Walkabout Inspections
14379 - 77 A Avenue V3W 0L2 Surrey, BC, Canada

We love our heat pump / furnace combination. We're comfortable year-round here. Want to know how a heat pump works / what it is? https://www.powersmart.ca/tip/heat-pump-101

We love our heat pump / furnace combination. We're comfortable year-round here. Want to know how a heat pump works / what it is? https://www.powersmart.ca/tip/heat-pump-101

With those windy days, you may notice drafts in your home. Here's some hints on how to check for them. https://www.powersmart.ca/tip/renovate-with-energy-star

With those windy days, you may notice drafts in your home. Here's some hints on how to check for them. https://www.powersmart.ca/tip/renovate-with-energy-star

We have two of these. Here's a weird Throwback Thursday. Do you have any idea what it is?

https://www.vancouverisawesome.com//weird-vancouver-street

There's a nightmare! https://globalnews.ca//sechelt-seawatch-property-assessm/

Keeping your phone information safe and private (info from Consumer protection, BC) https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca//10-easy-tips-to-prot/

Keeping your phone information safe and private (info from Consumer protection, BC) https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca//10-easy-tips-to-prot/

http://www.walkaboutinspections.com//new-year-resolutions/

Here's some cool and unusual Xmas Trees I found. Some I really like, some are maybe a bit too weird for me?

For anyone in the Clark Griswold school of holiday decorating, overloaded circuits are a real concern around Christmastime. Unlike Clark, you won't risk shutting down the grid service to your entire town, but you can certainly pop some breakers and possibly create a fire hazard. There are a few ways you can create an electrical overload, and all are easily avoidable. As for the decision to go with the animatronic Santa on the roof again this year, maybe you should let your circuits decide.

Historic 10 bedroom home in upstate NY for $50K. I can see the problems, but can you see the possibilities? https://www.newyorkupstate.com//for-sale-in-upstate-ny-fix

Historic 10 bedroom home in upstate NY for $50K. I can see the problems, but can you see the possibilities? https://www.newyorkupstate.com//for-sale-in-upstate-ny-fix

IT'S GOING TO FREEZE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.... WINTERIZE!!! If you live in a single-family home, without frost-free outdoor taps, have you turned the outside water off yet and left the tap open? If not, this is a good reminder to do so. Greater Vancouver is expected to hit the minus 0 tomorrow. And if you own an RV don't forget about winterizing it as well for the deep freeze.

https://www.cbc.ca//canada/ottawa/furnace-construction-1.5

https://www.bchydro.com//savi/free-energy-savings-kit.html

If we end up with a few days of dry weather, before the everlasting rain and snow, take advantage and clean your gutters - or get them done professionally. It will stop all kinds of problems - the biggest one being water getting into your basement. Twice a year once each in the spring and fall is the recommended amount and timing for cleaning your gutters. In my neighborhood though, we have plenty of trees, meaning I’m doing it much more than that. After a big storm, or e...ven just a couple months of wind and rain, I’m up there cleaning them out, even if it’s just to remove a downspout clog. And in the fall alone I do it a couple times as well with the bevy of leaves we get. It’s far more pleasant to wait until your gutters are dry to clean them out. Otherwise they’re quite mucky, which makes them harder to de-gunk. It’s also not a bad idea to check your gutters before you’re forecasted to get a big storm. I’ve sat in my dining room and watched the rainwater pour over the gutters and into the garden and foundation, which I probably could have prevented by doing a quick 10-minute sweep of even just the spots near the downspouts. Better to do this chore too much and keep your foundation safe than not enough.

Here's some houseplants you can grow in your kitchen. Peppermint is a great idea. Especially if you like to make the odd mojito! http://dish.allrecipes.com/best-kitchen-house-plants/

Another Great Morning in Vancouver! /:sjseto

Thanks for the Great Review! It was a scary process for us to buy a new home. We have been in our current home for 36 years and know it inside out!! The prospect of moving to a place we know absolutely nothing about is daunting. We are moving to a townhouse complex that is very well maintained, but were eager for Gary’s insight into all the hidden things, and systems new to us. What a wealth of information he was! I learned about proper air circulation for a healthier home,... among other things. We were guided through the workings of our furnace which was settling for us, and given a general overview about what we can expect from our new home. I have to say I was surprised, pleasantly, about the depth of Gary’s inspection. We completed the purchase knowing we have a solid building in which to start our next chapter!! Thank you Gary, for so many things including your professionalism, and your knowledge and your willingness to explain how things work. We are very grateful. Now we can move with confidence. I may be calling you for a refresher on the operation of air conditioning once we move though! See more

https://bc.ctvnews.ca//reno-gone-wrong-vancouver-condo-col

This place gives me the shakes. I can't stand any kind of vegetation touching exteriors. This one is over ... so over!

A man of utmost virtue.

There's something about a house in fall. I love the light patterns on the trees, the coziness of a roast in the oven on a cold day. And the best part. You don't have to mow the lawn every two days.

What was your first car? Mine was a 1961 Volkswagen

https://www.thisoldhouse.com//read-you-paint-your-kitchen-

https://604now.com/oldest-restaurants-vancouver/

More on Gratitude. Someone once said, "Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. And that's true. I was really lucky to be a stay-at-home dad for quite a few years. We didn't want to do the daycare thing, really, and we both made the same money. There were just more opportunities for Marla at the time, so I got to do this. And of all the jobs I had, this had the best payoff. We have two kids that we're really proud of (not t...o mention an amazing little grandson as well) Life is short. Hold on to those memories, because they are the best things you own one day. See more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp7FxW0Ze6Y

And, if they can't find you handsome, at least they should find you handy!

With the hustle and bustle of modern day life, too many people get it backward. They decide they will be grateful when they get a promotion, a new job, a home, a new car, a raise, gifts, or other tangible things from people they know. But this is backward. If you want to gain more success and/or more happiness, then the first step is to be grateful for the many things you have. Only after you build an attitude of gratitude can you begin to grow (and build on) your happiness or achieve a measurable level of success (that does not feel empty). I've been grateful for being able to be a beltman. When I was younger until I was middle-ish aged, I spliced conveyor belts in factories, mines and sawmills all over Western Canada. I made lifelong friends, was able to afford a home for the kids and the wife (and me) and gave me lots of adventures.

So many tips.... So many things I didn't think about before. This is a good one, people! https://shareably.net/55-simple-things-that-doing-wrong-y/

Wow! I'd like to check this place out in person. 1,200 sq. ft. time capsule. https://www.houseandgarden.co/house/house-1950s/3/

https://www.forbes.com//amazon-also-experienced-tesla-so/

If you've never had one, find a recipe and try it! We make a pilgrimage to New Orleans every couple of years or so, and have more than one of these while there. Central Grocery is the original and in my opinion, still the best.

What if you can change the plot of a story/movie or book-title. What would give you a satisfying smile?

Today's job: Getting those dryer vents cleaned out. You know I've blogged about it before on my website. And our dryer was definitely acting up. I began to do the job myself, but it was too big for me, so we called Dad's Dryer Vent Cleaning. It ended up being even worse than I originally expected. Huge job by Dad's Dryer Vent Cleaning, and great service. Totally recommend this local home-based business. Call Dustin and save some money - your dryer will use less energy and w...ill last longer. Clogged vents don’t just cause fires. They also reduce the efficiency of your dryer to the point where you could be paying an extra $20 a month to run it and it won’t be long before you’ll have a costly repair on your hands. If clothes are taking longer than normal to dry or are still hot and damp after a full cycle, that’s a clear signal that you need to clean the vent. https://www.facebook.com/DadsDryerVentCleaning/

I'd say my store hours are around the same. Unless you need me that is:)

http://www.socialgazette.com//things-never-knew-wd-40-us/

We use Kiva to make a difference. (kiva.org) It's a crowdfunding opportunity that helps people worldwide. Our last person has paid their loan and is successful so it was time to find someone new. Marla loves Fiilipino barbecue, so we chose Elvie today. Elvie's story... For the past 2 years, Elvie engages in grilled chicken, pork and meat barbecue. Her job starts around four in the afternoon until ten in the evening. She has a small stall in front of her home where she caters mostly to neighbors and nearby residents. She is 50 years old, married, and has five children, three still attending school. To augment earnings, she has decided to acquire a loan to boost supplies. She will use it to purchase stocks of meat, chicken, pork and barbecue sauce. In this way, she can manage her sales and profit and continue to provide for the needs of her family and start to save for business expansion.

It's corn season. Here's a hack on how to get rid of the silk. Dollar store, here I come. https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/hack-to-remove-silk-/

https://learn.howstuffworks.com//can-you-name-the-tool-a-d

During your electrical system inspections, we will check for over current protections, grounding, and the presence of any aluminum wiring. It's just one of 100's of things we check for safety and home comfort.

http://www.walkaboutinspections.com//natural-air-conditio/

Going through pics and saw this. It's screaming for a caption!

https://www.hometalk.com//s-here-s-why-you-should-be-buyin Some of these look like Etsy projects, others are interesting, some are just weird. But they are all unique, I've gotta say that.

https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/why-didnt-i-think-of/ I learned a few things here for sure! It's nice to learn one thing that will change your life (in one corner of your life, that is)

Sitcom Houses. How many do you remember?

It's not my favorite part of the inspection. There's always a few creepy crawlies, or dead things to discover. But it's more important that I check out these places for my clients and make sure the foundation is in good shape, that there's decent vapor barriers and more. As uninviting as the crawlspace may be it is absolutely essential that this area be fully inspected during a home inspection. Many of the homes mechanical and structural systems are in this area and are usual...ly fully exposed, thus giving you a great indication as to the condition of the bones in the home. If a home has a crawlspace it is most likely an access area to the main water shut off that will be located near the wall closest to the front road. If the home has a furnace it will usually be a downflow furnace and the ductwork will be running in the crawlspace. It may contain electrical wiring runs (raceways) as well. See more

Here's a worthwhile investment in people's lives. Good news. https://www.surreynowleader.com//new-mental-health-and-su/

Is it just me, or has April and July switched their weather? (honestly, it's good for the forests though)

The Real Brady Bunch House is for sale! I'd love to inspect that one. https://www.realtor.com//11222-Dilling-St_North-Hollywood_

Happy Canada Day Everyone! As home inspectors, we're proud to say that our country has some of the toughest standards when it comes to construction standards. O...ver the years designs have changed, codes have changed, but a Canadian home is built to last many years. Here's many homes and unique to Canada designs (most are from BC) that many happy Canadian families have grown up in. Did you live in a traditional Canadian home?

Happy Canada Day! https://www.facebook.com/onlyincanada1867/videos/1000268776825262/UzpfSTkyODMyMDI1NDAyMDExNTpWSzoxMDAwMjY4Nzc2ODI1MjYy/

It's all about my 9 pound noisemaker called Prince who thinks it's his primary role to make people's ears bleed.

Some of the oddest homes in Canada. I'd love to inspect all of them! Happy Canada Day, everyone. https://blog.belairdirect.com/unique-homes-canada/

Let's take a moment to be thankful. Canada isn't perfect, but we really are blessed. Happy Canada Day long weekend, everyone!

Tomorrow being Canada Day, I thought I'd do a little research and find pictures of our local area (Surrey, White Rock and Langley) the way it used to be! Who has been around long enough to remember the restaurant on the pier, or Guildford being built? What surprised me is that the restaurant on the pier wasn't at the end, like I thought it was, but closer to the beginning.

I can only imagine ::: If I could turn back time... and all those other songs.

It's a constant challenge to keep rodents of all sizes out of your home

Pottery Barn, Ikea even the newest paint color scheme doesn't impress your home inspector much. They are looking for the things that count how old is the ...furnace; missing roof tiles; problems under the sink; even clues that indicate that things have been fixed properly (like an old water stain on the ceiling, but a new roof on the outside) It may have been the interior design that made you want to buy but it will be the inspector's report that will make you glad you did ---- or didn't! Find your home inspector at hiabc.ca

A nice FIVE STAR review from Stacey S. Thanks for the kind words! Don't forget that we're here for you during the entire period of home ownership! __________________________... By stacey strike June 21, 2019 Gary at Walkabout Inspections was excellent. He came to me recommend from a friend and he did not disappoint. He responded right away, made himself available and made me feel relaxed. I am a first time home buyer who did not know what to expect and Gary made me feel confident with my decision. He was very through, professional and kind. I would highly recommend him. Thank you Gary! S

It happens. But in this case, you might want to call a vegetarian, not a plumber.

Spiders AND Yellowjackets! Who likes them? We get both at the cabin. Guess I'll stock up on some peppermint oil and see if it works. A 2013 study showed that peppermint essential oil had a repellent effect against yellow jackets and paper wasps.... If you’re someone who shrieks when you see spiders, you may want to try peppermint oil to get rid of them. Peppermint oil is considered to be a natural insecticide. Spiders, although not technically insects, seem to hate it. You can take advantage of this effect by putting a few drops of peppermint oil on several cotton balls. Place the cotton balls around your patio, outdoor furniture, or wherever you spend time outside to keep spiders, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets away. The pictured image of a HOBO spider is good to recognize. They are a very dangerous spider in BC. We know from personal experience. The wife was bit quite a few years ago and it was a horrible experience, with lots of IV therapy to stop the bacterial infection. It belongs to the funnel web family. These spiders make funnel- or tube-shaped places out of their silk to hide in. Look in corners of things to find the webs. They can run quickly, up to 3 feet per second, when moving from place to place. They aren’t very good at climbing.