Author's articles
Canada’s Housing Construction System
By John Carle · 12 years ago
The purpose of this document is to foster understanding of the elements of the system of construction and operation of buildings and houses in Canada.
Construction is a complex service and manufacturing industry, involving thousands ...
Buying a Water-Efficient Toilet: Additional Considerations
By John Carle · 12 years ago
There are a number of additional considerations besides flushing performance that you should think about when buying a toilet. These include the following:
Rough-in Dimension
The vast majority of North American homes have a rough-in ...
Calculating House Heat Loss from Utility Bills
By John Carle · 12 years ago
Here is a sample calculation, using a three-month meter reading for a typical house. You can use any period (but at least two weeks of winter weather is necessary). You can read the meter yourself ...
Replacing Your Furnace: What do I buy?
By John Carle · 13 years ago
Here are the most common questions about furnace replacements to CMHC staff from Canadians, and our usual answers:
Should I switch my heating fuel?
In most parts of Canada, it will be more expensive to ...
Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)
By John Carle · 13 years ago
Your heat recovery ventilator (HRV) can help make your house a clean, healthy living environment, while keeping fuel bills down. But your HRV can't do all this without your help.
It only takes seven simple ...
Floor Heating (2 of 2)
By John Carle · 13 years ago
Costs
An approximate cost of an installed hydronic radiant floor heating system by a licensed mechanical contractor can range from $600 to $800 per approximately 100 square feet. This cost can be more or less ...
Floor Heating (1 of 2)
By John Carle · 13 years ago
Long ago, the Romans used radiant floor heating in their bathhouses. For centuries, the Koreans heated their royal palaces and traditional homes in this manner. Today, radiant heating technology has been improved and can be ...
Should You Be Concerned About Uffi Today?
By John Carle · 13 years ago
WHAT IS UFFI?
Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) was developed in Europe in the 1950s as an improved means of insulating difficult-to-reach cavities in house walls. It is typically made at a construction site from a ...
Asbestos Risk
By John Carle · 13 years ago
WHAT IS ASBESTOS?
Asbestos is a natural mineral with unusual qualities. It is strong enough to resist high temperatures, chemical attack and wear. A poor conductor, it insulates well against heat and electricity.
Asbestos crystals ...
What Types Of Properties Are There?
By John Carle · 13 years ago
The Main Types of Residential Properties
Buying a property is certainly one of the most important purchases you will ever make. It is important to make an informed choice and to go for the type ...
Why hire a REALTOR®? (Part 3 of 3)
By John Carle · 13 years ago
(This is the final installment of Why hire a REALTOR®?)
6. Professional Networking
REALTORS® network with other professionals, many of whom provide services that you will need to buy or sell. Due to legal liability, ...
Moving Your Family And Your Possessions When You're Posted
By John Carle · 13 years ago
The government calls it "transferring your F + E (furnishings and effects) to your new posting location." Mostly everyone else just calls it "moving".
And all the joys that go with it. I had to ...
Putting The Cart Before The Horse When Investing In Real Estate
By John Carle · 13 years ago
Considering a revenue property as your next investment? Ensuring you are well prepared before shopping for the perfect property to add to your portfolio can help ensure that when that great deal comes along, you ...
Why Hire A Realtor (Part 1 Of 3)
By John Carle · 13 years ago
With so much information readily available online, clients sometimes ask me, "Why should we hire a real estate agent?" They wonder, and rightfully so, if they couldn’t buy or sell a home through the Internet ...
5 Of Edmonton's Best Buildings
By John Carle · 13 years ago
A young city, Edmonton’s historic structures are still relatively new, and they are complimented with the more creative structures found around town. Here are 5 of my favourite Edmonton buildings. What are yours? I’d love ...
Condo Owners: Is There An Un-authorized Vehicle Parked In Your Stall?
By John Carle · 13 years ago
Condominium owners, have you ever found it frustrating when there is an un-authorized vehicle parked in your stall? Or, worse yet, an unregistered vehicle that someone has left in you or your tenants parking stall ...
Moving Requires A Lot Of Preparation
By John Carle · 13 years ago
It can take years to accumulate a home full of treasured belongings but only a matter of days to pack it all into boxes for a move. Packing up and moving requires organization and planning. ...