Chronicles from our experts
Our blog articles allow you to learn more about construction and renovation. How to prevent problems with your building and how to fix them? Where to invest money and properly maintain your house or building? What are the myths and urban legends on housing that you may have heard ? Our inspectors and experts share their knowledge to enable you to make well-informed decisions.
3 reasons for buying a Novoclimat house
Buying a home is a pivotal moment in the life of any home or condo owner. And when it comes time to buy a new home, any conscientious buyer will want to take every step to get the most out of their real estate investment. A great way to do…
Failed renovations: a real case that had the effect of a cold shower
Imagine the following situation: You just had major renovations completed on your house, including the roof, when suddenly problems begin. Repetitive water infiltration forces you to spend thousands of dollars and contractors take turns without solving the problem definitively. Every expected rain raises your anxiety level as you fear further damage. You do not know…
5 things to consider when buying a second home
According to a 2021 report on recreational properties, one in four Canadians would consider buying a second home or cottage. This is due in part to the popularity of working remotely as well as the more affordable recreational property market compared to urban markets. Read our article as our home…
5 Tips to keep your basement from looking like a horror movie…
If you ask homeowners what the wettest place in their house is, chances are most of them will answer without hesitation: the basement. If you're one of them, you may be wondering if there's anything you can do about it. Read our article as our building experts present you with…
3 questions before buying a fixer upper home
It may seem interesting when choosing your next home to consider a "fixer upper" home to save a little money. This is even more true when the inventory of properties for sale is more limited, smaller. But not all fiser upper homes are created equal... Keep reading or watch our…
Contingency fund study: how to choose a trustworthy company?
You are an active member of your condominium corporation and you were mandated to learn about Bill 16 and contingency fund studies at your last meeting. You search the internet for a reliable company to conduct your study and, after visiting a few sites, you are more confused than before…
3 reasons to take advantage of the exclusive My First Home program
Whether you choose a condo or a house, taking the plunge and buying your first home is never an easy decision. Neighbourhood, inspection, mortgages, insurance: there are many things to consider and weigh. Read our article as we share with you 3 reasons why it's worth taking advantage of our…
Attic ventilation : Your attic needs fresh air
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…
Real estate investor: see how a good inspector can be a valued ally!
You are a real estate investor and you have a beautiful building in your sights. You evaluate the potential and decide to make an offer to purchase. Since time is of the essence, you decide not to call on the services of a professional inspector and opt instead to take…
Thermography: 5 myths explained by our experts
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…
In-house survey: home inspection and building as seen by… you!
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…
Energy efficiency | See the energy efficiency of our homes in a few figures
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…
Is your house too big for you?
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…
A blower door test, but what is it?
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…
5 common problems encountered when buying an old house
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…
5 interesting facts about… mold!
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…
How well do you know your house? Play the game!
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…
Is radon gas coming to your home?
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,…
Could a carbon monoxide detector save your life ?
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…
Beware of trees too close to your house
Presence of mature, deciduous trees near a building can cause various problems, depending on the tree type and soil.
Growing old in your own home. Is it possible?
"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…
Post purchase inspection: when is it too late to get an inspection?
According to the Canadian Real Estate Association, the average price of houses in the country has increased by 18% between 2020 and 2021. As we all know, the real estate market has been in turmoil lately and we have received hundreds of calls from clients who wanted a building inspection…
5 tips to avoid being overwhelmed by your home inspection report
We know that it can be intimidating to read any large technical document and a home inspection report is no exception. The home inspection report is the only tangible item that will remain when the inspection is complete and it is what you will base your decision on whether or…
Not too near the ground, please!
When the threshold of a window is at or below ground level, the proximity of it may bring together the components of the window with soil moisture, thus promoting water infiltration and insects.
My pre inspected home Program: an idea that benefits everyone!
There's no denying that over the past few years the real estate market has surprised us with a whole range of unpredictable twists and turns. But did you know that there is a simple and accessible way to ensure that everyone gets the most out of a real estate transaction?…
Contingency fund study: do you know where the numbers come from?
You are a new condo owner and you decide to get involved in the management of your condo. You take a look at all the documents that you are given, including the contingency fund study, and your head quickly turns. You wonder how to find your way through all these…
Co-ownership documents and purchase of a condo: 3 options for you
The purchase of a condo is for many an interesting option when it comes to making a first real estate purchase. According to Statistics Canada, 1 out of 5 condo owners is under the age of 35. Many people wonder what the differences are between buying a condo and a…
Cave or house: air quality problems are as old as the hills!
Darkness, crawling critters, humidity... the living conditions in the caves that were the homes of the first Homo sapiens were certainly not rosy. Any spelunker will tell you! And although it is undeniable that living conditions have greatly evolved since the days of the cavemen thanks to the high quality…
5 common sources of water infiltration in a basement or crawl space
Did you know that according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, approximately 40% of all claims are related to water damage? In Quebec alone, this represents more than 600 million dollars in damages! A simple way to minimize damage from water infiltration is to be constantly vigilant. Stay tuned as…
Buying a home without a legal warranty: are you up for such an adventure?
You're in the market for a new home, but the current real estate market is certainly not easy for buyers. Finally, you find the house of your dreams, but there's a little catch: the seller insists on selling without a legal warranty, at your own risk... Stay tuned as we…
Attic: do not let this mysterious space make you sick
A study by Chalmers University found that 72% of homes with cold attics have excessive humidity and a strong presence of mold. In other words, only 1 in 4 houses does not have attic related problem. What about you, do you know if your attic is in good shape? Fortunately,…
What is the reason behind Bill 16?
If you own a condo, you know that you will soon have to comply with the requirements of Bill 16. But your building is brand new and you may think this law does not concern you. After all, why should you set aside money now if the building doesn't need…
Buying a house without an inspection is buying with your eyes closed…
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…
Is your house suffocating? Find out why?
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…
Frozen door lock : find out what is hidden behind that commun problem
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…
Pests: Make sure your attic remains uninhabited
Despite their sometimes repulsive aspect, wasps, bats, ants or even spiders all have an important role to play in nature. As long as mice remain in fields and birds in the trees, everything is for the best in the best of worlds. It is when these creatures sneak behind the…
Ice dam : see what is hiding behind the icicles
It's winter and you just got back from shopping. Your gaze is attracted to your roof, where the brilliant sun makes the icicles dangling from your gutter glitter with a thousand lights. Suddenly, the enchantment gives way to doubts: is the weight of all this ice likely to tear the…
Avoid condensation in windows
During winter, there are certain problems that are obvious to our inspectors even before they enter the house. One of these problems is excessive condensation in the windows. The indoor ambient temperature, the humidity level in the air, the surface temperature of the window, the outside temperature and the habits…
Avoid unnecessary damage to your outdoor faucets
Even though most of our modern homes are equipped with outdoor faucets that are frost-free, there are still some small precautions to take as the cold season approaches or even during the winter. Stay with us and watch our video to learn more about how to care for your outdoor…
For an efficient and odor-free floor drain
When a plumbing fixture (kitchen sink, bathroom sink, etc.) is seldom use or not use, there is a great risk that the water in its p-trap will evaporate or empty, allowing the sewer odors to escape. Simply pouring a sufficient amount of water into the drain will fill the p-trap and prevent…
New or old house? Air quality issues do not make the difference
How can you understand your indoor air quality situation, whether your home is new or not? In this capsule we will help you review your concerns about the health of your loved ones and the different contaminants that can be found inside your home. You won't need any specialized tools…
So that your gutters keep running smoothly…
It is not uncommon for the buyer of a new house to be given a house without gutters and downspouts because, contrary to what many of us may believe, their installation is not part of the requirements of the Construction code. However, an adequate system of rain gutters and downspouts…
Avoid problems related to an inadequate ground slope
Did you know that the slope of the land around the building has an important function of drainage of runoff water? Therefore, a poor drainage of a sloped lot due to a bad slope directing water towards the foundation can promote excess humidity in the basement or even cause water…
Efflorescence: that white powder that hides so much
Efflorescence presents itself in the form of a powdery, whitish substance that appears on the surface of brick, masonry and concrete. This phenomenon occurs when the mineral salts contained in these elements are dissolved by the water they contain. During its evaporation, the water transports these salts to the surface…
Do not fill the weep holes!
If you live in a home with masonry exterior cladding, such as brick, you may have noticed these small openings at the bottom of the wall. You might think the mason decided to save some money on the mortar. The reality is however quite different… Watch our video and see…
Heat pump: how much power do you really need?
The warm season is finally at our doorstep and the memory of past heat waves makes you seriously consider having a heat pump installed. You do some research on the internet to find that there are quite more things to consider than you first thought. And it would seem that…
Change or repair your windows? See more clearly and make the right choice
If you live in a house where air drafts are part of it, you might think you’re literally throwing your money away. So you consider replacing your windows, but are they actually responsible for your discomfort and your high heating bills? If saving money is your main goal, there may…
Buying a condo: 5 important points to consider to avoid nightmares!
The acquisition of a condo has several aspects that must not be overlooked if one wants to avoid unpleasant surprises. When buying a condo, it is important to keep in mind that you are also getting the management of the entire building. In other words, you must ensure that the…
Home air quality test: do you really need it?
Frequent colds, bronchitis, skin irritation, itchy eyes, nosebleeds, etc. All symptoms that you or your family may be experiencing. Worried, you look for information and come to doubt the indoor air quality of your home and the potential presence of mold. You could then be tempted to ask for an…
Your house is airtight? Choose the best adapted ventilation
Winter is definitely here and the frequent presence of frost at the bottom of your windows suggests that you are experiencing a moisture problem in your home. You look on the web to find possible solutions, but this only brings you more questions... Incorrectly connected dryer, inadequate exhaust fan, poor…