This page will guide you through nearly 40 sections regarding the maintenance of your home

You will find expert answers, tips and valuable information on a wide range of topics such as mould, foundations, heating, building permits and insurance issues with your home.

Note: The files below were provided to me to use on my site and have been authorized by Amerispec and all of these files are pdf files

Back to main index for home inspections

General Industry topics related to Homes, home inspectors and home inspection issues

Please click a topic link above for more information on that particular topic

ENVIRONMENTAL

• Energy Incentives >> Government incentives for improve home energy effeciency.
• Fire Safety >> Tips on dryer vents, basement apartments and smoke detectors.
• Fuel Storage >> Fuel oil tank regulations, insurance issues.
• HRV ERV >> Info on Heat and Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems.
• Keeping Cool >> Reducing temperature, central air conditioning, maintenance.
• Mould >> Factors affecting mould growth, terminology.
• One Tonne Challange >> Information about the One Tonne Challenge.
• Pests >> Typical pests, health and safety, building damage.
• Renewable Enengery Sources >> All about renewable energy.
• UFFI >> About Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation.
• Vermiculite >> What it is and how to treat it.
• Water Quality >> Factors affecting rural property considerations.
• Water Treatment Systems >> How to protect the water in your home.
• Wood Burning Systems >> Info on features, installation, maintenance.

INDUSTRY TOPICS

• EnerGuide >> Info and links to Canada's Energuide for Houses Program.
• Inspector Qualifications >> General requirements, Amerispec requirements.
• Insurance Issues >> Older homes; fuel storage, wiring, plumbing.
• Permits >> Responsibilities, time durations, costs, requirements, penalties.

MAJOR SYSTEMS

• Chimneys >> Information on chimney maintenance.
• Electrical Capacity >> Electrical requirements, ungrounded outlets, scorched wires.
• Fuel Storage >> Fuel oil tank regulations, insurance issues.
• Furnace >> Increasing efficiency, underground fuel oil storage tanks.
• Heating >> The efficiencies of different kinds of gas furnaces.
• Plumbing >> Plastic and lead water distribution, galvanized distribution systems.
• Roofs >> Info on life spans, layers of shingles, ice build-up.
• Septic Systems >> What to know about septic systems.
• Ventilation >> Requirements, natural ventilation, mechanical types.
• Water Quality >> Factors affecting rural property considerations.
• Wood Burning Systems >> Info on features, installation, maintenance.

THE BUILDING ENVELOPE

• Air Sealing >> Common causes of high heating bills, drafts.
• Asbestos >> Info about asbestos and health considerations.
• Costing >> What you should know about quotes and agreements.
• Decks >> Info on Deck supports and building permits.
• Electrical Capacity >> Electrical requirements, ungrounded outlets, scorched wires.
• EnerGuide >> Info and links to Canada's Energuide for Houses Program.
• Fire Safety >> Tips on dryer vents, basement apartments and smoke detectors.
• HRV ERV >> Info on Heat and Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems.
• Foundation Concerns >> Understanding a Home's structure before buying.
• Pests >> Typical pests, health and safety, building damage.
• Preparing the House for Inspection >> Info and tips for home owners.
• Roofs >> Info on life spans, layers of shingles, ice build-up.
• UFFI >> About Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation.
• Vermiculite >> What it is and how to treat it.
• Water Heaters >> Info on conventional, tankless, solar and water heaters.
• Wet Basement >> Unfinished basements, older homes, conflicting repair costs.
• Windows >> Condensation, older wood windows, window types.
• Wood Burning Systems >> Info on features, installation, maintenance.

Please click a topic link above for more information on that particular topic