Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a term coined in the 1980s for symptoms of un-wellness that appear to be linked to time spent inside a building. With widespread concern over energy conservation in the 70s, we intentionally began building homes to be more and more airtight in the interest of keeping heat in and cold
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Time Again to Think About Flood Mitigation
What a winter we’ve had, with few chinooks and much more snow than we’re used to in Calgary. If you’ve lived here very long, you know we could still see plenty of wet, wintry weather in April and May; you’ll want to keep that spring precipitation and melting out of your basement. Icy Rooftops
Getting Rid of Hard Water Deposits
Like we’ve said before, by global standards Calgary has a spectacular water supply– clean, safe and plentiful. The high mineral content, however, is problematic for most water handling surfaces and equipment. If you lack a water softener, or have only recently added one, you likely have hard water deposits to contend with. These are a
Water Softening: Right For You?
It’s a fact that here in Calgary we enjoy one of the world’s safest, cleanest water supplies. It’s also a fact that our water supply has a fairly high mineral content; this is understandable considering our water comes to us via overland drainage from a mountain watershed– namely the Bow and Elbow rivers. Calgary’s
Minimize Your Home Heating Costs: 9 Things To Check
Mom would tell me, “keep your grubby paws off the thermostat and put on a sweater!”… I suppose that’s still good advice, but what we perceive as a draught– cold air entering– also means warm air escaping. Remember, interior air warmer than the outside ambient temperature is primarily air you have paid money to heat.
Garage Heat: Now is a great time to think about it!
Have you ever considered an overhead gas heater for the garage? You might associate them with commercial spaces, but they can be a great addition to a residential garage if you like a warm, dry car in the morning, or if you use your garage as a workshop or utility space. Natural gas heaters are
Beware The Unlicensed Contractor!
We face a lot of competition from unlicensed contractors (via Kijiji and social media) who charge low rates. In this tough economy, if a large company lays off a lot of employees, some will decide to be self-employed freelancers. You should be aware of the potential risks of hiring the unlicensed independent “handyman.” The
Think Before You Flush!
Too many of us treat the toilet like a garbage can, when our sewage systems are designed strictly for water-soluble waste. Here’s a quick rundown of some things you should never put down a toilet or drain.
Stuck in Cold Water
Have you been wondering if your water heater is almost ready to give out? If you have had your water heater for 8-10 years, you would be wise to plan to replace it sooner rather than later — likely in the coming year or two. But did you know that when temperatures are especially cold — as they have been in Calgary this month — your water heater is more likely than other times to quit for good?
Is Your House Making You Sick?
Have you been feeling under the weather? Tired, low energy, headaches, stomach aches or chronically “stuffed up”? Whereas in the summer we spent plenty of time outside and kept our windows open, therefore benefitting from constant ventilation, come winter, gasses like radon and carbon monoxide accumulate, and contaminants like mould, off-gassing from carpets and paints,
