​If you have recently taken up gardening and want to start a compost pile, it's important to know the best way to handle and take care of it so that you can enjoy its benefits while avoiding the hazards. What hazards? Well, compost produces dangerous pathogens that, if handled incorrectly, could cause a number of health issues. Here are a few simple tips for helping you to avoid these dangers:
 
It should go without saying, (but we are going to say it anyway) that thoroughly washing your hands after handling compost is extremely important. It can be very easy to forget to do this, especially if you continue with some other form of gardening immediately after handling it.
 
Compost can be combustible, so you need to know how to store it correctly. It should be kept in a container that will allow for a good amount of airflow.
 
To reduce the risk of spreading the dangerous pathogens found in compost, try to have as little contact with it as you can. Always wear protective clothing, suitable footwear, and a good pair of gloves when handling compost and be sure to take off all these items before going into the house.
 
To break down compost you have to till it. If this is something you will be doing manually, its very important to wear the type of mask that will prevent you from inhaling any unhealthy spores, which result from rotting matter being thrown into the air. You may find it best to avoid tilling altogether on windy days as this will increase your risk of exposure.
 
Knowing how to handle compost the right way will help you to remain healthy and enjoy the benefits that are also associated with it.

When its hot outside there can be nothing better than lounging next to your own backyard swimming pool. A swimming pool can be a place of fun, especially for children, but to keep it that way it’s also necessary to be extremely vigilant when it comes to safety.
 
It’s a sad fact that each year a large number of young ones, in particular those under age 5, lose their lives from accidental drowning. This can happen so fast that before anyone notices a child is missing, they may already have drowned. With this in mind, here are some backyard pool safety recommendations:
 
A pool barrier is one of the best safety measures you can take. While this can take the form of a wall or fencing, etc. the most important thing is that it prevents a child from accessing the swimming pool unsupervised. The barrier must also prevent a child from being able to crawl under or go over it. You will also want to remember that a barrier is not just required for in-ground pools but also for above ground pools, spas, and hot tubs.
 
Can the exterior walls of the home act as a pool barrier? Yes, they can but safety measures should be taken to ensure that any doors or windows leading directly to the pool are locked and secured. To make sure that no one goes through these doors or windows without your knowledge, it’s a good idea to have alarms fitted to them that will sound a warning if someone exits or enters through them. It is also best if the alarm warning sound is distinct and loud enough so that it can be heard in all areas of the home.
 
Yes, a backyard pool can be a source of fun and relaxation, but every care should be taken to ensure that it remains a safe place.

The difference between a cold, unappealing space, and one that is warm and inviting is very often a matter of strategically placed lighting. While the usual method to do this is with electrical lighting, what about the use of natural light? This is a method called Daylighting which, as the name suggests, incorporates natural light to illuminate some of the darker areas of a home. What are some ways of doing this?


Perhaps one of the more common ways to incorporate daylight into a dark space is with the use of skylights. Although these types of windows work very well, make sure you choose ones that are double-paned and check that the flashing is done correctly.


Clerestory windows are another way to take advantage of natural light. These windows are short but wide and are positioned high on a wall, this way sunlight can pour into a room in the winter months, adding light and heat. However, it prevents too much sun through the summer months because of the roof overhang.


Another way to add natural light into a dark space is with light tubes. These are coated using a highly reflective material that allows sunlight to channel through them. They are also fitted with a lens designed to amplify low-level light and reduce the intensity of the sun at midday. As daylight enters the home through the tubes it does so through a diffuser that distributes the light evenly.


To summarize, if you are thinking of renovating your home or having one constructed, why not think about incorporating some of these methods, taking advantage of this natural light resource, and at the same time increasing the home's energy efficiency?
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​If you’re currently choosing a new floor for your old home or selecting one for a newly constructed house, you will know what a vast range of flooring options are available to you, so, what type should you choose? Because each household has its own specific needs, much research should be done to determine what is right for you. In this blog, we are going to consider just one type of flooring, laminate.
 
What are laminate floors made of? In general, they are comprised of fiberboard with a melamine resin.
They are then formed into pieces or panels designed to slot neatly together as in the case of hardwood flooring.  We should note that the melamine resin can contain the chemical formaldehyde known to be toxic.  If this worries you, there are products that contain fewer toxins available.
 
Laminate flooring also provides a wide range of styles and color options.  While most styles come in a hardwood effect, you can also find marble and granite effects as well. Another benefit of laminate is that is it generally less expensive than many other flooring options and is easy to install which means that you can enjoy a brand-new floor at a reasonable price.
 
A few things to remember when installing laminate flooring is that you will need to ensure the subfloor is completely dry and in good condition before putting laminate down, otherwise, it may start to warp or buckle. You should also be aware that laminate flooring can sometimes shift or move. 
 
When making the decision on flooring, we hope this brief review of laminate helps you to decide whether it is the right option for you.

​There is a lot to consider when looking for a house to buy.  If you want a problem-free, move-in ready home then it is even more important that it meets with proper building codes and standards.  One area of this that you may not have thought about is the amount of grading or slope around the property. 
 
Why does it matter how much grading a property has? How much is should it have?
 
The answer to these questions will be addressed in the following brief video.  It will also help you to see why not enough slope on a property, could lead to problems with the home itself.  We would be very happy to answer any more questions you have regarding grading on a property or any other home inspection query so please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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​Knowing what we do about the dangers of mold, it can be rather disturbing if you find a patch of mold growing in your home.  You may wonder, is this something to worry about and can you clean up the area of mold yourself?
 
It is important that you find out what is causing mold to grow in the first place.  If you do not address the cause, you will not be able to get rid of the mold long term. There may be some kind of moisture intrusion or leak that you have not detected.  If this is not fixed, mold will not be the only problem you face.
 
You should be able to clean up a mold patch yourself if it is small enough.  While this does depend on a variety of factors, if the mold patch is not covering an area larger than 10 square feet, it is ok to clean. Here are some things to have in mind before you carry out the task:
 
Wear protective clothing and a respirator mask.  This is so that you avoid being exposed to mold spores which we know are hazardous to health.
 
Water and detergent can be used for cleaning the mold but it's important to keep in mind that before repainting or caulking, the area must be completely dry and free of all traces of mold.
 
If you discover mold in soft furnishings or carpets, this is a much bigger challenge to clean, not to mention mold and mildew stains are very hard to remove.  With cases of mold in a carpet, you may find it easier to replace it.  You may also want to consult with a professional cleaning company for advice.
 
Discovering mold in your home is a cause for concern.  If you are worried about the possibility of mold, please feel free to contact us.

​As well as a great heating source, a fireplace can add a lot of character and style to a room but, what if your home does not have a traditional fireplace? What can you do? The solution could be a factory-built fireplace.  Let’s look at how installing this type of fireplace might be a lot simpler than you thought.
 
Although fireplaces that are constructed in a factory are often used for new construction homes, they are also ideal for pre-existing homes.  They are usually made up of a firebox enclosed in a steel cabinet which is connected to a steel chimney or flue, making them lightweight, efficient and easy to install.  An additional advantage to a factory-built fireplace is that, in general, they are safe to fit close to wooden framing and have a very small safe-clearance requirement (this will depend on the manufacturer, however, so be sure to check this before you begin installation).  This means that you can install a factory-built fireplace in almost any home and on any floor of the home.
 
Another benefit of factory-built fireplaces is that they have an excellent safety record.  It is important to remember, though, that the same level of caution should be taken around this type of fireplace as you would with a traditional fireplace.  You will also want to regularly check the chimney to make sure creosote is not accumulating inside it.  Yes, you too could enjoy the benefits of a cozy, warm fireplace even if your home was constructed without one.

​We may not realize how much we have come to depend on electricity until we suffer a power outage, this can often plunge us into chaos. However, for some people who rely on electricity for health reasons, a power outage can be a serious issue. One solution to a temporary loss of power is a portable generator. These are very useful machines to own, especially as you do not need a special license to own or operate one. They are also good for camping or traveling to remote locations, etc. due to their being easy to transport.
 
It's important to take safety into consideration when using a portable generator as they have the potential to become a fire hazard or even cause serious injury. Never have a generator running in the house as they produce carbon monoxide which is extremely dangerous. It’s also important not to overload a portable generator and only use it for its intended purpose which is for corded appliances that are necessary for the basic running of the home. Portable generators are not meant for hard-wired appliances either which is something to think about if you rely on these for health purposes.
 
The generator will become hot while it is running. Make sure that small children are kept away from it and be extra careful when adding gasoline as there is a big potential for fire.
 
As is the case with any machine or appliance, a portable generator will work well but only if it is used for its intended purpose. Always consider safety first when using your generator.

​Renovating an old home can be an exciting and rewarding project to take on. However, if you do not prepare yourself ahead for the problems you may encounter in an older home, it could turn into a nightmare experience that will likely blow your budget. We’re going to consider one of those problems…Asbestos.
 
Before very much was known about the dangers of asbestos, it was commonly used in construction materials because of its ability to give added strength, provide heat insulation and deliver fire resistance. So, why is asbestos so bad? Asbestos is a mineral fiber; these fibers are very small and can be easily released into the air. When inhaled these fibers stick to a person’s lungs and stay there for a long time. Being exposed to asbestos over a prolonged period can result in some very serious health conditions such as Asbestosis, a disease that causes scarring of the lungs with fibrous tissue and, Mesothelioma, cancer that affects the chest lining and abdominal cavity.
 
How might you become exposed to asbestos during a renovation project? If the home was built during or before the 1970s and has not been worked on since then, it's possible you will encounter asbestos. Tearing up flooring, walls or any type of demolition can release asbestos fibers into the air, creating an unsafe working environment.
 
What should you do? Before you even begin renovations, have a home inspector look at the property for you. If asbestos is found, do not attempt to remove it yourself but hire a company that is qualified to remove and dispose of it in the correct way.

​Trampolines can be enormous fun for children and adults alike, unfortunately, though, they are also a place where injuries are very common. So, if you have a trampoline in your backyard, what can you do to ensure it stays a safe and enjoyable pastime?
 
As soon as we get on a trampoline we often think we are invincible, however, it's important to consider the fitness level of whoever uses it and warn them about the dangers. Anyone who is not very fit or who suffers from chronic injuries, particularly of the head and neck, must be very careful on a trampoline and should perhaps avoid it altogether.
 
Trampolines are constructed with a lot of metal springs which can be very dangerous if a person falls on them. To avoid this, cover these areas with padding. You will also want to consider the location of your trampoline and think about what type of surface someone would land on if they were to fall off. It is best to place a trampoline on wood chips or another type of spongy surface.  Of course, the best way to prevent someone from falling off at all is to have a safety net surrounding the trampoline.
 
Jumping on a trampoline simultaneously is something children love to do; however, this also greatly increases the chances that a child will get hurt. Make sure you supervise young children while they are using the trampoline and only let one person use it at a time.
 
Remember, as the homeowner, it is your responsibility to make sure your property is a safe environment. This includes the backyard trampoline.