Attic Rain and Its Effects
Calgary has some of the wildest temperature changes in all of Canada, with last week going from minus 40C to 2C in a matter of 3 days. An ongoing issue homeowners have here is the phenomenon known as “Attic Rain”.
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Furnaces come in many shapes, sizes and brands. They also have different materials used to exhaust gases out of the home. Traditional, or conventional low to mid efficiency furnaces produce hot exhaust gases, and need metal vent pipes or chimneys to let these hot gases out. Modern, high efficiency furnaces produce much cooler temperature gases and can use plastic pipe materials such as PVC or ABS for the exhaust vents. Typically there will be a second plastic pipe as well that brings in fresh air.
Air Conditioners and Condensate Line Issues
What is an AC condensate line ? This line is an exit route for moisture collected by the evaporator coil as air passes over it. This coil is triangle shaped, with a drip pan at the bottom. It is out of sight and behind the ductwork just above your furnace. Its job is to remove humidity from the air and change it to water. This water collects in the drain pan, and is emptied out the condensate line down and out through the floor drain.
Is there a Pass or Fail for Home Inspections?
Clients often ask me during the inspection, “So how is it looking?” and “Did the home pass the inspection?” The answer is there is no answer! The purpose of a home inspection is to identify potential expensive repairs or items needing replacement, and also to point out deficiencies from a safety standpoint that need immediate attention.
How do you become a Home Inspector?
A Home Inspector doesn’t usually cross many people’s minds until they need one. At this point it becomes a matter of ” Do I know anyone? “, followed by asking around or heading to google to find one. While it’s easy to find one, there are many out there, most people have no idea what a Home Inspector’s qualifications are or how they became one in the first place.
Foundation Cracks
There are more than a few types of cracks that can be found in your foundation. Some are serious, while others are not. The trick is identifying what type of crack you are looking at in order to decide your next course of action.
Drainage and the Home
Water is the number one enemy of any home and can cause issues that will go unnoticed by most homeowners, until it has caused significant damage. Home Inspectors are trained to identify drainage issues that can cause potential problems, so they can be addressed and corrected before the clients buy the home.
Fireplace Maintenance
debris and dirt, causing it to run inefficiently. There are different types of gas fireplaces on the market, but the following tips pertain to pretty much all of them.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
Water damage due to a frozen pipe that has burst is a real problem in Canada during the winter. Some simple tips and recommendations can help prevent what can be a very expensive repair for the homeowner.
Signs Your Roof May Need Replacing
Your roof is one of the most important areas of your home, protecting from the elements. Most new roofs last years, but poor installation, hail and severe weather, and especially time, are factors in how long the roof will last. The following issues indicate the roof is in need of replacement.