Inspector Paul

Knowing When to Test Private Wells
These questions will help homeowners determine when it is necessary to test the groundwater supply:
-Is there a new baby in the household, or is someone nursing or pregnant?
-Are there taste or odour issues?
-Is the water beginning to stain sinks, tubs, and/or clothing?
-Has there been a change in the water's colour or clarity?
-Has there been a chemical or fuel spill or leak near the water supply?
-Are there unexplained illnesses in the family?
Test the well for chemical contaminants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Such tests can be expensive, so they should be limited to possible problems specific to the situation. Local experts can advise about potential impurities in the area.
Test for nitrates in the early months of pregnancy, before bringing an infant home, and again during the first six months of the baby’s life. It is best to test for nitrates during the spring or summer following a rainy period.
Test for sulphates, chloride, iron, manganese, hardness, and corrosion at the time of the presentation of an issue and every three years afterward. If other contaminants are suspected, those should be tested for also.
PEI has free testing for residential homes. You can find this information on the provincial government website or comment, and I will add it.

Check your heat pumps.

https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/daikin-amana-and-goodman-branded-heat-pumps-recalled-due-risk-excessive-heat-exposure?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1xQoFX-vDLiVw1a4uYe4ohRoG-DI_hXa7ghxuFhaBGP3O_UVGhS-5Lun8_aem_aSI_hTwZAEiyjm-UhqB6kg

Daikin, Amana and Goodman-branded heat pumps recalled due to risk of excessive heat exposure - Canada.ca If your unit has not already received the corrective update and there is not an immediate need for air conditioning, turn off and stop using the recalled product and contact the company for more information.

Ever wonder what happens underground and how water is delivered to your house? Although there are different makeups, this is an example of the most common modern private water well.
Most water systems include a water storage container called a pressure tank or hydropneumatic tank. The pressure tank is usually located in the basement or a utility room, although some types of tanks may be buried underground.
The pressure tank has three purposes:
- To store water and provide water under pressure when the pump is not running;
- To build up a reserve water supply each time the pump runs, the pump has to start and stop less often. This serves to prolong the life of the pump and
- To provide a reserve water supply for use during high demand.
As the name implies, a pressure tank contains water under pressure. As water is pumped into the tank, it compresses the air until the pressure reaches a preset level — typically from 40 to 60 pounds per square inch (psi) — which automatically shuts off the pump. When a faucet is opened, the air pressure in the tank forces water through the pipes until the pressure drops to another preset level — usually from 20 to 40 psi — which starts the pump again. A pressure switch starts and stops the pump at the preset pressure levels and allows the system to work automatically.

With heavy rain on the way, use this image to ensure your sump pump has all these items. Take a moment to go test yours. Common issues on my house inspections in PEI are missing check valves, use of flex hoses, and missing GFCI receptacles.
Sump pumps are essential for several reasons, particularly in areas prone to flooding or with high groundwater levels. These are the main reasons why sump pumps are important:
1 - Flood Prevention: Sump pumps help to prevent flooding in basements and crawl spaces by removing water that accumulates due to heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or rising groundwater. This can protect homes from significant water damage.
2- Protecting Belongings: Basements and crawl spaces are often used for storage. Sump pumps protect these belongings from water damage.
3- Peace of Mind: Knowing that a sump pump is in place and functioning properly can provide homeowners with peace of mind, especially during heavy storms or prolonged periods of rain.
4—Lower insurance rates: Some insurance companies require the use of sump pumps, while others will offer a better rate if sump pumps are present.
5- They are a safety item: Sump pumps are not designed to be continuously used. If your pump runs on and off continuously, you likely have some drainage, grading, or other water issues.
In summary, sump pumps play a critical role in protecting homes from water damage, maintaining structural integrity, preventing health hazards, and safeguarding personal belongings.

🏠✨ Essential, Extended, or Premium - Choose the package that fits your needs! Thermal imaging 🔥📸 and air quality tests 🌬️🍃 for a safe and efficient home environment.

Book your Inspection today! 👉🏼 https://mikeholmesinspections.com/services/

Premium Home Inspection - Mike Holmes Inspections Mike Holmes Premium Home Inspection is a thorough inspection of your home, plus air quality testing to check indoor mold growth.

Buyers: Artificial Intelligence has something to say about home inspections when buying.

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Electrical is a very common issue that we see in the projects we work on. You have a handyman or you have a framer, and they say, “I can do your electrical as well.” And you end up seeing a ton of fire hazards at almost every job.
Always bring in a licensed electrical contractor. In some areas, it's the law.
Photo featuring Eaton loadcentre and surge protector on

The most popular maintenance inspection is our premium package. You’ll receive a detailed report with your home’s defects. A list of items that will get it back up to full working order. Complete with a radon and indoor air quality scan.
Costco members get huge discounts too!

Premium Home Inspection - Mike Holmes Inspections Mike Holmes Premium Home Inspection is a thorough inspection of your home, plus air quality testing to check indoor mold growth.

Why Does My House Smell? (6 smells you need to know) - Make It Right® Why does my house smell? Mike Holmes' lists 6 important smells you need to know that can be a serious problem and should be fixed.

A good home inspection is packed with value. If your first question is how much, you’ll likely end up with an unqualified and unreliable home inspection.

What Should I Expect from a Good Home Inspection? - Mike Holmes Inspections What's included in a good home inspection? What should I look for in a certified inspector? Mike Holmes inspections offered across Canada.

Planning on building or renovating? Instead of accepting the cheapest quote or the one that can do it the soonest, how about…

Winter Home Maintenance Learn about winter home maintenance and safety. Mike Holmes, TV Host and Contractor shares his tips for PROTECTING your home during winter.

20% is just crazy. Skilled trades and true professionals should be the norm. Unfortunately, it isn’t.

9 Signs You Have Hired A Bad Contractor (Red Flags) - Make It Right® In the world of contracting, there’s the good, the bad and the ugly. Here's 9 Signs You Have Hired A Bad Contractor from Mike Holmes

Indoor Air Quality month is wrapping up, let’s review some items that can help increase your family’s comfort level and promote heathy air inside your home.

Essential Tips To Improve Indoor Air Quality In Your Home - Make It Right® Mold? Radon? Professional contractor and TV Host Mike Holmes Jr explains how to improve your indoor air quality.

Hiring A Licensed Electrical Contractor In Ontario - Make It Right® Mike Holmes guide on common electrical work every homeowner should know and hiring a licensed electrical contractor in Ontario.

Does your house have an oil boiler and you’ve been considering converting to heat pumps? This article shares information about the pros and cons of each system.

Heat Pump vs Boiler - Which One is Better For You? Choosing the right heating system for your home is a big decision. Here's Mike Holmes's guide on heat pumps vs. boilers for your home.

The time is just around the corner. Here’s some good advice to keep your cottage healthy throughout the winter.

Complete Cottage Closing Checklist - Make It Right® Get ready for winter! Mike Holmes shares his top cottage closing checklist items for a stress-free seasonal transition.

I post a lot about Radon. It’s serious. And it’s everywhere. That’s not to scare people, it’s to create awareness and ensure you get your home tested.

Did you know if you’ve got radon in the air of your house, and you are on a private well, 100% of the time you will have radon in your well water? That’s the case everywhere in North America.

Here's a good illustration from the CDC on how radon can get into your home https://www.cdc.gov/radon/radon-facts-ld.html

Having your home inspected before you list is the best thing you could do to maximize your value to the buyer. It may sound strange, but this blog highlights the advantages.

Pre-Listing Inspections - A Million Reasons To Have One. - Mike Holmes Inspections A house purchase is often the largest transaction that an individual makes in their lifetime, so you can understand why some security in knowing that you’re dealing with a quality product would be valuable to agents and home buyers alike. Yet the vast majority of homes listed in Ontario today are ...

Important items to keep your house healthy, safe, and well-maintained.

https://makeitright.ca/holmes-advice/home-safety-maintenance/fall-house-exterior-maintenance-checklist/?fbclid=IwAR2gjzOHURgU7FYU7Wi7MTt7U_X9fWX-DXIJe7IK3TWhEhWhxJaNw_Br8Sw_aem_AWKIx7VCMSQjYPpRizxFnJkDFdbVYuG-3ozVxjAZAyzduI-rUGdhIMAwEf4b718Dtjs&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Fall House Exterior Maintenance Checklist - Make It Right® When it comes to home maintenance it's important to do it regularly. Here is Mike Holmes' complete fall house exterior maintenance checklist.

Indoor Fall House Maintenance Checklist - Make It Right® It's important to maintain your home from the outside in. Here is Mike Holmes' indoor fall house maintenance checklist ahead of the winter.

Nothing lasts forever unless you make sure it does. That means it is your responsibility as a homeowner to understand how the systems in your house work together and ensure you are doing the proper maintenance.

Whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market, getting more value from your home should be the goal.
Much like regular maintenance inspections, these upgrades can go a long way in making your property more valuable in the market.

11 EASY Renovations That Increase The Value Of Your Home Renovations can be small and easy to do. Here are Mike Holmes' 11 EASY Renovations That Increase The Value Of Your Home!

We see lots of crazy stuff on inspections, but I haven’t seen this blatant disregard for safety. Wow!

This scares me 😨
Water 💦 electricity 🔌never go together

Attic insulation keeps your home comfortable. Here’s a quick way you can check to see if your house is equipped to handle the changes in temperature.

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Pre-renovation inspections should be a lot more common than they are. Well said Sherry!

We always do a full home inspection before we start a project, and I think everyone should do one before renos. A proper home inspection can tell you about issues in your house that you weren't aware of, so you know what you need to fix. Maybe there could be structural issues or a roof leak that needs repairing first?

We work with our own team of Mike Holmes Inspectors, but whoever you hire, make sure they have the proper tools to do the inspection. And be present for the inspection and ask questions!

The roads in PEI are full of EVs. Making sure your home is safe to handle the chargers is important. Even more so if you have these at your cottage or rental property.

Before you purchase an EV, it’s important to plan ahead and find a safe spot for your charging point so you have room for the equipment and cables to safely run to your vehicle.
The best way to do that is to hire a Licensed Electrical Contracting (LEC) business to assess your current panel, make sure it can handle the extra electrical load, and install the EV charging station. And remember if you live in Ontario, the LEC should also file a notification of the work with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).