Jason's Blog

The CMHC has some recommendations when it comes to "The Home Inspector". It states the following:You should consider having any home you are thinking of buying inspected by a knowledgeable and professional inspector.The home inspector's role is to inform you on the property's condition. He will t...

What precautions should be taken for food safety after a flood?The following precautions should be taken when food has come into contact with floodwaters:Food that has come into contact with floodwaters should be destroyed unless it has been packaged in waterproof containers that can be easily cl...

What about outhouses, septic tanks and disposal fields? High water will flood outhouse pits, which can be dangerous to local water supplies. If the outhouse building remains in place it may be used as soon as the water has left the surface of the ground. But in order to eliminate the risk of cont...

How do I clean my flooded home and outbuildings? All movable furnishings should be taken outside. All woodwork should be cleaned well with soap and water. Upholstered furniture that has been in contact with water should be left outside to dry completely. Direct sunlight has a strong disinfecting ...

  When is it safe to return home? You should not live in a flooded home until cleanup is finished and a supply of safe water and proper disposal of human wastes and garbage has been arranged.  If your home is served by a public water supply system, your water supply is probably safe. You will be ...

What are the health hazards after a flood? Anyone who has been flooded out of their home is anxious to get back to ordinary life as soon as possible. It is important, however, to remember that floodwaters are usually very dirty and items in contact with flood waters should be handled properly. Du...

We've recently been experiencing, what I think Noah's ark was intended for, here in Vancouver. It just seems that there's no end in sight and I really don't think the people of Vancouver  can handle anymore rain. Some rivers have overflowed, residents have been evacuated, trees have blown down, a...

Toilets and Faucets New toilets have redesigned bowls and tanks that use less water, butfunction more efficiently than first generation low-flow models. Someuse pumps for supplementary water pressure. Advanced showerand sink faucet aerators provide the same flow regardless of  pressure to reduce ...

Alternatives to Wood Recycled plastic lumber and wood composite materials reduce reliance on chemically treated lumber and durable hardwood for decks, porches, trim and fencing.  Tree Preservation Tree preservation reduces landscaping and future energy costs and helps provide winter wind breaks o...

Prefabricated Components  Factory-built components including trusses and prehung doors allow more efficient use of raw materials, making the most out of every piece of lumber. These products eliminate the need to cut wood at the jobsite, further reducing waste.  Energy Efficiency The energy effic...