Why Asbestos is Such a Hot Topic

Six Home Problems That Need Immediate Repairs

Whenever you see a problem in your house, the first thing that comes into mind is the additional cost you are going to incur. A leak on the ceiling means that you need to shell out money to have the roof repaired. A flickering light requires purchasing new lighting for a replacement.  That’s why, even upon seeing a problem, some homeowners simply ignore them for a while.

Though we sometimes want to ignore needed repairs at home, there are certain important issues that require your immediate action. Otherwise, they will eventually grow into bigger problems, which will result in a greater cost.

Here are some examples of home repairs that should be addressed immediately:

• Misty chimney. If you have a chimney that is fogging, then it is time to have it checked and cleaned. Sure, the cost will vary from repair person to repair person, but the overall damage it can prevent is worth the monetary expense. Smoky chimneys have remnants of burning wood in them and can ignite without your knowledge, thus becoming a fire hazard.
• Leaky ceiling. If you find leaks on your ceiling, it is telling you that your roof needs repair because water is seeping in. Ceilings that leak are already damaged by too much moisture, and you should have them repaired.  Address them before they begin falling apart and falling down.
• Dripping taps. It may seem like a minor issue, but the overall cost of having a dripping tap is bigger than having it repaired as soon as possible. A lot of water is wasted on dripping taps, and it can end up leaving you with a large water bill.
• Moist ground around your septic tank. You don’t want your tank to overflow, so, if you notice damp ground around your septic tank without a potential cause, it is starting to overflow.  Have your tank checked and fixed immediately.
• Mold growth. If you see mold starting to grow in some parts of the house, have them removed before they spread throughout your house. Mold can be very damaging to your health and can cause a huge damage to your property. It’s best to eliminate the source.
• Flickering lights. Lighting that does not function properly needs to be checked and repaired before it leads to electrical problems and a fire hazard. Flickering lights indicate that there is a failed connection in your electrical system.

Source : Heather & Alan Davis

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.

 Don’t Burn the House down While You’re Heating It

Top Ten Home Electrical Problems That Require an Electrician

Your home is full of electrical systems, including wiring, computer networks and appliances. We all rely on electricity on a daily basis, and every one of us will face home electrical problems. But how can we respond safely and when do we need to call in an electrician?

Make a note of these top ten common household electrical problems, and let a professional handle the repairs when they come up in your home.

My Lights Keep Flickering

Flickering lights often result from grid issues, such as a downed line or problems further along in the system. But when your lights continuously flicker, even after you’ve changed the bulbs, there may be a poor wiring connection or a faulty fixture. Both require the attention of a trained electrician, not only to diagnose the problem, but also to handle the repairs safely.

Pay attention to the timing of those flickers. Is it windy? Frayed wiring often creates a short in your electrical system during a windy day, resulting in flickering lights and short power outages.

A Circuit Breaker Trips Every Time We Use the Microwave

Older homes may not be designed to handle the high-wattage loads commonly experienced in today’s homes. Overloads result in tripped breakers, and unless you can live with limited access to power in certain areas of your home, you’ll need to upgrade or add a circuit to accommodate for the load.

Subpanels can be added for a minimal investment, but older fuse boxes and panels that are too small for today’s loads may need to be completely replaced. Expect to pay between $600 and $900 to replace your panel, depending on your location and the size of service required.

My Receptacle Gets Warm When an Appliance is Plugged In

Dimmer switches often get warm when connected to certain sized bulbs, but a warm receptacle needs immediate attention. First of all, avoid plugging anything in that particular receptacle and check others in the room for heat or burn marks.

Faulty wiring and faulty receptacles can start a house fire and result in serious damage behind your walls. An electrician has the knowledge and equipment to get to the heart of this problem fast, preventing disaster and keeping your family safe.

My Electrical Bills Are Out of Control and Rising

An electrician can help to assess the energy efficiency of your home and recommend upgrades and replacements that will help get your electricity bills in line. Rising rates often lead to higher bills, but when your usage increases along with the rates it’s time to take action and improve efficiency.

Older furnaces, poor insulation and wasted power result in higher-than-necessary electricity bills. You may be surprised at how much money you can save with just a few small improvements around your home. Ask your electrician whether any of the proposed work is eligible for energy efficiency rebates or government programs.

My GFCI Receptacle Will Not Reset

These outlets help to reduce dangerous conditions in your home and are required by national building codes. When a GFCI receptacle will no longer reset after tripping, you need to hire an electrician to inspect the area and possibly replace the outlet.

GFCIs (or GFIs) are found in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and on your home’s exterior. Any outlets within 4 feet of a water source (sink, bath, tap) need to be GFCI-rated, and all outlets in the garage or on outdoor walls should also be GFCIs.

One of the Switches on My Three-Way Switch Has Quit

Three-way switches are included in a system that allows one fixture to be controlled by two switches. When one switch is damaged or becomes faulty, the other will continue to work. Replacement can be tricky, and often requires the expertise of a local electrician. Backstabbed wiring can also result in failure on any switch design.

In many cases DIY three-way switch replacement results in faulty switches. It may be a good idea to have the entire system replaced to avoid future problems, but in some cases individual elements can be replaced as needed.

Wires Have Been Left Hanging and Exposed After Our Renovations

This happens a lot with DIY basement renovations and other home improvement projects. Exposed wires present a fire hazard and can seriously damage your home when left unprotected. In some cases hanging or untidy wires present a tripping hazard and could result in harm to your children or pets.

Wires must be spliced and covered, and all hanging wires should be supported by or attached to structural framing members with strapping or staples. Your electrician can quickly clean up even the messiest batch of wires, ensuring all are properly supported and covered to reduce risk.

We Have Too Many Power Bars and Extension Cords

Modern homes are designed with multiple outlet locations, often more than one on each wall. This helps you to avoid the “octopus,” a dangerous condition that results when too many plugs are connected to one or two power bars. Hire an electrician to install more outlets and upgrade your panel, if required. This will provide you with the outlets needed for today’s lifestyle, and should put most of your extension cords and power bars out of a job.

Plugs Continuously Fall Out of the Outlets

Outlets contain contacts that grip the prongs tightly for a secure connection. When you notice that different plugs are falling out of the same outlet, call your electrician to replace that receptacle. Loose or worn contacts can cause an arc, which could easily ignite a fire behind the drywall.

A Strange Smell is Coming From My Switch or Receptacle

If you detect a faint smell coming from your receptacle or switch, stop using it immediately. Arcing in the device or fixture itself may cause this odor, in which case you’ll need to have it repaired or replaced.

Take a close look at the switch and/or receptacle and keep an eye out for damage. Replace the receptacle if you cannot locate another source of the smell. As noted above, arcs can quickly start fires and should be avoided at all costs.

Your electrician is fully trained and knowledgeable, with plenty of experience troubleshooting common home electrical problems. Call on them to replace switches and receptacles, upgrade your panel or diagnose flickering lights and faulty three-way switches. Their expertise is invaluable and helps you to maintain a safe, functional home.

Source: Handy Canadian

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.

Cooking Safely at Home This Winter

There are a lot of advantages to easting at home instead of going out to eat. Cooking meals at home generally allows you to provide more nutrition to your family because you know what you are putting into your food and body.  In addition, cooking meals frequently can save you a lot of money because you can feed your family for half of what you would pay in a restaurant.

If you plan to stay in and cook a lot of meals for your family this winter, it’s a good idea to keep safety in mind. Cooking in the winter can pose a challenge because ventilation is limited, as are resources like outdoor grills. That said, below are some effective ways to cook safely at home during the winter season:

• Avoid using gas grills or charcoal grills inside the house. These types of cooking devices are meant to be used outside, not only due to the fact that they have open flames, but also because the fumes given off from grills can be harmful to your health.
• Be careful about plugging in appliances. If you need to use an electrical appliance, make sure that your circuit is not overloaded, so you avoid sparks and possible electrocution.
• Install a smoke detector. You may be cooking delicious meals during the holidays when you guests.  But, once they arrive, you can become distracted and forget to turn off the oven or stove, which could lead to fire.  If that were to happen, a smoke detector would alert you, so you could contain and extinguish the fire.
• Avoid using your gas oven or range for added heat inside your house. Aside from the fact that it’s a costly way to generate heat, it is also unsafe, especially if left unattended.
• Never leave the kitchen when you are cooking your food.  The best precaution is to stay in the kitchen, so unwanted disasters like pets or kids knocking hot pans of the stove can be avoided.
• Do not store your gasoline inside your house because you want to avoid inhaling the fumes or risk carbon monoxide poisoning.

Source: Heather & Alan Davis

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.

Valentine’s Day in Canada

Valentine’s Day is an opportunity for people in Canada to tell somebody that they love them in a romantic way. It falls on February 14, the name day of two saints, St Valentine of Rome and St Valentine of Terni. In pre-Christian times, the middle of February was a time of pagan fertility festivals in Europe and allegedly the time when birds chose a mate.

Romantic dinners are a popular way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. ©iStockphoto.com/g_studio

What do people do?

Many people send letters, cards, presents and gifts to the person with whom they have or want to have a romantic relationship. Valentine’s Day cards are often red or pink and decorated with images of hearts, red roses, teddy bears, presents or happy couples kissing or embracing. They may be in brightly colored, perhaps pink or red, envelopes.

Many people give gifts to loved ones on Valentine’s Day. Common gifts are:

• Flowers, particularly red roses.
• Chocolates and/or candy.
• Teddy bears.
• Toy hearts.
• Sparkling wine.
• Cosmetics.
• Clothing, including lingerie.
• Jewelry.

Some people celebrate Valentine’s Day lavishly. They may treat their partner to a themed meal in a restaurant or a night in a luxury hotel. Others may take short breaks or vacations on Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day can also be an occasion for a more general celebration of love and appreciation of people who are personally important to an individual. School children may help decorate their classrooms with hearts and spring birds and make cards or presents for their parents. Stores may also sell Valentine’s Day themed cakes, cookies or candy. Teenagers and young adults may hold Valentine’s Day parties or dances on or near February 14.

Public life

Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday. Schools, businesses, organizations, post offices and stores are open as usual. Public transport services run to their usual timetables. Restaurants and hotels may be busy as many people take out their partner for a romantic meal or night away in a hotel.

Background

The origins of Valentine’s Day are not clear. It is thought that there were a number of local fertility festivals in Europe in pre-Christian times. These were often in the middle of February. Many people also thought that birds chose their mates at this time of year. Around the year 1380, the English poet Chaucer wrote a poem for the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II to Anne of Bohemia. This is thought to be the first association between celebrations of romantic love and St Valentine’s Day on February 14. The connection remained important throughout the middle ages.

In the mid-19th century, there was an increase in interest in Valentine’s Day, first in the United States, then in Canada. It was promoted by manufacturers of paper lace and cards as a means of increasing their sales. Gradually, this date was seen as an occasion for a man to present gifts to a woman with whom he had or would like to have had a romantic relationship.  It was also customary for lovers to exchange handwritten notes. These have now largely been replaced by commercially produced cards.

Symbols

The most common symbols of Valentine’s Day are heart shapes, which are used to decorate many things, including cards, trees, wrapping paper, cookies and gift boxes. Other symbols associated with February 14 are pairs of birds, cute teddy bears, Cupid and his arrows and couples kissing or embracing. The colors red and pink are often associated with Valentine’s Day.

About Valentine’s Day in other countries

Read more about Valentine’s Day.

Source: Time and Date

Family Day in Canada

Family Day is observed in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan on the third Monday of February. In British Columbia, Family Day falls on the second Monday of February. This holiday celebrates the importance of families and family life to people and their communities.

Family Day gives people time to spend with their children. ©iStockphoto.com/matka_Wariatka

What do people do?

On Family Day, many people plan and take part in activities aimed at the whole family. These include visiting art exhibitions, watching movies, skating on outdoor ice rinks, playing board games and taking part in craft activities. Some communities plan special public events, and art galleries and museums may have reduced price or free entry.

As the weather is usually very cold in February, hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies are popular snacks. Other people use the long weekend as an opportunity for a short winter break or to travel to visit family members or friends. As Family Day falls on the same date as National Heritage Day (except in British Columbia), some people use the day to explore their personal heritage and family history.

Public life

In the provinces of Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Brithsh Columbia many people have a day off work and schools are generally closed on Family Day. Many businesses and organizations are closed, but post offices may be open. Public transport services may run to their usual or reduced timetables.

In the province of Manitoba, the third Monday of February is a general holiday, known as Louis Riel Day. Many people have a day off work and school and many businesses, organizations and stores are closed. In some communities, stores are open after noon. Public transport services may run to Sunday or holiday timetables. In rural areas, there may be no services.

In the other provinces and territories of Canada, Family Day is not observed, and neither the third nor the second Monday in February are holidays there. Businesses, organizations, schools and post offices are open as usual and public transport services run to their normal timetables.

Background

Family Day was first held in Canada in the province of Alberta in 1990. It is supposed to reflect the values of family and home that were important to the pioneers who founded Alberta, and give workers the opportunity to spend more time with their families. Family Day was introduced in Saskatchewan in 2007 and in Ontario in 2008. British Columbia observes Family Day as a statutory holiday for the first time in 2013. One of the reasons for introducing Family Day was that there was a long period when there were no holidays from New Year’s Day until Good Friday.

Holidays to celebrate families are also held in other places around the globe. In the Australian Capital Territory, the first Tuesday of November is known as Family and Community Day. In South Africa, the day after Easter Sunday is Family Day.

Source: Time and Date

Lighting

Energy efficient lighting lasts longer and is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional incandescent lighting.

Replace light bulbs and light fixtures in your home with ones that are energy efficient and ENERGY STAR qualified. They are perfect for areas where a light is on for 30 minutes or more, such as the kitchen, family room, hallways, and bedrooms.

Preventing Ice Dams

• Published: February 01, 2010

During the colder months, preventing ice dams should be a primary concern. Here’s how to protect your home from damage.

Removing ice dams can be difficult, so consider hiring a roofing company to steam away the ice and any remaining snow. Image: Roof-to-Deck Restoration/IceGutter.com

Wintertime icicles may look charming, but they usually signal a serious — and potentially costly — problem. Often lurking behind that thick ridge of ice on your roof is a pool of melted water, hence the term ice dam. That accumulated water can work its way under roof shingles and into the home, causing significant damage to ceilings, walls, and floors. Additionally, the sheer weight of the ice dam often causes gutters and downspouts to pull away from the house, sometimes bringing the fascia boards with them. Preventing ice dams helps avoid damage and costly repairs.

Potential damage

Over the five-year period leading up to 2007, water damage and freezing accounted for the second largest share of homeowner insurance claims, according to Claire Wilkinson of the Insurance Information Institute. The average homeowner claim for such damages was $5,531.

Ice dams are responsible for cracked plaster ceilings and walls, peeling paint, soaked carpets, and buckled wood floors. Less visible but no less destructive effects include drenched insulation, rotting joists, and the formation of mold. The most common form of ice dam-related damage is collapsed rain gutters, which can cost $100 to $300 per side to repair.

What causes ice dams

As heat rises from a home, it melts the accumulated snow on the roof. That melted snow travels down the roof in liquid form until it reaches the eave line and gutter, where it refreezes due to colder temps. This ice ridge continues to expand, blocking the flow of subsequent snow melt.

As water continues to melt higher up the roof, it collects behind the ice dam in the form of a puddle. Because that water sits over the warmer portion of the roof, it doesn’t freeze.

In order for ice dams to form, there needs to be roof snow buildup, home heat loss, and subfreezing temperatures. The more snow, the larger the heat loss, and the longer the subfreezing temperatures remain, the higher the likelihood that ice dams will materialize.

Preventing ice dams

Homeowners can’t control the weather, but they can do something about heat loss. “The main goal is to keep heat from reaching the roof, thus preventing snow melt in the first place,” explains Doug Bruell, president of Cleveland’s 25-year-old North Coast Insulation. Proper insulation and ventilation of the attic space is intended to keep the roof surface at or near outdoor temperatures.

Typical steps include insulating the attic floor and installing soffit, gable and/or ridge vents to expel heat. Folding attic stairways and recessed light fixtures also need to be insulated. “All penetrations into the attic from the heated living space need to be addressed,” adds Bruell. Homeowners can expect to pay $800 to $1,500 to insulate the attic, plus another $300 to $600 for the installation of vents.

The process is a bit more involved for homes with finished attics, says Bruell. To facilitate sufficient cold air flow from soffit vent to ridge vent, baffles or tubes are installed between the ceiling insulation and the underside of the roof. This might involve opening up the ceiling.

Insulation means savings

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, adding insulation to an unheated attic will have a greater impact on energy consumption than placing it anywhere else in the house. A properly insulated and ventilated attic not only reduces winter heating bills, it will trim summer cooling bills by expelling heat buildup. You can expect to save 10% to 50% on your heating and cooling bills.

In addition, you may qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $500.

Deicing alternatives

In theory, roof rakes, brooms, and other long-handled devices can be used to remove snow before it has a chance to melt. In practice, however, the scheme is difficult to pull off, considering that most homeowners can’t reach all areas of the roof.

Electrically-heated deicing cables, which install along eave lines to inhibit water freeze, are only moderately effective, says Bruell. “These heat cables often just back up the problem, forcing the dams to form higher up the roof.” In addition to the purchase price ($150 to $300), and installation ($300 to $500), these cables require electricity to run. They also can shorten the life of roof shingles.

Ice dam removal

Homeowners suffering the effects of an ice dam—or those who fear a leak is imminent—can hire a roofing company to remove the ice buildup. Rather than employ hammers, chisels, and salt, which can damage the roof and gutters, technicians will steam away the ice and remove any remaining snow. Expect to pay around $500 or more for the service. It goes without saying that do-it-yourself removal can be dangerous when it involves ladders, heavy ice, and slippery roofs.
Source : HouseLogic.com

 

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.