While on an inspection, many of our clients ask: "How old is the roof?" If the owner doesn’t have a receipt on file, it’s impossible to know, but it’s pretty fair to say, we don’t see a lot of roofs more than 20 years old that don’t need to be replaced –sometimes 10-year old roofs are in terrible shape. It all depends on how they were installed, if the roof was done someone who knew what they were doing, and if...
It’s that time of year. The leaves will soon turn red and gold, and the cottage will need to be properly closed up for winter. It’s always good to have a checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything. We’ve compiled a list of what we consider the most important cottage closing tasks, organized by area. Please leave us a comment if you have any cottage closing tips to add! KITCHEN Glass bottles – take home all glass bottles. The contents of freezing bottles...
Nope. We're not talking about a rough night at the bar. It's one of our favorite expressions here at the office to describe a loose toilet. "I checked the toilet on the main floor– it spun like a top!" A loose toilet is not just an inconvenience – it could be a sign of trouble. In fact, if you've got a leak in your building, and you don't know where it's coming from, make sure you check the toilets in the building...
7 per cent of Montrealers move on July 1st, according to 2013 estimates - that's about 116,000 people. Moving Day causes stress, blocks up streets, and a lot of sweaty people drinking beer and eating pizza with a sore back and a wet paint roller in their hands. Keep in mind, if you're not moving -- be patient with those that are! After all, it's Canada Day, a good day to practise good old fashioned Canadian manners. Are you wondering why so...
School's out for summer and vacation is just around the bend. Your trip is all planned, but what about your plans for keeping your home safe while you're away? Not to worry, with all the things you need to remember to make your trip a success, it can be easy to forget the little things - we've compiled list to help you get to the beach and have a worry free holiday! Turn down Your Hot Water Heater Turning down your water heater while you’re...
As of January 2018, running an air-conditioner connected to the aqueduct that does not have a water recycling system will be prohibited and fined, according to Montreal By-law 13-023. All air conditioning units that use a drinkable water cooling system need to be retired by December 31st, 2017. The purpose of the law is to get devices used for cooling (air conditioners) and watering the ground (sprinkler systems) off the drinking water circuit at a time when the population needs the...
Home insurance companies want to know the condition of your home before insuring the property. When purchasing home insurance, you will be asked a series of questions about the building. Some of these, you will be able to answer with ease, for example, you'll likely already know the year the building was constructed, and the neighbourhood. Other questions can be a little more challenging. For example, you might be asked about the year or condition of your furnace, heat pump, water heater, roof...
Smell something mouldy, mildew-y or sour coming from your basement or crawl space? Make no mistake: you've likely sprung a leak in the basement. Spring is a likely time of year for moisture problems to arise, and a good time to pay attention to how your basement is weathering the thaw. As snow melts, air temperatures change, ground and surface water collection increases, and so does the likelihood that moisture could be gathering, causing a leak in the basement. This can lead...
Can't stand the smell of smoke? Doggy doo-doo makes you gag? You like to express your style by painting your balcony railings red? Having 1970's shutters on your windows makes you feel at home? – Or maybe you smoke and have 5 cats? Depending on your lifestyle and habits, condo living might be perfect for you – or perhaps, it'll make your home life miserable. It's worth a little investigation. The 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) revealed that 12.1% of Canadians live...
This article is part of The Mose Report: New Homebuyer Series. Are you thinking about buying a duplex, triplex or multiplex and making the transition from tenant to landlord? For most tenants, it's a dream come true. After years of dealing with nasty impatient landlords, we have an altruistic idea about what a landlord should be: kind, gentle, considerate, fix everything right away, and of course, renovate everything beautifully! We're sure you'll do your best. However, it's important to remember that while buying a duplex or multiplex...
