Found 44 results for the keyword ‘Overview’

Opting out of Hydro Quebec's Smart Meter program and alternatives
Alternatives to paying hydro to not install a smart meter In Quebec as in some other jurisdictions, the electrical utility has opened the door to refusing the installation of Smart Meters by consumers -- but at a consideral penality. Initially, in 2012, Hydro Quebec is imposing a $137 charge ju...
What is Radon and should I be worried?
The basic message to remember is that Radon is a dangerous cancer causing gas and if found to exist in high concentrations in your house the problem can be solved permenantly and at a reasonable cost. So we don't want to ignore the possibility, we need to test every house in Canada. 7% of homes...
OVERVIEW: Was Urea Formaldehyde (UFFI) foam insulation really a health hazard?
(updated Sept 2012) Since the early 80's Urea-Formaldehyde Foam Insulation (UFFI) was banned in Canada and the US. The Canadian ban is still in place while it is now legal again to sell Urea-Formaldehyde based foam in the US and Europe. Whether it ever was or still is actually a health problem ...
Overview: Vermiculite, Zonolite, Asbestos and your health
Note 2014 : As you read below you will find a detailed history of Vermiculite insulation and problems it had starting in 1920. Just recently I have become aware of houses built around or before 1920, yes 100 year old houses, where it was discovered that there was about 2 inches of Vermiculite u...
Qu'est-ce que le radon?
Il n’y a pas beaucoup d’information en français sur ce site, mai comme j’ai produit les vidéos sur le radon dans les deux langues, j’ai voulu les partager avec mes visiteurs qui sont plus confortable dans la langue de Molière. Cliquez ici pour visionner les vidéos techniques pour le travail sur ...
OVERVIEW: When do I need to remove snow from a roof?
For most houses, never -- let nature handle it. The reason for that is that most roofs are built to handle the snow that is piled up on it, removing snow is dangerous to you and often the process of snow removal causes more damage to the roof than the snow would. Those were the conclusions tha...
OVERVIEW: Spring Flooding of Basements
Every spring basements get flooded with water and I get flooded with letters about basements turned into swimming pools. Although there is a lot of information on this site about the problem, let me summarize and link it together. For solutions, see PREPARING FOR A FLOOD The spring thaw is the...
OVERVIEW: Pyrite
Pyrite and the damage it can cause to homes is a worrisome and expensive problem in certain areas of Quebec and is affecting property values. So just what is the problem? Pyrite is a mineral, also known as Iron Sulfide or more commonly as Fools Gold for it's looking similar to gold specs in r...
Overview - Building the base to a tiled shower.
Most people don't realize it but glazed tiles are not completely waterproof although they are highly water resistant. The reality is that the tile and the grout are not the final line of defence against water leaking through to the ceiling below. A proper built-in shower stall starts with a tape...

Techniques for Installing Drywall