Mapleview Home Inspections 705-730-8843

10/27/2021

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/forgoing-home-inspections-worrisome-trend-for-buyers-and-sellers-1.1672185?taid=617828fc1d87730001f4de48&utm_campaign=trueAnthem+Manual&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter&fbclid=IwAR2DQZ8id8I_K_nUbMD5MOfjZkX1zz_s1fcBqwnPP8LeFrd-Thw-dU2bL54

“When those predicted downward market corrections do happen, and if the interest rates increase, a proper regime and protocols for home inspections will be the answer to make sure we’re still functioning on a proper trajectory for the housing market.”

06/23/2021

This is a good example as to why you should never buy a house without a getting a home inspection. It costs $400 to $500 for an inspection and it is almost always money well spent.

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/mobile/dream-home-becomes-nightmare-for-ontario-family-who-passed-on-home-inspection-1.5481307?fbclid=IwAR1HU08xAzRnPnegDZ-pWQ6pSsptjnfJUM0sccwqvabiRbSleoRYlheOthI

An Ontario family who purchased their dream home said their experience has become a nightmare because of what they learned after waiving a home inspection.

12/31/2020

Happy New Year to all of my clients, colleagues and friends. Let’s all look forward to a prosperous 2021 and leave 2020 behind us.

12/02/2020

https://apple.news/Aykv92UL0SsyRP73nSpAnHQ

: A bad contractor can derail your project in numerous ways. Learn the red flags to avoid them. In the world of contracting I’ve seen it all. There are some incredible contractors out there who put the time and effort in to make it right for their clients. I’ve met a lot of them, and they do gre...

09/14/2020

https://apple.news/A9vKq6PvjTU2LWuxQrMCAhQ

Ensure your home inspection checks behind the walls. Getting a home inspection is money well spent. The overall cost of a few hundred dollars is nothing compared to the overall cost of the home — but it’s your most valuable home-buying tool. A good home inspection by a professional is worth the ...

03/18/2020

https://apple.news/Av9L5iogOSgCE65YXLyMc-w

Always nice to see!

Cambridge realtor Scott Bennett is distributing kits containing hand sanitizer, antibacterial hand soap, non-latex gloves and disinfectant wipes.

01/25/2020

Always a good idea to get yourself a backup system for your sump pump!

01/20/2020

https://apple.news/AMyAOcUo4T7StmUZw4tBbuA

The burning of fossil fuels to heat our homes is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in this cold country. Green builders say we need to decarbonize heating by going electric if Canada is going to meet its climate targets. Here’s a closer look at some of the options.

01/18/2020

A few simple but effective maintenance tips inside and outside your home this winter.

Exterior

Use binoculars to check the roof for missing or damaged shingles before the first snowfall. Missing or damaged shingles can lead to water leaks in winter as there’s often snow left sitting on the roof.

Remove leaves and other debris from gutters so that melted rain and snow can drain properly.

Add extensions to downspouts if necessary so that water from melting snow runs 3-4 feet away from the house.

Tie up your evergreen trees and shrubs so that they don’t become permanently misshapen under the weight of ice and snow.

Turn off exterior faucets – undrained water in pipes can freeze which can cause pipes to burst as ice expands.
Prevent door locks from freezing before it happens. Spray a small amount of powdered-graphite lubricant into each lock once a season. In a pinch you can also put some Vaseline on the key and the turn the key in the lock.

Stock up on salt and/or snow-melt and make sure your shovel is placed in a easy-to-reach spot.

If you have a snowblower make sure it’s fuelled up and ready to go.

Interior

Tune up your heating system. Make sure furnace is properly maintained and change the furnace filters.

If you have a wood-burning fireplace get it cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep. Built-up creosote and soot can ignite and cause a fire.

Repair leaks in any drafty areas. Windows and doors may require caulking or new weather stripping, baseboards may require caulking, and electrical outlets may need insulation gaskets. These minor upgrades can save you a ton on your heating bill.
Check heating ducts and clean out any large amounts of dust or animal hair.
Reverse ceiling fans to force warm air downward.

Check operation of smoke and CO detectors. These always need to be in good working order but the new season is a good time to check them – particularly with all of the heating elements about to be added to the house.

Cover any exposed pipes that run along exterior walls or are in unheated areas with pipe insulation. Failure to do so could result in burst pipes if the temperature drops low enough.
If you have an attic hatch with a pull-down ladder consider getting an insulated cover. Other wise you’re leaving a pretty big area for cold air to get through.

The best way to preserve and maintain your home’s value is with regular and consistent maintenance. So take care of problems BEFORE they become problems.

01/07/2020

So, what’s ice damming and what causes it?

An ice dam is a build-up of ice that forms along the eaves of your roof. It happens when heat that collects in your attic, warming the roof and causing snow to melt. The melted snow trickles down to the cold eaves and freezes, forming a dam that prevents proper drainage. Ice dams are one of the most common causes of energy loss and roof damage, and can lead to leaks into walls, ceilings or your attic. The excess water can also cause rot, weakening your roof and potentially causing it to collapse.

1. Inadequate insulation causes heat loss through roof
2. Heat from the roof melts snow
3. Pooling water
4. Ice dam forms on cooler eaves
5. Water damage
How can I prevent ice damming?

The key is to make sure your roof doesn’t get warmer than 0° Celsius in the winter. Here are a few things you can do to keep your roof cool and the ice dams at bay:

Enlist the help of a roofing contractor to see if your attic is properly insulated and ventilated. You can pinpoint problem spots by seeing which areas of your roof melt first then find out what’s under that spot so you add insulation or improve the ventilation.
Make sure there isn’t too much snow accumulating on your roof. You can use a special roof rake to remove the snow or you can hire a professional to have the snow removed safely (this is probably your best bet). Read more about this in our post on preventing roof collapse in the winter.
Seal any air leaks coming from your attic – again, a roofing contractor can help you locate the leaks and fix them for you.
Uh oh - How do I get rid of an ice dam?

The best and safest way to remove an ice dam is to get a roofing professional to take care of it – they’ll know how to clear the ice dam without damaging your shingles or gutters. And, bonus, there’s no danger of you falling and getting hurt.

11/02/2019

Professional Home Inspector. Servicing all of Simcoe County. If you’re buying a home or looking to sell. Protect your investment. We look at the major components of the home to help you make a more informed decision.
Give me a call 705-730-8843
www.mapleviewhomeinspections.com