Ajax Pickering Real Estate Blog

As the winter season approaches and the air grows crisp, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your house for the season. Once winter blows in, housing have to get serious. It is important to consider the fact that the winter season means spending a lot more time indoors. Roofs must shed rain and snow, windows and doors must reject the cold, and the heating system must keep rooms comfortable. If any of these components don’t hold up, you might be faced with scrambling around in the wet, cold and dark to fix them.

By handling these important yet reasonably easy tasks, you can avoid considerable grief later.

1 ) Inspect the roof
If possible, go up onto the roof to check its condition. Look for cracked or missing shingles, bald spots on shingles, missing or damaged flashing, and other conditions that might allow leaks. Replace any roof shingles that are missing or damaged. You can also seal minor cracks or tears with roofing cement or do the minor repairs yourself.

2 ) Check the gutters
While you’re on the ladder, look into the gutters. If they are clogged with leaves and debris, clean them. Gutters prevent basement and foundation flooding and water damage to siding, windows, and doors. When clogged with leaves and debris, they will fill with rainwater and overflow.

3 ) Look at the siding
Check the siding for cracks or damage. You can seal-up any leaky spots with clear caulking compound. But, if close inspection of the paint reveals problems such as blistering, peeling, wrinkling, or chalking, either touch them up or call a painting contractor.

4 ) Investigate weather stripping
Also look to see if windows and doors are effectively sealed with weather stripping. Weather stripping will prevent drafts and winter heat loss. If weather stripping is damaged, it’s usually easiest and most effective to entirely replace it rather than to repair it.

5 ) Check your heating system
Have your heating system checked by a licensed heating/air-conditioning professional. Most furnace manufacturers recommend at least annual inspections.

6 ) Sweep the chimney
Have your chimneys inspected by a chimney service and, if necessary, cleaned. Cleaning is generally recommended at least once a year for an active fireplace.

7 ) Trim the trees
Trim trees away from the house. Have dead trees and branches removed by professional tree trimmers, or do it yourself.

8 ) Check the smoke and carbon monoxide detector
Buy extra smoke detector batteries and change them when daylight savings ends. Also, test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work and buy a fire extinguisher or replace an extinguisher older than 10 years.

9 ) Store plenty of salt
Make sure you are stocked with rock salt, snow shovels, and any other items you will need during the winter.

10 ) Drain and shut off outdoor water faucets remove and store garden hoses,

11 ) Examine the basement floor and walls for cracks or leaks; seal as needed.

If you plan to reside elsewhere during the winter months, you may want to partially shutdown your home. In addition to the tips above, consider the following:

* Leave the temperature at its lowest setting, usually between 5 to 7 degree Celsius or install a low-heat thermostat to maintain the air temperature at approximately 5 degrees Celsius
* Turn off and drain the water heater; leave a reminder to refill before restarting.
* Keep the electricity on so lights will continue to function (put them on timers).
* Unplug the microwave, clothes dryer, televisions (not on timers) and other appliances not in use.
* To avoid large repair bills and the hassle associated with breakdowns, take the time now to develop an action plan for the coming months. You’ll feel secure in your warm home or while you’re away from home.

The fall season is a good time for you to start thinking about preparing your home for winter. As temperatures begin to drop, your home will require maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape through the winter. By following the easy steps above, you will ensure to have a warm and comfortable winter at the peace of your home!

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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information - 416-388-1960

Home buyers often pride themselves on knowing how to spot a solid home or one that needs serious work. Aside from the obvious warning signs - such as damp spots on walls or missing roof shingles -  many home buyers may remain unaware of serious yet hard to spot problems such as foundation damage.

What should you look for?

1) Water damage
Porous grout and cracks less than one sixteenth of an inch in a ceramic tiled shower can allow enough water through to do thousands of dollars of damage over time.

2) Improper wiring
This includes such situations as amateur (often dangerous) wiring, ungrounded receptacles, lack of ground fault circuit interruptors in wet locations, overloaded breakers, etc. The homebuyer will be informed of the presence of aluminum wiring which was common in houses built in the 1960s and 1970s. These installations could be problematic and should be fully evaluated before closing the sale.

3) Attic issues
Home buyers almost never look in attics but inspectors always do, paying special attention to signs of roof leaks, missing support trusses, pest infestation, illegal venting, illegal electrical wiring, inadequate insulation, etc.

4) Chugging drains
Drains that “chug” like an upturned soda bottle or toilets that don’t flush correctly could be signs that the plumbing system isn’t adequately vented. Make sure your dream home is free of costly repair problems before signing a contract.

5) Roof damage
Eighty percent of new construction litigation is said to involve the roof. If the roof is bad, the rest of the house is in danger of damage too.

6) Heating and cooling systems danger
Gas-fired furnaces have the potential to introduce deadly carbon monoxide gas into the living area. If the gas company decides your furnace is unsafe prior to your move-in, they may lock it out and require replacement before turning on the gas to your new home.

7) Foundation problems
Flower beds planted too close to exterior walls could draw too much water to the home’s foundation, causing damage. A damp basement might also be an indication that the foundation needs work—it’s one of the most expensive home repairs around. Before you buy, be sure that you are not going to be in the market for expensive home repairs down the road.

The best way to be safe is to get a complete home inspection from a reputable and established home inspection company.

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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information - 416-388-1960

Water Heaters

Conventional water heaters, the most common type of water heater found in the U.S. and Canada, heats hot water and then stores it in a 30-70 gallon tank.

A heating element, fired by oil, gas or propane warms water in the tank from 10 degrees C to around 49 degrees C. The hot water rises to the top of the tank and new, cold water is piped into the bottom. A flue carries the combustion waste products out of the tank, through an exhaust system and out of the house. Electric water heaters are also common, but do not require a flue or ventilation system.

Maintaining conventional water heaters means checking periodically for evidence of rust, leaks or failure to heat water.

• To check for rust, you may have to use a small mirror to look under the bottom of the tank.
• Some condensation around the bottom of the tank is normal on gas-fired models during the first few minutes of operation.
• To give you some peace of mind, you might consider adding a catch pan with hose attachment so that water could be directed to a drain, preventing damage.

Maintenance Matters

Lifestyle must be considered when choosing a water heater. Those with low hot water needs may be able to reduce energy costs with a tank less water heater or solar system. Others may choose the conventional storage water heater or heat pump with tank. A combination hot water heater and boiler system for the home provides everything in one unit.

Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency publishes a First Hour Rating on its Energy Guide Labels as a guideline to assist consumers in purchasing a conventional water heater. A First Hour Rating is the amount of hot water in gallons a heater can supply per hour. The rating is based on tank capacity, source of heat and the size of the burner or element.

A table listing family size and average hot water use is available from the OEE. It estimates the number of times during the busiest hour of a family’s day someone in the house showers, baths, shaves, washes hands or face, shampoos hair, hand washes dishes, runs automatic dishwasher, prepares food, or washes clothes.

Plumbing

The plumbing system in a home includes piping for fresh water coming in and wastewater going out. The proper flow of water through both systems is an essential part of maintaining a well-functioning home. That’s why assessing the system for overall condition and visible leaks is part of any home inspection.

The pipes related to the water and wastewater plumbing must be separate to prevent wastewater from entering the drinking system. Many times pipes for the two systems are made of different materials. Supply pipes are generally made of copper, brass, galvanized steel or CPVC (plastic). Common drain piping includes ABS and PVC plastic, usually in newer homes, or black iron or galvanized steel in older ones.

In Canada, about 15 percent of an average home energy bill goes to heat hot water. The hot water heater is second only to the furnace in top energy users. Changing the type of water heater used to a more-efficient model can help, but if your conventional water heater is working fine, consider the following tips:

1) Install low-flow fixtures in sinks, bathtubs and showers. Using a low-flow shower head – which reduces the amount of water, but not the water pressure – can cut water use in the shower by 30 percent according to the Canadian Office of Energy Efficiency.

2) Fix leaks right away.

3) Purchase energy-efficient dishwashers and clothes washers. Both dishwashers and clothes washers come in small-capacity sizes which can seem to be more energy efficient at a glance. However, if the smaller capacity means more loads of dishes or clothes, the savings can be eaten up over time.

4) Turn down the water heater thermostat if you’re going to be away for a few days or more. This will save energy.

5) Check the manufacturer’s instructions for other maintenance tips.

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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information - 416-388-1960