Nalliah Thayabharan's (expertinspector) Blog

Stormwater ponds and green areas that slow water down or let it soak in, reduce demand for costly sewers and water treatment. Streets and properties with fewer paved surfaces and more vegetation means that there are more places for ground water to soak back naturally into the soil. This means th...

Cars are a major source of smog in urban areas. So driving less helps everyone’s health, particularly children, the elderly and people at risk of cardio-respiratory problems. Half of the greenhouse gases from energy use by individual Canadians come from passenger road transportation, like cars. ...

A neighbourhood is only sustainable if you can find a home that meets your needs at a price or rent you can afford. But consider longterm expenses too. Living in a neighbourhood where you can drive less, or not need a car, can save you money.You can also reduce heating and cooling costs if you l...

Open all drapes, blinds, etc. and turn on lights to make the house bright. Air out the house to get rid of cooking, pet odours, etc. Have fresh flowers in view Pick up clutter, and empty garbage Make sure everything is spotless. Remove pets from the house or put them outside. In poor weather, pr...

Get rid of the broken tools, old car parts, discarded bicycles, empty paint cans and the hundreds of other useless items that accumulate in garages. Again, you want a clutter free zone. Use cleaning solutions to remove oil stains from the floor. Nalliah Thayabharan Commercial and Residential Bui...

  The condition of the foundation and main structural members in the basement are critical to the fitness of any house. The purpose of your inspection is to make sure these are sound and durable. Look for cracks, water seepage, efflorescence (white powder-like substance), crumbling mortar or con...

People splash water around in the kitchen and bathrooms so check around sinks, tubs and toilets for rotting countertops and floors. Problems could be due to poor caulking or plumbing leaks. Fogged windows, molds and sweating toilet tanks indicate high humidity levels, which you can remedy with e...

Keep furniture to a minimum so these rooms do not appear smaller than they are. Ensure that traffic can flow in or through these rooms unimpeded. If they contain bookshelves or cabinets overflowing with books, magazines and knick-knacks, remove some of these items. Ensure bedroom closets look spa...

Check stairs for loose boards, ripped carpeting, and missing or loose handrails and guards.Most problems with interior walls are cosmetic and can be repaired with spackling compound and paintEnsure doors open and shut properly. Minor sticking is normal but excessive binding indicates possible str...

A prospective buyer will usually enter through your front door; so, that is where you should begin your interior inspection. You want your buyer to see a neat, clean, well-lit interior. Get clutter out of sight; ensure that carpets are clean and floors are scrubbed and polished; and that walls an...