​In this month’s blog, we are going to briefly discuss two types of drywalls, standard drywall, and paperless drywall. Let’s look at the difference between the two and see where each one can be used to the best advantage in the home.
 
To begin with, we will talk about the more common kind of drywall. Traditional standard drywall consists of a gypsum core which is wrapped in very thick paper. This type of drywall is comparatively easy to work with, can provide a nice smooth finish, and is readily available. However, the composition of standard drywall makes it particularly vulnerable to water damage and the problems that ensue, such as mold growth.
 
The composition of paperless drywall differs from standard drywall in that it has a water-resistant gypsum core and is covered with fiberglass instead of thick paper. This, as you can imagine, creates a much stronger type of drywall that has a greater resistance to water damage. The strength of paperless drywall, though, makes it more difficult to install. It will also require a lot more work to produce a smooth finish. Another problem is that paperless drywall may not be as easily available as standard drywall.
 
What type of drywall is best for your home? Comparing their strengths and weaknesses it becomes clear that paperless drywall would be good to use in high humidity areas such as basements and bathrooms, etc. Standard drywall, due to its ease of use and availability, is good for areas of the home that are not as prone to damp and large areas or rooms where you are looking to achieve a smooth finish.

​In our part of the country, we do not normally experience major seismic activity, however, we may deal with minor earthquakes, either natural or manmade. The question is can minor earth tremors cause damage to our property?
 
The short answer is yes. Even minor earthquakes can expose a home's weak spots and cause damage. One of the reasons for this is that homes in areas that do not see major seismic activity do not have as strict building codes regarding earthquake preparedness, so even small tremors have the potential to cause damage to a building. It is a good idea, then, to look at your home and address any areas that may be vulnerable. To help give you some idea of what these areas are, here are a few of them:
 
Foundations. Have a check for signs of deterioration like cracks or crumbling cement. A problem like this could be made a lot worse with just a small amount of ground movement.
 
The chimney. This is a part of the home that is particularly vulnerable to damage and can become unstable and dangerous in the event of a minor earthquake. If you have a masonry chimney that is not reinforced, you may want to consider securing it with angle bracing and sheet metal straps.
 
The water heater or other large free-standing appliances are also at risk of damage during an earth tremor. They can also be secured with metal straps.
 
Another danger that commonly occurs in an earthquake is gas leaks. If you have appliances that use natural gas, make sure they are secured either to the wall or the floor. Clearly label the manual gas shutoff valve and ensure that it is easy to access in the event of a gas leak.
 
While we have only noted a few of the home's potential weak spots during a minor earthquake, it's clear to see the need to periodically check your home for areas that may be unsafe.

​Anyone who is well acquainted with property development knows the importance of carefully reading a property report. If you are currently planning to have your dream home constructed on a property development, you will need to do a careful study of this report as well. Why? What information does a property report contain?
 
When choosing a development to have your home built on, you will naturally want to know everything you can about it, a property report is designed to provide this information. The report helps you to learn about the types of amenities you can expect to enjoy once the development is completed. It will also tell you the distance to local communities and recreational facilities, etc. It will also highlight other important information like the kinds of utility services that will be available to you in the way of gas, water, and sewer, for example.
 
As well as the different services you should expect on completion of the development, a property report also contains information regarding mortgages or pre-existing liens on the property and will alert you to any possible problems with the lot that could delay construction. It should also inform you about when you can expect to obtain the title for your property.
 
This is just a small sample of the information contained in a property report; however, it highlights the importance of studying it carefully before making your final decision. Keep in mind that this report is prepared by the property developer so ask them to go through any questions or concerns you have and be sure you will get everything you have been promised in the report.

​Were you aware that the air you breathe inside your home may be much worse than the air outside? So many people are conscious of outside pollution levels, and rightly so, the air we breathe can have a major impact on our health and wellbeing. But how much thought do we give to pollutants inside our homes? Let’s briefly discuss one type, biological pollutants.
 
The kind of biological pollutants commonly found in your home come from living organisms or fragments of them. Bacteria and viruses, pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and cockroach parts are among these organisms which invisibly float around in our indoor air usually without us even being aware of them. It's true that this is not a nice thought, but the fact is that biological pollutants can be found in pretty much every home and cannot be gotten rid of entirely.
 
It is worth noting, however, that certain environments help bio pollutants to thrive so if you want to reduce the amount of them, you will want to avoid creating those environments. For example, bio pollutants require nutrients and moisture to thrive. Bathrooms, damp basements, or any other areas with high levels of humidity are ideal for this. Air conditioners and humidifiers are also prime breeding grounds for bio pollutants so make sure that they are thoroughly cleaned, and filters are changed on a regular basis. Did you know that even some modern building materials and construction methods can increase levels of bio pollutants in the home? One reason for this is because they are designed to prevent outside air from entering the house.
 
Why should you be concerned about biological pollutants? As we have mentioned, bio pollutants can contribute to poor indoor air quality and are known to cause certain illnesses. If you feel your health is being affected by this problem, though, always be sure to consult your physician for an accurate diagnosis first.

​Are you currently making plans to put your home on the market? For many homeowners, selling their homes involves some advanced preparation and work so that they can achieve the best price possible. But should you invest a lot of money remodeling your home just so that you can get more money for it? Spending a fortune won’t always increase the value of your property that much so this is definitely something to research beforehand. To help you with this, here are a few things to consider:
 
Location plays a major role when it comes to your home's value so keep that in mind when deciding the type of work you want to do to the home and how much to spend on it with the purpose of selling it. Naturally, you will want your house to stand out, but it should still be in keeping with the other homes in the area.
 
Many homebuyers these days are attracted to a neutral color palette, so when choosing wall paint or bigger, expensive items like kitchen appliances, it would be best to go with more neutral tones that appeal to a wide range of prospective buyers instead of just a few.
 
Another big expense that many homeowners feel will increase their home's selling power is a backyard swimming pool. While it is true that this will appeal to some, it can also put off just as many people. This is because of the extra maintenance costs that a swimming pool will incur. It can also be because of the dangers often associated with backyard swimming pools, especially when a family has young children.
 
As we can see, there are many things you can do to your home to get it ready to sell, but before you start any work make sure it will work out to be a wise investment of time and money and increase the value of your home.

​Wood burners are an excellent addition to a home and can provide a great deal of warmth and comfort. Of course, just like any other appliance, they must be used in the way they are intended and be regularly maintained. So, what are some simple ways to keep your wood burning stove working optimally?
 
First of all, it's good to be aware of what you should and shouldn’t burn in a wood burner. As the name implies, a wood-burning stove is intended for burning wood. With this in mind, avoid burning other items like coal in the stove as coal burns much hotter than wood and could present a danger. You should also avoid burning certain types of wood as they become hazardous and release toxic fumes. An example of these is plywood, particleboard, and painted or pressure-treated wood. You will also want to avoid burning plastic items, colored paper, and gift wrap in the stove for the same reasons.
 
So, what kinds of wood are best for your wood-burning stove? Dry wood is always preferable to freshly cut wood because it contains a lot less water and so will burn hotter. You may also want to choose one type of wood to start the fire and another to keep the fire going. Softwoods like pine are good for starting a fire because they tend to ignite quickly, after you can change to hardwoods such as ash and hickory which tend to burn cleaner and hotter. You may also find it helpful to cut them into smaller logs.
 
Never forget safety when using a wood-burning stove. It is important to have the right number of smoke detectors for the size of your home and test them every month to ensure they are working correctly. Dispose of ashes safely by placing them in a metal receptacle filled with water. Finally, make sure you have the wood-burning stove and stovepipe inspected regularly as dangerous creosote can accumulate in the stovepipe.

​With 2020 soon to be behind us perhaps you are starting to make your plans for next year. Maybe you are thinking about moving to a new house and selling your current home. If this is your plan, it can be helpful to prepare now for what will be involved. For example, one important step to buying and selling a home is a home inspection, but what is the cost of a home inspection? And, what determines the price?
 
The video that accompanies this blog will help to answer these questions for you. Of course, there are many factors to consider when determining the price of a home inspection and this video will also help you to understand why. We are ready to answer any further questions you may have so please don’t hesitate to contact us. 
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​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.