It’s funny how we are sometimes, and how predictable we sometimes are as consumers.  I include myself of course!
Need a barbecue for the summer?  Many of us run to our local hardware store and purchase the most powerful, hotest looking thing there is. 
It was on sale in February and we all know they are going to be on sale again in mid summer, but we gotta have it now!  Again, bare in mind, I can clearly see myself in this pattern!

How about buying a Christmas tree in August?  Or an inflatable pool in January?

I could go through a list of hundreds of items that we purchase without planning.  And don’t get me wrong, we don’t see many people buying shovels in July just because they’re on special.  I know I wouldn’t! Not after the winter we just had.  I don’t want to see a shovel before new years!

My main point is,  if you have an idea of what your needs will be for the fall season, it’s always a good thing, financially speaking, to plan ahead.  If you plan to buy a new television for example, summer’s one of the best moments to purchase one.   Come october, month when we all start getting the “I just want to cuddle up” mood, many businesses will be waiting to sell you the same television you saw on sale 2 months before now full price!  We all know this of course but rarely do we plan these types of purchases.

A good item to plan a purchase for, at this time of year, is a wood stove.  The best time to buy something is when it’s out of season.  You’ll be happy you have it when the “mood” I was refering starts settling in…

As for me, I still can’t get around to purchasing a Christmas tree on Boxing day!  Someone’s bound to be happy to see me pay full price for it in december!

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One thing is for sure, if spring is a sure way to uplift the spirit, so are humor and good laughs!  Now, depending on when and where you will read this, you may or may not find it funny.  But let me tell you that I found it hilarious and God forbid, I almost peed in my pants! 

I wish you all a good laugh and unfortunaltly, the author of the following is unknow but I wish to thank homeimprovementsdepot.com for uplifting my spirits.  I feel much lighter!

Ten Signs That You Might Be Obsessed with Your Lawn

Last weekend I found myself standing outside in the pouring rain at 10 o’clock at night while I was trying to spread down some grass seed in hopes of taking advantage of the wet weather in a desperate attempt to give my lawn a jump start for the spring.I realized as I stood out there that maybe, just maybe, I’m going a little too far with trying to get my lawn to be green and thick this year. I’m not a perfectionist when it comes to my lawn, I just want it to be green and thick and lush and nicer than all my immediate neighbors’ lawns. Is that too much to ask?

And while I don’t consider myself to be obsessed with my lawn (even though I was planting grass seed on a rainy weekend evening), I started thinking about what you might do if you were just a tad over excited about growing grass. Here, then is my list of signs that you might be obsessed with your lawn:

1. When no one is looking you try to eat off your lawn…just because you can.

2. You wish say “Good night, sleep tight!” to your lawn every evening and check it through the window each morning before you get your coffee.

3. You time your planting and fertilizing with lunar cycles, sun spot activity and astrological calendars.

4. When you mow your lawn you use a level.

5. For vacation you visit dozen different golf courses and take hundreds of photos, but you don’t play yourself because you can’t stand the idea of walking on something so beautiful.

6. You weed your lawn with a magnifying glass and tweezers.

7. Your mower blades are so sharp you’ve accidentally cut atoms in half.

8. You have 12 different cans of green paint in the garage that you use to paint the few blades of grass that aren’t completely uniform in color.

9. You can shoot the head off a dandelion with a .45 Automatic pistol from 100 yards away…and you know this from experience.

10. You’ve seriously considered knocking down your house just so you have a little more room to grow your lawn.

Wishing you all a Happy Spring and Healthy Lawn this year!

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I know it may sound peculiar and nobody really wants to hear anybody talk or even mention Christmas in April, but now that I have your attention, check out this link that gives you great ideas on how to use your Christmas lights and create more ambient lighting!  And yes! even during summer season.

www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/you-can-use-your-christmas-lights-all-year/

And lets face it, we are hundreds who don’t know what to do with them after Christmas and we all seem to come face to face with some “extra ones” during our spring cleaning…
And if you can’t find or don’t have any Christmas lights at home, you will be sure to find something decorative at your local hardware store. 

Enjoy!

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An expert in electromagnetic fields at Hydro-Québec advises against the use of certain radiant electric floors which could increase the risk of infant leukemia.  <<As children are often laying and sitting on the floor, it is to be avoided, not recommended due to the doubts we have on this>>, declared Jan Erik Deadman, labour hygiene counsellor at the company.  <<It would surprise me if Hydro-Québec recommended (these systems) in daycares.>>

This labour health doctor was reacting to the fact that certain of these heating systems, composed of an electric wire typically installed under a ceramic floor, emit a magnetic field measuring up to 100 milli gauss (mG0) at ground level.  According to nine epidemiological studies, a chronic exposure to an average field of more than 4 mG doubles the risk of child leukemia.  In 2002, this is what incited the International Center for Cancer Research, along with the World Health Organization, to class magnetic fields of 50-60 Hertz in Group 2B as ‘potentially cancer-causing’.  The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation in its Mechanical Equipment Guide for a Clean Interior Environment, that radiant electric floors <<can emit significant electrical and magnetic fields.>>

Four Cancers Targeted

The most solid proofs of noxious effects of electromagnetic fields come from epidemiological studies, explains Health Canada: <<The studies have led to suppositions of the existence of a weak positive association between being exposed to fields of 50-60Hz and leukemia, brain cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer.>> But we cannot exclude that other statistical, environmental or socio-economic factors may be responsible.

Also a researcher at the McGill Faculty of Medicine, Jan Erik Deadman is co-author of a historical study published last July.  It concluded that female workers, whose average weekly exposure was at least 4mG during or within two years preceding their pregnancy, doubled their risk of having a child who will develop this type of blood cancer.  Other studies concluded that chronic exposure to a field of 2mG doubled the risk in children.

Should owners of electrically heated floors disable their system or turn it off before entering a room?  <<The risk is considered too weak and too uncertain to change heated floors in houses and daycares, analyzes Denis Gauvin, biologist at the Institut nationale de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) Must the population be informed?  Yes.  If people have the possibility of choosing a floor which exposes them less, all the better.>> Electromagnetic fields are composed of electrical fields produced by voltage (live wires) and magnetic fields from amperage (power consumed)  They are measured with a multi meter which frequently acts as a voltmeter, gauss meter and radio frequency and microwave reader.  The intensity of the field and the degree of human exposure diminish rapidly when moving away from the source, easy if the radiant system is in a ceiling but impossible in the case of a floor.

At one foot from a floor emitting 100mG at ground level, the field can measure 16mG, a level at which very brief daily exposures are, according to a recent California study (Li, 2002), associated with an increased risk of false labour.  These fields are weaker in a house where electrical consumption is lower and if the wires are close together and laid out in parallel, their fields have a tendency to mutually cancel themselves out.
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For most people, discussions on energy efficiency are academic.  They only seriously think about it when paying their heating bills, when it is too late.

It’s during winter that energy inefficiency is most obvious.  In fact, the enormous icicles and ice barrages that accumulate on roofs are flagrant proof of heat loss and an inefficient use of energy.  I am always surprised to hear intelligent people say that this is typically normal for our Quebec winters – just like apple pie is American.  What nonsense!

At the beginning of winter, heat loss through the eaves or the attic keeps the roof surface warm.  As snow starts to accumulate, it stays, even on slanted roofs.  After awhile, snow becomes the insulation and traps the air. The colder it gets, the more we heat the house and the more heat we lose, the more the eaves and roof surface warm up.

Monster Icicles

One day, the roof surface temperature reaches 0 degrees Celsius and the snow next to it softens and melts.  This melting snow transforms into water which slides down towards the edges.  As water accumulates at the roof edges and rain gutters, the water freezes as it contacts outside air which is colder than the roof surface.  Over time, the result is the formation of spectacular icicles – some reach one storey and more!  The greater the heat loss is, the greater the thickness of the ice barrages behind the icicles and the greater the length of the icicles.

When there’s a major thaw and rain with temperatures reaching at least +6 degrees Celsius, even in the Laurentians, infiltrations begin.  Frequently though, these do not come from the roof as such, they occur horizontally, from the edges.

In fact, the weight of the accumulated ice in the gutters opens up a joint on the edge of the roof, on the ledge or in the soffit, and the water leaking under the accumulated snow and ice in the roof penetrates to the ceilings.  To the greatest surprise of homeowners, even when ceilings have a slight slope, infiltrations can manifest themselves a good distance from the exterior wall.

It’s Raining in my Bed

To my greatest disappointment, this is what my family lived through at the summer cottage of my in-laws in the Laurentians, following a successful surprise party given for André Fauteux, editor of La maison du 21ième siècle.  Water started dripping from the ceiling onto our beds in the middle of the night.

Unfortunately in such cases many homeowners mistakenly blame their roof while the origin of the problem is the house’s heat loss.

Roofers are called in by panicking homeowners, and repairs are scheduled, even if no one has determined what the real cause of the problem is.  Redoing a roof when it is not necessary is a very costly additional energy loss.

Certain customers have told me that they have had their roof completely redone two or three times in 10 years but the problem has not disappeared.  This is outright robbery by the roofers!

In fact, as unbelievable as it may seem, many Montreal eaves contain only from 0 to 4 inches of insulation.  (Note:  It is generally more advantageous to install from 12 to 14 inches for a thermal resistance of R-42 to R-49, if cellulose is used, it being the most economical insulation for attics.)
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Colours again?  Who can blame me especially on a day like this?  Ice pellets, snow, wind!  Gray and white are the only colours I’m seeing through my window today…..  Even the parked cars this morning are all grey and black in colour.

But what are the colour trends this year? Is there any pizzazz to look forward to? Perhaps the following can help you to get started in some choices you may want to make should you have chosen to remodel.

 Benjamin Moore has a nice way of presenting the 2008 trends on their website naming them Modern Tranquility, Organic Comfort and Pure Opulence.  Of course, it’s not because it’s trendy that it’s necessarily tasteful…

Sico on the other hand speaks of Mysterious, dark looks, Punch colours, Sico’s mushroom collection, and also Sico neutrals.  I particularly like Sico’s website for all the other sections.  For example, they have a Feng Shui colours section with precious information and other links.  Some of you will also delight with their  Colour Fan Club.  

There is much out there to give good ideas and uplift the spirits.  I for one am seriously looking forward to giving a little red touch to my kitchen!

Enjoy!

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The Ontario Provincial Government’s Bill 124 became effective January 1, 2006 and requires that a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN) appear on all drawings being submitted for a building permit.

What does it mean: When it comes to the Building industry and residential architecture, the province of Ontario has introduced a new law in January of 2006.  That law states that a house plan designer needs to have his “Building Code Identification Number“,, which he will receive after he succeeds a test and after providing a proof of insurability with the Municipal Affairs and Housing Ministry.

The Ontario Building industry has established a good solution to improve safety and protect customers and also increase efficiency of the Building Code by eliminating all house plan designers that couldn’t be insured or that have failed the test.

Drummond Designs, having complied with the requirements, was issued registration to engage in the business of providing design activities to the public, subject to the Ontario Building Code and therefore will provide at no extra cost and for its entire house plan collection, its BCIN# on all construction drawings and blueprints.

If you have any comments on this new registration information, do not hesitate to let us know!

Have a safe and good experience with your new construction project!
 

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February can be a long and sometimes depressing month for some people.  It can be quite a grim month where as in March, we finally get a glimpse of milder weather and temperature.  Thank God February has only 29 days this year!

Using one’s creativity has long been proven to be a method that is helpful in chasing away the blues.  And speaking of  creativity, why not start that remodelling project you’ve been thinking of for so long?  Or why not start looking at colors you may want to change in your home?

This exercise can be very beneficial and healthy.  It is even said to be healing.  Here is what Cricket Demarais states in an article written about “Letting Color heal you“:

Lack of Color Causes Depression

How we “feel” about color is more than psychological. The last decade has proven that lack of color, or more specifically, light, causes millions to suffer each winter from a mild depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Because of the complex way in which exposure to various colors acts via the brain upon the autonomic nervous system, exposure to a specific color can even alter physiological measurements such as blood pressure, electrical skin resistance and glandular functions in your body. And they most certainly can affect how you feel on a day-to-day basis. Learning about color’s qualities and putting it to use can enhance your spirit, improve your health, and quite ultimately, expand your consciousness.

 You may also get a glimpse on the different meanings and symbolisms of colours.  Here is relatively good web site that talks about it: http://www.squidoo.com/colorexpert.

 Finally, another handy way to sweep away the winter blues is to surf the net in search of ideas and inspiration for remodelling projects, ideas and tips.  Here are  just a few I found:

www.hgtv.com/hgtv/remodeling
www.getdecorating.com/
www.homefixpro.com/home_remodeling_and_renovating_article.php?artID=19
www.superkitchens.com

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It’s really amazing how every winter is different.  Some years we have truck loads of snow and some years like last year, we hardly had any snow left for family sugar shacks in March!

I’ve recently heard many people discussing the amount of snow on their roof tops and the complications related to removing some of it by necessity.  Is it really necessary to remove it?  Well apparently in some cases it may be recommended, but how to go about it? Well, while surfing different web sites I met with the Roof Rake which seems to be quite the tool to do the job.  I found the following quite interesting for people eager to remove excess snow on their roof tops!  Here’s what they had to say;

If you live in an area where you get a lot of snow, you probably give a great deal of thought to getting rid of the snow that accumulates on your sidewalks and in your driveway. But that’s a relatively easy task - get out the old shovel or snow blower and have at it.

But a simple task as shoveling one’s sidewalk is not always as easy as its cracked up to be. Snow is very heavy, and if you go at the process of its removal too enthusiastically with a shovel you can get a back-ache or blisters on your hands. And at least a handful of people a year lose a finger to a snow blower blade because they reach in with their hand to clear a jam, rather than using a long-handled broom handle.

Sidewalks are flat - there’s no way to get around shoveling them after a heavy snowfall. But what about your roof? Most houses in areas that get a lot of snow have inclined roofs so that the snow just slides off. However, there are occasions when snow accumulate on your roof, and because snow is so heavy it simply must be removed before it does serious damage to that roof. Even if you know that your roof was built to withstand all that weight - there’s another reason why it should be removed. Melting snow can cause icedams in your gutters…so that as more snow melts the water has nowhere to go except into your ceilings.

Don’t Climb On Your Roof

Even if you’re able to get out onto your roof during the middle of winter - it would be best if you didn’t do it. Climbing around a dry roof is hard enough - trying to walk up and down a sloping roof covered with snow - which might be obscuring the ice below it - is the height of folly…and falling.

The solution is a roof rake, which you operate from the ground.

Safety first

Whatever roof rake you use - do not use it near power lines. Let me repeat that - do not use it anywhere near power lines. Even if you’re a dozen feet away from a power line, if you lose control of the rake for any reason, it’s length is such that it could quite easily tilt over those dozen feet, hit the power line, and give the operator quite an unpleasant shock, to say the least.

Various Models

There are quite a few snow rakes on the market. The Minnesnowta Roof Razor is one design that is built and sold out of the state of Minnesota - and what native Minnesotans don’t know about protecting their homes from snow isn’t worth knowing.

The RoofRake enables the operator to reach up over 26 feet, which should be more than enough to get most of the snow off one’s roof.

Like the other designs, the Philips Snowcutter cuts through ice and snow, but protects the roof shingles by not allowing the rake to actually touch the roof itself. Philips claims that their snowcutter can clear a roof in half the time it takes a roof rake.

So check out the web, check out your local stores, and then get yourself a tool well-suited to ensuring that your roof and house suffer no damage during the next winter storm.

Though pretty funny, seems to me like a good alternative to other costly solutions… Here’s a web site that sells the tool in the US and in Canada, www.roofrake.com   I even saw one for sale on  amazon.com!

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You’re about to build the home of your dreams?    Take advantage and give it a touch of blue to improve your comfort and quality of life.

Known for its comfort and effectiveness, natural gas is present in more than 200 residential projects in Quebec.  The advantages are numerous:

Wall to wall comfort

Not only is it energy, it is the peak of comfort and peace of mind you dream of.  The blue flame enlivens your home and adds a plus in each room: more heat, more pleasure, less work.

A reliable resource

Natural gas is delivered to you by continuous subterranean lines; you’ll never have to worry about the whims of Mother Nature for your deliveries.  And, in case of power failure, many appliances can still function.  Practical and reassuring, isn’t it?

Gaz Métro has different offers available to facilitate integration of the blue in your home.  Here is a glance of financial aid granted:

• $1750 for the purchase and installation of a hot air high-efficiency heating unit (Energy Star rated) and a water heater;
• $100 per outlet for each natural gas appliance, such as a range, dryer, fireplace, barbecue, pool warmer
• $30 for a programmable thermostat.

A friendly word of advice

The integration of natural gas into your new home should be done as soon as your choice of architectural plans is made.  From the beginning of your project, you should have a representative for new construction from Gaz Métro involved.  The consultant can guide you through the steps as your project advances.

Good to know

In order to integrate natural gas into your home, it is of utmost importance to choose a central heating system.  As you draw up your home plans, plan openings for heating and the location of the mechanical room in the basement.

Here is a glance of steps to follow for a blue home:

1. Access to gas lines:  The first step consists in ensuring that natural gas lines pass at less than 30 meters of your future home.  Contact Gaz Métro customer service at 1 800 567-1313 for more information.

2. Implicate Gaz Métro :  Your representative for new construction at Gaz Métro can refer you to a heating professional who is a Certified Gaz Métro Partner.  These professionals are independent contractors, members of the Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec, and are subject to most rigorous quality controls.

3. Connecting your home:  Construction is coming along well, your heating system is installed and connection of gas lines to your appliances is complete (water heater, range, dryer, fireplace, barbecue, pool heater)  Expect about 6 weeks for Gaz Métro to proceed with connection of your home to the main gas lines.  Once this is completed, gas will be brought into your home by your Gaz Métro Authorized Partner jointly with a Gaz Métro technician.

All that is left to do is take advantage of the soft comfort provided by natural gas.  For more information, visit www.gazmetro.com

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