Penticton
250-492-4461
Kelowna
250-861-1802
Vernon
250-545-7071
….the experience overall was good and will continue to recommend your service.
Appreciate the fact that you recognize an older home is not perfect.
Donna Easton
The professional dealings with the clients and knowledge I can rely on when recommending to my clients.
Jean Yeast
I really liked Wayne's presentation style; he wasn't unrealistic about the house and was practical and thorough. Some home inspectors frighten buyers without cause and Wayne was very knowledgeable and the home owner was really pleased with his information, suggestions and information.
Michele Blais
Good communication with the Realtor after the inspection
Kevin Cole
Well informed, efficient service with a friendly touch.
Gert Madsen
Insurance report sheet, finding an undisclosed repair to the home.
Julius Bloomfield
Quick feedback from Wayne was appreciated.
Paul Basso
I liked Owen’s conversation style with the buyer
Don Kassa
Very good communication with buyers and Realtor prior to inspection
Brian Gatzke
Possible Household Insurance Issues
We are receiving an increasing number of calls from clients for assistance in completing their applications for homeowner insurance. It seems as though insurance carriers are requiring more details about houses and are becoming more restrictive about which houses they will cover. The following issues are some of the ones we have run across.
Electrical Fuse Panels:
Screw-in type fuses in the electrical distribution panels were in common usage until the mid 1950s. Fuses, although inherently safer than circuit breakers, afford the ill-informed occupant to replace a properly sized fuse with one which is too large. This can result in a circuit overload and a fire hazard.
Knob and Tube Distribution Wiring:
In common use until the early 1940s this is an ungrounded electrical distribution system identified by its separate hot and neutral conductors and the use of white porcelain mounting knobs and cylindrically shaped tubes to support the conductors and isolate them from the wood framing members. Although a relatively safe system (except for the absence of grounding), concerns centre around improper modifications and mechanical damage subsequent to the original installation.
60 Amp Electrical Services:
Often present up until the early 1960s. It is not possible to positively identify without removal of the distribution panel cover. A smaller service capacity is not a safety issue so much as a convenience issue. The reason for denial of insurance coverage may be based on the notion that a 60 amp service indicates an older, and potentially less safe, system.
Galvanized Steel Water Distribution Lines:
Used until the late 1940s they are identified by their grey colour and threaded fittings. They are prone to deposit build-up resulting in restricted water flow and also to rusting. Leaks are common in aging systems of this kind.
Wood Burning Stoves and Fireplace Inserts:
Most insurance companies will want to see documentation that the installation has been inspected and passed by the authority having jurisdiction. If this was not obtained at the time of the original installation it can be difficult or impossible to get. The issue with these appliances is obviously the possibility of fire. Fireplace inserts are especially problematic. A related issue is the lack of a flue liner in a masonry chimney. Houses built prior to approximately 1940 are most likely to have unlined flues. These are hazardous for wood burning fireplaces.
Summary:
Different insurance companies have different requirements. These requirements can change and the best way to be sure what they are is to contact your company of choice just prior to purchase.
We have compiled some of our most popular and informative newsletters. Due to the time sensitiveness of many topics, the following is for information purposes only, consult experts before depending on information contained in these articles.
- Oil Tanks - Discusses problems involving buried oil tanks, identifying oil tanks on your property as well as the removal process and possible contacts for buried tanks.
- Air Conditioning - Take a look at how air conditioners work, general costs of central air conditioning in the Okanagan Valley and also the underlying concept behind what a swamp cooler and a heat pumps is.
- Vermiculite Insulation - An insiders look at what vermiculite is, why it can be considered a health concern and ways to minimize your exposure to asbestos.
- Septic Tanks - Identifies how septic tanks work, drain fields and how to know if your system is failing.
- Fire Safety - Provides information about protecting your home from wildfires, smoke detectors, woodstoves and arc fault breakers.
- A Vendor's Guide to Preparing a Home for Viewing and Inspections This is a great source of information for vendors who have questions about preparing their home an inspection. It answers general questions, and gives a variety of household tips.
- Vendor Checklist Print off this checklist to make sure you are ready for people to view your home or complete a home inspection.
Questions About Woodstoves?
Review the following WISE fact sheet series dealing with woodstoves, fireplaces and inserts:
- Is Your Wood Heat Installation Safe?
- Space Heating With Wood
- Appliance and Flue Pipe Clearances
- Reducing Clearances With Heat Shields
- Chimneys
- Flue Pipes
- Operating Your Appliance ...Safely
- Maintaining Your Heating System
- Fireplaces
- Fireplace Inserts
- Purchasing, Processing and Seasoning Wood
- Central Heating With Wood
Take a break from your busy schedule and have some fun with these puzzles and games:
For Puzzle Lovers...Simply arrange the lines so they don't overlap. Bet you can’t quit after you’ve done the first level.
Mini-Golf
Can’t get away for even a fast nine. Well, close the door, look busy, and launch this online Mini-Golf. The best part for a duffer like me is that I can always beat the second player.
Road Blocks
OK puzzle lovers and Rubrics Cube pros, try this one. There’s no time limit, no maximum number of tries, just go until you knock the blocks down. Beware…Addiction Potential!
Zymbols
It all seemed so easy. Just click on a symbol to stop it, and do the same to others to make a matching row. Then each level got a little testier, and so did I.
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