Author: buildinginsights_vkv4y8

By: Andy Bauman – FlowSpec Engineering Ltd.

You’ve purchased a home in the country, outside of the City, congratulations! Your home purchase likely involves the appeal of more space, a larger yard and some fresh air. Something that’s not typically top of mind, but requires your attention, is whether your new home is on a septic system. Away from city sewers and municipal wastewater treatment plants, septic systems (or wastewater treatment systems) are the traditional way of treating wastewater from toilets, sinks, showers, laundry, etc. within your home. This, as well as a drinking water well, are important parts of your rural infrastructure. When things are working normally, you’ll hardly notice your septic system. Working in the background, your system efficiently treats the wastewater from your home and reintroduces the treated water back into the natural water cycle. In the event of a malfunction due to improper maintenance, equipment failure, or simply reaching the end of its expected service life, significant investment may be required to get the system back on track.

There are a wide variety of types of septic systems installed today. The common elements though, involve a tank (typically made of concrete or plastic) which collects the raw wastewater from your home and provides varying levels of treatment. Wastewater then travels to the “leaching bed” (series of perforated pipe buried beneath the earth and situated in native or imported soil) where final treatment occurs. The wastewater is reintroduced into the underlying soil and finally back to the natural water cycle. Additional tanks or pumps may be involved for enhanced treatment of the wastewater or to overcome gravity flow. 

It’s important to remember that septic systems rely on a biological process involving bacteria that consume or break down household waste as it works its way through the system. With this in mind, washing paint brushes in your sink or putting harmful chemicals into the system will have a negative impact and should be avoided.

When assessing an existing septic system, there are a lot of things to look for, much of it is underground, and out of sight. Working with a trusted and reputable professional, who is familiar with septic systems, is the best way to ensure your homes system is in good working order. Items to be looked at would include: age of the system (building code requirements have been updated or changed over the years, though some older systems continue to work well), construction paperwork (design, installation or permit approval documents), maintenance records (regular pump-outs, replacement parts), visible items including access lids or soggy areas around the leaching bed (an indication that the wastewater isn’t going where it’s intended). A more invasive approach involves digging up areas of the leaching bed to uncover additional information about the performance of the system you simply cannot see on the surface.

If you plan on renovating your home, an addition, building a pool or workshop or simply landscaping the yard, this process may trigger an assessment of the septic system. In these instances, the existing system may be required to meet today’s standards in the Ontario Building Code. This could involve upgraded components or even a complete replacement. Meeting with an industry professional will shed some light on the situation.

In summary, a properly designed, installed and maintained septic system may service a home for a generation or more. Outside of routine maintenance, the system should continue to efficiently operate “out of sight, and out of mind.” Understanding what you have underground on your property, what condition it is in and how it plays into any future construction/renovation plans you have is imperative to ensuring you don’t have any unwanted surprises with your new home.

If you live in the country or on the edge of a city where there is no water service, and instead get your water from your own well, it’s important to regularly maintain it to keep high water quality, and to prevent expensive repair bills.

You may start to notice an issue with water quality simply by a change of taste when drinking tap water, however, annual bacterial checks should be done as well. These can be easily done after purchasing a water test kit from a local hardware store.

At least once per year, the well cover should be checked to ensure it fits properly and that nothing can leak in from the surface. If a vented well cap is present, it should be free of debris, and in-tact in order to keep bugs and animals out. If the well is around new trees or shrubs, their roots should not have grown to within ten feet of the well. Finally, the well’s casing should be at least one foot above the ground.

While components of your well and water system can break down over time, common sense should also prevail, such as keeping hazardous chemicals, such as oil, lawn fertilizer, and paint away from your well. Do not insert hoses or pumps into the well to retrieve water; use your home’s water taps and faucets instead. Be careful when mowing the grass around the well as to not damage it. Finally, when doing any kind of landscaping or moving earth around the well, ensure that the ground slopes away from the well to prevent surface runoff, as should have been the case when the well was installed.

Keeping these tips front of mind when performing these activities can ensure accidental contamination of your water supply does not happen. With proper care, you can maintain your home’s well to live its full and expected lifetime.

If you want to improve your home and aren’t a “do-it-yourself-er,” hiring a contractor is likely the route you’ll use to make the changes you desire. As something you infrequently do, finding the right contractor to create your vision may be challenging. Here are some tips to find the right one for you.

Create a list of possible contractors that can perform the type of renovations you want, either from recommendations from friends or web searches. Do thorough research before contacting them, such as finding out their business ratings on sites like the Better Business Bureau, ensuring they are licensed, and finding any ratings they have from past clients on their web site, Google, or social media platforms.

When you’re ready to reach out to them, do so with a list of prepared questions: do they take on projects of your size and scope, do they have their own references they can provide, and how many projects do they have going on at the same time? If you receive satisfactory responses, meet in person where the job is to be completed so they can visually inspect the area and ask their own questions to get a true sense of the scope of the work.

Before the work starts, get quotes from the top two or three candidates for comparison. Their breakdown should include an itemized list of materials as well as expected labor costs. When you compare the quotes, don’t automatically go for the lowest bidder. The low bid may speak to the contractor’s experience or quality of their work. Be sure to ask questions about all quotes to ensure you know what exactly is and isn’t covered. After you’ve decided, sign a contract, which should state start date, milestone dates, end date, and payment schedule (some money up front, the rest spread throughout the duration of the work, or the end).

By following these basic tips, you should have a successful renovation by a qualified home improvement contractor!

Choosing the right time to buy a home is always tricky.  Although the market has softened a little in our area this year compared to last, it is still a strong market, which can make what is likely the biggest purchase you’ll make in your life a stressful one.  If you haven’t purchased a home in the past few years, here are a few things you should know about our current market.

Both variable rate and fixed rate mortgages have increased in the past year. Variable rate mortgages are primarily indexed against the Bank of Canada’s prime lending rate, which has increased twice by 25 basis points this year to 1.5%. Most or all variable mortgage rates will be higher than that, with many hovering slightly under 3.0% for a 5-year rate.

While longer (5-year) term variable mortgages offer lower rates, in the fixed rate mortgage world, shorter terms (1- or 2-year) on fixed rate mortgages tend to be lower than their long-term counterparts, at the cost of less long-term certainty.

You can often qualify for lower rates depending on your credit rating. A local mortgage broker can also help you navigate the world of mortgages and explain all the options to find the product that’s best for you. In addition, they are often able to get preferred rates from mortgage lenders.

In the first half of 2018, the Kitchener-Waterloo area sold 19.1% less homes compared to the same period in 2017, and in the early part of this year in Guelph, 15.5% less homed were listed in 2018 compared to 2017. 24.9% less units were sold in the first half of 2018 compared to 2017. But that doesn’t mean we are trending to a “buyer’s market.”  There were less homes listed for sale from January to June this year, and June 2018 had 40.1% less homes listed than 10-year June average of 1,728.  The homes that were listed and sold did sell for slightly more than last year.  Still, with the rate of selling decreasing, this year’s buyers likely will not be pressured to issue unconditional offers, which can give you the time to schedule a home inspection and get to know your new home before fully committing.

Mold can often be apparent in many areas of your home, however, there is one place it can build up that most homeowners do not often check: the attic.  Silently growing toxic attic mold can spread through the air of your entire home and, in the worst cases, cause otherwise unexplained colds or flus.  Regular inspection for attic mold is important. 

Early formations of mold can appear as a light powdery coating or skin in small splotches or speckles in one of many colors – white, green, brown, or black – on the surface of your attic’s wood or insulation.  In whatever form it appears, mold forms in damp environments where condensation forms, and not from roof leaks. Most roof leaks drip into the living area of your home, and as such, are typically noticed and fixed immediately. Rather, attic mold growth from condensation occurs when the air in the attic is 100% saturated and cannot hold any additional water molecules.  When this happens, condensation forms on anything that is less saturated, such as the house’s roof framing.

If attic mold and condensation does not come from roof leaks, where does it come from?  Sometimes it comes from a poorly sealed ceiling when there is excessive moisture from the living space below the attic, such as steam from the kitchen, or hot showers in the bathroom.  It can also be caused by insufficient ventilation in the attic, such as improperly installed ventilation components that allow air from the home to be vented into the attic instead of outside.  In either case, the warm, moist air condenses on the cold roof sheathing, creating the perfect condition for mold growth. These air leaks also make your home less energy efficient, putting more strain on your home’s furnace or air conditioning.

Attic inspections are just one of many aspects of a home inspection with Building Insights. And, don’t forget to regularly inspect your attic after you’ve moved in to catch mold growth early, improve air quality, and keep your home energy efficient!

You might be asking yourself, “How does lead get into our drinking water?” The answer is simple, but not always easy to detect. Lead enters drinking water during the corrosive process that happens to metal fixtures, particularly if the water is highly acidic, or has a low mineral content. The most common culprit is brass or chrome-plated fixtures that have lead soldering.

Lead pipes are most common in homes that were constructed before the late 1980s, at which time, safer alternatives were used in construction, and lead pipes were discontinued.

There is no safe amount of lead to ingest, as it’s an extremely toxic metal and can build in your body over time. Behavioural issues are known to occur when children, infants, and fetuses are exposed to lead, so it’s important to take the proper steps in determining whether your home has lead pipes.

Check with your local municipality or utility provider to see if they offer lead testing, such as this one offered by the City of Waterloo. These programs should always meet the Ministry of the Environment’s requirements for lead sampling of drinking water systems.

If you are concerned you have lead pipes, be sure to get a test as quickly as possible, but in the meantime, you can follow the below precautions:

1. Flush the line for several minutes before consuming or cooking with the water
2. Only use water that has sat in the pipes for 6+ hours for bathing (human skin does not absorb led, so it’s safe to wash with), or for watering plants.
3. Only drink water from cold water taps.

Remember, if lead is found in your drinking water, it is the responsibility of the property owner to pay for all costs associated with the replacement of the water system.

Mold, a fungus which can grow on building materials, can cause some serious problems within your home. If not dealt with, mold can grow to become a significant health hazard. These symptoms can include coughing, phlegm build-up, wheezing, shortness of breath, and more.

Causes of Mold

Once spores are present in your home, mold only needs a few things to start growing. A dark, humid environment will allow mold to grow along with a food source which can be wood, drywall, or other organic materials. It does not take long for mold to grow. Under the right conditions, most mold can begin to grow within 48 hours.

If you have a water leak, mold can begin to form if not attended to quickly. Leaks can be tricky as they may not always be in sight. Leaking pipes, for example, often go undetected as they are hidden inside a wall. This means by the time you reach it, chances are mold is already present. Other causes for mold may include condensation, poor ventilation, wet clothes and flooding.

Remedies for Mold

While it may not seem very dangerous, mold can be toxic. It is best practice to hire a professional rather than removing the mold yourself.

However, if you have mold in your home that is not toxic, it can be possible to do it yourself. This is only if the area is smaller than a 3 by 3 foot area. If you choose to do it yourself, be sure to wear protective equipment like a respirator, googles, gloves and a full body protective suit while doing so. Bleach, borax, vinegar and ammonia can all work in removing mold spores. You will also need to contain these spores in order to ensure they do not spread around your house. The best way to do this is to seal off the room you will be working in as well as use plastic sheets to cover openings like vents and doorways. Ensure they are sealed well with duct tape!

Preventing Mold

Mould needs organic compounds in order to grow, which can be easily found within a home. However the biggest factor is preventing excess water within the home including moisture, water leaks, humidity and condensation.

If you find a room in your home is feeling damp, it is a good idea to purchase a dehumidifier. This will help circulate the air so it does not stagnate while removing excess moisture.

Now that summer is here, many of us have the urge to make some changes. Whether it is the bright sunshine or the longer days, we all get the motivation to spruce up our lives. While home renovations can seem daunting, they do not have to be. Take a look at these 6 ideas to revamp your home that you and your bank account will love.

Add a Doormat
An easy way to spruce up the entrance to your home is a doormat. Whether you opt for one before you enter or just as you step foot in the door is up to you. Inside it also serves as a protector of hardwood flooring!

Upgrade Your Mailbox
Who said your mailbox had to only be for letters and flyers? Use your mailbox to add a pop of colour to your home’s façade. Opting for an ornate mailbox can add a touch of elegance to the front of your house. 

Get Creative with Your Shelving
Who says you have to use a standalone shelving unit? Try adding some wall-mount shelves instead of a bookcase. It will free up some floor space while making the room look larger. This is also a great option to help de-clutter a countertop in areas like your kitchen.

Add Some Mood Lighting
Ditch the traditional on/off light switch for a dimmer in rooms like your dining room or family room. This can add some extra mood lighting for a romantic dinner or help create a theatre experience when watching a movie with your family.

Wallpaper a Door
Do you have some wallpaper left from an older renovation? Put it to use! Cut it to size and paste it over door panels to add some extra flair to a room. 

Closet? How About a Home Office?
Time to lose the hanging rods! Fit the space with a large shelf to use as a desk. Then all you need is a chair and a table lamp. You can add some shelving above as well for more storage space. Want to divide the office from your home? An accordion style door is a great way to hide your business when you want to focus on pleasure.

While lead-based paint may not be on the top of your mind these days, it could be present in some of Canada’s older homes. It might not seem like a big deal to some, but disturbing the paint through regular wear and tear can expose your family to some serious health risks. Children and pregnant women are most at risk as their immune systems are more susceptible to these health concerns.

Not sure if there is lead-based paint in your home or what to do about it if there is? Below are the answers to your questions. 

Does Your Home Contain Lead-Based Paint?

Was your home was built before 1960? If your answer is yes, then there is a high chance that the paint within your home contains lead. If it was built between 1960 and 1990, there is a possibility the exterior paint contains lead. After 1990, all consumer paint products produced within Canada and the USA were considered lead-free so there is no cause for concern past this year.

How Can I Find Out For Sure?

One way to do this is by sending paint chip samples from your home to a lab for a full analysis. You could also hire a contractor who has the proper equipment for detecting lead paint.

If I Have Lead Paint, What Should I Do?

In some instances, leaving the lead-based paint be is safer than removing it. This is only the case if it is not chipping or if it is not within a child’s reach. Covering this area with paneling or wallpaper can provide an extra layer of security. If the paint is chipping however, the paint should be removed as soon as possible for the safety of you and your family.

Still have questions about lead-based paint? Health Canada has a great resource that should answer all of your concerns.

When buying a home, it is hard to tell if the property you are looking at has a soggy secret. It is not until the rain starts to pour that you will find out you have a leaky basement on your hands. The dingy basement is often the most ignored room of the house, but it can also lead to costly repairs if left unattended. Here are some things to look out for to avoid water damage in your basement.

Water Collecting Around the Foundation
While a normal rainfall may not bring any signs of concern, a torrential downpour might. It is important to have a proper drainage system that directs water away from the house. This includes having the landscape of your property slope away from the structure to divert water from the foundation.

Door and/or Window Cracks
During the next rainfall, look for signs of leakage around your windows and doorways. If you find water, it could mean there are small cracks or holes around your doors and windows. The sealant around them could also have let go, causing water to sneak in. Reseal with caulking anywhere you find a flaw.

Pipes Leaking
The source may not always be from outside! Leaking pipes are a common problem and could be your cause of dampness in the basement. It is a good idea to regularly inspect your pipes for any cracks or blockages. When the weather turns cold, be sure to drain exterior faucets to prevent any freezing which could lead to a burst pipe and a basement flood.

Condensation
If you cannot find a source of water, it may just be high humidity levels within your basement. What could cause this? Poor ventilation is often the culprit or just warm summer temperatures. If it looks like your walls are sweating, chances are it is a condensation problem. Luckily it can be fixed easily by purchasing a dehumidifier to help collect that excess moisture. 

If you leave any of these things unattended, it can lead to stains on your walls and/or ceiling, warped wood, cracked flooring, or even mould and mildew. Taking the necessary precautions will help avoid any extensive damage to your home.