Home Repair Archives - TERRA FIRMA RE

Is The Roof Over Your Head In Jeopardy?

Your roof takes care of you. Return the favor with yearly inspections! As an essential part of your home, it should be in the best possible condition to keep you safe. An inspection is one of those preventative maintenance jobs that is easy to overlook. Make sure to do this before the snow falls!
There are many elements that can lead to excessive damage to your roof, such as high winds, animal damage and ice dams. Proactive maintenance is the best way to protect you and your family.
During the outside visual inspection, check for these:

Cracked caulk or rust spots on flashing.
Shingles that are buckling, curling, or blistering.
Missing or broken shingles.
Cracked and worn rubber boots around vent pipes.
Missing or damaged chimney cap. (Although not part of your roof, you should look anyway.)
Masses of moss, which could signal the roof is decaying underneath. Black algae stains are just cosmetic.

Your attic should also be examined for signs of trouble. Look for water stains, wet plywood under the shingles, wet insulation, light coming through around vents and pipes that protrude through the roof. If you do not feel comfortable or confident, there are a number of professionals to do this for you.

Check out this website for more information on maintaining and replacing your roof to keep you warm and dry this winter!

Effected by Flooding?

Has your home been effected by flooding? The estimated response time for many companies today is 1-4 hours. Make sure you call immediately!

I have personally contacted these companies below!

Go Pro Restoration – 613-221-9900 (2-4 hrs)
http://www.goprorestoration.com/
Rainbow International of Ottawa Central – 613-225-4242 (1-2 hrs)
https://rainbowintl.com/ottawa-central?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Qiigo
Ottawa Water Damage – Canada Restoration Services – 1-888-551-0514 (45 mins – 1 hr)
http://canadarestorationservices.com/page-water-damage-ottawa

This is a business directory to restoration companies in Ottawa:
https://www.bbb.org/ottawa/accredited-business-directory/fire-and-water-damage-restoration/ottawa-on/10-miles

Aging in Place

As the aging population continues to grow, there are many challenges that need to be addressed. One in particular is allowing and helping individuals age in place. There are a variety of different benefits that make aging in place so attractive including maintaining the individual’s independence, remaining in a familiar setting, reduces the risk of illness, and being more cost-effective than institutional living.
Adapting living spaces and lifestyles to meet the needs of our aging population are important considerations for those that choose to age in place. New products and home health care services are continually evolving to meet the needs of aging seniors. Although home renovations may be expensive, modifications for aging residents don’t always drain the bank account. Next Step Transitions provides barrier-free construction services as well as working with nurses and occupational therapists to meet changing needs of clients who have progressive diseases, often another aspect of aging. Roughly $5,000 will allow to install a stair lift, grab bars in the bathroom and conversion of your bathtub shower for easier access. The Government of Ontario also provides a Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit to help individuals with the cost of making your home safer and more accessible. Aging in place can happen if time is invested to think through needs carefully. Getting a professional home assessment done and comparing the cost of renovations to a berth in a retirement home may help in this decision.
Here are some additional resources:
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.: Guides to home design and adaptation including self-assessment, preventing falls, and garden suites (granny flats).
March of Dimes: Assistive devices, home modification and other services. Services may be income-dependent.
To do-Done: A one-stop shop for every kind of home maintenance and repair project from window washing to pruning shrubs. Hourly and annual rates, seniors’ discount.
Province of Ontario: Programs including tax credits, grants and forgivable loans to renovate homes for aging in place; also property tax relief for low-income seniors.
champlainhealthline.ca: Entering a postal code links you to agencies providing subsidized services such as housekeeping, transportation and personal care.

Fall home maintenance!

Is your house and family prepared for the cold months ahead?

Fall is a good time to take care of projects you may have been putting off all summer. This should also include protecting and preparing your home for the cold winter months ahead. With a little simple seasonal maintenance, you can prolong the life of your home, and put a stop to some of the most common-and costly-problems, before they occur. Try some of these tasks to help make sure your family and investment stay comfortable, healthy and safe this season.

External

Care for trees and shrubs – prune regularly to maintain healthy growing plants and to avoid breaking limbs during the winter months. If needed, create a shelter to minimize damage.
Rake leaves – Although the colourful leaves look beautiful blanketing the ground, it is crucial to discard of them before the snow falls. Leaving leaves on your lawn can inhabit spring growth.
Clean gutters and downspouts – This will help in adequate drainage away from your home.
Make any exterior repairs – Walk around your property to look for any repairs that may need to be addressed such as damage to your roof (chimney), siding and foundation. Having the ground around your home slope away from your foundation will help keep water and melting snow away from your house and out of your basement.
Seal any gaps – Mice need a place to live too! With the cold months approaching some critters will be looking for a warm place to call home. Be sure to fill any small holes and gaps to keep them out.
Drain outside faucets – Draining outside faucets can drastically reduce the chance of pipes freezing or bursting.
Stock up on winter supplies – You never know what the winter will bring. It is best to be prepared for the worst. Having the right supplies can make for an easier transition and season.

Internal

HVAC – Having your furnace serviced every two years is ideal in maintaining a healthy home. Some other tasks that can be done are:
- Check/add insulation to your attic
- Clear out dryer lint trap and vents
- Replace furnace filters
Check and replace batteries in detectors – This is one of the easiest and cost-
effective ways to ensure your families safety.
Replace weather stripping – Sealing around doors and windows is simple way to reduce your energy bill and help your furnace work more efficiently.
Check shut off valves – Over time these valves can deteriorate. It is important to check these because they are your plumbing systems safety net. If a pipe does break, this valve allows you to shut off the supply of water from the city so you (or a plumber) can fix the damage.

These are just SOME regular fall maintenance tips to get your family and home through the winter. It is important to stay on top of seasonal tasks to prevent larger and more costly home repair expenses in the future.
For more information on home maintenance visit Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/.

Spring Forward!

Thankfully, February is behind us, and warmer weather is on the horizon! Before we get to April showers and May flowers we need to deal with the spring thaw. Whether you are looking at purchasing a new home, or you simply want to maintain your existing one, you should inspect the following areas annually. The tail end of every the winter brings a lot of water with it. As the snow melts that water can find its way into your house. There are a few areas you will want to keep an eye on during the spring thaw.

Grading

Be sure to keep an eye on your basement, especially if you have noticed water pooling in the yard, as this is a clear sign of a grading problem. Proper grading creates a slope that carries water away from your home. If not done properly, you may find the water coming into your house through the foundation. To help alleviate this problem, make sure that you extend downspouts to discharge the water at least 2 meters from your foundation. You can also use rain barrels to capture the water coming from your roof. The long-term solution bring in a landscaper to re-grade your property.

Backflow

Backflow is another problem you want to avoid. Backflow can occur when too much storm water or melted snow causes the city’s sewage system to back up into your house. The resulting sewage mess can be costly to clean up and is very unpleasant to deal with. Save yourself the trouble and make sure you have installed backflow preventers. If you don’t have one, not to worry, because backflow preventers can be purchased from stores like Home Depot for as little as $16.

Roof

The roof can be particularly vulnerable during the winter, especially if it is older and not insulated properly. One of the more common causes of roof damage is ice dams, which is a wall of ice that forms at the edge of the roof. When heat from inside melts the snow on the roof, water runs down and refreezes at the roof’s edge. Eventually, the ice builds up and blocks water from draining off the roof. This, in turn, forces the water into your home and can cause thousands of dollars of damage.

If you have attic access, the easiest way to track a potential leak is to go up there with a flashlight and look for the evidence. To minimize the chances of a leaky roof, clean out gutters by removing leaves, sticks and other debris so that melting snow and ice can flow freely. Install gutter guards to prevent debris from entering the gutter. Make sure your attic is well ventilated. If the attic is cold, there will be less melting and refreezing on the roof.

Proper care and maintenance will keep your home in good shape and ensure that you can get the best price when and if you choose to sell. It will also save you from having large and unexpected repair issues that insurance will not cover, giving you that piece of mind. So put away the winter mats and boot trays and get ready to enjoy warmer weather in a well-protected and dry house.

Want to chat more about preparing your house for spring? Leave a comment below or get in touch with me anytime.

Considerations for Renovations: Increasing the Value of Your Home

Are you thinking about making some investments in your home to increase its value? If your answer is yes, there are many things to consider before getting started, from the exterior to the interior of the home.

For the exterior, you can update the sidings, add new a porch or patio, and update the landscaping. For the interior, you can remodel the kitchen, finish (or redo) the basement, update a bathroom, or renovate your key living spaces. While all renovations will give you a fresh and updated home that you can enjoy until you decide to sell, some renovations will give you more bang for your buck when you decide that it’s time to sell and explore other options.

When considering making changes to your home, it’s very important to make sure that you do not overly personalize the renovations, because doing so could adversely affect your property’s appeal to the general public.

Here are my top tips for things you should consider when undertaking a home renovation:

Budget

First things first – set a realistic budget to get the job done right. In the building industry, you get what you pay for, so don’t expect a champagne finish on a beer budget. A good place to start is estimating your costs. Generally speaking, major renovations will cost between $100 and $200 per square foot. Make sure that you set aside a contingency fund, especially if your home is older, because you never know what issues will pop up during the project. Typically, contingency reserves are anywhere from 5%-15% of the initial budget. The rate will typically coincide with the overall initial cost of the project, meaning that the more expensive your renovation is, the larger the contingency fund you will need.

Selecting a Contractor

Now that you have an estimated budget, it’s time to find the right contractor. Start with soliciting recommendations from friends, neighbours or from your Realtor®. Your needs and the expertise required will vary from project to project, so check and see if the contractor has done similar renovations in the past. If possible, take some time to visit and evaluate the existing renovations that were done by the referred contractor. Also make sure that you ask for additional references. In the end, you should select at least three potential contractors to solicit quotes from. Don’t forget to review and know your rights when hiring a contractor.

Getting Quotes

Be aware that there is a difference between an estimate and a quote. An estimate is the contractor’s best guess. At this stage, you should already have an estimate if you have done your research and planning. A quote, on the other hand, is an actual “fixed price” based on the details of your renovation project. When getting a quote, contractors will sometimes offer you the bottom line cost, but this isn’t always necessarily the best option. You need to be able to compare quotes between contractors and to do that, you need a detailed list of costs for materials and labour. An itemized quote will also help you consider changes to the project in an informed way. Select your contractor based on all the information you collected during the research and planning process, including reputation, quality of work, past references, and price.

Once you have chosen your contractor and worked out the details, it’s time for the work to start. Make sure you keep a close eye on things and keep yourself informed. A good contractor should keep you up-to-date on the progress of the work, but don’t be afraid to check in for a status update to see what is actually happening. If you would like more renovation tips, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or get in touch!

Selling This Spring: Tips and Tricks

If you are considering listing your house for sale this spring, there are several things you can do to enhance the appeal of your home and prepare it for sale both inside and out.

Curb appeal

The first thing a potential buyer will see is the exterior of your home. This is your first chance to influence and court potential buyers. Just like a book cover can influence potential readers to pick it off a shelf, great curb appeal will influence buyers to visit your home. The goal is to drive traffic to your home, increasing the probability of a quick sale at the desired selling price.

Staging

If you’re selling your home, you have to fully commit to highlighting why your property is different from all the others for sale, especially in a buyers’ market. I always recommend staging to my clients, as it is a minimal investment that brings great returns. Your Realtor® should be able to recommend an experienced home stager to bring in furniture, rugs and wall art that will appeal to perspective buyers. However, you can also accomplish similar results by taking smaller steps to stage your home. People looking at your home need to be able to visualize living there. So take your babies, pets, and family reunion photos off the walls and trade them in temporarily for well-placed generic photos or modern wall art. Next, look at the furniture you already have and make sure that it is not cluttering the room and making it look smaller. Anything that is unnecessarily taking up space should be moved somewhere else or put into storage. Another easy staging trick is to improve your lighting by replacing heavy dark window coverings with light, open and airy curtains. Finally, liven up your home and brighten your space with some fresh spring flowers.

Declutter

Declutter every single room in your home. This may seem daunting, but when you sell you will need to do it anyways, so think about it as a prepacking exercise. Start with the counters and coffee tables and remove all of your papers, mail, magazines and anything else that can make your room look untidy. Next, look at all your cupboards, closets and storage spaces and remove everything you don’t immediately need. Remember – it will be more difficult for a potential buyer to visualize living in your home if it’s crammed with all of your personal stuff. If you have lots of extras (like seasonal clothing or sports equipment) cluttering your closets, your basement or your garage, consider renting storage space or a “pod”. In the end, it will take you less time to tidy up for last minute buyer visits, and the space will be much more appealing.

These are just some of the things you can do to improve the appeal of your home and set yourself up for a quick and easy sale. For more information, or additional tips and tricks, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

4 budget-friendly ways to enhance your home’s curb appeal

There are many different options to consider if you are thinking of selling your home and want to enhance its curb appeal, or if you simply just want to take some steps to freshen up its exterior. The exterior of your home is the first thing a potential home buyer will see when they arrive. Let’s face it – first impressions matter, and the appeal of the exterior can and will have an impact on the sale price of your home.

Of course money and time are always a consideration when choosing what to do. Below are some straightforward, inexpensive projects that will increase curb appeal and make your home appear better then ever.

1. Freshen up the exterior paint

Putting a fresh coat of paint on your front door, garage and windowsills will freshen up the look of your home. Not decorating savvy and unsure what colours to pick? Gather colour combination ideas from recent issues of home decorating magazines, or take a look at new house constructions in your community. A fresh paint job has the power to transform the look of your house in less time and for less money than any other remodeling project. Make sure you stick to common, contemporary colours to ensure that it will appeal to the greatest number of people.

2. Upgrade your outdoor lighting

As Mike Holmes wrote in a recent National Post article, “Most people figure that a couple of lights at the front of the house, one in the back and maybe one on the side are all they need. But the lighting around your home influences a lot of things, including safety and curb appeal.” If you have been to any model homes recently you may have noticed that exterior lighting is becoming more complex and common. Lighting adds to the overall curb appeal by creating a sense of openness, warmth and security. First ensure that all existing lighting is working properly and that the light has been cleaned of dirt and bugs. Then take steps to either add or improve the lighting around the exterior of your home by taking into consideration the need and purpose of the lighting. Since we are now in fall, the days are getting shorter – making it more of a possibility that potential buyers may be coming when it is dark out. Create the right setting with well-placed lighting to set the right tone for potential buyers.

3. Fix your driveway

Driveways, just like the rest of your house, need to be maintained. Driveways are constantly exposed to a number of elements including heat, water and ice – all which can impact the look or even the integrity of the surface. Faded driveways need to be resealed and cracks need to be repaired. Resealing your driveway isn’t a difficult job, but it can be a messy one. Make sure you take the time to plan out all the steps and pick up all the materials needed before you start. Most importantly, pick a weekend that is forecasting nice weather to give you enough time to get the job done.

4. Maintain or create a garden

Well cared for and maintained gardens can really add to the curb appeal of a home. Take the time to add fresh soil, clean garden beds, pull weeds and plant colourful flowers that compliment your home. If your home currently doesn’t have a garden you can instantly create a feel of a garden by adding a variety of planter boxes or other containers filled with plants and flowers to bring some life to the exterior of your home.

If you have any questions about any of the above projects, or want to learn more about preparing your home for sale, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or get in touch by email or phone.

3 Easy and Affordable Home Upgrades

I wrote this blog to share some easy and affordable home upgrades with you that can all be done in the span of a single weekend. Whether you just recently moved in to a new home, or are planning to sell in the foreseeable future, these home improvement ideas can greatly improve the appearance and value of your home with minimal investment and effort.

If you have any tips for these specific projects (or any other home improvement projects), please leave them in the comments below!

Refresh Your Walls

Painting is probably the easiest, most affordable way to freshen up your place and make an impact. You can transform any room in your house with colour. However, if you haven’t done it before, and don’t know where to begin, painting can seem overwhelming and has the potential to go very wrong.

Here are some tips to get you started:

PREP – the most important part of any successful paint job is prepping the surface. Begin by scraping, sanding, patching, and filing every hole, crack, dent, and surface imperfection. There is no paint, regardless of its cost or colour that will hide a damaged surface.
PRIME – any pro will tell you that priming is essential if you’re painting over a dark colour. But it’s wise to prime any time you paint, even on a light surface. Priming improves paint adhesion (reducing peeling), blocks stains from bleeding through, and allows one-coat coverage. You can now purchase paint that includes the primer, but nothing works as well as using a dedicated primer beforehand. Also – be sure to prep your floors and hardware by protecting them with canvas and painters tape, so that they don’t get ruined during the painting process.
PAINT – paint the edges of your walls first using an angled brush, and then use a roller to paint the rest of your wall using an “M” or “W” motions. Don’t take the roller off the wall until you need to apply more paint. Allow for several hours of drying time.

Not sure what paint colour to use? Click here to review Benjamin Moore’s top trends of 2014.

Upgrade Your Lighting

Lighting upgrades are relatively fast and easy to do, making them a good option for a quick home fix. An upgraded lighting fixture can add some oomph to an otherwise drab or outdated room, making it a great option for home staging.

Some easy options for updating your lighting can include:

Covering naked bulbs with a shade or sconce, which will not only make your fixtures look better, but will distribute light better in the room.
Changing your bulb to a more energy efficient option, and/or changing the colour of your bulb, modifying the colour of the light emitted. For example, soft lighting is much more pleasant than a harsh glare.
Installing a brand new type of lighting can be a bit more challenging, but the investment is typically worthwhile and can completely transform the look of a room. For example, you can consider installing under-cabinet task lighting, or perhaps mount a motion-sensor floodlight on your garage.

Restore Your Tile Grout

Tile flooring is a very common, practical and efficient option for kitchens, bathrooms and entrance-ways, but tile grout (the stuff used in between each tile to set) tends to attract dirt, mold, water, and even cracks. This can be extremely unsightly and even ruin the look of your floor and your entire room. The good news is that fixing grout is relatively easy (although timely) and affordable to do. Here’s how:

Remove old grout – there are numerous tools (both power and manual) that you can find at your local home improvement store that are designed specifically for this task. Before you begin, you will want to cover any furniture or appliances in the room that you wouldn’t want damaged – because there may be some flying debris. Then, make a center incision down the middle of each grout line with your tool, and using firm pressure, use a scraper to eliminate any grout that you will be replacing. Be sure to chip away any remaining grout around the edges of the tile.
Clean grout lines and tiles – once you have removed the old grout, you will want to clean out the lines with soap and water until it’s 100% removed. If you are planning on keeping your existing tiles, immediately clean those as well.
Mix grout – following package directions, mix your new grout in a bucket. Its final consistency should be similar to icing. The grout will begin to set within 15 minutes, so you will have to work quickly or mix multiple small batches to keep it fresh.
Apply new grout – using the appropriate tool that you bought at your local home improvement store, apply the new grout, working across grout lines at a 30 to 45 degree angle. Press the grout well into the cracks. Once all grout lines have been filled, use a damp sponge to ensure the surface of your tiles are wiped clean. You can also use a toothbrush to pack the grout down into the cracks and give it a nice finish.
Set grout – let your new grout set overnight. Give it a final wipe down with a dry cloth in the morning. Apply a grout sealer. Ideally, you should avoid excessive contact with the grout for 4-5 days so that it sets perfectly. Voila, you have restored your tiles!