​In this article, we are going to look at some ways to enhance the security of your home’s exterior doors. While these suggestions may seem rather simple, especially given the amount of high-tech security options available these days, they will give you an idea of how susceptible to break-ins your exterior doors are.
 
How well constructed are the exterior doors of the home? Ideally, they should be built using solid materials and have a steel or solid wooden core. Don’t forget the need for regular maintenance as well and check that they are not starting to warp, rot, develop cracks, or displaying any other signs of disrepair.
 
The door lock plays a fundamental role in its security so make sure you choose a good quality deadbolt lock. Many homeowners also like to put a chain on their front door for added security and, while this can be a good idea, it should never be used instead of the deadbolt. Bump keys are often used by intruders to enter a home so if you have a pin-tumbler lock on your door you may want to consider installing a bump-resistant lock.
 
Glass paneling in exterior doors can be both aesthetically pleasing and allow more natural light into the home, but they could also become a security risk. Whatever lock is used for this kind of door, make sure that it is one that would be difficult for a thief to access and open if the glass was smashed. The same principle is true for doors that have dog or cat flaps, etc.
 
So, although there are so many high-tech ways to make our homes secure these days, why not take a bit of time to check some of the more obvious security features?

​If we dwelled on the large numbers of dust mites that are normally present in a home, we would be horrified, but the truth is that most of the time they are completely harmless, and we don’t notice them. For others, however, dust mites cause allergies and misery leading to the best remedies for getting rid of them. Before considering a chemical approach, try these options first:
 
Dust mites flourish in humid conditions so keep humidity levels as low as possible. Air conditioning or even electric blankets can help with this.
 
A regular dusting and vacuum throughout the house will do a lot to lower dust mite numbers. Use a lightly damp cloth when dusting to avoid surface redistribution. If you can, use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter which stops dust from entering back into the air. It’s a good idea to include soft furnishings and textiles every time you vacuum as well.
 
Bed linens are another place where you will find large populations of dust mites. Washing the bedding in cool temperatures will not get rid of them completely so make sure the water temperature is no less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Another option is to place them in the dryer at a high temperature for 10 minutes.
 
Air purifiers can be a great help in homes with allergy sufferers but it's good to be aware that these will only help with airborne dust mites. Since dust mites are not usually found in the air, though, an air purifier will not remove them completely.

​Extreme weather conditions that bring with them heavy flooding are becoming a common occurrence nowadays. This means that being prepared for emergencies is essential. If your home floods, you will, no doubt, wish to get back to normal as quickly as possible. So, what are some of the first things you should do if your home floods?
 
It will be very tempting to want to start clearing up debris straight away but, before you do, it is very important to document the damage to your property. Take plenty of photos so that you have evidence of the flooding (you will likely need these later).
 
Another thing that should be done right away is to contact your insurance company as there may be a time limit for submitting your claim. You will also need to hold on to all your receipts for money spent on anything that is related to the flood. Remember, it will be very expensive to get your home back to its pre-flood condition.
 
If you live in an area that is declared a Major Disaster Zone, then contact FEMA. They are available to provide you with the assistance you require.
 
Your property will need to be inspected in order to assess the amount of damage it has. There may be a lot more damage than you realize so to help you with this, contact a certified home inspector who can advise you on the amount of damage to your home.
 
We hope none of you have to deal with a flooded home but it’s always a good idea to be prepared.
 

​If you are about to start the home buying process it’s good to have in mind a list of questions about the condition of the property you are looking at. One of those questions should be, is there a history of fire damage? Why is it important to know this? Walking through the home may not give you any clue that there has been a fire, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is in good shape.
 
To give you a better idea of the kind of damage you may find with a previously fire-damaged home, please enjoy the following video. We know how important it is to find out the true condition of a house before you make a final decision on it. With such a big investment, it is worth the time and effort.
 
If you would like assistance with any of your home inspection concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

​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.