D & D Inspections
4722-48 Ave T0A 3A3 Saint Paul, AB, Canada

A friend came to me this morning asking if I had heard about the family in the near area that was sent to hospital with suspect CO poisoning... first I would like to say that I hope they are okay. This friend also reminded me that I have not posted anything in a while... this is a perfect opportunity to get back on the wagon How old is your smoke detector? An easy way to tell is by looking at its colour. If it is not white but rather pale yellow... or faded then it is surel...y aged beyond its industry accepted life expectancy (10 yrs) and is due for replacement. Now I started this post by mentioning CO poisoning. Do you have a CO detector in your home? How old is it and where is it placed? I hate the plug-in systems for many reasons which I will not bore you with here but they do serve a purpose for those who do not have the means to install a wired system. If your ceiling mounted smoke detector is aged now is an ideal opportunity to replace it and to do so with a combination CO/Smoke detector. These systems are not very expensive and they are quick and easy to install; especially if you already have a wired system in your house. The only thing I would tell you is to ensure that when you replace your smoke detector/s replace them all at the same time. CO is a byproduct of incomplete combustion of carbon based materials (natural gas, wood, etc). it is colourless, tasteless, odourless, and poisonous. Please... take a quick look at your smoke detector and confirm its age. Newer units come with a sticker 'replacement date' on the side. Now that cold weather is returning and we are closing up our homes and turning on the heat systems this is absolutely of paramount importance. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us... we are always happy to help

$100 off our home inspection services... With COVID and low oil prices Alberta is suffering. Interest rates are at enticing levels but please don’t rush to buy... don’t make a costly mistake. D&D Inspections will take $100 off the price for a home inspection until the end of June 2020.... simply mention this post when booking an inspection.... Please like and share for others who may be in need of our services

At a time like this I will not send a post for any other reason but to wish you well. Please take care of your friends and family... we need humanity before we need anything else. COVID 19 will be with us for a while.... don't let it get the best of you Help where and when you can... I always have and I always will

I love 'white'... there is just something about the pristine/ clean look that white provides... like 'snow' white :) In warmer climates buildings are painted white; not because everyone shares my view of the colour but because of its ability to reflect heat. Building materials that are white also reflect heat which in the long run extends their useful life expectancy as compared to those materials of darker colours. ... Choosing asphalt roof shingles: I would recommend 'light grey' as they would surely last longer than the darker colours for this very reason. Should you ever have questions related to home improvements or inspection services don't hesitate to contact us as we are here to help www.d-dinspections.ca or 780-227-3732

Spring is in the air... With the fresh air and warming temperatures comes hidden risks such as ice buildup; uncontrolled melt run-off (possible flooding) and temperature swings causing cracking and breaks in construction materials. Walk around your home and property regularly and take note of any changes and possible risks that may be present. Being proactive is your best defense

MOLD... the M word Thinking about buying a newer home then you need to know about the risks of Mold being present. D&D Inspections can sample the breathing air within the home and scan the home to identify possible risk areas for Mold that may be hidden.... What is your health worth?

We are living in "disposable housing" This was a statement made by Bryan Baeumler that initially surprised me but the more I think about it the more i realize it is true. The 'New Home Warranty" expires after 7 years... why? I guess the insurance industry is not expecting homes to remain problem free after this time frame.... if you are looking to buy a home, even if it is new, a home inspection is highly recommended. Yes, I am biased on this one.. but if you would see the things I have come across you would understand. I believe that most sellers are honest people but like most buyers they are simply uninformed of the issues that may be present or that may be arising. Take the time to learn about your home or prospective purchase... ask a home inspector... questions are free and in many cases 'my answers' are free as well.

We would like to thank all our clients as this is our 5 year anniversary of providing inspection services. Yes... 5 years already.... wow We (D&D Inspections) take pride in performing Inspections above and beyond ethical standards... we are not affiliated with any realtor and as such we rely solely on our performance and client feedback with hope that our services have met and/or exceeded their expectations. We provide our services for our clients and that will remain the focus of our business. Thank you very much

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) assessments- what are they and do you need one? With all the rain and humidity a lot of homes are experiencing moisture issues. Mold is a result of prolonged saturated materials. You may not be able to see these wet materials but mold spores may be in the air you breath. D&D Inspections can take air samples for lab analysis to assess and identify mold spores that you are exposed to in your home. Itchy eyes; runny nose; and/or a sore throat are j...ust a couple of mold effects in the body... their are many more. Please feel free to call should you have any questions. We are here to help

It's been a little wet lately... so much so that I have placed water wings inside my suitcase. So with all this moisture there are things you need to know about your home. Do you have a sump pump? Do you need one? Is it working? where does it terminate (dump water)? How do you test it?... Fact is that basements were not originally designed to be lived in however over the years the finishing of basements to expand useful living areas has become the norm. Another fact is that most basements will experience moisture intrusion... it's just a matter of time. if you are unsure of the sump pump questions asked please do not hesitate to give us a call. D&D Inspections can review your home/basement and advise on improvements that may be needed and show you how you can protect your investment.

I found myself with an idle moment so I decided to watch an episode of Mike Holmes (Holmes Inspections). I both like and dislike this show. I like it because I find it interesting how he sees things that other inspectors missed but I don't like it as it gives all home inspectors a bad name. One has to understand that this show (Holmes Inspections) is filmed in Ontario and what most do not understand is that Ontario has only recently (2017) adopted licensing requirements to... be a home inspector. Alberta and BC are the only two provinces in Canada that had been requiring home inspectors to be licensed and legislated on the services they provide; and I am glad to learn that Ontario has followed suit. In Alberta ‘APHIS’ (Alberta Professional Home Inspectors Society) is dedicated to ensure the highest of standards for home inspectors as proven with a 'Peer Review' that has a 50% success rate. You can be sure that you will not take a weekend course and be considered qualifed by APHIS standards. I am proud to say that I have met these very high standards and I continue to educate myself which is another requirement in maintaining the highest of standards. You see Mr Holmes... in Alberta we have been doing it right for a very long time.

Spring is in the air and warm weather has arrived Street sweepers are busy as are home owners cleaning their yards and preparing their decks. Now is the time to review your property and building envelope (roofing/siding and foundation) to see what damage mother nature’s wrath left behind. ... Check and make sure all building perforations are made weather-tight; that all fasteners are sealed; and water ponding areas near the foundation are improved. We, D&D Inspections, wish you the most enjoyable summer ever

Looking to buy a new home? Here's a scary fact: "Today's house fires burn eight times faster and produce 200 times the amount of smoke that a fire would have 50 years ago" (Kingsville, Ont Fire Chief)... The point is to highlight the importance of smoke and CO detectors throughout your home. The codes have changed and devices are now required at each level of the home and in each bedroom... Please please please check your smoke and CO detectors and replace as required.

Spring is here... :) This is the time of year when temperatures are warming, snow is melting, and everything feels rejuvenated. A word of caution as Mother Nature may not be quite done with us yet... With the warming weather we tend to open windows and to let the fresh air in... the worry is that windows are left open and with evening freezing temperatures problems may arise especially if the window is at the kitchen sink or in a bathroom where water pipes will be quick to f...reeze. This can lead to the inconvenience of no water flow or even to thousands of in repairs. So... please ensure that you close your windows in the evenings :)

Sniffles? It's that time of the year when a runny nose is considered the norm and weather related.... is it? With the cold weather our houses have been closed tight for the last few months. Could the sniffles be mold related? ... D&D Inspections can visit your home and perform an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) assessment and moisture tracking to prove the presence of spores that can be problematic. It's a small price to protect your health and the health of your loved ones. Do not hesitate to contact us and ask questions as peace of mind knowing you live in a healthy home is invaluable.

Coming soon to a home near you With snow and ice covered roof’s a home inspector should not risk injury to climb a ladder and inspect upper level surfaces; so how do we provide full services? D&D Inspections is moving forward with technology by acquiring a drone that can perform inspections, no matter what time of the year, with no risk to the inspector or damage of materials... ... The question is how much will this increase the cost of inspections? Answer: $0.00. This is probably not the best business decision ever however it’s not always about the money... This is about reducing risks and improving services. D&D Inspection’s is always looking to provide the very best of services.

'THE SILENT KILLER'... sounds like a title for a movie or novel however in this one we could all be players. As winter is upon us and with furnaces, boilers, hot water tanks, and wood stoves and fire places lighting up we are all exposed to the possible risk of CO poisoning. CO or 'Carbon Monoxide' is a poisonous, colorless, odourless, and tasteless gas resulting from incomplete combustion of natural gas and any other material containing carbon such as gasoline, keorsene..., oil, propane, coal, or wood. With the upcoming festive season we, D&D Inspections, wish everyone a healthy and happy season as we remind you to check your smoke detectors and CO detectors. If you do not have a CO detector we highly recommend them; you may not regret installing them however you may regret not.... Remember that these systems do not last forever. New units have replacement dates on them however older units may not. If they are discolored, yellow or off white, then you can assume that they are aged and for the sake and safety for everyone in the home they should be replaced.

A standard checklist item of today’s home purchase, the home inspection is an opportunity to explore the ins-and-outs of a listing for sale. A certified home inspector, hired by the potential buyer, will closely assess the condition of a home for sale and provide a detailed report of their findings. Ideally, no major issues exist in the home and the buyer gains confidence to proceed with their purchase. What to Expect ... From the roof to the foundation, your inspector will thoroughly take note (and photographs) of the home’s physical structure, test its mechanical and electrical systems and the functionality of major appliances, even wriggle their way into the attic and crawl spaces. Smart buyers (and their Realtors) will attend the home inspection, likely two to three hours in length, to learn more about the home. If you do tag along, inspectors will likely explain what he sees and field questions. Feel free to ask away but remember not to interfere with the inspection. Home inspections are more of a general checkup at your primary care doctor than a visit to the specialist. It’s impossible to detect what lies beyond the walls or underneath the flooring. While inspectors should have an acute eye, their scope is limited to a three hour home walkthrough in any given season, under no pre-determined weather conditions. In most cases, this snapshot is the superficial alert for major issues. Inspectors suggest major concerns be addressed in additional, specialized inspections by an applicable expert. The Report Card The details of your inspection report will provide objective information on the structure, major systems, appliances, even the paint and finishes, in a home. If an appliance is questionable or at the end of its lifespan, your report will recommend repairs and replacements, too. Don’t panic if your report contains issues - most do. Many are relatively small, inexpensive fixes. Best and Worst Cases In a perfect scenario, the home is found to be of sound condition. The buyer feels confident about the home purchase and is excited to move in soon. Maybe there are minor issues or repairs that can be easily resolved by the seller - not a bad outcome. Worst case, the inspection uncovers serious, costly flaws and the buyer may choose to back out of the sale. - The preceding is an excerpt from an industry magazine and, to my surprise, was actually written by a Realtor; that alone speaks positive volumes for the character of that Realtor -

Present a PRINTED (PDF) copy of this voucher prior to the signing of D&D Inspections Services Agreement to receive $50.00 off your home or commercial building inspection. http://www.d-dinspections.ca/voucher.html The voucher is valid between: 1 November 2018 and 30 April 2019. A home inspection is a small investment to help make decisions related to a much larger investment... Please feel free to call or text (780-227-3732) or e-mail ([email protected]) if you require more information about our inspection or Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Assessment services. D & D Inspections +1.7802273732 - [email protected] http://www.d-dinspections.ca/voucher.html See more

Winter is here another 5 months of ice... with this in mind the responsibility of keeping sidewalks ice free rests on the homeowner. There are many products that assist with this however each product has limitations and residual effects. Please read product labels carefully to maximize the product efficiencies and limit damage and risks. We wish you a very safe winter season.

http://healthybeautiful.info/health/7-signs-mold-illness/

It's that time of year again when we seal up our houses with an attempt to keep warm. That's just perfect if you are a mold spore... mold requires three things to grow 1. warmth; 2. moisture; and 3. a food source (any product that is cellulose based like wood and paper). There are ways to protect yourself such as ensuring adequate air movement from moisture laden areas of the home (kitchen, bathrooms, etc). If you are experiencing itchiness, sneezing, running eyes, or res...piratory problems when in your home do not hesitate to ask questions. D&D Inspections can assist by performing moisture tracking and air analysis to confirm spore concentrations in your home. Remember mold spores type and count can only be confirmed by lab analysis... Don't wait until it's too late as symptoms of spore exposures may be treatable however the effects of spore exposures are not reversable.

This morning I noted the distinct smell of wood burning... yup it's cold enough to throw a log in the fireplace. STOP!!! when was the last time you had it cleaned or even inspected? Do you burn paper and other soft items in your fireplace? If 'yes' please stop immediately. These products do not burn hot enough and add to the problem of creosote buildup in your chimney. This is a very real fire hazard. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions... ... Please be safe

Do you have cracks in your driveway or sidewalk? How about a gap between your sidewalk/driveway and your house foundation? Left unattended these cracks will grow and separate. Your driveway or sidewalk will not only look terrible but may become a hazard for unsuspecting users. Once cracked the damage is done however with seasonal maintenance to fill the gaps with a caulk or concrete repair product the inevitable costly replacement can be postponed by many years. This is a maintenance that must be performed when the area is dry and weeks before the first frost.... it’s now or never

The cooler temperatures are here and with that we will be closing up our homes for the next few months... . It is my recommendation that you take a moment to change the filters on your furnace and/or have your heating system serviced.... it’s going to be a long, cold, dark winter and we don’t need any surprises

I inspected a house recently that showed very nice. The only serious concern was with respect to trees against the house and foundation. It is my recommendation that no trees or shrubs be within 10-15 ft (3-5 m's) of the house for several reasons: 1. The trees and shrubs retain moisture against the foundation 2. The trees and shrubs will cause damage to the buidling materials and finishes if they are in contact as the wind blows the rubbng/scrapping action will cause abra...sive wear 3. The soil in the area of the trees/shrubs will become depressed and ponding of water will occur 4. Roots will migrate and find the smallest of cracks in the foundation and once entering can cause surprising damage 5. Your gutters will clog with regularity leading to overflow of the gutters which in turn will saturate fascia, soffit, and other building components and materials. These are but a few reasons to remove trees and shrubs... If you could see the damage that I have seen over the years you may consider buynig a chain saw...

Yuck; they’re back . Caterpillars and if you are like me your favourite garden and fruit trees seem to be their targets. I have found the easiest way to deal with them is with soap and water... yes; believe it or not. I have a sprayer and I simply coat them with a soap (dish soap) & water solution. It is amazingly effective.

Wow it’s getting warm out there... you don’t need air conditioning in our northern climate to keep cool. During the evenings/nights leave your windows open to allow your home to cool down. In the morning close the windows and curtains to restrict direct sunlight from entering as it will be magnified by the window glass. Once the high temps and direct sunlight have subsided you can again open the windows to allow the house to cool... We call this ‘free cooling’

Spring cleaning... many house fires are a result of dirty dryers. Dust and lint build up over time and can be a disaster waiting to happen. Have you cleaned yours lately? If you are not comfortable with this kind of effort I highly recommend seeking professional assistance as these appliances contain electrical components and moving parts...

Here we go again... do I wear a coat or not? T'is the season of wild seasonal swings and temperature changes. whether to wear a coat or not should be the least of your worries when considering your home and property. Freeze/thaw swings play havoc on properties and materials. This is the time of the year when sidewalks and foundations crack and break. The importance of ensuring proper run-off, of melting snow and ice, away from your home is paramount. As the snow melts you should note the direction of flow and ensure its routing such that the flow is in a more acceptable direction or a place where it can again freeze and cause little inconvenience or hazards. I am sorry to say that this may mean the use of an ice pick or a shovel... but that is what we have teenagers for isn't it? :)

Buying; selling; or renovating? Ask how D&D Inspections can help you with your investment.

Spring is in the air and soon the smell of steaks on the BBQ will be as well... mmmm Winter has been tough and exposed, unprotected materials, were subjected to a lot of stress. How's your deck? Check out this very handy deck inspection list. Be forewarned you may learn some very real ugly truths about the condition of your deck.. ... http://nadra.org/NADRA_DSM_Checklist.pdf Please enjoy the upcoming Spring/Summer and your deck and do so safely

Flu or CO poisoning? Did you know that CO poisoning at low levels can cause flu-like symptoms? At high levels it is deadly and aptly know as a ‘silent killer’. Most CO poisoning related issues are a result of simple venting problems.... I highly recommend the installation of CO detectors and regular preventive maintenance on all gas appliances in your home. CO detectors have a useful life expectancy of approximately 5-8 years. Please please please replace these units before they expire; they are in place to protect your most precious commodity = your life!

D&D Inspections is now certified by WETT Inc to perform level 1 inspections for Solid Fuel burning appliances. http://www.d-dinspections.ca/services.html

The 'metal' roof; it's beautiful and it lasts 50 years; it's more expensive but worth the cost.... really? You have heard the saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link... well the weakest link on the metal roof is its fasteners; the screws and grommets. You see the metal roof is attached to a wood framing. These materials expand and contract at different rates during seasonal changes. The challenge is to ensure that the shift of materials can be managed ...and still retain the roofs integrity. To make this happen the screws use a rubber grommet to absorb any expansion and contraction but this rubber grommet is susceptible to deterioration with exposure to the sun. The grommet will become less pliable and brittle and eventually the screws will work their ways loose; the shafts of the screws then become moisture penetration points leading to water damage and rot of the wood framing and structure below. I recommend that the homeowner, with a metal roof, annually check a couple of screws and grommets to see how well seated they are. Caution: don't overtighten the grommets and if you are not comfortable on a ladder please seek a licensed and qualifed tradesperson to assist. Without such preventive maintenance your 50 year metal roof, for which you paid a handsome sum, may not last as long as you hoped. If you have any questions related to your metal roof, or any other building system, please do not hesitate to ask us.... we may not have the answer you want to hear but I will give you a response you need to hear.

Do you have a wood burning appliance? D&D Inspections is now certified by WETT Canada for wood burning appliance Inspections.

it's -20C and I'm looking at a roof with no snow on it; the house beside it is snow covered with ice-cycles off the eaves. The question is which roof is how it... should be in these conditions? Cue the Jeopardy music.... Okay; this was a trick question... ans: both roof's are displaying signs that may indicate a problem. In these conditions both roof's should be snow covered; if a roof is not snow covered it may be that it is wind swept or of a higher pitch (slope). If neither of these condition exist then the problem is likely a lack of insulation and heat loss through the attic. This is usually made quite evident with ice-cycles forming as in the second roof. Take a look at your roof and the roof's in your neighborhood and you will soon see the differences and the problems will start to jump out at you.