Orillia Home Inspector Blog

The term, “”hard water,”” refers to water with a high mineral content. The most common minerals that cause water hardness are calcium and magnesium. As water is absorbed into the ground, the minerals are pulled from the earth and eventually end up in a household’s water supply.

Silicone sealants were first used to bond glass panels to skyscrapers – afar more demanding job than most home improvement projects. Because they stay flexible at all temperatures, are completely waterproof, bond well to almost everything and won’t support mildew growth, silicones are used around sinks, tubs and shower stalls.

Of concern is vermiculite ore produced by the Libby Mine in Montana from the 1920’s to 1990. It was sold as Zonolite ® Attic Insulation and possibly other brands in Canada during that time. Vermiculite from the Libby Mine may contain amphibole asbestos. The Libby Mine supplied the majority of the world market in vermiculite-based insulation

What is a Building Envelope   A building envelope is the separation between the interior and the exterior environments of a building . It serves as the outer shell to protect the indoor environment as well as to facilitate its climate control . Building envelope design is a specialized area of architectural and engineering practice that draws from all areas of building science and indoor climate control. Building envelope design includes four...

A crack in concrete or masonry, left unrepaired, may cause more serious problems and result in a more expensive repair.