​For most people, the thought of thousands of tiny creatures living in their home is horrifying. However, dust mites, which are tiny and abundant, are found in the majority of homes. So, should this concern you?
 
Dust mites are generally thought to be harmless and do not cause any issues. For some people, though, they can trigger allergic reactions and cause misery, leading many to look for ways to get rid of them. If you are looking for a way to eliminate dust mites you may want to consider the following methods before you resort to a chemical approach.
 
Regularly dust and vacuum the home. When dusting use a damp cloth which will help to prevent spreading the dust from one surface to another, then vacuum. Include all textiles and soft furnishings as well as the floors. A vacuum with a HEPA filter will be the most effective as this helps to stop the redistribution of dust back into the air.
 
Dust mites love humid conditions so do your best to reduce humidity in the home. Air conditioners and electric blankets are a couple of ways you can do this.
 
You may wonder whether air purifiers would work to reduce dust mite numbers. Air purifiers are good for those who suffer from allergies and will help to lessen the number of dust mites in the air but, because dust mites are not usually airborne, it will not eliminate them completely. If you are looking to purchase an air purifier, make sure you choose one with a HEPA filter.
 
Bed linens are one area where dust mites thrive. If you want to get rid of them from bedding you need to wash it at a high temperature, no less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also place your bedding in the tumble dryer for 10 minutes on high and this will kill them as well.
 
So, if you are worried about dust mites in your home, try these simple tips which should help to reduce their numbers.

​Major earthquakes, as we are well aware, can cause severe damage to a home, but what about parts of the country that experience the occasional minor earth tremor? Should we be concerned about these? The fact is that even a small earthquake can cause damage to property. This is partly due to less strict earthquake preparedness building codes in areas that do not see much seismic activity. So, let's look at some potential weak spots in your home that would benefit from some added support.
 
A good place to start is the home's foundations. The home should be securely fixed to its foundations. It's also important to check for signs of deterioration such as crumbling or cracking in cement foundations. Any ground movement could make this problem a lot worse.
 
Chimneys are another area that can become easily damaged during an earth tremor. This is very dangerous as the chimney may run the risk of falling in on itself, causing serious harm to anyone in the vicinity. If you have an unreinforced masonry chimney, it would be a good idea to secure it, which you can do using sheet metal straps and angle bracing. It would also be wise to avoid having children’s playrooms or play areas near the chimney. 
 
Do you have many large, freestanding appliances in the home, like a water heater, for example? If so, you will want to fix these to a wall which you can do using metal straps.
 
Gas leaks are a common and serious problem after an earthquake. Again, fix any appliances that run on natural gas to the wall or floor. Unless you have an automatic shut off gas valve, it's very important that you clearly label the manual shutoff valve and always have easy access to it so that, if you need to, it can be shut off quickly.
 
These are just some of the areas in the home that may need securing so that they do not become a danger during a minor earthquake. You may also benefit from a home inspection which can help you make a proper assessment.

​On occasion, it might become necessary for you to enter your under-home crawlspace. Before you do this, though, it’s important to be prepared for anything you may encounter in this kind of space. Here are a few of the hazards you may have to confront:
 
If you think about the type of environment a crawlspace under the home creates it’s easy to see why there would dangers down there. In general, they are damp, dark places that often go undisturbed for long periods of time. These conditions are perfect for many kinds of insects, rodents, and animals, some of which may be poisonous. Be aware also that if a creature feels threatened or cornered, the situation could become dangerous. In a tight space like this, it could be difficult to get out of the way quickly.
 
It is not just insects and rodents you will want to watch out for, additional hazards such as mold, fungi, standing water, and even sewage are all found in under the home crawlspaces. All of these things are well known to be dangerous if exposed to them so it's clear to see the need to be extra careful when in close proximity to them.
 
If you suspect the property has sustained any structural damage then it is best to avoid entering the under-home crawlspace altogether, at least until you know the type of damage you are dealing with. The wisest course of action in this situation is to have the home professionally inspected first.
 
How can you prepare yourself to enter an under-home crawlspace? Firstly, make sure you are wearing protective clothing and appropriate equipment before entering the space. You will also want to have someone else at the home with you who knows where you are and what you will be doing down there. This way, they can provide assistance or get help if you run into any difficulties.

If you are buying a house you have probably been told how important a home inspection is but, perhaps you’re wondering why it is so important. In this blog we are going to, not only answer this question but also answer a few more common home inspection questions.
 
Why is a home inspection so necessary? When you think about how big of an investment a house is you want to make sure you’re making the right decision and, unless you have a lot of construction experience, it is not easy to tell the true condition of a house just by walking through it. The home inspection is there to find any major issues that could affect the sale of the house and allow you to make an informed choice.
 
Do you need to be there when the inspection is carried out? Although it is not a requirement for you to be present during the inspection you might find it helpful as it will be a good way of getting to know your potential new home. The inspector can also point out any areas of concern. If you cannot make it for the entire inspection you may still find it helpful to arrive towards the end so that the inspector can point out their findings. However, everything will be written in their report.
 
How long does the home inspection take? You can expect it to take about 3 hours, but this will depend on various factors such as the size of the property and its location, etc. If you have an inspection performed that takes a lot less time than 3 hours, it may not have been carried out thoroughly enough.
 
How can I guarantee a thorough home inspection? Check that your home inspection is carried out by an InterNACHI certified home inspector. This will ensure a thorough and honest report.

​Lowering household energy bills is something any homeowner desires but many may wonder if it is something that can be done easily. One option that most homeowners can do themselves is sealing and insulating and it can greatly increase energy efficiency, especially if you live in an older home. Here are a few areas that may benefit from sealing or insulating:
 
A good starting point is the attic space as this is the area where you would most likely notice leaking air. Begin with plugging up any bigger holes and gaps, these are commonly found in dropped ceiling areas, behind or under attic knee walls, and where the attic meets with the floor. Any smaller holes you find can be sealed. Small air leaks are particularly noticeable in insulation because they cause it to darken so look for areas like this. Another area that you should check is the attics access panel, this may benefit from foam board insulation or weather-stripping.
 
As well as the attic space, what other areas of the home would benefit from sealing or insulating? Among the many areas are piping, electrical outlets or receptacles, window frames, doors, baseboards, and window or wall mounted air conditioning units.
 
Taking the time to go through your home and look for areas in need of insulating or sealing will not only help to lower your monthly cooling and heating bills but, a home that is tightly sealed will also contribute to improved indoor air quality and comfort.

​Light plays a key role in making a space feel warm and inviting. If you are looking to brighten up a dark area of the home you will, no doubt, use some type of electrical lighting to do the job, but what about using natural light instead? Let’s look at some ways natural light can be effectively used to illuminate dark areas of a home. 
 
Skylights are perhaps one of the most popular ways to incorporate natural light into a dark space. These can be very effective but, if you decide to install them, be sure to use double-paned windows and have the flashing done professionally.
 
Another effective daylighting option to consider if you are having a home constructed or renovated is to use clerestory windows. These are short, wide windows that are placed high on the wall. They add light and heat from sunlight during the winter months but, due to the roof overhang, do not allow too much sun during the summer months.
 
Light tubes are yet another daylighting option. These tubes are coated with a highly reflective material that helps the sunlight to channel through them. A lens is also fitted which is designed to amplify low-level light but also lower the sun's intensity at midday. When daylight enters the interior space through light tubes, it does so through a diffuser that evenly distributes that light.
 
We can see how using natural light can be a very effective and energy-saving way to brighten up darker spaces of a home. If you are having your home renovated or built, why not think about incorporating some of these methods in its design.

For a lot of homeowners, finding a tradesperson who is honest and dependable to work on their home may seem like a daunting challenge. While you will likely ask neighbors and friends for recommendations, what are some of the ways you can tell if a tradesperson is being honest with you or not?


When asking for quotes by email or phone try to get them to provide you with the price of the job before giving out your address. This is because a dishonest person will often quote a higher price to someone who lives in a more affluent neighborhood.


It is normal for a company to require a small deposit upfront for the work you want them to do, however, be suspicious of anyone asking for large deposits or even the entire amount before starting the job. If you can, try to have a fixed price for the work and put it all in writing, this way, you will avoid those “added extras” that some companies like to add at the end.


Before you go ahead and hire a contractor or tradesperson, try to find out as much as you can about them and the work they do. Ask them questions regarding previous jobs, what type of insurance they have and their address, etc. If they are honest they will have no problem providing you with this information. You also want to be wary of someone who is very pushy or who wants an immediate answer about being hired.


Not every contractor is dishonest, it is possible to find someone honest and dependable to work for you. The above suggestions will help you weed out those who are not so honest.
​

​This is a question a lot of homeowners may wonder about, especially if there are trees located very close to their homes. While there are several factors that would determine this, such as the type of tree, as well as its age and condition, we are going to talk about some of the damage a tree could potentially do to your home.
 
Tree roots can do a lot of damage to a home’s foundation if they grow large enough.  For example, they may make their way underneath the foundations of the house and cause them to lift. If there are cracks that already exist in the foundations, roots will also likely make their way into those cracks.
 
What damage can a tree do above the ground? There is the risk of large branches or tree limbs falling which could do a lot of damage to the roof of the home. They could even take out power and communication lines. Worse still, a falling tree limb or large branch could put a person at a serious risk of injury.
 
A build-up of leaves and branches can also quickly clog gutters. If they are not unblocked quickly enough, you may start to see bigger problems such as water intrusion.
 
Another possible result of a tree in close proximity to the home is an increase in pests. A tree can create easy access to many areas of the home, giving insects and rodents multiple ways to enter. Also, if a fire were to break out in one room, a tree can also aid the spread of that fire to other areas of the home.
 
If you are worried about a tree on your property putting your home at risk, you may find it helpful to ask your home inspector for advice.

​With everyone spending a lot of time at home at the moment, perhaps we are using the opportunity to do some jobs that need doing around the house.  With the warmer months on their way, it may be a good time to give your home central air conditioning system a spring clean.  Here are a few tips:
 
No doubt, during a long winter, all kinds of dirt and debris have accumulated around the outside a/c unit.
After you have cleared away any leaves, branches and spider webs, etc. take off the cover of the unit, this will also need a clean and any accumulated debris will need removing as well.  Inside the unit there are hundreds of fins made of metal that surround coils of piping, these fins tend to bend easily.  If you notice this you can use a tool called a fin comb to straighten them out again.  Although it’s a good idea to oil the motor, you may want to take a look at the operating manual first to be sure you use the right kind of oil.
 
For an air conditioning unit to work efficiently, condensed water needs to be able to drain from it.
Check that the attached drainage lines are in good shape and have not become clogged up, and check that they are securely fixed to the unit.
 
The condition of the a/c units’ filters will greatly affect the quality of air inside the home.  Inspect all filters and give them a thorough cleaning or, if they look too bad, replace them altogether.  Dirty air filters will also put a strain on the units’ motor.
 
While it’s a good idea to have your air conditioning system serviced every year by a professional, giving it a good clean will help to maintain it in good working order.

​We are all spending a lot more time at home at the moment and this can mean added strain on our household appliances.  If your home has a grinder pump, you will be aware of the need to keep it in good working order.  So, what are some basic ways to keep a grinder pump well maintained?
 
A home may need a grinder pump when its plumbing system is below, or sometimes at the same level, as the public sewer line or septic tank, this would mean that waste will not flow through the system quickly enough.  You would find this the case in homes with basement bathrooms for example.  The grinder pump is designed to help push the waste quickly through the system, it does this by grinding up waste matter into a slurry and pumping it through the sewer system.
 
To keep a grinder pump working properly there are some things that should never be placed into a toilet or sink.  Some of these items include feminine hygiene products, diapers, plastics, cat litter, aquarium gravel, toxic chemicals, and grease, which will accumulate in the tank.
 
It is not advisable to connect a grinder pump to a sump pump.  This can cause the pump to overwork and also use unnecessary amounts of electricity.
 
Another reminder to be aware of with grinder pumps is that they need electricity to work so if you experience a power outage, try to use as little water as you can to prevent the tank from overfilling.
 
Lastly, if you are away from the home for a time, it’s a good idea to prepare the tank by running water long enough to activate the pump which will flush the tank with clean water and stop nasty odors.