Plain-English articles on what I find in homes — and what you can do about it. Let’s talk about homeownership!
If you’ve never had a home inspection before, here’s exactly what happens — from booking to report — and why it’s worth every penny.
Read →Energy costs in NS are among the highest in Canada. Here’s a plain-language breakdown of the ENS programs that can put thousands of dollars back in your pocket.
Read →They work in silence inside the wood, and by the time the evidence shows up the damage is already done. How to spot them, what they attack, and what to do about it.
Read →A large part of rural Nova Scotia runs on septic. Here’s how the system works, how to maintain it, and what will shorten its life in a hurry.
Read →It’s in a lot of older Valley homes. Here’s what the concerns actually are — and why it’s not automatically a dealbreaker.
Read article →You can't see it, smell it, or taste it — but radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in Canada. Here's what every Nova Scotia homeowner needs to know.
Read →A simple rule that governs how high your chimney needs to be — and why getting it wrong means poor draft and backdrafting combustion gases.
Read →Bedroom windows aren't just for light and fresh air. In a fire, they're your backup exit — and the code requires them to be big enough to actually use.
Read →Ice dams are one of the most destructive winter problems in Atlantic Canada. Here's what causes them, what damage they do, and how to prevent them.
Read →A practical, season-by-season checklist for keeping your home in good shape — from an inspector who sees what happens when maintenance gets skipped.
Read →Chimney flashing is one of the most common sources of roof leaks I find on inspections. Here's what it is, why it fails, and what to look for.
Read →Most fire deaths aren't from flames — they're from smoke. The right detectors in the right places give you the time you need to get out.
Read →I find 20–40 issues on a typical home inspection. These 9 come up again and again — and most of them are cheap to fix.
Read →Improperly sloped lots are probably the single biggest contributor to wet basements. Here's what slope you need and how to fix it when the land works against you.
Read →I find major defects in at least half the decks I inspect. Most are weekend DIY builds — here's what gets missed and what the code actually requires.
Read →Vermiculite itself is harmless. But a significant portion of what was installed in Canadian homes contained asbestos — and it may be in your attic right now.
Read →Yes. If your home has Kitec plumbing, it's not a question of if it fails — it's when. Here's what Kitec is, why it matters, and what to do about it.
Read →The good ones are always busy. Here's how to find a reliable contractor, compare bids, and protect yourself with a proper contract.
Read →