​Recycling our used household items has become part of our daily lives, but something we may not always consider recycling is our wastewater. What are some ways to do this, and what are the advantages of doing so?
 
We use a great deal of water just by going about our everyday lives. Bathing, doing the laundry, and washing dishes are all tasks that use a lot of water. The wastewater resulting from these activities is known as greywater and, while it is not potable, it can still be used for things like irrigation and flushing the toilet, etc. It is important to note, however, that greywater is a lot different from blackwater which should never be reused in an untreated state. Blackwater contains high levels of contaminants.
 
There are two categories when it comes to greywater, treated and untreated. When greywater is properly treated it can be stored for a period of time. Untreated greywater on the other hand must be reused immediately.
 
Opinions are often mixed regarding the use of greywater in homes. While some people view it as an excellent way to conserve our precious water, by using it for things like irrigation which uses a lot of water, others are concerned that greywater increases the risk of spreading disease-causing bacteria.
 
What should we take from these differing opinions? If you are wondering if greywater could be used in your home, do a lot of research into the matter and make sure you consult with your local council to see what regulations they have in place regarding greywater usage.
 

You are probably well aware by now that a home inspection is vital for ensuring that your new home is a wise investment. So, what should you do if the home inspection uncovers a problem? What will that mean for you as the buyer?
 
It is common for some items on a home inspection report to be listed as faulty. The important thing is to find out what those items are and how serious of a problem it is. For instance, the inspection may note down issues like faulty smoke detectors, or loose roof shingles, etc. However, these problems are not too serious and can be fixed at little cost. Then there are the more serious issues like structural damage, wood rot, and mold for example. Fixing a problem like this is a much bigger job and could be very expensive, in some cases, the damage may be so extensive that you may want to renegotiate the deal or even back out of the sale. These few examples highlight the important role that a thorough home inspection plays when purchasing a new home.
 
You will often find that a home inspector is also a licensed building contractor. If you find a home inspector you trust, should you employ them to fix the problems they found when they inspected the home? This is not the best course of action as it could call into question the accuracy of the inspection report and look like problems were found or exaggerated in order to generate more work for the home inspector.
 
If you are wondering who you can trust to carry out your home inspection, it is good to look for a home inspector who is InterNACHI certified and follows the InterNACHI Code of Ethics, this will ensure that your home inspection is carried out thoroughly and honestly.

​Condensation may not be something we automatically think of when it comes to property damage. However, over time, condensation can become something of an issue. Why? A continuous dripping of water due to condensation could cause anything from mold problems to rotten flooring. Plus, if condensation starts to drip on electrical items, it can easily become a fire hazard. So, how can you reduce the amount of condensation in the home?
 
Firstly, it is important to lower humidity levels in your home. You can do this using a dehumidifier or an air conditioner. Dehumidifiers work by drawing water vapor into their tank which prevents it from accumulating on surfaces.
 
Insulate pipes. This is another effective way to reduce condensation. Just be aware that if you need these pipes to assist in heating the home, any insulation you wrap them in will prevent this.
 
Limit the number of plants in your home. Plants, while beautiful, contribute to higher levels of humidity so, by reducing the number of indoor plants you have, the lower the humidity will be.
 
Open windows and doors. A well-ventilated home will help with humidity levels indoors and reduce condensation. Of course, this only works if the air outside is not as humid as inside.
 
If, after trying these methods, you are still experiencing high levels of condensation, what should you do? This may be a good time to have the problem looked at professionally as the water may be caused by another problem like a water leak.
 

​Automatic garage doors are not only one of the heaviest doors of the home, but they are also responsible for many of the injuries that take place within the household each year. It is clear to see the importance, then, for automatic garage doors to be regularly maintained and checked for safety. While a professional should be called to come and fix these doors when there is a major problem, is there anything that the homeowner can do to keep them safe and well maintained?
 
Yes. A homeowner can keep an eye out for potential hazards that are associated with automatic garage doors. For example, because they usually work by using a spring supported mechanism that is operated by a wall-mounted switch or a remote-controlled device, there are many moving parts that can easily malfunction or begin to wear out, so It would be a good idea for a homeowner to do a thorough check of the garage door as well as its framework to see if they detect any signs of wear and tear.
 
Another extremely important safety step is to educate any children in the household about the dangers of playing around with the automatic garage door. They need to be aware that it is not safe to walk under the door when it is in motion or play with any pulleys and strings attached to it. The homeowner should also ensure that all safety warning labels associated with the door are clearly visible and that everyone living in the home knows where the manual release handle is located as well as how to operate it.
 
In summary, although a professional should be called to fix a broken automatic garage door, the homeowner can check it for signs of wear and tear and educate the household about the potential dangers. 

​The majority of us would say that we enjoy nature and observing wildlife. However, when wildlife starts to encroach on our property, it can become less enjoyable and more of a problem. Many homeowners spend a lot of time and effort to make their yard look beautiful, only to then have an animal or rodent come in and destroy it. This may force a person to look for ways to deter wildlife from their property. Let’s consider a few methods that do not require the use of chemical deterrents.
 
The first step you will need to take is to identify the animal or rodent that is causing the damage. While you may have many critters visit, it doesn’t mean they are all causing a problem. By identifying the animal, you can then find out the best way to discourage it from your yard. Animals and rodents will be generally become attracted to your property because there is a food source. It may even be a type of shrub or plant. Eliminating the food source will make your property less appealing to the creature.
 
Placing a barrier that is designed for keeping out wildlife is another non-chemical approach you can try. There are different types of barrier deterrents, for example, it may even be something visual or a sound that the creature is afraid of.
 
If you have tried these methods and you still have the problem visitor, what can you do? You may want to attempt to catch the offending animal and relocate it. If you decide on this option though, make sure to consult first with your local wildlife management office or animal control center who will be able to offer the best advice on what to do.

​In our last blog we discussed the average length of time you can expect a water heater to last, so if your water heater is starting to require maintenance, what should you do? Should you get it repaired or is it better to replace it entirely?
 
Water heaters will, over time, begin to develop issues and require maintenance. Some of the more common signs that there is a problem are puddles of water under the heater and cold showers, etc. But what if the water heater hasn’t started showing those signs yet and seems to be in good shape? Are the maintenance costs going to be more than the cost of replacing it when the time comes?
 
One thing to keep in mind with water heaters as we have previously mentioned is their average lifespan. Your first question should be, how old is the water heater? Does it still have its warranty? This, of course, is a good thing, but you may find that these warranties do not always cover the cost of labor which may end up being rather expensive. For example, one part of the water heater that commonly needs to be replaced every few years is the sacrificial anode. This can be a tricky job and, if not done correctly, the unit can be easily damaged. Replacing the anode may even void out some warranties. So, if your water heater is reaching the end of its lifespan and the anode has to be replaced, you may want to ask yourself whether it is worth doing the job to extend the heater's lifespan a little longer, or is it better to replace the water heater altogether?
 
One thing that will help you decide whether to replace your water heater is to see how much you are spending on average each year to maintain it. If it is more than 10 percent of the amount it would cost to install a new water heater, then it might not be worth all the time and effort to keep maintaining it. If you are unsure about what to do, why not get the water heater inspected? This way you will find out if it would be better to replace it or keep on repairing it.

​A water heater is an indispensable part of a home so a home inspector will pay particular attention to it during the home inspection. One question that homeowners frequently ask is how long does a water heater typically last before it needs to be replaced? In general, a water heater's lifespan is around 10 years, however, this will depend on a few different factors. Here are a couple of those factors:
 
The correct installation of a water heater plays a key role when it comes to how long it will last. Some homeowners decide to attempt the installation themselves in order to save money, but they may soon realize that it requires a lot more skill than they thought, particularly with tankless gas water heaters.  Water heaters must be installed in an upright position and in a well-ventilated area. You should not install a water heater in a location that could suffer flood damage as this can cause the exterior pipes to rust, decreasing their efficiency and lifespan. Another thing to keep in mind is that at some point you will need to have the water heater inspected so it should be placed in an easily accessible area.
 
The amount of use the water heater gets is another thing that will significantly affect its lifespan. Logically, the more water that has to be heated, the more stress this will put on the water heater as this means it has to work that much harder.
 
The quality of the water heater is another major factor that will determine its lifespan. As is the case with the majority of things, you get what you pay for, so a more expensive water heater is likely to last longer than a cheaper alternative. An easy way to tell if the water heater is of good quality is by checking to see how long the warranty lasts. Water heaters that come with a longer warranty tend to be constructed better which means they will have a longer lifespan.

​As we learned in our last blog, biological pollutants are found in pretty much every home. These have also become associated with different types of ailments. The symptoms often experienced by people suffering from biological pollutants, however, are very similar to those of other illnesses so, are there some ways to determine whether your symptoms are related to your indoor home environment or not? What should you ask yourself?
 
Are you or any members of your household experiencing any of the following, dizziness or tiredness, fevers, frequent headaches, dry throat, stuffy nose, wheezing, or difficulty breathing? If the answer is yes, do these symptoms go away when you spend time out of doors?
 
Did you move into a new home recently? Or have you had some remodeling done such as the installation of storm windows, insulation, weather stripping, or another type of energy conservation work? If so, did your symptoms appear during or after this work or the move?
 
Is there any musty-smelling or moldy types of odors in your home that would indicate problems with moisture intrusion?
 
Have your air conditioners or humidifiers been cleaned recently, or has it been some time since they were done?
 
Do you notice moisture seems to collect on hard surfaces like windows, walls, and ceilings? Does the air inside the home feel very humid?
 
Have you been experiencing problems with unwanted pests such as cockroaches or rodents?
 
If you can answer yes to a few or all of these questions, then it is very possible that biological pollutants are affecting the quality of your home's indoor air, which may, in turn, cause some of your symptoms. It should be noted that it is important to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis, however, they may find this information helpful when making that diagnosis.

​Everyone would agree that breathing in good clean air is essential to our health and wellbeing. A lot of effort and money is spent each year trying to improve levels of pollution in our outside air, but how good is the air we are breathing indoors? Are there any pollutants inside our homes that might be affecting our health? These are some good questions to ask ourselves, especially as so many of us are spending a great deal more time at home these days. In this blog we are going to briefly consider the types of biological pollutants found indoors.
 
Biological pollutants are generally living organisms or parts of living organisms. They are usually invisible and travel through the air. Some of the more common types of biological pollutants found in the home are animal dander, dust mites, cockroach parts, pollen, and bacteria and viruses. While this is probably a very unpleasant thought, the fact is that these substances are found in all homes so you will not be able to remove them completely.
 
Some conditions, however, support the growth of these biological pollutants, making them a lot worse. These are moisture and nutrients. You will often find these conditions in humid areas such as bathrooms and damp basements, also appliances like air conditioners and humidifiers. Modern construction methods and their materials can also become a contributing factor when it comes to biological pollutants in the home. The reason is that these are designed to prevent a lot of outside air from entering the home which can result in higher levels of moisture inside.
 
After reading this brief article you may be wondering how to determine whether or not biological pollutants are causing some of your health issues. We will consider this question in the following article. 

​Sinkholes are known to cause a great deal of damage and destruction. This may lead a homeowner to worry about the possibility of one forming on their property. So, here are some of the warning signs you might observe if there is a sinkhole in your area.
 
Signs of a sinkhole can range from very noticeable to a little more subtle. For example, some of the more noticeable signs are rapid ground subsidence, cracks in the ground that form a circular pattern, and sudden ground fissures. Some of the less obvious signs are an accumulation of water in places where this does not normally happen, sudden dying off of plant life in some places, which can be a result of a sinkhole draining the plant's water source. Trees or fence posts may start leaning over or exposing areas that are normally in the ground.
 
What about warning indicators inside your home, what may you observe? Again, these will range in severity. You may see cracks appearing on the walls and floors of the home, this is not something you should ignore as it may be a major warning sign of a sinkhole. If your home uses well water, it might become muddy or cloudy in appearance. Windows and doors may have begun shifting slightly and so no longer close properly.
 
If you have observed some of these signs in or around your home, what should you do? Do not panic as they could also be indicators of a different issue. However, it is a good idea to have the problems checked to rule out a sinkhole and diagnose what the problem is. An inspection of your home and property can help you to find out any issues your property has and help to keep your household safe.