating.pdf

Maintenance

CMHC Garbage Bag Air Flow Test

How to measure how much air flow is homing out of your heating and cooling ducts using nothing more than a garbage bag, a coat hanger and some tape.

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_003.cfm

Replacing your furnace

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/renoho/refash/refash_018.cfm

Interior

Basement

Avoiding Basement Flooding

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_002.cfm

Avoiding water in your basement

Basement Wall & Floor Cracks that "Leak"

Do you have a crack in your basement wall or floor that is allowing groundwater to enter your basement? Follow the link for a way that may be used to fix the problem without breaking the bank.

Basement Leaks.pdf

Considerations to take into account before developing a finished basement

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/renoho/refash/refash_024.cfm

Bathrooms

Caulking 101 for Bathtubs & Shower Stalls

Removing a Bathroom Mirror

Follow the link to a Popular Mechanics article that provides two excellent methods for removing a bathroom mirror affixed with glue or caulking to a wall.

Remove Bath Mirror.pdf

Laundry

Front Load Washing Machine making too much noise?

The noise from the new front-load washing machine upstairs gets transferred through the floor and into the rest of the house. What can I do to quiet things down? Anyone undertaking a laundry upgrade would do well to beef up the floor under a new high-speed washer to reduce the problem you describe. These machines spin at 1000 to 1800 rpm--that's a lot faster than top loaders, which spin water out of the laundry at 600 to 800 rpm. A good way to reduce the noise transmission is to screw a sheet of 3/4-in. plywood to the floor beneath the washer. If you want the washer and dryer tops level, extend the plywood under the dryer as well. Trim the plywood flush to the washer's front, and fasten it to the floor with 1 1/2-in.-long screws. In most cases, that provides enough sound dampening. If it doesn't, install vibration-isolating pads under the washer's feet. KE Shake Away Plus Vibration Isolation Pads are designed for these high-speed appliances ($30; repoirclinic.com). Finally, if the noise is not caused by the washer's high-speed spin cycle, but rather by water slamming into the washer's water inlet valve, install a water hammer arrester--literally a shock absorber that cushions the pipes. For instance, the $20 Laundry Mini-Rester 660-H threads onto the cold water valve supplying the washer. Connect the washer's hose to the fitting's outlet. Extracted from Popular Mechanics June 2008 - Homeowners Clinic

Maintenance

Q We are getting ready to paint and one of our upstairs ceilings looks pretty nasty, with visible rows of nailheads and shadowy black lines. How do I deal with this? . A The ceiling joists in the attic are cold, and this causes cold areas on the ceiling directly below. Condensation forms on these cold surfaces; dust sticks to the moisture, and mildew grows. That mildew is what forms the black stripes that you describe. . The solution is better insulation in the attic, which will eliminate those cold spots. Install 4-in.-thick unfaced insulation, taking care to align the batts or rolls at right angles to the attic joists. Next, clean the dark areas with a spray cleaner that contains bleach. Lightly rinse the surface using a water-filled spray bottle. Wipe the area dry and let it air-dry for at least a couple of hours. Finish the job by applying a shellac-based primer sealer to the entire ceiling. When the primer is dry, apply one or two coats of wall and ceiling paint. . Extracted from Popular Mechanics - Oct 2007 Home Owners Clinic

Clean Lines while Painting

Does the newly applied paint peel away when you remove the masking tape? Pull the tape down and away from the paint line at a 45° angle. This reduces the pulling force and should result in less tearing paint. Also make sure that you use masking tape specifically for painting. These release easier from the wall compared with the standard beige masking tape yet are better designed to prevent the paint bleeding below the tape. Finally, always remove your tape while the paint is still wet for the best quality finished line.

Identifying Ceiling Stains

I've got a mysterious stain on the ceiling of a bedroom. It looks like a stain from a plumbing leak, but there's no plumbing in the ceiling, as far as I know. How can I paint over the stain and be sure that it will stay hidden? First, you need to find and eliminate the source of the stain. Then, treat the stained area with household cleaner and apply a coat of primer-sealer before painting. (I like BIN or other shellac-based primers.) Fortunately, the color of the stain is a clue to what's causing the problem. Dark brown and black stains are usually caused by a roof leak or a leaking iron pipe. Either can create stains in odd places, such as an interior room that is a floor or two below. The water flows along the studs and then hits a joist and runs along it. It penetrates the ceiling at a nail or at a low point, like the bottom of the joist's downward curve. Check the attic for water stains and inspect plumbing connections at sinks, tubs, showers and toilets. Light brown stains on walls and ceilings, especially in a bathroom, are caused by excessive interior humidity. Moisture vapor condenses on these surfaces and leaches stain-causing solids out of latex paint. A bathroom exhaust fan cures the problem. Bluish green stains are caused by leaky copper pipes or condensation. A plumbing leak may be caused by chemically aggressive water. Have the water tested and consult a plumber. Condensation can be caused by cold air leaking through a gap in siding or by a poorly sealed a/c duct that spreads cold air in a wall or ceiling cavity. Seal the gap in the house's siding or open the ceiling and repair the ductwork. Extracted from Popular Mechanics - Jan 2008 Home Owners Clinic

Walls

Hanging heavy pictures using the French Cleat system

How to hang heavy pictures.pdf

Plumbing

Leaks

Determining if you have PolyButylene Piping

http://www.csa-international.org/consumers/consumer_tips/default.asp?load=polybutylene&language=engl

New Product - Watts FloodSafe™ Connectors

Supply hoses for Faucets, Toilets, Fridge Ice Makers, Dishwashers, and Washing Machines that are flood proof even if they burst. Excellent protection for your home.

http://www.watts.com/pro/whatsnew/whatsnew_floodsafe.asp

Prevent Water Damage in multi-family dwellings

Article explaining most common source of water damage in multi-family dwellings and how to remove the risk.

Condo prevent water leaks tip.pdf

The bad and the ugly regarding PolyButylene Piping

http://www.polybutylene.com/

The CSA may not be telling the whole story when it comes to PolyButylene pipe.

http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/home/pipes/index.html

Maintenance

Diagnosing a Well Pump Woe

Q When we use water, the gauge on our well's storage tank shows the pressure rapidly rising and falling. This makes it difficult to use our water system. We dug up the pump, but it wasn't leaking, nor were any of its connections. Can you help? A It sounds ironic, but the trouble is that your storage tank is completely filled with water. The tank is supposed to have a layer of air at the top (often separated from the water by a rubber bladder). This provides pressure, which pushes water through the plumbing system. When the water absorbs the air, or when the bladder fails, it's as if the well's system is operating without a storage tank. Even the smallest demand for water will cause the well pump to cycle in order to supply the house's plumbing fixtures and appliances. This constant on-and-off cycling will wear out the well pump if the problem isn't repaired. Contact a well contractor or a plumber to repressurize the tank, or consider replacing it. BY NORMAN BECKER, P.E., Extracted from Popular Mechanics Dec 2007 - Homeowner Clinic

Rehab for rusty plumbing joints

Rust and mineral deposits can turn the simplest plumbing job into a nightmare. But if you're prepared with some readily available products, the job will go smoothly right from the start. My favorite trick is to use nothing more than a cola-saturated rag wrapped around a lightly rusted plumbing connection. Cola (which typically contains dilute carbonic, citric and phosphoric acids) dissolves the rust and makes the connection easy to loosen. The technique works great in many cases--but you have to rinse the parts thoroughly (use a spray bottle) after you're done to remove sticky residue left behind by the cola. In other cases, you may remove parts, such as a valve stem, only to find that washers can't be replaced because corrosion or mineral deposits have frozen the washer retaining screw. To deal with this, soak the part in a bucket containing a solution of warm water and CLR Enhanced Calcium, Lime & Rust Remover (jelmar.com), a powerful acidic cleaner. When a part is stuck and space is tight, spray a penetrant into the joint of the part to be removed. Two well-regarded brands are 3-in-One High-Performance Penetrant (wd40.com) and Liquid Wrench Penetrant & Lubricant L4 (gunk.com). Let the penetrant work, then use a pipe wrench or tongue-and-groove pliers to hold the pipe leading to the part you want to remove. Use another wrench to twist off the part. This concentrates the turning force on the threads of the part, rather than distributing the force down the pipe Extracted from Popular Mechanics - Oct 2007 Home Owners Clinic

What happens if your Pressure and Temperature Relief Valve fails on your hot water tank.

Never block these valves. They are there to release the pressure in an emergency.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmJoyuUJj2Q

Septic Tanks

How to find your Septic Tank

Finding your septic tank_web.pdf

Toilets

Forcing the Trap

To force the trap of a toilet (empty the water out of a toilet so you can remove it without spilling), perform the following steps: (1) Turn water off to toilet via shutoff on toilet water supply (2) Flush the toilet (3) Pour 2 - 3 gallons of water quickly into the bowl. The resulting surge of water will run quickly down the drain and syphon most of the remaining water out of the trap. See PopMechanics Web link for example.

Poorly Flushing Toilet?

My toilet flushes poorly. How do I correct that? There are several things you can do. First, see whether the tank is filling with water adequately. Lift the tank lid and check that the water is up to the fill line. if it's not, a new fill-valve assembly or adjustments to the old one are in order. Next, be sure that the waterjet holes on the bottom of the bowl's rim are clear. Use a small mirror to check this. Clear the holes with a stub of wire if necessary, or simply scrub thoroughly. Assuming the items above check out, lift the lid and flush the toilet. Watch the flapper valve. It should move up briskly but then settle down gently so that sufficient water moves through to do its job. If the flapper settles down too soon, you'll get an anemic flush. Adjust the flapper's chain so it stays up long enough to allow for proper water movement. Extracted from Popular Mechanics Mar 2009 Homeowners Clinic

Roof

Maintenance

Roof Materials, Installation and Maintenance Instructions

An excellent article from the Roofing Contractors Association of BC describing different roofing systems and how to properly care for them

http://www.rcabc.org/docs/consumerguide.pdf

Venting

Air Quality

Do I need a dehumidifier?

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/momo/momo_001.cfm

Bathrooms

The Importance of Bathroom and Kitchen Fans

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/momo/momo_004.cfm