CanaSpec Home Inspection Services

01/16/2024

Why do we check water temperature?
The ideal temperature setting for a water heater is between 120 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Below 120 degrees, bacteria can grow in the stagnant water sitting in the tank. Above 140 degrees, the water is hot enough that you can be at risk for scalding in as little as two seconds!

The Government of Canada recommends setting the water heater to 140 degrees and installing a mixing valve to reduce the water temperature down to 120 degrees, to help prevent scalding.

Some water heater temperature controls come with settings that read “A-B-C” as opposed to numbers. Generally:
A means 120F/49C degrees
B means 130F/54C degrees
C means 140F/60C degrees.

12/13/2023

Is your Carbon Monoxide detector expired? Check the back for the manufacture date. Replace if more than 10 years old.
Or worse, do you even have one?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as ‘The Silent Killer’ because you can’t see it, taste it or smell it. The only way to detect the presence of the deadly gas is to install a carbon monoxide alarm.

On October 15, 2014, the Ontario Government formally enacted The Hawkins-Gignac Act, making carbon monoxide alarms MANDATORY in all Ontario homes at risk of CO. Failure to have a CO detector installed could result in a fine of up to $50,000!

No matter the age of your home, if you have any oil, propane or gas-burning appliances, furnace or water heater, a wood or gas fireplace, or an attached garage, you must have working carbon monoxide alarms installed near all sleeping areas.

12/06/2023

Polybutylene water lines were often used in 90s homes (easily identifiable: grey and has PB2110 on it) and is increasingly becoming an insurance hurdle in Canada.
Commonly referred to as PolyB, it was historically more of an American problem due to high chlorine levels in their water and other factors, but I've had 2 clients recently get denied coverage because of it. It seems carriers are not willing to accept the least bit of exposure. If you are considering a home with PolyB, make sure to check with your carrier for insurability.

08/10/2023

Feeling the love!

12/24/2022

On the cusp of another visit from Jolly St. Nick (except the bad ones...you know who you are lol), I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas followed by a well deserved tryptophan induced nap!
Don't forget to leave cookies and milk out tonight! 🥛🍪🎅

01/18/2022

Did you know that, aside from BC and Alberta, the home inspection industry is unregulated?

That makes it even more important to work with a CAHPI qualified home inspector.

Choosing a CAHPI inspector means choosing someone you can trust to provide you with an objective and comprehensive analysis of the home’s major systems and components.

CAHPI inspectors who earn and meet the membership criteria may use the designation(s) "National Certificate Holder (NCH)®” and "Registered Home Inspectors (RHI)®"

If you’re looking for a CAHPI home inspector, head to the link below for a registry of those in your area.

https://www.cahpi.ca/en/buyers-and-sellers/find-a-cahpi-home-inspector

07/12/2021

Can you afford the surprises of skipping the inspection?

Pre-offer inspection on a semi-detached home with no serious exterior issues. All exterior sides of basement showed high moisture content (possible weeping tile issue: possibly $20k+ to fix).
A disappointed but grateful family on a limited budget are now looking onwards to the next home.

05/31/2021

Remember, a proper inspection takes 1.5+ hours. "Quick" walkthroughs are not going to give you a proper perspective of a home. If a seller will only allow 30 mins, you should be wary of what they're hiding.

Home inspectors in Ontario are sounding the alarm. Some say that in today's hot real estate market, more and more buyers are being pressured to make offers on homes without full home inspections.

05/18/2021

Found a great home but it's likely to be a bidding war?
Don't want to pay for an inspection on a house you may not get?

If you book a pre-offer inspection with us and don't win the home, you will get 30% off your next pre-offer inspection!

We understand this is a competitive market and conditional offers are often ignored. What if you got an inspection before placing an offer? The pre-offer inspection could uncover thousands of dollars in repairs needed, for you to consider before offering unconditionally.

05/13/2021

3 times in the last couple months we've found $20k+ in repairs needed. Is it worth skipping an inspection?

A competitive market is pushing buyers to forgo home inspections, in hopes that a firm offer will clinch the deal