Barrie Home Inspector

Home Maintenance and Tips for Home Owners

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New Home Inspections

Home Inspection

New home inspections for Barrie ON. New home buyers in Ontario are protected under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. This offers protection against defects in material and workmanship, delayed closings, unauthorized substitutions and deposit protection up to a total of 300,000 dollars. Many of Tarion’s material warranties do not compare well with any premier manufactures warranties.

In Canada hardly anyone buys a home without having a Home Inspection performed by a trained professional. This is to protect the buyer from buying a home with defects or problems that he or she would probably not have found themselves. CHMC says, “One of the best ways to see if a home is in good condition, livable and safe is to hire a professional home inspector. A properly trained home inspector will review your house as a system, looking at how one component of the house might affect how another component works or how long it will last.” It is strange that an organization which receives its money from the home buyer, as the fee is added onto the cost of the home, does not recommend a Pre-Delivery Inspection by a Qualified Home Inspector. One would think that maybe they did not have the best interests of the “Home Buyer” at heart?

Tarion currently operates independently of the government and any regulatory agencies. Although all the funding for Tarion ultimately is paid for by the Home Buyer, there is no protection for the Home Buyer other than the Tarion Ombudsman, which works at Tarion and is paid by Tarion. There have been Private Members bills submitted to the Ontario Government to have Tarion held accountable to the Ontario Ombudsman but there has been no progress against the powerful home builders lobby at this time.

The situation in Ontario concerning Tarion’s lack of accountability has spawned groups like the “Canadians for Properly Built Homes” (CPBH) which is fighting on behalf of new home buyers for some accountability for The Tarion New Home Warranty Corporation. In 2008 they issued a Press Release: “Canadians for Properly Built Homes (CPBH) is very pleased with the Ombudsman Ontario’s report “Building Clarity”: Investigation into how the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services represents its relationship with the Tarion Warranty Corporation to the public:, and supports its recommendations. With Ombudsman’s findings, the Government of Ontario and Tarion can no longer continue to deny the very serious issues with Ontario’s new home warranty system. It is clear that the current system of home warranty in Ontario has not adequately protected may Ontario purchasers of newly built homes. This have been devastating for many Ontario families.”

When buying a new home you are also incurring the cost of the building permit which is issued by your local building department prior to construction starting on your new home. As part of the building permit your home has specified inspections that are required for each stage of building. Many times deficiencies are either overlooked or the inspection is not made which allows the builder to provide a substandard product without proper supervision. Some of the items typically found by home inspectors on new home construction include: missing attic insulation, loose heat registers, drains to weeping tile left open, improper slope on furnace and hot water tank vents, damaged floor trusses, improperly nailed joist hangers, wrong nails used in joist hangers and improperly installed shingles.

Your Home Inspector and lawyer are the only persons involved in your new home purchase that work entirely for you. Everyone else that is ultimately being paid by you has a vested interest that is not with the buyers. When you attend your pre delivery inspection the home is still in possession of the builder, and is often not even finished, and this is the best opportunity for you to have deficiencies addressed and corrected. Do not listen to builders who ask that you put items on your 30 day inspection. This will only lead to disputes about who caused damage etc and can lead to endless paperwork and issues with the builder and Tarion. If you fail to produce on piece of documentation or fail to also send that documentation to both Tarion or the Builder, Tarion will disallow your claim, Bingo, you lose. Investing $300.00 for a Professional Home Inspector to accompany you on your Pre Delivery Inspection will be the best investment you make in your new home purchase.

Learn about What is a Home Inspection, then visit The Barrie Home Inspector’s site on Home Inspection Articles for all your projects.

Home Inspection – Common Deficiencies

Real Estate

Only one service should be installed for each dwelling or building. A minimum 100-amp service is needed for a single residential dwelling unit.

Home inspectors in Ontario who take online training from United States may get confused when inspecting residential garages. In Ontario only a fume barrier is required not a fire separation.

US version of basement egress windows. Basements and every sleeping room should have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening that opens directly into a public street, public alley, yard or court. Where basements have one or more sleeping room, an emergency egress and rescue opening should be installed for each sleeping room, but is not required in adjoining areas of the basement.

Except for basement areas, the window described in Sentence shall have a maximum sill height of 1 000 mm (3 ft 3 in) above the floor.

Notches in solid lumber joists, rafters and beams should not be longer than one-third of the depth of the member (, and should not be located in the middle third of the span. Notches at the ends of the member should not be more than one-quarter of the depth of the member . Notches located in the outer thirds of the member should not be more than one-sixth of the depth of the member.

Minimum height of chimneys should be 3 feet. The top of the chimney should extend 2 feet higher than building or roof with 10 feet. Any portion of the masonry chimney passing through building must maintain a 2 inch clearance from combustibles. This air space provides protection from radiated heat and prevents conduction to combustibles.

A masonry chimney should terminate some distance above a roof in order to provide adequate upward draft in the chimney. Masonry chimneys should extend at least 2 feet higher than any portion of the building within 10 horizontal feet. The minimum height of the chimney should be 3 feet. Any portion of a masonry chimney located in the interior of the building (such as an attic space) should have at least 2 inches of air-space clearance from combustibles. As heat is transferred through the masonry material, any combustible material in close proximity to the heated walls may reach the point of ignition. The air space helps in the dissipation of heat.

When inspecting masonry chimneys the height of chimney must be two feet higher than building or roof structure within 10 feet. The part of the masonry chimney passing through the building is required to have 2 inch clearance from any combustibles locate in building. This protects combustibles from heat transfer from conduction and helps with radiation with a 2 inch air space.

A light fixture should be installed to illuminate the passageway and the mechanical appliance. A control switch should be installed near the entry to the passageway. An electrical receptacle should be installed at or near the mechanical appliance to allow for safe and convenient maintenance and service of the appliance.

In general terms the maximum length of a dryer duct would be 25 feet. After this you would need a dryer exhaust blower installed. Every dryer manufacturer has the type of pipe and length of duct permitted in their installation instructions. It is recommended not to install screens on your exterior vent.

The length of a clothes dryer exhaust ensures that the dryer exhaust blower will be able to push sufficient air volume to take away the moist air and lint. The length can be increased only when the make and model of the dryer is known, or when an approved blower fan calculation is provided.

Many homes have home made S traps and other contraptions under their sink etc. Traps are required to be the P type and have a minimum 2 inch water seal and be attached to an approved venting system.

An appliance used for heating water or storing hot water must be protected by a relief valve. A combination temperature- and pressure-relief valve (or separate temperature-relief and pressure-relief valves) protect a water heater from explosion. They are emergency devices. They are not intended to function continuously.

Plumbers, electricians and HVAC installers have all been known to cut or notch structural supports to install their systems. This can be structurally unsound and expensive to repair.

An open vent pipe that passes through a roof should extend at least 6 inches above the roof. If snow accumulation is expected at various times, the vent height should be increased so that the vent pipe will be at least 6 inches above the anticipated snow accumulation. The height in snowy areas is often determined by the local building official based upon local information. If the roof is used for a purpose other than weather protection the vent extensions should extend above the individuals occupying the roof, at least approximately 7 feet above the roof.

The diameter of bored holes into solid lumber structural members shall not be larger than one-third the depth of the member. Bored holes should be at least 2 inches from the top or bottom edge of the structural wood member, and should be a minimum of 2 inches from any other hole or notch in the member.

Working space in front of electrical panels is a minimum of 30 inches. 36 inches in Ontario. There shall also be a minimum of 30 inches width. If panel is wider than 30 inches the work space must be sized accordingly.

As a Home Inspector knowing plumbing, electrical and building codes is definitely a benefit for the home or business owner. If you don’t know the codes how can a home inspector inform his client of potential problems or expenses.

Professional Home Inspections by Orillia Certified Home Inspections. Read what a professional home insepctor finds at Orillia Home Inspection Defects for your Peace of Mind when buying a home.

Home Improvement in Barrie

Personal Interest

Home Improvement in Barrie –  Your guide to home improvements in the Local area.

How To Add Those Special Finishing Touches For Little Or No Money

Home is, as they say, where the heart is, so it is hardly surprising that we want it to look its best. We want our homes to reflect our tastes and design ideas and for it to be a welcoming, attractive place for ourselves and our guests to enjoy.

In these times of financial pressures and focus towards austerity, many families don’t have any spare funds to put towards little extras for their home. So how can we still add those special finishing touches to our homes while spending little or no money?  Here are some suggestions.

Looking  good

If a room is looking tired and in need of decorating, you can often freshen it up by attending to the details, rather than the whole room. Try painting or varnishing the skirting boards, picture rails, door frames and windowsills to brighten things up. Sometimes, changing lampshades or cushions can have the effect of a makeover too.

Storage is a tricky subject and it can be hard in smaller houses to keep things neat and tidy. Invest in shelving that can be added to or reduced in size so that you can keep up with the state of your belongings. If children’s toys are a problem, try putting some of them away for a while, then bringing them out at a later date. Result? You will have fewer toys to store and your kids will be delighted to be reunited with old favourites once more.

Sweet smell of success

Pot pourri, incense sticks and other proprietary room fragrances can be expensive and their scents can be overpowering. Why not try wiping your favourite essential oil over the glass part of a light bulb or leaving some on a radiator in a shallow dish? When the light or radiator is switched on, the heat will diffuse the fragrance into the room.

Place some water and slices of lemon in your microwave for a few minutes. Not only will it help loosen any stuck on food for cleaning it later, the citrus smells will also turn your kitchen into an aromatic heaven.

Make do and mend

If your table is looking a bit worse for wear, there’s no need to fork out for a new one straight away. A coat of paint, varnish or wood stain will refresh it in no time. Or, if you don’t want to do that, adding a simple table runner (these can be stitched from spare fabric) will really brighten it up.

You could even add a vase of flowers too for an instant touch of spring. Place a small lump of charcoal in the water to keep it pure and fresh for longer.

If you are handy with a sewing machine, you could have a go at making your own curtains. This will work out cheaper than purchasing off-the-peg ones, and you can customize them perfectly to match the themes in your room and the size of your windows. Sew a few marbles or small weights into the hems of unlined curtain to make them hang nicely. You could even try embroidering a design onto them to make them truly unique and personal.

Barrie Home Inspector and Thermal Imaging

Home Inspection

Barrie Home Inspector and Thermal Imaging. Combine Infrared Scanning & Home Inspection for your next Barrie Home Inspection.  Free Thermal Imaging scans of your Exterior walls and Main electrical panel included with your home inspection package.

Heat Loss at brickThermal imaging cameras detect radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum (roughly 9,000-14,000 nanometers or 9-14 m) and produce images of that radiation, called thermograms. Since infrared radiation is emitted by all objects above absolute zero according to the black body radiation law, thermography makes it possible to see one’s environment with or without visible illumination.

The discovery of infrared started with a prism being placed into a ray of sunshine in a dark room which then reflected the colours of the rainbow using a property known as dispersion. This is the method Sir William Herschel utilized in the 1800′s in conjunction with thermometers to discern the presence of invisible light rays. He called his discovery the thermometric spectrum later to be known as infrared.

Thermal Imaging can be used for detection of potential equipment failure by measuring abnormal temperature signatures of electrical distribution system components. By evaluating the operating condition of these components, potential failure can be located and problem severity determined as part of a structured ongoing maintenance program.

Missing Insulation in Corner

When using a thermal imaging camera a special lens focuses the infrared light emitted by all of the objects in view. The focused light is scanned by a phased array of infrared-detector elements. The detector elements create a very detailed temperature pattern called a thermogram. It only takes about one-thirtieth of a second for the detector array to obtain the temperature information to make the thermogram. This information is obtained from several thousand points in the field of view of the detector array.

Light is often said to have a colour temperature. What this means is that the colour of the light is the colour of light radiated by a so-called black body which is at that temperature. Colour temperature is measured in Kelvins and the higher the colour temperature the bluer the light. Zero Kelvin is Absolute Zero and the freezing point of water is 273 Kelvins: a Kelvin degree is the same as a Celsius or Centigrade degree. In practice the actual temperature is not the same as the colour temperature.

Thermal Imaging has evolved into one of the most valuable diagnostic tools used for Predictive Maintenance (PM). Also known as Thermography, Thermal Imaging is the production of non-contact infrared, or “heat” pictures from which temperature measurements can be made. By detecting anomalies often invisible to the naked eye, thermography allows corrective action before costly system failures occur. Portable infrared (IR) imaging systems scan electrical systems, then constantly convert the thermal images to visible pictures for quantitive temperature analysis.

The Barrie Home Inspector was the first company in Simcoe County to offer Thermal Imaging as part of a Home Inspection.  Our training, experience and knowledge make us the Premier Home Inspection company for residential or commercial property investment.

Angus Real Estate Agent – Hugh Hardy

Personal Interest, Real Estate

Angus Real Estate Agent – Hugh Hardy.  Hugh is a Realtor with Angus Re/Max and has been there for most of his career.

Let me tell you a little bit about me and the way I work. I have been selling real estate since 1988 and I am an Broker at RE/MAX Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage in Borden/Angus, Ontario. Prior to ’88 I worked as a broadcast engineer at CBC radio – after completing an Honours B.A. at the University of Toronto as well as a Music Industry Arts/Recording Engineering Diploma at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario.

As you can see, real estate is a second career for me – and perhaps it is this added perspective that has shaped my attitude to be somewhat different. I try to operate less like the stereotypical salesperson and more like a business professional. My goal is to serve the needs of my clients in the best, most professional, and ethical manner possible. The only way that I “push” is by pushing myself to work harder and perform better. My clients tell me that I am never pushy or “salesy”. I feel that this philosophy has paid off over the years – and the job is more fun to do as well!

Hugh Hardy has been a Professional Real Estate agent for 30 plus years.   Hugh used to write columns in the local Angus News paper on Real Estate tips.  This was before cell phones and the internet were even thought of.  Hugh Hardy joined the Re/Max Chay real estate team when they first came to Angus.

Hugh has been helping Military members move for years and is the resident expert when it comes to providing the service military members need.   Hugh has many testimonials from satisfied military members such as:  “Transferred into or out of Borden, Barrie or Angus? If you need expert and honest real estate advice call Hugh today. I have referred Hugh a number of times over the years and he has always come through for my clients in a very big way. He is particularly tuned into the federal government relocation program. Call Hugh today – he won’t disappoint!”

Even other Real Estate agents value Hugh’s experience and knowledge, such as the testimonial by John Price….“Over the 21 plus years that I have serviced the Kingston Military, there has always been one real estate agent in the Barrie region that has earn my highest respect for hard work and professional service to his Clients.  If you are transferring the Barrie region, I urge you to call Hugh. You will be glad you did. Heck tell him John Price sent you.”

These are just some of the testimonials Hugh Hardy has collected over the years as a Professional Real estate agent serving the Angus-Borden area.   Customer Service is the keystone of Hugh’s relationship with his clients and that in turn has made him one of the best known agents in the area.   Hugh prefers the one on one client approach without the rush of using assistants and helpers to look after his clients.

If you are looking for a knowledgeable Real Estate Broker in the Angus, Borden real estate market,  Hugh Hardy is the agent that won’t disappoint you.   Call Hugh today and get some personalized customer service.

Contact Hugh Hardy at:
RE/MAX CHAY REALTY INC., BROKERAGE
BORDEN/ANGUS
2 Summerset Place, Angus, Ontario L0M 1B2
1-705-424-7200
Toll Free: 1-800-383-3980

Hardwood Flooring Tips

Real Estate

Hardwood Flooring Tips. Installing a hardwood floor is a great way to enhance a room and increase the value of your home. Wood flooring is also one of the easiest types of floors to install, and you can install it with tools you’re familiar with: drills, saws, and hammers.

Many different species of wood are fabricated into wood flooring in two primary forms: plank and parquet. Hardwoods are typically much more durable than softwoods.

Solid wood products, on average, have a substantially, or slightly, thicker ‘sandable surface’, and can be installed using nails. Lastly, solid wood tends to be less expensive than engineered wood, but this, as with the thickness of the ‘sandable surface,’ depends on the quality of the engineered wood (most inexpensive engineered wood products are ‘veneer’ wood floors, and not ‘engineered’).

It is difficult to compare in generalities solid wood floor to engineered wood floors, as there is a wide range of engineered wood floor qualities. Engineered floors typically are pre-finished more often than solid wood floors, and usually are supplied with beveled edges, affecting the appearance.

Engineered wood flooring has several benefits over solid wood, beyond dimensional stability and universal use. Patented installation systems (such as “unilin” or “fiboloc”) allow for faster installation and easy replacement of boards. Engineered wood also allows a
‘floating’ installation (where the planks are not fastened to the floor below or to each other), further increasing ease of repair and reducing installation time.

Cork Flooring is a flooring material manufactured from the by-product of the cork oak tree. Cork floors are considered to be eco-friendly since the cork oak tree bark is stripped every nine to ten years and doesn’t damage the tree. Cork flooring comes in both tiles and planks, and can have glue or glues-less installation.

Pick the longest, most visible wall to start your installation. Start by laying down a chalk line 1/2″ from the wall and extent it the full length. This is where your first row of flooring will go.  Remember for maximum performance strip flooring must be nailed down at opposite directions to the floor joists. The Barrie Home inspector uses his knowledge on flooring types and systems to provide you with a comprehensive report detailing your new homes information in a clear and concise manner.  Whether buying or selling a home in the Barrie, Alliston or Orillia area, ensure your Peace of Mind by contacting the Barrie Home Inspector.

Barrie WETT Inspection

Home Inspection, WETT Inspections

Barrie WETT Inspection. Most people love the idea of having a natural wood burning fireplace in their home, but they sometimes do not realize all of the responsibilities that come with it. Fireplaces do take a bit of care to ensure that they do not cause any problems. Just one little issue with a fireplace could result in your house catching fire, so having a regular WETT inspection by a trained professional is very important. WETT inspections are performed for a variety of reasons, including insurance company requests, code compliance, and inspection after and overheat or chimney fire.

Most Insurance Company’s require a WETT Inspection anytime a Wood Burning appliance is installed or when buying a new home. There are strict requirements that affect clearances that many older stoves and fireplaces will not meet.

There are several things inspectors will look at when they perform a WETT inspection. Unsafe Chimney & Flue Items such as the chimney, the liner, the smoke chamber, damper, firebox and other working parts inside the fireplace or woodstove to make sure that they are working properly. The inspector will also make sure clearances to combustible materials are sufficient so you can use your wood burning appliance safely.

Complete inspection of any wood burning appliance involves an evaluation of every part of the heating system, from the floor pad to the chimney cap. All of these parts are covered in the codes, so compliance can only be determined if every part is inspected.

The chimney is usually the most difficult part of the system to inspect properly. Flue liners are subject to cracking inside masonry chimneys, or buckling and corrosion in the case of metal chimneys. It is difficult to inspect a chimney liner unless it has just been cleaned.

Inspectors only become certified after at least 80 weeks of work in the field and require a WETT Certified Certificateletter of reference. WETT Certified Inspectors must take and pass a two day Code Compliant course with a passing grade of 70 percent. WETT Inspectors then have the choice of becoming a certified tech or advisor, earn their certification in chimney sweeping, or earn a WETT certification in SITE basic.

In many cases, insurance companies will require you to have your units WETT certified, although this is a bit of a technical problem because of how the process works. WETT inspectors do not certify appliances, although they do provide certified inspections for the insurance company to show that all parts of the fireplace are in good working order.

The Barrie WETT Inspector will include a WETT Inspection of one appliance for $50.00 when included as part of Home Inspection package.  We also provide Alliston WETT Inspection services to the Town of Alliston and New Tecumseth.   We have been WETT Certified for over 10 years and have a wealth of knowledge concerning Wood Stoves, Pellet Stoves and Fireplaces.

WETT Inspections for Barrie, Alliston and Orillia

WETT Inspections

WETT Inspections for Barrie, Alliston and Orillia.  The Barrie Home Inspector provides WETT Inspection services to Barrie, Alliston, Orillia, Stayner, Innisfil, Thornton, Rama, Lefroy, Alcona Beach, Bradford, Newmarket, Churchill, Tiny Beaches, Midland, Penetanguishene, Penetang, Wasaga Beach, Everett, Tottenham, Beeton and Simcoe County.

WETT (Wood Energy Technology Transfer)
SITE (System Inspections and Technical Evaluation)

SITE is a set of standardized guidelines recommended by WETT for the inspection and evaluation of wood-burning and other solid fuel burning systems. This chart identifies what each inspection level includes, its purpose and process. An inspection at any level
may include more but not less than that outlined in the “SITE Chart and Guidelines”.

To find out more valuable information on WETT Inspections visit  WETT INSPECTON’S for all the information you will need when installing a wood stove, fireplace or pellet stove

Level 1 Inspection “Readily Accessible” Level 2 Inspection “Accessible” Level 3 Inspection “Concealed Accessibility”
Scope (What is Included) The inspection of “readily accessible” components of: (1) A wood/solid-fuel burning appliance, or (2) A site-built fireplace, and (3) The venting system for:

a)The proper use of required components, and

b)clearance to combustibles, and

c)readily visible system obstructions or deposits.

 

 (1)A Level 1 inspection, and (2)an inspection of all “accessible” components of the system for clearance to combustibles and for obstructions or deposits, and (3)an evaluation of the construction, sizing, condition and suitability of “accessible” components of the system.   1)A Level 1 and 2 inspection, and (2)an inspection of system components in areas of “concealed accessibility” for clearance to combustibles, and (3)an evaluation of construction, sizing, condition and suitability of components of the system in areas of “concealed accessibility”, and (4)an examination of surrounding construction for evidence of damage.

 
Purpose (Why and When) (1) To verify code compliance of the readily accessible components: (a)At a homeowner’s request, or (b)with a homeowner’s permission, when requested by a third party such as a Realtor, insurance company, home buyer or seller etc.   1)When a Level 1 inspection is deemed insufficient because of a detected or suspected compliance issue or hazard, or (2)when verification of the suitability and integrity of the system components is required, or (3)after an operating malfunction or external event that may have caused damage to the system, or (4)if the system experiences combustion spillage events, or

(5)when an appliance is replaced, or

(6)when a major system component is replaced or requires significant repair.

 

 (1)When a Level 2 inspection is deemed insufficient because of a detected or suspected compliance issue or hazard that cannot be fully verified without access to concealed areas, or (2)after an incident that may have caused damage to any concealed parts of the system or building construction related to the system.
Process (What to Expect) 1)A basic visual inspection by a WETT certified SITE inspector; performed without a ladder or specialized tools. (2)A report using WETT’s recommended inspection checklist(s) or similar checklist(s), for the type of system being inspected. (1)Inspection of accessible system components, which may include disassembly of accessible system components, by a WETT certified SITE Comprehensive Inspector, or by a WETT certified Technician, as a part
of an installation or major system component repair process. (2)A report using WETT’s recommended checklist(s), or similar checklist(s). (3)A written evaluation of the suitability and integrity of the system  		 (1)The inspection by invasive means of concealed areas of the system by a WETT certified SITE Comprehensive Inspector, including the removal of nonstructural building components and/or the disassembly of parts of the system. (2)The possible use of specialized tools and equipment. (3)A comprehensive written report of the findings and possibly including inspection checklists.  
Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. (WETT Inc.) is a non-profit training and education association. Through professional training and public education, WETT Inc. promotes the safe and effective use of wood and solid-fuel burning systems in Canada. SITE and WETT Inc. are registered trademarks of WETT Inc. 

WETT Inspections in Barrie, Alliston, Orillia and Tiny Beaches

WETT Inspections

WETT Inspections in Barrie, Alliston, Orillia and Tiny Beaches.  Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. (WETT Inc.) is a non-profit training and education association managed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by holders of valid WETT certificates. Through its administrative designate, WETT Inc. functions as the national registrar of the WETT program. Through professional training and public education, WETT Inc. promotes the safe and effective use of wood burning systems in Canada.

A certificate holder will not knowingly sign or issue a false or misleading certificate, report or other document. A certificate holder will not knowingly sign or issue a false or misleading certificate, report or other document. A certificate holder will not make a false or malicious statement or publication that injures the professional reputation of another holder of a valid wett certificate.

Like any other human endeavor, wood heating can be done badly or well. Firewood can be harvested poorly, burned dirty and its heat wasted. The harmful behavior of those who burn wood badly has led to continual attacks in the media on the whole idea of residential wood heating. The increasing public backlash and government response to wood smoke, particularly in urban areas, is of such concern to us here at woodheat.org that we created a new site called The Woodpile to serve as a place to discuss the future of wood heating. Please visit The Woodpile and give your views on the state of wood heating today.

Large parts of North America have highly productive forests that could sustainably supply fuel for far more homes than are currently heated with wood. The productivity of many forests can be improved by thinning, and this process could yield a large amount of wood fuel. Advanced technology wood heaters can effectively burn tree species that have historically been considered inferior. Poplar, spruce, pine and willow can be used as firewood in modern appliances. Firewood production can provide the incentive for good forest management and its use can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuels.

The US government’s regulation of wood stove emissions, starting in 1988, produced a technological revolution that changed wood heating forever. Wood stoves certified by the Environmental Protection Agency emit roughly 90 percent less smoke and deliver up to one-third higher efficiency compared to older conventional stoves like the so-called ‘airtights’ of the 1970s and 1980s. Advanced technology, EPA certified wood stoves certainly do burn much cleaner and are also more pleasant to use, but there is more to reduced smoke emissions than using better technology. There are really three aspects: advanced technology in the form of EPA certified heaters, good quality fuel that is dry enough and split to the right size, and user practices that can reduce wood smoke and boost efficiency.

All wood, regardless of species, has about the same energy content per pound. The different species vary mainly in density. Traditionally, the favored trees in central North America were oak and maple because they are very dense and produce long-lasting coals. But these are valuable trees and in many areas are not plentiful enough to burn. No problem, just use softer woods like birch or poplar (aspen) or any other tree that is readily available. By far the most important characteristic of any firewood is its moisture content. Keep in mind that people living in the coldest areas of North America have no hardwoods to burn and they get along just fine – their main firewood species are spruce and aspen. Ultimately, it is more important to have wood that is cut and split to the right size and properly dried than it is to get the hardest wood available.

The Barrie Home Inpector is a Certified WETT Inspector and provides services in Barrie, Alliston, Orillia, Midland, Penetang, Bradford, Newmarket, Innisfil, Tiny Beaches, Oro-Medonte, Springwater, Stayner, Wasaga Beach, Alcona Beach, Lagoon City, Brechin, Angus, New Lowell and many other communities in Simcoe County.

 

Home Inspection and Drywall Basics

Home Inspection

Home Inspection and Drywall Basics.  One of the most common deficiencies found during a home inspection is cracks in drywall or plaster. Cracks are common in plaster and drywall because they are brittle and rigid but are supported by materials that are not equally as rigid. Plaster and drywall are attached to flexible wood structures on foundations that rest upon compressible soil. Wood expands in humid weather and contracts in dry weather. Plaster and drywall are too rigid to move with the wood and therefore cracks will appear when there is any movement in the house or foundation.

Drywall installation involves nailing or screwing the sheets to the studs. Drywall installers cut the sheets to fit, and holes must be cut to accommodate pipes and mechanical equipment. The sheets are then fastened to the studs in a process called hanging. While most drywall installation used to use nails, screws are now the most common. Drywall is normally installed perpendicular to (across) the ceiling joists and wall studs, and the ceiling is always installed first.

Special moisture resistant drywall is used where excessive moisture may be a problem, such as bathrooms. In most cases, the moisture resistant drywall is green. Fire-rated drywall (Type X) is used where building codes require it. Typically in garages and under stairs.

After the drywall is installed, special metal corner strips (“corner bead”) is installed on all corners. This helps to protect the edges of the drywall and provide a nice straight finished edge. Joint compound (drywall mud) is used to finish all joints, nail heads and corners. In most cases, two or three coats of compound are needed at all taped joints. The texture coat is applied last.

The finished quality of your drywall will have a large impact on the beauty of your home. Most drywall cracks can be eliminated by just applying joint compound, but plaster cracks should be widened to 3/8 inch down to the lathe cleaning it out and wetting it with Elmer’s glue diluted 50% with water. If sections of plaster are disconnected from the lathe, they can be secured with “plaster buttons” prior to plastering the crack. Press fresh patching plaster, not joint compound, into the crack so that it is forced into the spaces between the lathes.
When plaster ceilings are full of cracks, apply drywall directly over the plaster and don’t bother patching. It’s just not worth the effort. Make sure the drywall is screwed to the floor joist or strapping and not just to the lathe.

Buildings built between 1930 and 1950 may have metal lathes under the plaster. You’ll notice when you try to hang a picture! You can distinguish between metal or wood lathe by hitting the wall. Metal lathe walls tend to be much stiffer.

This home maintenance tip and maintenance advice is brought to you by the Barrie Home Inspector and Orillia Home Inspector

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