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 a couple of subjects

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, 14 percent of Canadian homes still survive on portable heating methods while 88 percent of homes in rural Canada reported having a wood burning stove. 

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 “Great White North”

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 our garage. What can we do?” This reader was actually lucky the wind damage stopped inside of the garage. 

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 I have been asked repeatedly over the years.

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