DIY & Troubleshooting

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The Essential Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Autumn is the season of multi-coloured trees, peaceful walks on leaf-strewn trails, and fun-filled trips to apple orchards and pumpkin patches. It’s also an ideal time to make sure your home and heating system are ready to keep you comfortable during the coming winter. Read on to discover eight tasks to include on your fall…

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Simple Tips to Winterize Your House’s Pipes

During cold winter months, freezing temperatures and harsh weather conditions can wreak havoc on your pipes and plumbing system. Avoid costly repairs and inconvenience by following our basic plumbing winterization steps. Basic Steps to Winterize House Plumbing 1. Insulate Exposed Pipes The first step in winterizing your plumbing is to protect your pipes from the…

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How to Remove Allergens From Your Home

If you or someone in your household is experiencing a runny or stuffy nose, a scratchy throat, or itchy, watery eyes and you’re not sure why, it could be because of environmental allergens in your home. If you can determine what your allergy triggers are, you will know where to focus your efforts to eliminate…

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DIY HVAC Inspection Tips for Home Buyers

If you’re about to buy a home, you’ll want to make sure the furnace, air conditioner and other HVAC equipment look good before taking possession. Heating and cooling systems can be expensive, so it’s in your best interest to know in advance whether everything is in peak condition — or if something has to be…

Homeowner inspecting the home's air conditioning vent.

10 Easy Ways to Troubleshoot Common Central AC Problems

There are few things more frustrating than your air conditioning unit not working at the peak of summer heat. Without a functioning AC unit, your home becomes uncomfortable and your energy bills can spike. If your unit isn’t keeping you cool, try these 10 troubleshooting tips to get it back up and running before calling…

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How to Troubleshoot a Furnace: 7 Steps to Finding a Solution

During cold winter temperatures, a well-running furnace is essential to maintaining comfort in your home. Regular maintenance on your HVAC system helps ensure optimal performance on the coldest days when you need it most.  Unfortunately, unexpected furnace problems can arise. If you’re having trouble with your heating system, review the following steps suggested by our…

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The Complete Home Inspection Checklist for First-Time Home Buyers

A home is probably the biggest, most valuable purchase you’ll ever make. So you want to be sure any house is in good condition before you seal the deal. A home inspection can either help confirm you’re making a wise investment or expose issues that might make you reconsider your decision to buy. This checklist…

House in the winter at dusk

How to Prepare Your Home for Extreme Weather: Heatwaves and Cold Snaps

Living in Canada has always meant hot summers and cold winters. But as our climate changes, extreme weather is becoming more common, including cold snaps and heatwaves that can have a big impact on you and your family. Here are some tips to help you prepare your home for not only the typical annual temperature…

inside toilet

DIY Plumbing Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

Plumbing can be intimidating, especially for newer homeowners. You may feel like you have no idea where to start when it comes to maintaining your plumbing system, and you might even be afraid to tinker with any of the parts. While it’s best to leave major plumbing projects to a professional, there are steps you…