6 Apr 10
3 May 10
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If your Kitchener-Waterloo home has an asphalt or blacktop driveway, it will almost certainly develop cracks. Tim Carter from AskTheBuilder.com shows how to fill a crack in an asphalt driveway. He fills the crack with an asphalt compound using a caulking gun..
Points worth noting:
- The asphalt must be dry
- Sweep out the crack to remove loose bits of debris
- This technique is for “v” shaped cracks
- The caulking material flows easily when the weather is reasonably warm
- Do not put too much compound in the crack otherwise it will create a mess
He also suggests putting bits of asphalt debris from the driveway itself to help fill larger spots in the crack and give the compound more stength.
Another trick he mentions is to use some asphalt debris found along the side of the blacktop surface and sprinkle it on top of compound so it takes on the colour of the asphalt.
26 Apr 10
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Are you considering upgrading flooring materials in your K-W home? If being eco-friendly is important to you you ought to look closely at “green flooring”.
Flooring is thought to be “green” when it is manufactured from easily sourced and renewable materials. Generally flooring made of petroleum-based materials is not considered green.
Many hardwood floor materials are also not considered green for the simple reason that the source trees are relatively scarce and time required to replace hardwood trees is measured in decades.
This video presents a quick overview of different types of green flooring. These include wool carpeting, carpets made from recyclable nylon, stone, ceramic and porcelain, cork flooring, bamboo flooring. Linoleum and vinyl flooring are also included because they are long lasting and can be recycled.
22 Apr 10
In this video home repair guru Tim Carter takes a phone call from a friend whose toilet won’t stop running. Tim walks him through the process of finding and replacing the flapper valve.
The flapper valve in your K-W toilet is the component that opens and closes the drain that lets water into the toilet bowl. If the flapper is not seated correctly water will leak into the bowl and the toilet reservoir will continuously try to fill itself.
If the flapper falls back into position correctly it probably needs replacing because it is worn. Make sure when you go to your Kitchener-Waterloo plumbing supply store to find a replacement part you get the correct one.
Resource: AskTheBuilder.com
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Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged diy plumbing, home repair, plumbing, toilet flapper valve, toilet keeps running, toilet repair
Tagged diy plumbing, home repair, plumbing, toilet flapper valve, toilet keeps running, toilet repair
14 Apr 10
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These solar shingles from Dow could be showing up on Kitchener-Waterloo roofs some time soon. They are about the size of a normal asphalt shingle, and can be installed like asphalt shingles too – with just a hammer and nails.
The cost is still prohibitive – about $25k for a bundle capable of cutting your home electrical costs by between 40% and 60%. Government grants in some places could bring the cost down to about $10k.
According to this Consumer Reports video these shingles will pay for themselves “far sooner than some solar water heaters we’ve tested.”
I am always happy to provide as much information as I can about suppliers in the K-W area for products such as these.
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Posted in Green Tips
Tagged green power, Green Tips, save energy, solar energy, solar shingles
Tagged green power, Green Tips, save energy, solar energy, solar shingles
11 Apr 10
The Gadget Inspectors take a look at Dyson bladeless fan
Click photo to watch video
Click photo to watch video
In Kitchener-Waterloo’s changeable climate, there are several ways to conserve energy use and reduce cooling costs. One of the easiest methods is to use fans as greener surrogates or complements for air conditioners. With the right style of fan and cooperative outdoor temperature, you can greatly reduce using an air conditioner while remaining comfortable.
Whole-house fans commonly reduce inside temperatures by 2C to 5C (4F to 9F). These fans are a practical way of cooling the total house. They are far less expensive to run than an air conditioner. Whole-house fans need to be properly located so that air circulates from throughout the house.
Ceiling-mounted paddle fans generate air motion across surfaces that increases the rate of evaporation. A modest breeze can add to your comfort range significantly. It will save energy by allowing you to adjust your air conditioner’s thermostat up a notch. In some cases it can even eliminate the need for air-conditioning completely.
Window fans are most effective in Kitchener-Waterloo when seasonal changes bring hotter days and cooler nights. The home can be cooled with exterior air from window fans once the sun sets. Once the sun starts heating the air, the window fans are turned off. This method uses electricity during off-peak hours.
Nearly everybody can be a fan of making both the earth and your wallet a little greener.
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Posted in Green Tips
Tagged air conditioning, energy savings, Green Tips, keep cool, save cooling costs
Tagged air conditioning, energy savings, Green Tips, keep cool, save cooling costs
8 Apr 10
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The toasty kitchen that seemed so inviting when winter frosted the windows can quickly become a blast furnace in Waterloo Region’s summer. The good news is that many of the methods of keeping a kitchen cool in warm weather are also energy savers that benefit the environment too. Sometimes you really can get a double bonus.
Energy saving small appliances such as electric skillets, slo-cookers, and toaster ovens can be used to make entr�es rather than heating up your large stove or oven.
Microwave ovens and pressure cookers will cook food quickly, using a reduced amount of energy and conserving considerable time as well. Use them in place of your full-size oven.
Foods cook more quickly when they are cut into smaller pieces. Less cooking time translates to less energy use and a more comfortable kitchen.
Foods will cook in less time and more efficiently if you put lids on the pots and you choose the right burner size.
The kitchen will remain cooler if you preheat the oven only when the recipe calls for it.
Cooking an extra item in your oven simultaneously reduces the energy used when heating separately.
Opening the oven door unnecessarily can cause the cooking temperature to fall by 50F (25C) or more. It is better to look through the oven window.
Run the dishwasher only when you have a full load and let the contents air-dry without running the final heat cycle.
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Posted in Green Tips
Tagged cool cooking, cool kitchen, green kitchen, less energy, save energy
Tagged cool cooking, cool kitchen, green kitchen, less energy, save energy
5 Apr 10
Canadian interest rates started upwards this past week, leaving many people wondering if now is the time to switch from variable to fixed.
RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) and TD (Toronto-Dominion Bank) both announced they were raising rates on certain fixed mortgage rates, including the 5 year fixed rate. That rate went to 5.85 percent on Tuesday.
This move is a response to a steadily improving economy and a relatively hot real estate market in Canada.
Another factor may be that new lending rules coming into effect the middle of April will mean home buyers will have to qualify based on a now higher five-year fixed rate.
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Posted in Real Estate News
Tagged fixed rates, interest rates, mortgage, mortgage rates, variable rates
Tagged fixed rates, interest rates, mortgage, mortgage rates, variable rates
30 Mar 10
The Canadian Real Estate Assocation (CREA) filed its defense on March 25 against charges by the Canadian Competition Bureau that the Canadian MLS system stifles competition in the real estate industry.
CREA argues in its response to the CC Board that the industry is already very competitive, and that there are a variety of buying and selling options already available to the Canadian public. They also argue that recent changes adopted by CREA open up the MLS system to direct listing by sellers.
CREA announced rule changes earlier this month that make it possible for home sellers to be listed on the MLS system for a flat fee, rather than for a commission to be paid to the listing agent. CREA argues this essentially gives the Competition Bureau what they are after.
All indications are that the Competition Bureau is going ahead with its case against CREA, which is likely to be heard by a tribunal in the fall.
Some observers think that Melanie Aitken, the new Commissioner of the Competition Bureau is using this as a test case to show she is prepared to take on large and powerful organizations.
The MLS rule changes approved by CREA must be adopted and implemented at the local board level. So it is possible they will vary from board to board across the country.
Resource: Globe and Mail Report on Business, Mar 27, 2010
25 Mar 10
Just living produces clutter. Heaps of it. But unkempt junk is the one thing you don’t want when you’re attempting to sell your house for top dollar. In fact, nothing can turn a potential K-W home buyer off faster or send him running faster than a house that looks like a trash heap. The best means of boosting the resale value of your house is to ditch the disorder.
To get you started, here is a video clip that provides some useful decluttering tips. Before you know it, your home will have a delightfully open feeling and the house shoppers will be taking another look.
There are different ways to do this, but all of them start with a resolute attitude and a trash bag. If your house is a total disaster zone, it will be worth your time to rent a rolloff container.
“But what about garage sales?” you ask. “Couldn’t I sell my clutter for cash?” Possibly, but only if you have hours of excess time on your hands. For most harried sellers, it is easier to donate the best items to charity, have those picked up up and then have the rest carted off.
Here’s another idea. For no-cost removal of reusable items, you can go to freecycle to find the information for K-W. There are other K-W agencies and charities that are happy to take your unwanted things and dispose of them for you. Just do a Google search for Waterloo Region decluttering.
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Scott Miller, Sales Representative
519-579-4110 or
1-888-615-9231
Re/Max Twin City Realty Inc., Brokerage, Independently Owned and Operated.
Call me for all your real estate needs in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. 
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