A house made of straw makes most people think of the unfortunate porcine homeowner in the children’s story, The Three Little Pigs, who had his house destroyed by a windy wolf.  While that fictitious pig lived in straw home of dubious quality, in reality, people in many countries reside in well-built straw houses, and have done so for more than a century in North America.

Replacing a home’s roofing is an experience shared by many Canadians.  Damp spots on attic insulation and crumbling shingles are indicators that roofing needs attention.  Broken roof tiles must be replaced to prevent water damage.  There are many types of roofing from which to choose, and this article will help you select the best type for your house and pocketbook.

Vacations should be golden opportunities to relax and leave our worries behind. Unfortunately, vacations are also the time when our homes are most vulnerable. Damage that would be minor when we are at home can turn into larger and more expensive problems when we are away. Theft is another threat. People return home to discover that their computers, jewellery, electronics and other belongings have been damaged or stolen. Whether you are leaving for a weekend getaway or an extended vacation around the world, it pays to prepare.

The house is fifteen years old, with an asking price a little below market value.  The exterior walls and roof are in good shape, the landscaping is attractive, and the driveway is free of defects.  Inside, the rooms and kitchen are in good condition, with plumbing that doesn’t leak, good insulation, and a furnace and central air conditioner that function well.  A prospective buyer carefully looks around the house, and concludes that it is a terrific buy.  Or is it?  What this shopper doesn’t know is that the house’s foundation was poured in freezing temperatures and the concrete was not adequately heated, resulting in improper drying.  Two-inch cracks in the foundation, which the potential buyer saw but didn’t give a second thought to, indicate a foundation problem that is potentially serious and expensive to rectify. 

Carpet maintenance for residential and commercial buildings.

Consider all that is brought into a home on a regular basis: groceries, mail, advertising flyers, clothes, videos, CDs, sports equipment, newspapers, books, etc. Now consider how much easier it is to keep things rather than getting rid of them. Before we know it, we have far more belongings than space to store it all. It can be a daunting task to organize a home and even harder to change our habits. The following tips can help even the most organizationally challenged among us.

There is something magical about a home aglow with lights. Long winter nights give homeowners an opportunity to decorate with light: radiant icicles dangling from awnings, tiny lights twinkling from hedges, bright bulbs crisscrossed up lamp posts, and shimmering edges around walkways and archways. Outdoor lights aren't just for the holiday season anymore! Turning your home into a winter wonderland can be safe and relatively cost-efficient by keeping the following tips in mind.

Prospective buyers commonly submit offers that are conditional upon a satisfactory home inspection. An inspection that reveals problems or weaknesses in the property can result in a reduction in the sale price, delays or possibly the loss of the sale. Prudent homeowners conduct a careful examination of their home prior to listing their property. If they notice potential problems, they can decide whether or not to address them. In some cases, homeowners may decide to repair the problems on their own or hire a professional such as a roofer, furnace repairperson, etc., as required.

In the 19th century, stonecutters drilled strategically placed holes in rock with hand drills then insert strips of leather. Once the leather was in place, they would pour water into the hole. As the leather expanded, the rock would split. If water pressure is great enough to break rocks, imagine what ice can do to your plumbing! Ice expands to a greater degree than water - the spaces between molecules in ice are larger making ice lighter than water. This is why ice floats in a glass of water and why a glass bottle filled with liquid can burst in the freezer. When water freezes inside plumbing or irrigation lines, the results can be costly cracks or breaks. Once the ice blockage has thawed, water will stream from the pipe.

Would you know what to do if your home got drenched? When an overflowing river floods a home or when fire triggers sprinklers and water streams in from fire trucks, the aftermath can be nearly as serious as the crisis. Muddy or sooty water can destroy possessions and endanger health if not properly and quickly addressed.

The roof is often the most overlooked aspect of the home mainly because it's outside of our normal field of vision. This is one case in which 'out of sight and out of mind' can have expensive consequences. When the roof begins to leak, becomes weakened by snow and debris, or starts to grows moss and even grass, people not only take notice, they may also be in for some very expensive repair bills. Regular roof maintenance can improve energy efficiency, increase curb appeal and help to prevent costly repairs.

One of the easiest ways to change the look of a room is to change the artwork hanging on the walls. Purchasing an art print and frame is a relatively small investment compared to buying new furniture or spending hours painting the walls. A wall shelf to display artwork is another simple way to transform the look and feel of a room. New artwork can bring lasting enjoyment - provided it has been mounted properly.

Washing windows is a tricky business. You think you've got them cleaned and then the sun starts shining through showing you all the streaky mess you've left. If this has happened to you, then you should read the following tips.

The house is fifteen years old, with an asking price a little below market value. The exterior walls and roof are in good shape, the landscaping is attractive, and the driveway is free of defects. Inside, the rooms and kitchen are in good condition, with plumbing that doesn't leak, good insulation, and a furnace and central air conditioner that function well. A prospective buyer carefully looks around the house, and concludes that it is a terrific buy. Or is it? What this shopper doesn't know is that the house's foundation was poured in freezing temperatures and the concrete was not adequately heated, resulting in improper drying. Two-inch cracks in the foundation, which the potential buyer saw but didn't give a second thought to, indicate a foundation problem that is potentially serious and expensive to rectify.

The house is fifteen years old, with an asking price a little below market value.  The exterior walls and roof are in good shape, the landscaping is attractive, and the driveway is free of defects.  Inside, the rooms and kitchen are in good condition, with plumbing that doesn’t leak, good insulation, and a furnace and central air conditioner that function well.  A prospective buyer carefully looks around the house, and concludes that it is a terrific buy.  Or is it? 

Of all of the tests that couples endure together, perhaps none are so trying as a redecorating project.   It’s a multifaceted event involving shopping, planning, achieving consensus, and last but not least, many hours spent painting, sanding, etc.  Ask any couple about their redecorating experience and you’re sure to hear some exasperated sighs and funny stories (that weren’t so funny at the time).  In my case, my wife and I came to a deadlock on plaid versus paisley for a living room chair.  For what seemed like days, a palpable tension hung over our fabric swatches and sketches like a VOC fog in an unventilated room.  Since then, I’ve tried to learn more about how couples can complete a successful and happy renovation.

Leaking washers, overflowing sinks, floods and spills are a few of the common ways that carpets become damaged. These mishaps can cause a number of unsightly and potentially unhealthy results. The following are some helpful tips to help minimize the damage through proper drying and cleaning.