Holland Homes & Renovations

Home Renovations & Additions for Baby Boomers in Ottawa

Rob Breau — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:13:37 +0000

Baby boomers in Ottawa are having the time of their lives right now. While many of them are living their best lives, they are also looking for ways to improve their quality of life at home.

Whether you need to renovate to make the home more accessible, accommodate multi-generational living or look for more luxurious upgrades to boost property value, there are many ways for you to transform the aesthetics and functionality of your home.

Keep reading this blog to learn how a renovation can boost the comfort, convenience and long-term value of your custom home.

Table of Contents:

1. Aging in Place: Renovating for a Comfortable Retirement

1. Multi-Generational Living: Creating Space for Family

1. Luxury Home Upgrades: Enhancing Lifestyle & Entertaining Spaces

1. Home Renovations as an Investment: Maximizing Property Value

1. Choosing the Right Renovation Partner: Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Aging in Place: Renovating for a Comfortable Retirement

With more baby boomers opting for age-in-place solutions rather than being placed in retirement homes, it is critical to ensure that accessibility and safety are top of mind.

For example, modifications to boost accessibility can include walk-in showers, wider doorways and hallways, stairlifts ramps and much more. Meanwhile, smart home technology can help those interested in aging in place through voice assistants, security features and automation to boost security and convenience.

You can also choose to convert your spaces on the main floor to make it more accessible. For example, you can ensure that the bathroom and the bedroom are located on the same level as the kitchen so those with mobility challenges can better move around within their home.

Multi-Generational Living: Creating Space for Family

As your family grows and your needs change, you may need to create more space for your family. By opting for multi-generational living arrangements, you can create additional spaces for functional living needs.

In-law suites and secondary dwellings for aging parents or adult children are common, transforming basements or garages into more livable spaces for your extended family.

The financial benefits of multi-generational living, such as shared expenses, can be significant. However, it’s crucial to navigate zoning and legal considerations for secondary units in Ottawa to ensure all modifications comply with local regulations.

Get in touch to navigate zoning and legal requirements effortlessly.

Luxury Home Upgrades: Enhancing Lifestyle & Entertaining Spaces

For those looking to indulge in luxury, high-end renovations can significantly enhance both lifestyle and property value. High-end kitchen and bathroom renovations offer a blend of style and functionality while creating open concept living spaces improves flow and natural light.

You can also create home additions such as sunrooms and outdoor kitchens or entertainment spaces to turn your home into the ultimate party spot. You can also upgrade the materials you choose to boost durability, elegance and long-term value of your home. In addition, you can also integrate smart home technology to have more control over your lighting, security and climate control.

It’s important to choose renovation projects with the highest ROI, benefiting both present enjoyment and future profitability. Working with experienced designers and builders ensures your renovations meet high standards, maximizing return on investment. For many, these upgrades present an alternative to downsizing, allowing them to stay in a familiar and upgraded environment.

Home Renovations as an Investment: Maximizing Property Value Renovations

Home renovations can be considered a strategic investment that significantly increases the appeal and value of your home. For example, you can make energy efficient upgrades to reduce energy bills and improve the value of your home.

You should partner with experience custom home designers and builders such as Holland Homes to ensure that your renovations meet your needs and maximizes your return on investment.

Choosing the Right Renovation Partner: Avoiding Common Pitfalls

By selecting the perfect partner for your renovation, you can reduce any risks and ensure the completion of a successful renovation project. Look for reputable home renovation experts with a proven experience in aging-in place and luxury renovations.

A reliable partner will ensure your projects are completed on time, within budget, and to your satisfaction.

Are you planning a renovation in the near future?

By planning and executing thoughtful home renovations, baby boomers in Ottawa can create spaces that adapt to their needs, enhance their lifestyles, and increase property value.

Schedule a free consultation with our experts to get started on your dream project today.

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Designing a Successful Multi-Generational Home Addition

Rob Breau — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 16:30:58 +0000

Living in a multi-generational home is a growing trend that many new custom home builders are looking into for themselves. In this blog post, we will uncover some practical advice on designing a home addition that caters to everyone in your family.

Let’s go over some of the benefits and design strategies that homeowners in Ottawa should understand and why you should partner with a reputable custom home builder in Ottawa such as Holland Renos.

Table of Contents:

The Growing Trend of Multi-Generational Living and Its Financial Benefits
How to Create a Balance Between Privacy and Shared Spaces
Soundproofing and Separate Entrances for Enhanced Comfort
The Best Home Layout Ideas for Integrating Multiple Generations
How Multi-Generational Homes Can Increase Property Value Over Time

The Growing Trend of Multi-Generational Living and Its Financial Benefits

Recently, the economic situation, rising housing costs and the need for family support have ramped up the number of multi-generational homes. This isn’t just about sharing spaces with people you love. It also comes with lots of financial benefits.

Think about it, you’ll be sharing expenses like mortgages, utilities,and maintenance. Which will all contribute to reducing the overall financial burden for everyone involved. There are also government incentives and tax breaks that can help those who may be interested in building an addition to their homes to make their homes multi-generational.

By ensuring that you are taking advantage of all the benefits available to you, you are not only making sure that the space is practical but also economically beneficial for everyone involved.

Additionally, parents can help their kids financially while also helping themselves! They can assist their children in purchasing their first house, and choosing a property that can be expanded. This provides a stable start for the kids while ensuring future financial security for the entire family. It is a win-win situation!

How to Create a Balance Between Privacy and Shared Spaces

When designing a home addition to cater to multi-generational needs, you must find the right balance between privacy and communality. Let’s go over some of the strategies to achieve optimal balance:

Strategic zoning within the home: Create separate living areas, kitchens, and bathrooms to enable independent lifestyles while living under the same roof.

Flexible design elements: Use sliding doors, partition walls, and multi-use spaces that can be customized as family needs evolve.

Incorporating common spaces: Design shared spaces such as kitchens, dining, and family rooms that encourage family bonding while still respecting each member’s autonomy.

These elements ensure that all family members have their personal space while still being close enough for support and interaction.

Soundproofing and Separate Entrances for Enhanced Comfort

Once privacy is addressed, the next common issue would be sorting the acoustics throughout the space. By using effective soundproofing materials and techniques, you can eliminate annoying noises and make multi-generational living as painless as possible.

To achieve this, you should consider using:

Insulated walls

Acoustic panels

Dual-layer drywall

Furthermore, separate entrances can give everyone the autonomy they need to feel truly at home. Separate entrances can also contribute towards accessibility and give them the freedom to come in and out without disturbing household members.

Lastly, using smart home technology can also help everyone feel more at home by giving everyone the ability control the temperature and security systems for added convenience.

The Best Home Layout Ideas for Integrating Multiple Generations

Choosing the right home layout is crucial in multi-generational living spaces. Here are some options to consider:

Open concept vs. segmented layouts: Each has its pros and cons. Open concepts allow for more interaction but may lack privacy. Segmented layouts offer defined spaces for each family unit.

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and basement suites: These self-contained spaces can provide independence while keeping family members close. Learn more about secondary dwellings and basement renovations.

Universal design elements: To accommodate aging family members, consider wider hallways, accessible bathrooms, accessibility features, and no-step entries which make the home functional for all ages.

Choosing the right layout ensures a harmonious living environment that meets the needs of the entire family.

How Multi-Generational Homes Can Increase Property Value Over Time

The demand for multi-generational housing is growing, positively impacting real estate values. Well-designed home additions can significantly boost the resale value of your home by appealing to future buyers who are looking for versatile living arrangements.

Additionally, these customizations can appeal to long-term homeownership and even provide rental income opportunities, making your investment in a multi-generational home addition a smart financial decision.

Get in touch with custom home experts who can help you create harmonious multi-generational homes!

The rise in multi-generational living presents a unique opportunity for homeowners to design functional, comfortable, and valuable home additions. By balancing privacy and shared spaces, incorporating soundproofing and separate entrances, and choosing the right layout, families can create harmonious living environments that meet the evolving needs of their members.

These renovations not only enhance daily living but also significantly increase property value over time.

At Holland Renos, we are dedicated to helping families make informed decisions about their home additions. If you’re considering a multi-generational home renovation, book a free consultation with us today to explore tailored solutions for your family.

Book your free consultation with Holland Renos to explore personalized in-law suite solutions.

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Kitchen Cabinets Basics

Rob Breau — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 10:44:05 +0000

Kitchen Cabinets Basics

Renovating your kitchen involves a lot more than just choosing a countertop and a color scheme. When planning your dream kitchen, it is essential to spend some time on the little details that can really add functionality and style to your new space. Let’s explore some of these basics here while focusing on kitchen cabinets and the wide variety of items that can be considered during the design phase.

Selecting kitchen cabinets

Kitchen cabinets come in an endless variety of colors and configurations. When selecting the right cabinet for your kitchen, consider three main items: material, hardware and door style.

Material

Wood is the most popular material for kitchen cabinets, however it comes in a few choices, such as white oak, hard maple, red oak, pine, birch, hickory, walnut and bamboo. Most wood cabinets can be stained in a color of your choosing, however different woods have different grains and also accept stain differently. Be sure to look at samples and stains prior to selecting the right wood for your kitchen.

Hardwood

Handles and hinges for your kitchen cabinets come in an endless variety. Drawer pulls, handles, knobs and latches can be chosen in many colors and finishes to give your kitchen a modern or classic look. Consider the overall theme of your kitchen to ensure your hardware choices remain consistent.

Door Style

Kitchen cabinet doors can be manufactured in many styles. Door faces can feature an arch design at the top that is raised or recessed, or a classic square design. Slab style doors offer a flat modern look with no raised or recessed portion.

What about open concept shelving?

Another option for kitchen cabinets is to eliminate the doors altogether. Open concept shelving is popular in today’s kitchen design, albeit often mixed in with some traditional cabinet doors as well. Having open concept shelves with no cabinet doors allows items in the kitchen to be reached with more convenience, and also allows items to be displayed to guests. This works well if you have dishes or glassware that you want to show off, or if you just like the convenience of cooking without having to open cabinet doors to reach certain items.

Another way to show off certain items in your kitchen is to have glass kitchen cabinet doors. This allows items to remain protected behind a door, but with a glass insert that still allows the glassware to be visible to guests, or to those family members who frequently forget which items are stored behind which doors in the kitchen!

Kitchen cabinet lighting

Glass inserts also work well when there is lighting installed inside of the cabinet. This allows the contents of the cabinet to be highlighted and provides additional lighting in the kitchen when you are cooking or hosting at night.

Lighting shining down onto your countertops can also be installed under the kitchen cabinets to provide additional lighting in the kitchen. These recessed lights are often installed behind wood valences to conceal their presence and any wires or connections.

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Interpreting Your Radon Gas Results

Rob Breau — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 08:59:32 +0000

Here are some pointers for interpreting your radon gas results.

Testing for radon in your home is a smart way to ensure you are not being exposed to excessive amounts of this dangerous and invisible radioactive gas. The Government of Canada also recommends that every home should be tested. If you have purchased and set up a radon gas home test kit, you may be wondering how to read the results.

How much radon gas is harmful?

While waiting for your results, it is beneficial to remember some of the basics about radon. In short, radon is a naturally occurring gas that is not harmful unless it is released into the home where it is in an enclosed space. If a high enough level can gather over a long period of time, it can lead to potential health problems for occupants, such as lung cancer.

Health Canada recommends that radon inside of the home should be reduced if it reaches an annual concentration of 200 Bq/m³.

If you live on a property that uses a private well, you can also test your water for radon levels since radon in drinking water can also be dangerous.

General Procedure For Getting Your Radon Gas Results

Here are the general steps you should take to get your radon gas results

Sending the radon detector to the lab for testing

After your radon gas detector has sat in the specified area for at least 3 months, it is time to send it off to the lab for results. It is important to properly handle the detector once the test has finished. Immediately place the detector into the provided envelope and fill out the information card for the lab. Make sure the serial number on the detector matches what you fill out on the information card.

Interpreting your radon test results

After having mailed the detector and lab fee to the radon testing lab, a few weeks later the results will be sent to you. When reading results, know that a 2012 study by Health Canada found that roughly 7% of homes in Canada have high radon.

If your radon levels are found below the actionable level of 200 Bq/m³, then your home has been deemed to contain a safe exposure level to this naturally occurring gas. Don’t panic if the amount is higher than 0. Radon is naturally occurring and it becomes toxic to human health only once the levels are too high and there is repetitive daily exposure (which is why it is important to test for levels inside the home).

What to do if your radon levels are high

If your lab results indicate that the radon levels inside of your home are at the actionable level, then it is important to take some precautionary steps.

Timelines for reducing high levels of radon vary, but generally if your levels are over 600 Bq/m³, then you have an immediate radon problem that should be dealt with in the timespan of 1 year. Between the base level of 200 Bq/m³ and 600 Bq/m³, the timeframe for action should be within 2 years.

The first step should always be to contact a radon mitigation professional for an on-site consultation. They may recommend an Active Soil Depressurization (ASD) system that vents the radon gas from your foundation to the outdoors before it can enter the home.

Other options include sealing cracks around the foundation or gaps around pipes to prevent radon gas from entering the home.

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Summer Humidity and Hardwood Floors

Rob Breau — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 16:09:02 +0000

Humidity and Hardwood Floors can go together, here’s how:

With the arrival of summer, many homeowners deal with the heat by either turning on their air conditioners or opening their windows. While cool air and a fresh breeze are welcome signs of summer, there are some important issues to note regarding humidity in your home and how it can affect your hardwood flooring. Let’s look at the basics to make sure your floors won’t be negatively impacted by the changing temperature.

Hardwood flooring is sensitive to humidity

As we have discussed before on this blog, hardwood flooring is a natural substance that is sensitive to humidity. While hardwood flooring is more elegant and inviting than vinyl flooring, it can suffer from temperature changes, even with proper finishing and sealing. Solid hardwood can be prone to issues known as cupping (the sides of the plank rise higher than the middle) or crowning (the middle of the plank rises higher than the edges) if the humidity levels are not right in the home or if there is water damage. Always keep the humidity range in your home around 35% to 55%.

How does air conditioning impact hardwood flooring?

Air conditioners remove moisture from the air, although dehumidifiers are more efficient at this task. Air conditioners will take the warm air from the home and cool it and then recirculate it back into the home. The warm air is expelled during this process to the outside of your home. Air conditioning will therefore remove humidity from your home, but only while the unit is running. Remember, most air conditioners will only run during set time periods or in response to temperature changes in the home. This means that moisture is not being pulled out of the home when the unit is off.

Should you use a dehumidifier?

If your home still has moisture or humidity issues in the summer and the AC is not enough to bring the home to the right range, a dehumidifier should be used. These units have as their sole purpose the removal of moisture. Whole home dehumidifiers are available for use, as well as room-specific units. Basements usually can benefit from a dehumidifier as well since they are more prone to moisture.

How do open windows impact hardwood flooring?

If you prefer the fresh air of open windows to the feeling of air conditioning, know that summer humidity will enter the home through the windows and can really raise the levels in your home quite quickly. If you have hardwood floors, summer humidity can possibly lead to issues of cupping or crowning if the levels are not monitored and dealt with. Dehumidifiers are not as effective against humidity from open windows either since the unit would constantly be removing moisture from the outside air coming in, not inside the sealed home.

Always use a hygrometer

So, what is the best way for homeowners to monitor the indoor humidity of the home in order to keep a comfortable interior environment and also protect solid hardwood flooring? The best way to track this is to purchase a digital hygrometer (humidity monitor) and place it in the same room as your flooring, or near your thermostat. This inexpensive device will measure the indoor humidity of your home and let you know if it is within an acceptable range. You can then adjust your approach accordingly, either by running the air conditioner, closing the windows, or using a humidifier.

Take care of your investment

Remember, while solid hardwood flooring is a great investment in your home’s aesthetic appeal and value, it is a natural substance that will see some normal expansion in the summer and contraction in the winter. However, excessive humidity can permanently cause misshapen floors, so keep an eye on the levels in your home.

Image courtesy of Lauzon Flooring

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Waterfall Countertops

Rob Breau — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 11:15:40 +0000

A waterfall countertop is usually found on kitchen islands. One of the most sought after features during any kitchen renovation is a kitchen island that really stands out. Providing extra counter space and entertaining space, kitchen island decisions during a renovation traditionally have involved size, color and material. However, one of the most popular features of kitchen island design over the past few years has been the usage of waterfall countertops. But what are they, and are they right for your kitchen renovation plans in Ottawa?

What are waterfall countertops?

Most commonly used on kitchen islands, waterfall countertops are defined by the countertop material (quartz, granite, stone, etc.) continuing down over the side of the island and connecting all the way to the floor. The impression given is that the countertop material is flowing over the side of the island, much like a waterfall flows over the edge at the end of a river.

Waterfall countertops replace the cabinet style ends of traditional kitchen islands and make the countertop material appear to be one solid piece that vertically connects to the floor.

Why choose a waterfall countertop?

One of the focal points of any remodelled kitchen are the countertops. While the material chosen for your countertops are important, the shape and style of the countertops are equally important in defining the look of your kitchen. Waterfall countertops embrace the focal nature of the kitchen island and provide a defining look for most kitchens. With a sleek and continuous look, waterfall countertops are a unique element that can ensure your kitchen renovation looks modern.

Waterfall countertops also hide appliances and barstools that fit underneath the overhang of your kitchen island countertop, giving your kitchen a cleaner and less cluttered feel. If you are planning to have an overhang and stools for a breakfast bar style kitchen island, or for extra seating while entertaining, a waterfall countertop is without a doubt a great way to conceal the stools while they are not in use and to visually frame the overhang so that it feels like one seamless piece.

In addition, anyone who has planned a kitchen renovation knows that the choice of material for the countertop is a key decision. With so many different styles and colors of countertops available today, waterfall countertops are a great way to really show off the countertop material you choose so that it is not just contained to the top surfaces of the kitchen island.

Do waterfall countertops have visible seams?

No. The production process uses a precise laser cutter to ensure that seams are invisible where the horizontal countertop meets the vertical piece, and so the countertop looks completely fluid and like it is one piece only. This production does come with a cost, however. Waterfall countertops will add to the budget of your kitchen renovation due to the fact that there will simply be more countertop material to use, and because the manufacturing and cutting process requires extra skill and care.

Your dream kitchen in Ottawa

If you are looking at waterfall countertops for your kitchen renovation, or if you are looking for design and budgeting ideas to finally update your existing kitchen, contact us at Holland Homes and Renovations to discuss how we can make your dream kitchen in Ottawa come true.

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Home Energy Ratings: LEED and Energy Star Homes

Rob Breau — Thu, 09 May 2019 19:39:00 +0000

What is LEED Home Energy Rating?

There are different home energy ratings, but LEED and Energy Star are two of the most popular.

The green home building industry is growing rapidly as the government works together with industry to try and reduce dangerous emissions and the damage to the environment caused by energy-inefficient homes.

Not only do energy-efficient homes help to maintain a cleaner environment, they also save homeowners money every month in the form of lower utility bills. In this post, we will look at the difference between LEED and Energy Star certifications and what they may mean for your new home construction or renovation project.

Recognized in over 160 countries, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a third-party rating system for a building’s design and performance according to several factors, including indoor air quality, resource usage, and CO2 emissions.

There are different LEED rating systems depending on the building in question (new construction, existing construction, commercial buildings); however, each system assigns points according to environmentally sound and efficient building choices, and the final score results in a certain level of certification: 40 points out of 100 provide the building with a basic LEED certification, whereas 50 points give Silver certification, 60 points give Gold certification, and 80 points give Platinum certification.

There are multiple ways for builders to achieve LEED certification with their new construction homes or major renovations.

Some of these include enhancing indoor air quality (efficient ventilation, carbon dioxide monitoring), optimizing efficiency in water usage (i.e., in showerheads, toilets, and faucets), and selecting low-emission products (i.e., Energy Star appliances, furnaces, and air conditioners).

For more information on LEED in Canada and strategies recommended for meeting the set standards, visit the Canada Green Building Council.

What is an Energy Star home rating?

Energy Star is another label for energy efficiency that is given to products that meet specifications as set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This symbol is recognized in the USA and also Canada and is even actively promoted by Natural Resources Canada as a way to identify top energy performers in the marketplace.

The reason for this government backing is that Energy Star products are proven to be in the top of their class of products for energy efficiency and overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

So not only do they save Canadians money due to efficiency, they help Canada to meet set environmental goals and emission standards.

Energy Star rated products are found in all areas of consumer appliances, including dishwashers, refrigerators, washers and dryers, gas furnaces, windows, boilers and air conditioners.

Each product will have a recognizable Energy Star label on the packaging or the appliance itself.

New homes can also earn the Energy Star label. Energy Star Certified Homes are notable for their energy efficiency and this can be found in a variety of aspects in the design and construction of the home.

For example, properly air sealed homes reduce energy loss through gaps and air leaks and this not only preserves the indoor temperature in both winter and summer, but also reduces heating and cooling bills due to less air leakage in and out of the home.

Other Energy Star approved features in the home include energy-efficient windows, HRVs, high insulation levels, and high efficiency appliances.

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Are Neolith Kitchen Countertops Right For You

Rob Breau — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 18:55:41 +0000

Many Ottawa home owners are asking about neolith kitchen countertops. It’s a newer material that has many advantages and disadvantages we’ll examine here.

Choosing the right kitchen countertop material can be one of the most challenging parts of a kitchen renovation. With options such as quartz, concrete, marble, granite and laminate all possessing their own unique benefits, this step of the design process can often take some long consideration, and then reconsideration, for home designers and homeowners.

What are neolith kitchen countertops?

Neolith countertops are created by subjecting the materials required in its creation (clay, silica, mineral oxides, feldspar) to extreme heat and pressure until they form one solid piece. Known as sintering, this process allows solid materials to come together into one strong mass using high amounts of heat but stopping just short of melting or liquification. This process also allows neolith to offer some distinct advantages as a kitchen countertop once in its final form.

Is neolith the same as granite?

No. Neolith is a different material than granite and it also behaves differently when faced with stain causing foods like red wine. Specifically, neolith is waterproof and will not stain because it is not porous like granite and marble. As such, neolith does not require the periodic sealing that granite requires, and it also gives homeowners the peace of mind that they can have spills on their kitchen countertops and that these will wipe clean with a damp cloth. This difference gives neolith a distinct advantage over granite for kitchen applications because while sealing helps to preserve granite, it does not make it waterproof.

Neolith vs. quartz countertops

The main difference between neolith and quartz countertops is that neolith will not damage when exposed to hot cooking tools such as pots or pans placed onto the countertop. Because quartz is made using a resin, this material can experience damage if extreme heat comes into contact with the surface.

In addition, the color in a quartz countertop can possibly fade over time if exposed to the damaging UV rays of the sun. If your kitchen experiences a lot of natural light and sunshine, this may be a pivotal factor to weigh during your kitchen design.

Neolith countertops for outdoor kitchens

Due to the aforementioned ability of neolith to resist UV rays, it is a dependable choice for homeowners who are looking to create an outdoor kitchen with a countertop that will be exposed to long periods of sunshine. For winter climates such as Ottawa, neolith is also resistant to low temperatures and freezing and will maintain its look and durability throughout the winter. As such, it makes for a good choice for outdoor kitchens in residential and commercial applications.

Disadvantages of neolith kitchen countertops

While there are many advantages to neolith as a countertop material, there are also some key disadvantages to keep in mind before making your final kitchen countertop choice for your home renovation.

First, neolith makes for a difficult installation and may cost more to install due to the fact that the slab and edges are prone to damage prior to being secured.

In addition, overhangs for kitchen countertops made of 12mm thick neolith are capped at 6 inches. The material becomes vulnerable past this point. This is crucial information since overhangs are very popular in today’s kitchen renovations, especially for homeowners that are looking to make bar-top style choices where additional seating and stools can be placed under a large kitchen island overhang. This is especially noteworthy since the average overhang for stool seating is at least 12 inches.

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Spring Maintenance for Your Home

Rob Breau — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 01:57:38 +0000

It’s the time of year to think about some spring maintenance for your home. With the cold weather slowly starting to fade away in Ottawa, it is a good idea to revisit the top priorities for your home in the spring months when the snow melting starts. Melting snow poses unique challenges for your home’s envelope, your roof and the drainage around your property. Let’s take a look at some of the main areas to keep an eye on during the spring months to ensure your home stays dry, safe and properly functioning.

Should I shovel snow off my roof?

A large snow load on your roof may cause you some concern as a homeowner. If you are thinking about getting up on the roof to shovel some snow off, the National Research Council of Canada recommends to first look at signs of stress on the roof due to the weight of the snow. If there really is an excess of weight on the roof from the snow, you may notice unusual sounds from the roof, movement or sagging in the walls, or cracking drywall.

In addition, if you are experiencing a leak into your home, you may be eager to remove the snow to reduce the amount of water entering into your home. If this is the case, keep in mind getting up on your roof in the winter is dangerous and should be left to professionals. What you can do as a homeowner is purchase a telescoping roof rake that can be used to rake snow off the roof while you are standing safely on the ground.

Drainage around your home

Once the warm weather starts to arrive, all of that snow is going to melt and the water needs somewhere to go. Make sure your drain spouts are attached properly and extended enough so that water flows away from your home’s foundation, not towards it. Excess water pooling against your foundation is to be avoided at all costs during the spring melt as it can enter through cracks or put excess hydrostatic pressure on your home’s foundation as it amasses in the soil around the foundation.

Prior to the warm weather arriving, it is also a good idea to clear snow away from your basement windows and to ensure that window wells are not obstructed with sticks, leaves or debris so that any melting can drain through them properly.

Sump pump discharge lines

Ensure that your discharge pipe for the sump pump is clear from debris and any covering so that water can freely be pumped away from your home. With the amount of water that will be absorbed around your home and near the foundation in the spring melt, your sump pump may be very active and it is essential to ensure the water has a clear path away from the home through the discharge line.

Keep an eye on your basement

Basements are notorious for leakage and mold during the spring season if not properly maintained. If you have a finished basement, make sure to keep watch for any signs of staining on the drywall or near the windows that could indicate a leak. Also, make sure there are no musty smells or dampness in your basement as this may indicate water entry or mold.

For unfinished basements, there should be no pools of water on the ground or dripping on the walls, and the basement should always feel dry, not damp.

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Is a Water Powered Sump Pump Right For Your Basement

Rob Breau — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 21:31:08 +0000

Let’s take a look at how sump pumps work and if they are the right solution for your home here in Ottawa. A unique solution for municipal homes with sump pumps, water powered backup sump pumps are great devices that can protect your home from water damage in case of a power outage.

Water Powered

Water powered backup sump pumps work without electricity. These devices are powered only by your existing municipal power supply. Using water pressure from the municipal supply, these devices can last for days during a power outage. This means they can last even longer than a battery backup for your sump pump if your power outage continues over a period of days since eventually the battery will drain.

They are also low maintenance as there are no batteries to replace and they automatically kick in if the power goes out.

Finally, they are a great Green product as they require no electricity or fuel to operate, relying only on water pressure.

Who is this device for?

If you live in a municipal area, but don’t have access to the city storm sewers, then you will already have a sump pump to move water that collects around the exterior of your home to an outlet pipe away from your home.

Your sump pump is electrically powered and does the job for you when the hydro supply is working.

But what happens during a power outage?

Battery backups are great solutions to keep your sump pump running, but for extra peace of mind, a jet pump system ensures that your sump pump will always be able to work even if the power is out or your battery backup fails.

This is because the system will automatically start and run thanks to the power of water pressure from the municipal supply.

Most municipal homes in Ottawa will not have sump pumps as city sewer service is available and installed to handle the water that collects around your home’s exterior. However, some older homes were never connected to the sewer system for various reasons and could benefit from these devices.

In fact, even some new homes may require this device. The City of Ottawa is currently planning construction projects in south Barrhaven, near the Jock River, that will require sump pumps due to poor soil conditions that won’t allow city sewers to be installed low enough to collect the water. These homes will have sump pumps but also municipal water. Water powered backup sump pumps would be great devices for these new neighbourhoods as they will provide another layer of protection in case of power outages.

Rural Water

While all rural homes will have a sump pump to protect their home from water buildup around the foundation, water powered sump pumps will not work rurally because there is no municipal supply providing water pressure. Rural homes get their water from wells that are pumped using an electric motor that will not work during a power outage.

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