60: That's the number of home surveys that you - the faithful readers of our home capsule - have answered since the very first issue of our newsletter in April 2014. We asked you about a wide range of topics that are related to our field of interest, namely building. Stay tuned as we take…
Did you know that according to Hydro-Quebec, heating and air conditioning alone are responsible for 54% of a home's energy costs? This is the main reason why energy efficiency is at the center of so many conversations, subsidy programs and the focus of our building contractors. Read our article as we take a look at…
A friend of yours is getting ready to move from the house she's lived in for 35 years to a condo. After all, her children have long since left the nest, her neighbourhood has changed and her long-time acquaintances have moved away. What about you, have you ever considered that maybe your home was no…
Did you know that there is such an effective tool that Transition énergétique Québec - the government corporation set up to administer several energy efficiency programs - has made it its main tool, among others, for the Rénoclimat and Novoclimat programs? And what if we told you that our experts even use it to diagnose…
Older homes tend to offer residents a sturdier construction and aesthetically pleasing facades that you would be hard pressed to find in today's construction. But behind its exterior charm, an old house can hide a range of problems that can make many people regret their purchase. Stay with us as we look at 5 problems…
During your spring cleaning, you discover mold on your window frames. You clean up the mold, install your screens and forget about it. At least until fall when you remove your screens for the cold season. What do you find on your window frames? You guessed it: mold. Clean up the mold and then listen…
Did you know that since the beginning of the pandemic, the average value of our homes in Quebec has increased by more than 30%! In such a context, it is easy to understand why more and more homeowners want to better plan the work and invest in the right places. But to do this, it…
Radon is an odorless gas found in the ground that comes from the natural decay of uranium. When this gas is released into the atmosphere and mixes with fresh air, its concentration is too low to be of concern. However, when radon infiltrates a home through cracks in foundation walls, sumps pit or any other…
Despite the awareness campaigns of recent years, it still happens too frequently that our inspectors discover, during their pre-purchase home inspection or other inspections, houses without a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. Although not all homes require the presence of such a detection system, it is essential for everyone to know the conditions that call for…
"Aging at home" is the name given to the phenomenon describing the ability of older people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. Of course, people who age at home do not require the necessary support services such as those offered in specialized centers. That said, stay tuned as we…