Climate Proofing Basics

I have an admission here.  I am old enough to remember when climate change was called “Spring . . . Summer . . .  Fall . . . Winter.”  My how times have changed!

 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 used to rectifying a wet block basement.

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 that matter and we all

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 or plumbing were common. Most homes built before the early 1900s relied on wells or hand pumps, and even then, pipes didn’t show up in every home. Wiring often came later, when power lines spread through towns and cities.

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 we do if the power goes off?” for example.

 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 the home,