​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.

​We all know how vital water is for life but where our homes are concerned, water intrusion can become a big issue that results in many problems such as poor indoor air quality and costly home repairs. You may even find it lowers the value of your property. In this blog, we are going to give you some idea of the areas in your home most at risk of moisture intrusion.
 
The roof is one area highly susceptible to moisture intrusion and can happen in a number of ways. The roof should have the correct amount of slope. The roof's flashings can also start to leak so they should be checked periodically. Gutters and downspouts can become an issue if they are clogged which will prevent water from draining adequately. They should also be positioned to drain well away from the house.
 
The plumbing system is another high-risk area for water intrusion and should be checked to make sure there are no dripping pipes, leaking fixtures, or blocked drains.
 
Most houses over time will start to develop cracks and holes in the walls and foundations that can then be susceptible to moisture intrusion. If you notice this happening, try to seal them up as soon as possible.
 
A high level of humidity in a home can cause numerous moisture-related problems. Among these are musty smelling odors, staining on walls and ceilings, and bad indoor air quality. The best way to prevent this is to clean and dry thoroughly any surfaces where you see moisture collecting. 
 
These are just a few of the many areas throughout the home that are at risk of damage due to water intrusion. Keeping the home well maintained and taking quick action to fix any issues you find are good ways to avoid bigger problems and higher repair bills.
 

​With a new year rapidly approaching perhaps you are putting together a list of all that you would like to hopefully accomplish in 2021. Maybe you are thinking about getting some projects done in your current home, or even looking for a change and planning a move to a new home. Whatever the case, having the house tested for Radon might be something you will want to add to your list. Ask yourself, when was the last time my home was tested for radon and, why is it so important to do so?
 
To help you understand the importance of having your home tested for radon, please enjoy the following video. It will help you understand a little about what radon is and, why it could be present in your home. If you have any further questions regarding radon testing or any home inspection query, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
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​Depending on its size, a wood-burning stove can be an excellent way to heat either a room or an entire home. If you have recently moved to a home that has a wood-burning stove in it, it is important to know how to take good care of it so that it stays efficient and safe to use. To help with this, here are a few tips on how to keep your wood burner well maintained.
 
As the name indicates, a wood-burning stove is intended for the burning of wood. When choosing firewood to burn in your stove select dry wood that has a low moisture content. This burns a lot hotter than freshly cut wood. Certain kinds of wood ignite quicker than others and so are good to use when starting the fire. Softwoods like pine work well for this. After the fire has been started, you can then use hardwoods like oak, ash, or hickory. Burning wood in smaller pieces will also give you a cleaner, hotter burn.
 
You should never burn coal in your wood-burning stove. The reason is that coal burns much hotter than wood does so burning coal could pose a fire risk. Another reminder is to never burn items that emit toxic chemicals. Such items include plastic, plywood, gift wrapping paper, and colored paper, particleboard, and painted or pressure-treated wood.
 
Other reminders. Creosote can often build up in the stovepipe which can become hazardous so you might want to have your stove periodically inspected by a professional. When you are disposing of ashes from your wood stove it is a good idea to place them in a water-filled, metal container. Lastly, make sure that you have enough smoke alarms fitted throughout the home and check them every month to ensure they are working properly.
 

​If you are looking to have your home inspected for termites, how can you find the right company? After all, the majority of homeowners are not usually experienced when it comes to diagnosing a problem like this, so how can you be sure you are not being ripped off?
 
There are a few warning signs to look out for to determine whether a company is trying to con you out of your hard-earned money. For example, sometimes they will greatly exaggerate the dangers that termites pose and tell you that it will cost you a lot of money to treat the problem. If you are worried this is happening to you, the best thing to do is get another opinion. You can do this by comparing their price and service with other companies in the area. When you do hire someone to do the work, be sure to have a written contract detailing the length of time the work is guaranteed for.
 
Another thing you should do when you are told you have a termite problem in your home is to see the evidence for yourself. Ask to be shown where the problem is. Signs that your home has termites are hollowed out wood along the grain and galleries that are lined with soil or mud. If the evidence you are shown is in a woodpile or fence not connected to your house, then don’t worry yourself unduly as the danger this poses to your home is not immediate.
 
Be wary of any companies that approach you. If you are told you can have a free termite inspection, proceed with caution. This type of company is very likely to find a problem that does not actually exist or greatly overstate one that does.
 
These few suggestions should help you to find the right, honest company and weed out those who are not so honest.

​You should not have to spend a lot of money remodeling your home just to put it on the market. It is only natural, though, to want to make it as appealing as possible to a prospective buyer. So, here are a few ways to upgrade your home without spending a fortune:
 
Perhaps your kitchen cabinets or bathroom fittings are looking a bit tired. Instead of completely replacing them, why not refinish the cabinetry or re-glaze the tub or sink? It will save you a lot more money and give them a new lease of life.
 
Buyers are mostly attracted to bright, clean spaces so have a think about how you can brighten up your home. Of course, a thorough cleaning will help but you can also transform your home with a fresh coat of paint throughout. Another way to add light to a room is by getting rid of heavy window treatments that can also make a home look dated. If you have trees or other foliage blocking light from windows, trim them back to allow the light to come in.
 
If there are rooms in your home that do not get a lot of use, like a guest room, for example, think about making it a more useful space such as a home office. Have a think about the best way to use a space or room so that its best features are showcased. Employing various staging techniques can work wonders, if this is not your forte, you may want to think about seeking advice from a professional staging company. Most people are going to view your home online so each room should look really good in photos.
 
Lastly, remove clutter from your home. Too much clutter makes a space look a lot smaller than it is so by removing many of your knickknack’s you will make the home look bigger. If you do not want to get rid of any of your possessions, it would be a good idea to put them in storage while the house is for sale.

​Anyone who has watched house flipping or home renovation shows on tv may feel inspired to do something similar to their homes to increase their value. Renovating your home can indeed make it much more comfortable and pleasing to the eye but, if you want to renovate with the intention of selling the house, is it worth it?
 
If you want to sell your home and get a good price for it, investing a lot of money on an expensive remodel may not be the best idea. This is because, much of the time, the money you spend will not increase the home’s value significantly enough to make it worthwhile. However, if you feel that it is something you want to do, here are a few suggestions:
 
It is best not to rely on your own tastes when remodeling to sell a home. Instead of bold, bright statements, choose a more neutral palette, something that would appeal to a potential buyer.
 
It is natural to want your home to be the best in the neighborhood but, renovating your property to make it look a lot bigger and better than the rest will not add that much more to its value. Instead, any improvements you make have them fit in with the rest of the homes in the area.
 
You may be thinking that a swimming pool would be a great addition to your property. If you want to install one to make it more attractive to a buyer, however, this is not the best strategy. Did you know that swimming pools can be a negative to a lot of people? They may worry about the dangers they pose to small children, not to mention the additional maintenance.
 
A renovation can transform a property and make it a very comfortable space for a homeowner, but it’s good to remember that house flipping tv shows often lull you into a false sense of how much this will increase the value of your home.

​Many homes nowadays, especially new builds, have pressure-assist toilets instead of the standard gravity toilets. So, how do they work, and why are they a good option?
 
Although from the outside, a pressure-assist toilet looks like a standard toilet, they function rather differently. The ceramic tank is fitted with an air-filled pressure container. Instead of using gravity to flush water through, as a standard toilet does, it uses compressed air. This results in water being pushed into the toilet bowl at a much more forceful rate than gravity alone can achieve.
 
There are many advantages to a pressure-assist toilet. For example, the strong flushing capability of this type of toilet means that there are fewer clogs in the system. It is also more eco-friendly due to its water efficiency and can save gallons of water each year.
 
An older home can benefit from a pressure-assist toilet, as the strong force of the flush helps to push waste through the old pipework. Also, because of the tank's design, there is no buildup of condensation when the weather is humid. They are also easier to maintain than standard toilets.
 
If you are thinking about replacing your toilets for pressure assist ones, just be aware that these kinds of toilets have a much louder flush than a gravity type. They are also more expensive than standard toilets. Plus, if your home has low water pressure, this type of toilet may not work as well because they need at least 20 to 30 PSI of pressure.

​If a home inspection is performed on your property and something on the property is damaged as a result of the inspection process, should the home inspector be held responsible? While you may assume that the answer to that question is an obvious yes, let us look at the reasons why the home inspector may not be to blame.
 
Think about the reason why a home inspection is carried out, it is to discover the condition of a property. Very often a home inspector will be accessing parts of the home that are almost never accessed by the homeowners themselves. These areas may very well have fallen into disrepair and started to decay.  This means that the first person to discover the problem will be the home inspector. As an example, imagine some attic flooring has started rotting and when the home inspector steps on it, it breaks apart, could we say that this is the fault of the home inspector? No, they were not being too clumsy, rather they were just doing their job. In fact, the same thing would happen to anyone stepping on it.
 
This example highlights the fact that, while rare, sometimes damage can result from a home inspection. We must also mention, however, that we are not talking about the occasional accident that may result in damage to a household item like a vase or mirror, etc. we are talking about damage caused as a direct result of the home inspection.
 
No home inspector wants a home inspection to result in damage to the property, but if it does happen, we cannot automatically assume the inspector was being careless, they were probably just doing their job.