Vancouver Real Estate Blog

Controling Allergens And Dandruff In Your Home

Household allergens can cause a variety of symptoms in many people, including sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, and shortness of breath. Allergens may also be a contributing cause of asthma, especially in children. However, it is possible to minimize the effects of such allergens by taking steps to control their presence and dispersal in the home.

The most common household allergens include dust mites, mold, mildew, pollen, and pet dander (dried flakes of skin shed by pets, particularly cats and dogs). Effective control relies on a combination of measures that, when used properly, will reduce the levels of allergens

	Increase ventilation to the home. Opening windows whenever possible promotes good air exchange and will reduce the concentration of airborne allergens, especially pet dander.
	Wash bedding and stuffed toys once a week in hot water to control dust mites and cat allergens in particular.
	Keep pets clean and well groomed to control dander.
	Use mite-resistant mattress covers and pillow covers and wash these frequently.
	Dust and vacuum regularly, and use microfiltration or HEPA filter vacuum bags. The jury is still out on whether bagless vacuum cleaners are more effective in removing allergens than those that require bags; some studies indicate that many bagless vacuums are not sealed tightly enough and can actually exacerbate the problem. Wearing a dust mask while dusting and vacuuming is also a good idea.
	Consider removing wall-to-wall carpeting and use easily-cleaned area rugs instead, particularly in bedrooms.
	Make sure bathrooms, especially those with showers, are well ventilated. Open the window and use exhaust fans that vent to the outdoors to prevent a buildup of moisture, which can encourage growth of mold and mildew.
	If possible, reduce indoor humidity to 50% or less by using room dehumidifiers or the dehumidifier feature available with many central air conditioning systems.
	Clean or replace furnace and central air conditioner filters on a regular basis. Make sure that air conditioner drain pans are clean and allow the water to drain properly.

Preparing And Establishing An Emergency Plan/Supply Kit For Your Home

Don't forget to review or establish an emergency plan and supply kit.

Emergency plans should include:

• Designated out-of-area contact as a centralized point person - often in emergencies it is easier to reach an out-of-area contact than a local one to relay information about impacted family members
• Back-up meeting place
• Back-up child care and pet care arrangements
• Accommodations for any special needs (non-ambulatory or disabled family members, family members using oxygen tanks, etc.)

Emergency supply kits should be kept in an easily accessible location and contain:

• Water
• Non-perishable food
• Pet food
• Blankets
• First Aid kit
• Candles and matches/lighter
• Battery-operated radio
• Flashlights
• Important phone numbers - relatives, utilities
• Fuel for any back-up heat sources
• Supplies for existing medical conditions
• For homes with infants, an adequate supply of diapers and infant related items

Is Your Home ready For Winter - Outdoor Preparations

Outdoor preparations should include a walk around your property with an eye for cracks in foundations, the mortar in brick structures, and caulking or weather stripping that has failed. Other things to look for include: evidence of uninvited guests in the form of rodents or birds living or nesting in unsafe or unwanted locations, exposed wood that may need some type of protective treatment applied, and items that are too close to heat sources that could become fire hazards. In addition to this general evaluation, here is a list of specific items to consider:

• Hoses/hose bibs - in regions where temperatures drop below freezing, it is important to disconnect and drain your garden hoses, and either wrap hose bibs or cover them with insulating covers to prevent freezing pipes. A quick inspection for other exposed pipes that may need insulating will prevent the headache of dealing with broken pipes later.
• Sprinkler systems - in colder climates, sprinkler systems will need to be drained to prevent water from freezing and causing cracked or broken pipes. You may be able to drain the water yourself, or you may hire a professional to winterize it by blowing the water out of your system with an air compressor.
• Roof - inspect your roof for any loose, missing, worn or damaged shingles, tiles or other roofing material and have any needed repairs made to prevent unwanted water damage.
• Clean your gutters and downspouts - after leaves and other tree debris has fallen and collected in your gutters, it will be important to clean the gutters and downspouts to prevent water from backing up and causing water damage or overflowing during winter storms.
• Clean landscaping tools - when storing your landscaping tools for winter, take the opportunity to clean them well, apply a light coat of lubricant on tools such as pruning shears to keep them operational and to extend their lifespan, and replace tools that are in poor condition so you'll be prepared next spring when your landscaping begins to come to life once again.

Prepare winter equipment - now is the time to test winter equipment that you may need in the coming months and make any necessary repairs ahead of time. Knowing that the snow blower or back-up generator will work and are in good repair and that you are prepared for inclement weather will provide peace of mind. It is also a good time to place this equipment along with shovels and salt in an accessible location so it is readily available when it is needed.

 

• Winter fertilizer - an application of winter fertilizer to lawns will promote stronger roots and help produce a healthier lawn in the spring.
• Plants - take a look at your landscaping and determine if there are plants that may be sensitive to cooler weather and require special preparation. While some plants may need to be trimmed, others may require additional composting materials around their roots to protect them during freezing temperatures, and others will need to be moved to a sheltered area or indoors. This is also a good time to lift bulbs that won't survive the colder temperatures such as dahlias and to consider planting spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils.

 

Real Estate In Vancouver - Preventing Water From Coming In

The best way to deal with water damage is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Here are some easy things you can do outside your home to help keep you safe and dry.

• Disconnect downspouts from the municipal sewer system. Extend downspouts at least 6 feet away from your basement walls and drain away from your house towards the street or backyard..

• Install a rain barrel to minimize the amount of surface water that could enter your home

• Grade the earth or hard surfaces around your home to slope away from your foundation.

• Before temperatures drop to freezing, turn off the water supply to outdoor taps and faucets, then open the taps to drain the water completely. Leave taps in the open position until spring.

• Keep gutters and downspouts clear of leaves and other debris – clean them out at least once a year – late fall is a good time.

With a little know-how and some routine maintenance, you can stay ahead of the wave and keep unwanted water out.

 

The New Telus Office Tower In Downtown Vancouver Will Be A Minimum LEED Gold Certification Building

Business in Vancouver is reporting that Telus will be building a office tower worth $750 million with Westbank Projects Corp as the developer. The complex will be called Telus Garden as it stands now. This development will bring about 1 million sqft of office, residential and retail space to the downtown core. This will be a LEED (leadership in energy and environmental design) building. The desiner is Henriquez Partner's and will have elevated gardens which will be able to produce organic vegatable for the local market. Mitchell Mingie  hopes that future designs will take into account, more LEED Building designs with emphasis on maintaining our green city. This illustration certainly reflects what Vancouver downtown should become.

Local Government tree protection bylaws and policies for private land owners

Seventeen local governments in the Greater Vancouver area have a bylaw or policy governing the cutting and retention of trees on privately owned land.

The following areas do not have a tree bylaw or policy. Bowen Island, North Vancouver City, Pemberton, Squamish and the Gulf Islands.

 
 

Cancer rate falls if you live in British Columbia

British Columbians live healthier and therefore have the lowest levels of cancer says Canadian Cancer Society. British Columbians lead the way because of our lifestyle habits:

1) We have lower tobacco usage 

2) Obesity rates are lower

3) Higher physical activity rates 

 Kathryn Seely Public Issues Manager,of the Canadian Cancer Society's B.C. and Yukon chapter. said Wednesday that "This is paying off in lower cancer rates". Canadians across this vast country are learning that British Columbia is the number one place to live. Not only is the beauty of BC an attraction, but now our choice of a healthier lifestyle is saving lives. This will lead too more people buying real estate and living here on the west coast. It's only natural.

To learn more about cancer, visit the following website www.cancer.ca

Vancouver beaches are a-wash with new real estate - boats!

Vancouver real estate washed ashore this morning after a huge wind storm over night. Four large sail boats drifted onto Vancouver's famous Kits Beach and were grounded. One catamaran was completely destroyed.

 It was ripped open by the rough wind an and seas as it landed on the beach. The other three boats were salvagable. I spoke with the owner of the destroyed boat this morning on the Kits Beach. He told me that he managed to jump onto the Kits Beach just before the boat was ripped apart. The owner was living on his boat in the Vancouver harbour area because he had recently been fined for illegally mooring his boat for an extended period in False Creek. (photo: Mitchell Mingie)

Vancouver lawn care - Chafer Beetle Infestation.

The Chafer Beetle has moved west, and lives in Vancouver now. This bug destroys your green grass by eating the roots, as it grows. Once mature and out of the larvae/grub stage,  this bug becomes a great meal for raccoons, crows, skunks, etc.

Paul Corbett of Cutting Edge Lawn Care of Vancouver speaks about this pest and how to control it's destruction on our properties. In the video he lists preventative measure to deal with the Chafer Beetle and the two options one has if you have these beetles eating your lawn.

Click on this link to watch the short video:destroying my lawn?

All about Bathrooms - Vancouver, Whistler, across Canada and around the world

Everyone is talking about it. Why not just do it. But do it right. Here are a few extremely good ways of conserving water and making our homes,our cities, like Vancouver a healthier and safer place to live. It can start in the bathroom. From low flow fixtures, dual - flush toilets, solar water heaters and safety. This blog is all about your bathroom.

Water Conservation Low-Flow Fixtures Cut down on the amount of water used in your bathroom by switching to a low-flow, aerating shower head and faucets. These fixtures can reduce your home's water consumption by as much as 50 percent. Low-flow shower heads will use just 1.2 gallons of water per minute as opposed to the 2.5 gallon average, but the aerating feature makes the water flow seem just as strong. Dual-flush Toilets Dual-flush toilets allow users to select the amount of water flushed to correspond to the task at hand. There are two options; for solid waste there is a handle for a full 1.6 gallon flush, and for liquid you can choose a 0.8-1.1 gallon flush. You could save your family as much as 1,500 gallons a year with a dual-flush toilet - that's 60 percent to 80 percent less when compared with high volume toilets.

Safety First Twenty-five percent of all household accidents occur in the bathroom. Take precautions and select nonslip materials for floors, tubs, and showers, and use bath mats with nonskid backing. Make sure your electrical outlets are protected with GFCI circuit interrupters, which cut off power immediately in the case of a current surge. These should be installed by a qualified electrician. Choose shatterproof or tempered materials when possible, and avoid installing wall fixtures at eye level. Finally, lower the setting of your water heater to avoid scalding and energy waste.

Solar Water Heaters Water heating represents 15 percent of your home's overall energy consumption. Reduce your household's water heating costs with a solar water heater that utilizes the sun's natural resources to give water temperature a head start. Putting a solar heater on your roof can offset 15 kilowatts of energy per day from other sources and could save you $450 a year.