For your added benefit, we are happy to provide you with a FREE CMHC information package on the following subjects. Just give us a call.
MAINTENANCE
At some stage - just about everything on or in your home will need replacement or maintenance. Despite our best efforts with new materials - acutally there's no such thing as "maintenance free". this is especially true if you happen to live in a geographic area where there's a significant temperature swing summer to winter.

A good rule of thumb is to allow about one per cent of your purchase price, per year for maintenance.

Exterior
-Grading - ensure that all grading (which includes patios, drives, walkways and so on) slopes away from the foundation walls and any structural posts or columns, for at least the first five or six feet. All grading must be at least six inches below any brick or stone veneer and at least eight inches below any siding.
-Window Wells- remove debris and foliage. Ensure that the stone in the bottom is at least six to eight inches below the window sill.
-Evestroughs and downspouts- must discharge at least six feet from foundation walls or any other structural elements. Clean out gutters and repair any winter damage.
-Bricks/stone/siding/stucco- repair any damage. Paint and caulk. Repair or replace any damaged areas especially where underlying sheathing or framing is exposed.
-Windows- paint and caulk as required. Replace any rotted sections. Pay particular attention to the miter joints of clad windows.
-Doors- paint and caulk as required. Seal the panels of wood garage doors, inside and out. Check that automatic door openers run smoothly and that the safety auto reverse sensor(s) work. Lubricate all door tracks, wheels and hinges. Repairing garage door springs is a job for an expert. The long, coiled, horizontal springs are under significant tension and may seriously injure you if they let go unexpectedly. Check all patio doors and screens for smooth operation and adjust where necessary.
-Roof- check that shingles are secure and that none are missing or damaged. Check flat roofs for adequate gravel cover, blisters or exposed tar. Check that all roof flashings are secure and well sealed.
-Chimneys and flue pipes- have chimneys professionally cleaned. Check to ensure that caps and flashings are sealed and secure. Clay liners deteriorate over time, especially in very cold climates - replace any damaged units.
-Trim Trees- away from roofs and outbuildings. Cut back vines so that they are at least three feet from soffits, facias and  chimneys.
-Cracks in foundation Walls- are not all major structural issues, however all will deteriorate and may leak if left unattended. Seal all cracks in foundation walls and monitor the area(s) for moisture entry and/or further movement. Professional repairs for all foundation cracks are highly recommended.
-Driveways, paths and patios- repair cracks and other damaged concrete or asphalt, re-set any loose patio stones or interlock.  ensure that all driveways (as far as possible) and all paths and patios, slop away from the building walls. Clean out driveway drains.
-Walkouts- clean out drains, ensure that any retaining wall weep holes are clear and draining.
-Retaining Walls, fences and Gates - repair fences and gates. Paint or re-stain about every three years. Re-set any posts heaved by frost. Repair retaining walls ensureing they lean away from the void, clean out weep holes and ensure any walls above two feet have safety railings.
Interior
-Basements and crawl spaces- check for signs of water penetration or cracks. Look for mold and mildew in damp areas as well as efflorescence (the white powdery deposit found on walls and floors). Check especially behind storage areas, wood stacks and areas behind large pieces of furniture.
Cold stores are often poorly ventilated - opening rhe door into the basement for a few days can help to exchange the air. Open up any available wall vents.
Crawl spaces must be vented - often wall vents are closed for the winter - open them in spring to allow fresh air throughout the enclosed spaces.
-Check operation of all sump pumps- and ensure that the discharge pipes are clear of debris and at least six feet from any foundation walls or other structural elements.
-Elecrrical panel- check for water penetration and rust. Ensure fuses are fitted tightly and that any visible aluminum wiring is not corroded. Check for loose or poorly supported wiring - most commonly found in basements and garages. Secure loose wires with appropriate clips.
YOU MUST EMPLOY A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN FOR ANY ELECTRICAL REPAIRS UNLESS YOU ARE CERTAIN HOW TO PROCEED! WE RECOMMEND QUALIFIED ELECTRICIANS BE USED FOR ALL ELECTRICAL REPAIRS, ADDITIONS AND UPGRADES.
-Faucet's and shower heads- replace any washers at leaking taps, clean filters with a liquid descaler to reduce bacteria and ensure good water flow. Check and replace any defective or cracked bathtub or sink/basin caulking. Toilets that run continuously need adjustment or new mechanisms.
FURNACES AND BOILERS, HEAT PUMPS AND AIR CONDITIONING UNITS - must be cleaned and serviced annually. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND ANNUAL SERVICE/MAINTENACE AGREEMENTS WHICH COVER THE COST OF MOST REPAIRS.
Renew missing insulation on air conditioning pipes and seal all pipes where they pass throught the house wall. Clear bushes and other foilage that block air conditioning fins.
In cold climates, cover the top of the air condition units with plywood to keep snow off the fan blades. The plastic covers available are not recommended as they tend to hold moisture inside, promoting rust.
Check all boiler pumps, radiators, reservoirs and pipes for leaks. Some pumps need regular lubrication.
-Attics and Crawl Spaces- inspect these areas for squirels or other uninvited guests. Check for leakage, mildew, or other water damage, especially near flashings, soffits and around chimneys and other roof or wall penetrations.
Rake loose insulation level and ensure that soffit vents are not obstructed.

MONTHLY
-Check ground and arc fault circuit interrupters at outlets and at the electrical panel.
-Clean whirlpool tubs
-Check, clean or replace furnace or heat pump air filters
-Check operation of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

ecoENERGY Retrofit - HOME GRANTS- EFFECTIVE MARCH 16TH, 2009
1) WHAT'S NEW?
2) HOW DO I APPLY?
3) IS THERE A DEADLINE?
4) HOW MUCH CAN I GET BACK?
5) CAN I GET MONEY FROM THE HOME RENVOATION TAX CREDIT AND THE ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Grant?
6)  IF I APPLY FOR THE HOME RENOVATION TAX CREDIT WILL I AUTOMATICALLY GET THE ecoENERY Retrofit-Homes Grant?
7) WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
8) AM I ELIGIBLE FOR THE GRANT?
9) WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE GRANT?

Grants for Resiential Property Owners- see below in blue

Attic Venting, Attic Moisture, and ice Dams -What to do when:
1) water comes thru your ceiling,
2) you have a wet attic,
3) you want to look for leaks,
4) you require attic venting,
5) you need to no about ice damming
Removing Ice on Roofs- What to do regarding::
1) the balance between removing ice & damaging the roof
2) ice storm emergency
3) sloped roofs, whats recommended
4) flat roofs with central drains, , recommended procedures
5) drainage
6) techniques with moderate success
7) experiments that did not work
Measuring Humidity in Your Home - Straight facts: when is humidity a problem?
1) diagnosing the humidity problem
2) calibrating your own hygrometer
3) how much is too much, or too little?
4) taking action
5) final analysis
Your Furnace Filter:
1) what airborne particles are found in your home?
2) filter research
3) conclusions
4) so.. how do you reduce levels of respirable particles?
Avoid Basement Flooding:
1) is basement flooding a common problem?
2) why do basements flood?
3) flooding basics
4) practical measures to avoid basement flooding
After the Flood - A Homeowner's Checklist:
1) before you begin
2) first steps
3) what to keep or discard
4) before moving back in
The Importance of Bathroom and Kitchen Fans:
1) common fan and exhaust systems
2) bathroom fans: what should I look for
3) kitchen range hoods
4) ducts
5) weather hoods, grills and backdraft dampers
6) some dangers
Should You Get Your Heating Ducts Cleaned:
1) what can duct cleaning do for you?
2) is it cost effective to insulate?
Insulating Your House:
1) signs of insulation problems
2) insulation effectiveness
3) effective insulation systems
4) when does duct cleaning make sense?
5) how should your ducts be cleaned?
6) so...to clean or not to clean?
Flooring Choices:
1) indoor air quality
2) resilient flooring and its advantages, care, installation and cost
3) carpet and its advantages, care, installation and cost
3) wood flooring and its advantages, and considerations
4) laminate flooring and its advantages, considerations, care, installation and cost
5) ceramic tile and is considerations, care, installation and cost
Painting: Walls, Ceilings and Floors:
1) selecting paints
2) estimating how much paint required
3) getting ready
3) special considerations
4) painting tips
The A B C's Of Windows:
A) air leakage and it' importance
B) resistance to wind-driven rain
C) wind resistance
Before you Start Renovating Your Bathroom
1) Common Situations
2) Healthy Housing
3) House as a System
Ask Yourself, Consider your Options, And if You Don't...

•  EcoEnergy Retrofit - Home grants
• Whats New?
• How do I apply?
• Is there a deadline?
• How Much can I get back?
• Can I get money from the Home Renovation Tax Credit and EcoEnergy - Retrofit Homes Program?
• If I apply for the Home Renovation Tax Credit will I automatically get the ecoEnergy Retrofit - Homes Grant?
• Where can I get more information?
• Cool Savings Rebate - call us for breakdown of rebates
• Eligible for Grant? or Not Eligible for Grant?

AN ONTARIO HOME ENERGY AUDIT WILL FIND YOUR ENERGY LEAKS AND SHOW YOU HOW TO PLUG THEM

Install an ENERGY STAR qualified gas furance  and the incentive is $600.00
Insulate your attice the incentive is up to $1,200.00
Insulate your crawl space and the incentive is up to $1,600.00
Install a solar domestic hot water system and the incentive is $1,000.00

see a full list of rebates at "HomeEnergyOntario.ca"

• Call in the energy experts
• Grants available for energy efficiency retrofits
• How does the residential energy assessment service work
• The benefits of the residential energy assessment service
• Who is eligible for the grants
• How do you apply for a grant
• Schedule your evaluation today
• Complimentary provincial programs
• ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Grants - Factsheet

• Cracks
• Concrete Deterioration
• Uneven Settlement
• Adfreezing or Frost Heaving
• Structural Changes
• Moisture and Soil Gases
• Pests

6) Skills to do the Job
7) Basement Assessment Worksheet
8) Costing Your Project      
Before you start an Energy-Efficient Retrofit-The Building Envelope       
1) Healthy Housing
2)  Common Situations
3) House as a system
4) Avoid surprises
5) Ask Yourself, Consider your Options, and if You Don't...

• Assessing the Building
• Structural Problems
• Building Envelope Components
• Moisture
• Heating and Ventilation
• Finishes

6) Rewards
7)Stills to do the Job
8) Costing Your Project
9) Building Envelope Retrofit Worksheet
Before You Start an Energy-Efficient Retrofit - Mechanical Systems
1) Healthy Housing
2) Common Situations
3) House as a System
4) Avoid Surprises
5) Ask Yourself, Consider Your Options, and if You Don't

• Rewards
• Skills to do the Job
• Costing Your Project
• Mechanical Systems Assessment Worksheet

• Size and design
• Fixtures
• Structural
• Moisture
• Plumbing and Electrical
• Heating and Ventilation

• Size and Design
• Fixtures and Appliances
• Cabinets and Countertops
• Structural Problems
• Moisture
• Plumbing and Electrical
• Heating and Ventilation
• Finishes