As you may know, the building world is full of standards, regulations, and laws, each targeting different aspects. The most well-known is undoubtedly the building construction code, which ensures the quality of work and public safety—but it’s not the only one! Stay with us as our building experts explain what ASTM E783 and E1105 standards…
Mr. Lachance loves his new home. Settled in just over a year ago, he decided to remodel the basement. When he made an opening in a wall covering the foundation, he discovered that the concealed materials were completely rotten. Water infiltration seems to be responsible for the damage. What should Mr. Lachance do now? Who…
Mandated for a problem of unpleasant odor in a kitchen, our expert was far from expecting this situation, so simple in appearance, to become one of our most complex of the season. And the customer even less. But if there is one thing that is confirmed with each case, it is that there are always…
With the presence of stains and mold spots on the wood and rust on the nails, our inspectors come to suspect the presence of high condensation in the attics of the houses they visit. This condensation can be caused by several elements including an exfiltration of hot and humid air from inside the building or…
Each winter, while a Siberian wind is whistling outside, we are presented with the traditional news report on thermal imaging surveys. According the pseudo-experts who show us these funny red and blue images, there is almost nothing they cannot see with their camera. Yet, unless asking Superman for a favor, no thermal camera can see through walls…
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…
Presence of mature, deciduous trees near a building can cause various problems, depending on the tree type and soil.
You're ready to buy your first home or you need a larger space to accommodate your growing family. After several weeks of intense searching, you finally find the perfect home. But, you come down from your cloud soon enough...reality hits, the market is fierce and several offers have been made. You don't want to lose…
In our everyday conversations, too often, and wrongly, we attribute poor indoor air quality to a house that it is too "insulated". This terminology is wrong. A house can never be too insulated, but the quality of its indoor air can still be affected by another factor: the airtightness of the house. Take advantage of…
It’s winter. The wind is whistling around you and the cold is cutting into your bones. You've barely made it from your car to the front door when your fingers are already frozen. You still risk taking out your keys, entering it in the lock of your main door, but unfortunately, it refuses to turn…