Articles – Previous
The Most Common Electrical Problems in Homes
Last week we took a look at the basics of home electricity, your home electrical panel and where all the electricity for your home is distributed from
Home Wiring 101
Before Upgrading Your Electrical Supply Understand How It All Works and What to Watch For. Our comprehensive guide on electrical terms.
Insulate & Convert
It is not uncommon for me to get mixed inquiries that are a bit “rambling” and this week is one of them. I am going to touch on
Heat Pumps 101
Last week we looked at heating systems in general and finished with a brief introduction to heat pumps. Heat pumps both air and ground
Home Heating 101
While one would think that all homes in the great white north have a fixed primary heating system, according to a study released by StatCan, as of 2023,
Before the Freeze
While this subject is a bit around the edge of renovation guidance, it is nonetheless one I get this time of year and one every homeowner in the
Size Up the Siding
Is It Worth Replacing Siding and Adding Insulation to an Old Home? One renovation that can hit the bank account . . .
Why Do We Need So Many Permits?
Along with writing this weekly column I give numerous public speaking/video presentations on Housing and the Climate Crisis to service clubs, municipal organizations and trade groups.
Here’s Why Garage Doors Get Blown Open
A reader from Manitoba wrote recently “We had our garage door come off its track in a high wind and really made a mess of the inside of
On a Tight Budget?
Recently, I got a unique question from Paul, a home inspector in Vancouver, and while it may be a bit off-the-beaten path for this column, it’s one that
Foundations & Flood Safety
For the past two weeks I have been answering a three-part question from Tammy, a reader in Western Canada. We have covered renovating and restoring
Block Basements: My Pick for a Foundation
There is no perfect foundation, older homes and stone foundations had their good and bad points and they were the only real choice for hundreds of years.
Planning a Basement Renovation?
9 Steps to Consider When Renovating Your Basement. If there is one sentence I heard during my contractor days it was “Damn, I wished I had planned for
Block Basements: Grade & Sump Pump
In part five we got the block foundation walls cleaned, covered in a waterproof coating and reset the drainage tiles, then
Basements!!!
I have often been asked, why do we even have basements? The largest single reason: frost. If our homes are not based upon a solid frost-resistant foundation they
Block Basements: The Dig Begins
Last week we listed off the procedures that are needed to properly prepare a site for excavation around a block basement, in previous weeks we discussed waterproofing methods
Haze-Free Haven
It’s no secret that summer and wildfires have become two words that are connected in conversations today. An area as big as New Brunswick has burned so far
Block Basements: We Excavate
In part 3 we looked at the different kinds of coatings and membranes that are used on block basements to correct dampness and outright water invasion. This week
Climate Proofing Basics
I have an admission here. I am old enough to remember when climate change was called “Spring . . . Summer . . . Fall . . .
Block Basements: Waterproofing
This is the third in my series on block foundations and we now look at the numerous kinds of materials, coatings and membranes on the market that are
Speaking Contractor
Speak Contractor – Learn the Lingo Contractors Use Before Starting Your Renovation – is this week’s column on Reno-Green.
Block Basements: Why They Fail
The number one issue with a block basement is moisture; blocks are not waterproof…period. Water will penetrate any mortar crack, open seam or just about any opening for
4 Things to Know Before You Renovate Your Home
Cam Allen’s first of a two-part series on Home Renovations in conjunction with Green Build Canada’s newsletter.
History: Pros & Cons of Block Basements
With well over 40 plus years of building, renovation and building assessment experience block basements are continuing reminder that
New Collaboration
Yesterday Green Building Canada launched a new weekly column – Reno-Green – written by retired builder/contractor Cam Allen. With over 40 years of experience in the building trades,
Building Dates in History:
When you walk by an old building, have you ever stopped to wonder when it first had lights or running water? Many wooden buildings went up before electricity
A ‘’Where is . . . What Do We Do??”
It seems that natural disasters and extremes in our climate are becoming more predominant every year. I get the question more often during a home inspection “What do
Building Energy Savings 101:
Operational savings are but one part of understanding the dynamics of looking at your home as a “whole house” system, as opposed to individual aspects that, without considering
Energy Saving Myths & Realities
Making your home sustainable or green as it’s often called is a commitment and a homeowner usually does it for one reason, the long-term benefit of their family
Programmable Thermostats & Heat Pumps
Making your home sustainable or green as it’s often called is a commitment and a homeowner usually does it for one reason, the long-term benefit of their family
What is a Sustainable Home?
Making your home sustainable or green as it’s often called is a commitment and a homeowner usually does it for one reason, the long-term benefit of their family
Humidity and Humidifiers
A musty smelling basement is often a sign of excess humidity in your home. The first thing a homeowner should do is establish the level of humidity in
Should I have Builders Risk Insurance?
When we are working with a client who is considering having a custom home built or a major addition or renovation
Sunshine From a Tube!
Like many sustainable home products, natural light tubes have been around for over 20 years but are still not widely accepted.
Solar Shades
Plumbing seems to be the most misunderstood of all operational installations in a home judging by the number of questions we get at inspections.
Understanding Plumbing Terms
Plumbing seems to be the most misunderstood of all operational installations in a home judging by the number of questions we get at inspections.