​At a time when our elderly loved ones will have to spend a great deal of time at home, we may be thinking about different ways we can assist them.  Apart from the day to day needs, one area we may want to look at is home safety.  How can we ensure their homes are not a safety hazard?
 
If it is possible, go through the home and assess the areas that are high risk for slips and falls.  The bathroom is one of the most common places for this.  Is the bathroom equipped with sufficient grab bars and anti-slip mats for both inside and outside of the tub or shower?
 
The staircase is another area where there is a high risk of slipping and falling.  Make sure staircase handrails are sturdy and fitted to either side of the staircase.  Stair carpeting should be checked to make sure there are not areas coming loose.  Also, if the home has rugs, be sure they have a good rubber backing so that they do not move easily.
 
Check that corded appliances are not a tripping hazard.  Electrical cords that stretch across walk through areas are a real danger and, if they have been covered over with rugs, etc. they also pose a fire risk.  Fix these cords up against walls to keep them out of the way.  It might be a good idea to have the room arranged so that any electrical appliances are situated close to an outlet.
 
By looking for ways to reduce the risk of home-related accidents, you will be helping your loved ones stay safe while they are indoors.

The majority of us go about our everyday lives without giving a second thought to one of the most essential areas of the home or workplace, the toilet.  However, seeing that the average person flushes the toilet approximately 2500 times per year, perhaps the toilet is worthy of a little care and maintenance once in a while.  Here are a few ways you can tell if your bathroom toilet is falling into disrepair:
 
The toilets flush will let you know how well the toilet is working.  For example, you can perform a simple test by flushing the toilet and observing how long it takes for the tank to refill.  If it seems to take a long time, the toilet may not be working right.  In the same way, if the toilet seems to take a long time to flush, it might require some maintenance.
 
A common issue toilets experience is constant running water.  While you may have become used to this and don’t notice it anymore, this is not only a waste of precious water but it's costing you money as well, especially if you use a private well because it will be putting extra strain of the pump.
 
You should also perform a visual inspection of the toilet bowl to look for signs of damage.  Did you know that if there are chips or cracks in the porcelain, a home inspector could list the toilet as faulty?
 
So, why not take a little time to perform a simple toilet inspection and make sure this essential but often overlooked part of the home is working as it should.

​If you discover a patch of mold in your home you may be wondering if it's okay just to clean up the area yourself. Although there is a number of factors that will determine this if the area the mold is covering is less than 10 square feet it should be something you can take care of yourself. Here are a few suggestions you might find useful:
 
It's important to find out why the mold has begun to develop in the first place, otherwise, the mold will keep coming back even after you have cleaned the area. An undetected leak or other water-related problem may be causing the mold to grow which, if not fixed immediately, will create big problems.
 
Mold can generally be cleaned using water and detergent. If you need to repaint a wall where mold has been present, make sure there are no traces of it left and that it is completely dried out before attempting to apply paint. The same principle applies if you are re-caulking a surface.
 
Mold is often found in carpets and, although you can try to have them cleaned, in most cases it is better to replace them as it is very difficult to remove mold completely.  Soft furnishings can also be cleaned, however, it’s likely that a permanent stain will be left on the fabric from the mold or mildew.
 
Another important step when cleaning up a mold problem is to wear protective clothing, including a respirator mask to prevent you from being exposed to the hazards associated with mold spores.

​If you are someone who likes to make your plans in January for the year ahead then you likely already have an idea of the projects you want to accomplish in 2020.  Do you have any home improvement projects on your list? Home maintenance is very important so, a good question to ask yourself is when was the last time you had the home inspected? The majority of homeowners would probably say it was when they purchased the home.
 
Please enjoy the following short video that will highlight the reasons why having an annual inspection performed on your home is so important when it comes to home maintenance.  We are happy to assist you with all of your home inspection needs so, if you would like to schedule your annual maintenance inspection for 2020, please feel free to contact us.

​As children grow their desire to explore and climb increases which means that making sure the home is secure and childproof is a necessity.  One area of the home that can be extremely dangerous for children is windows. With this in mind, here are a few of the simple, low-cost options available for childproofing your windows:
 
Installing window latches is a good way of preventing a child from being able to open a window. It's also important that you choose latches that are easy for adults to open as well as stopping a child from doing so.
 
To prevent a child from gaining access to the window at all, window guards are a good option. These are normally built with bars designed to stop the child. While all new window guards should meet the correct safety standards, it is still a good idea to check that the bars are spaced no more than 4 inches apart. Any more than this and a child could get their head, or another body part trapped.
 
If you still want to open the window but only to a certain width, then window stops are a good choice. As mentioned, do not set the window opening to more than 4 inches.
 
Another way you can help to childproof your home is by positioning furniture away from windows. Its also important to keep in mind that even if a window has a screen in it, this will not provide any protection against a fall so, additional safety measures will still need to be taken.

​When taking on a home renovation project there are many issues you need to be prepared for, especially if you are fixing up an old home that has not been previously updated. One of those issues is asbestos. Although you probably know that this is not something you want to discover in a home, maybe you don’t know very much about asbestos and why it's so bad so, let's look at why.
 
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was used in construction right up until the 1970s. It was added to materials to provide heat insulation, fire resistance and to give added strength. Asbestos fibers are very small and easily inhaled. This is where the danger lies because these fibers stick to the lungs and stay there for a long time causing serious health problems. Among the diseases linked to prolonged exposure to asbestos is Mesothelioma which is a type of cancer that affects the abdominal cavity and chest lining and, Asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs with fibrous tissue.
 
If asbestos is in a home, how easy is it to become exposed to the fibers? If materials containing asbestos are disturbed in any way by scraping, sanding or just general handling, asbestos fibers can be released into the air, increasing the risk of inhalation.
 
What should you do? You should not try to handle and remove asbestos yourself, instead, contact a company that specializes in the safe handling and removal of asbestos. A home inspection will reveal whether your home could contain asbestos so please feel free to contact us if you have questions.

​Did you know that your homes indoor air quality may be worse than that of outdoor air?  Considering that we spend a good amount of our time indoors, its worth looking at ways to improve the air we are breathing.  One way to do this is by regularly changing filters on air conditioning units or the HVAC system.  So, how often should these be changed to maintain a good indoor air quality?
 
While the answer to that question depends on a number of different factors, in general, the filters should be replaced every 3 months.  But, let’s look at some of those situations where changing the filters even more frequently than that would be a good idea.
 
In larger households which include pets, you may find that dust and pet dander accumulate quicker, this is one instance where changing the filters more regularly would be beneficial.  Another example is in homes where one or more family member suffers with allergies or if there is a smoker in the house.  It is not just what goes on indoors that should determine how often the filters should be replaced, the homes surroundings also play a role.  For instance, if there is construction going on in the area or if you live in an agricultural zone, this would affect your homes indoor air quality so changing the filters regularly is a good idea.  This should also be considered if there have been wildfires in the area.
 
It should be noted that, if you find filters have become damaged in any way or are wet or damp, it is important to replace them immediately.  This could greatly affect your homes indoor air quality by releasing harmful toxins such as mold spores into the air.  

​With so many real estate agents available today you may feel that it doesn’t matter which agent you choose to work for you, however, when you consider that buying a home is probably one of the biggest purchases you can make, you may want to be a bit more selective with your realtor.  This is especially the case if you are a first-time buyer.  Here are a few suggestions to help you choose the best real estate agent for you:
 
Ask as many questions as you need to.  Among the questions you could ask are How do you stand out from other real estate agents? Do you have a lot of experience in finding the type of property I want?  Ask for specific answers and examples and don’t be content with generic answers.  Another good thing to find out is whether the real estate agent owns property of their own.  While someone who doesn’t own property can still be a good realtor, if they own their own home, they are more aware of what to expect both during and after the buying process and can give you advice based on experience.  You may also want to know if they work full time in realty.  A full-time worker may be a little more knowledgeable about current market trends and updated regulations etc. than someone who works part time.
 
Remember that real estate agents, although they might have years of experience, may only specialize in certain types of property.  This means that if you are looking for a lower budget home that you can fix up for example, you wouldn’t hire a realtor whose main area of expertise is in high end luxury homes.   
 
Yes, it does matter who you choose to be your real estate agent.  You want to go for someone who will match your specific requirements and budget, someone who will do all they can to help you through the home buying process.

​Some odors are particularly difficult to get rid of, one of those is tobacco odor.  If you have just moved into a home where the previous occupant was a smoker, you may feel frustrated with such a persistent aroma.  So, what can you do to remove the offending smell?  Here are some suggestions:
 
Tobacco smoke particles are very small and can penetrate most things which is the reason the smell is so hard to get rid of.  Keep the home very well ventilated by opening all windows so that fresh air will flow through the home. Place odor absorbers such as baking soda and coffee grounds in different rooms. 
 
Nicotine leaves an oily, brown residue which adheres to everything.  It is likely you will see nicotine on light bulbs which, when turned on, will heat up and diffuse the smell into the air. It is a good idea to replace them or give them a through clean.  Any blinds that may have been left behind should be taken down, soaked in a tub, given a good scrub and then hung up to dry.  Detergents containing ammonia are good for removing nicotine from hard surfaces, but it is not a good idea to use them on wooden surfaces.  Any air conditioner unit filters or HVAC filters should be replaced. 
 
Removing nicotine odor from a carpet is, unfortunately, very tough.  It is usually best to replace the carpet.  Before you put down new carpet, however, clean and dry the under flooring thoroughly.  Painting walls is something you will most probably need to do but, this doesn’t always get rid of nicotine which can seep through the paint. 
 
Following these simple suggestions will help to make your home fresh again.

​Cockroaches can be very difficult to get rid of.  These annoying little pests are responsible for causing respiratory ailments and spreading disease, they are also very resilient and multiply in huge amounts.  It’s with obvious reason, then, that we want to do all we can to prevent them from setting up home in our house or apartment.  How can we do this?
 
Work to prevent the kinds of conditions that cockroaches love.  They enjoy dirty, greasy areas with plenty of moisture.  The kitchen is one place that could see a lot of cockroach activity, so it needs a regular, thorough cleaning.  Areas to include are behind and underneath appliances (even the big ones), kitchen cabinets and under the sink.  Try to place food in tightly sealed containers, don’t leave pet food out for too long and have a tight lid on the trash can.  Remember too that cockroaches usually avoid well lit places so it might be worthwhile to leave a few lights on a night.
 
Its not only the kitchen that cockroaches can be found, other areas of the home such as the bathroom provide a suitable environment.  Again, keep the bathroom very clean and as dry as is possible.  Go through the home and look for any leaking pipes or dripping taps and fix them immediately.  Cockroaches will be drawn to these kinds of area.  Also, if you observe any places that could be points of entry, have them sealed up.
 
It may reach a point where the cockroach infestation is too bad to handle.  This is time to call in a professional pest control specialist who will treat the problem in the right way.  However, placing boric acid in areas of previous cockroach activity should help to control them afterwards.