Inspecta-PRO

With Winter nearly here, this is a great time to make sure your smoke detectors are working! If you have a Central security system, make sure the monitoring station is effectively monitoring you by "testing" the system (usually a candle will do it) while calling them. Supplement this by battery operated units on every level. As well, if you have combustion heating or auxiliary heating (fireplace, stove) make sure every combustion appliance has a carbon monoxide detector within 3 feet!

Are you in a panic because the buyer's Home Inspector pointed out several ''urgent'' repairs when you're selling you're home? Why not try our MOVE-IN CERTIFIED service? We inspect your property BEFORE you list it, thus pointing out the problems and giving you ALL the time to get repairs done without panic or outrageous prices! www.inspectapro.net

Save up to 20% on you (already high) heating bill!
Use programmable a - or several, depending on yur heating system - programmable thermostat! Your home does not need all that heat when you're absent or asleep! So why pay for nothing? http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2012/09/to-save-energy-get-with-the-programmable-thermostat/index.htm

To save energy, get with the programmable thermostat – Consumer Reports News Programmable thermostats can lower energy bills by roughly $180 a year, yet only half of thermostats installed in today's homes are programmed to lower temperatures when the house is unoccupied or at night, according to a study funded by the...

CBC MARKETPLACE USING SPRAY FOAM ''NIGHTMARE'': If you saw the report, you should still not be afraid of using spraywww.inspectapro.net foam insulation, provided you follow a few basic rules:
1. Check out your contractor and make sure they're a member of the ''Spray Foam Certified'' alliance.
2. Check out the individual contractor. Ask for client references.
3. Check out the contractor with the ''Office de protection du consommateur''.

Most such installations we inspect are just fine. But if the mixing goes wrong, harmful chemicals (cyanides) can become dangerous to occupants and contaminating areas need to be eliminated (as opposed to all). This rarely happens in our experience. Still you should make sure the basic rules are followed. Gil Larin, featured Home Inspector

QUALITÉ DE L'AIR INTÉRIEUR: Si votre propriété utilise un système de chauffage ia air pulsé, (mazout, gaz ou électrique) il est important de faire nettoyer vos conduits d’air aux deux ou trois ans. Ce travail est généralement effectué par des professionnels usilisant un puissant aspirateur à pression négative qui est logé dans leur véhicule. Si vous remarquez une odeur inconnue ou souffrez d’allergies, le nettoyage des conduits d’air est fortement recommandé.

Un nettoyage professionnel se fait en deux ou 3 heures et vaut l’investissement.

Vous devriez également considérer un échangeur d’air. Nous vivons dans un vase clos sur 8 mois par année et ce genre d’appareil nous donne de l’air frais filtré sans augmenter les coûts de chauffage. Et si vous souffrez d’asthme or d’allergies, un échangeur HEPA vous aidera.

Une bonne qualité d’air vous donne une meilleur humeur ainsi qu’une meilleure santé.
Gil Larin est inspecteur en bâtiments à Montréal www.inspectapro.net

INDOOR AIR QUALITY:If your home has a forced air system, be it oil, gas or electric, it is important to have your air ducts cleaned once every few years. This is usually done by a professional using a powerful negative pressure vacuum operated from a truck. If you notice a strange odor or there are many allegies, it is a good idea to have the ducts cleaned.

A professional cleaning usually takes about 3-4 hours and is worth the cost.

You should also consider an air exchanger (heat recovery ventilator or HRV). We live in a fishbowl (closed environment for 8 months a year and these units give us fresh filtered air in a cost effective manner! Also now available are Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV’s), which return not only heat energy, but moisture to help humidify the home if required. If you suffer from allergies or asthma you can add a HEPA (hybrid) filtration system to the HRV and have fresh, clean air.

Good air quality makes you feel good and makes you healthier!
Gil Larin is a Home Inspector in Montreal www.inspectapro.net

InspectaPROHome Inspection Services- www.inspectapro.net Residential home inspection services, serving greater Montreal,Eastern Ontario, upper NY State, Vermont , Michigan

ALERTE CONSOMMATEUR: L'OACIQ, l'autorité qui règlemente le courtage immobilier au Québec, ne reconnait officiellement que deux Associations d'inspecteurs: l'AIBQ et ANIEB. Attention, si vous utilisez un inspecteur pré-achat qui n'est pas membre d'une ou l'autre de ces associations, vous pouvez vous exposez à des risques inutiles.

CONSUMER ALERT: The Real Estate watchdog in Québec, OACIQ, officially recognizes only two Inspector Associations: AIBQ and ANIEB. If you mandate a pre-purchase inspector who is not a member of one or the other, you may be exposing yourself to a unnecessary risk.

Vente de votre propriété, évitez la panique: Afin d'éviter des réparations coûteuses en catastrophe, il est sage de faire inspecter votre propriété avant de la mettre sur le marché! Ceci vous donnera l'occasion d'en connaître l'état et de pouvoir planifier et exécuter efficacement les réparations et l'entretien identifiés par l'inspecteur.

Selling your property, avoid panic: Before you list your property, it is a good idea to have it inspected! The inspector will identify priority repairs and maintenance and this knowledge will allow you to plan and execute these in cost efficient and timely ways thus avoiding "panic" last minute repairs.