Pillar to Post News For You ... Stress Control, Creating Space and More!

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Pillar To Post welcomes your comments and concerns. You can contact us: Click Here MOTIVATION STRESS CONTROL Let's face it. There will always be stress. But stress isn't all bad. Our stress response has evolved from the need to be up to the task at hand whether the task is surviving a run-in with a tiger thousands of years ago or... CLICK HERE FOR MORE >> MAKING CHOICES CREATE MORE SPACE VISUALLY Many people think of expansion when they want to create more space. But you can make your home appear bigger visually... CLICK HERE FOR MORE >> DESIGN FOR LIVING BASEMENT RENOVATIONS By making a few changes in your basement, you can create an extra cozy living space in your home. Here are a few tips on how to quickly and easily tackle this project... CLICK HERE FOR MORE >> OUTDOORS RETRACTABLE AWNINGS Turn your deck or patio into added living space, combining the comfort of indoors with the enjoyment of outdoors by the addition of an awning. Here are some of the benefits... CLICK HERE FOR MORE >> INSPECTION INSIGHTS EVAPORATIVE COOLERS Called an evaporative cooler, or "swamp cooler," this cooling system uses seventy-five percent less electrical energy than a refrigerated central air-conditioning system... CLICK HERE FOR MORE >> COMMUNICATION REVEAL THE INNER YOU Your identity is often defined as a cocktail of characteristics - humor, intelligence, warmth - and that can't be seen with the naked eye? CLICK HERE FOR MORE >> IMPROVEMENTS EASY FURNITURE FIXES Furniture can be so easily damaged. Here are a few "easy" ways to fix some minor mishaps... CLICK HERE FOR MORE >> HOUSEWATCH MAINTENANCE BENEFITS OF EVAPORATIVE COOLERS There are many benefits to an evaporative cooler... CLICK HERE FOR MORE >> Serving home buyers, home sellers, homeowners and real estate professionals across North America. Why Pillar To Post? Pillar To Post ® is North America's leading home inspection company. We are committed to quality in the service we provide to real estate professionals, home buyers and sellers. Our training, reporting and professionalism are second to none in the industry. We Work With You Our goal is to enable you to have confidence in the home decision and transaction process. The inspection provides an excellent opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge about the home. During the inspection, we will point out and discuss areas of concern regarding the property. We then provide a detailed, unbiased report with all this information. Wayne DeJong, P. Eng  Registered Home Inspector & National Certificate Holder License BPCPA #47414 Proudly Serving the Vancouver area. We know our stuff!  Vancouver@pillartopost.com www.pillartopost-vancouver.com  Phone:  604-250-9263 Fax:       604-873-9536 More Pillar To Post INFO Copyright © 2012 Pillar To Post. All rights reserved.

Listen Up! ... Your Ceiling Is Talking!

What does every room in the home have, yet rarely gets noticed? Look up - it's the ceiling. While it may not get the attention of the walls and floors, the ceiling can be an indicator of certain elements of the home's condition, so it's important to identify and address any problems that arise. From "popcorn" to plaster to drywall, there are many different ceiling materials in today's homes. Look for signs of damage no matter what the material. Ceiling stains can indicate water damage from leaking pipes, a bathroom fixture overflow, or a leaking roof. Before any attempt is made to repair water damage, it must be determined if the cause of the leak will continue to affect the ceiling, or if it the damage is related to a single event in the past. If water is dripping from the ceiling, the source of the water will need to be found and stopped, and the ceiling will need to be thoroughly dried before attempting any repair work. If the damage is severe, a professional contractor specializing in structural drying should be consulted. Mold is a real threat when moisture is allowed to remain in the ceiling and the space above it. It can take a little as a few days for mold to begin growing inside a ceiling, so acting quickly to get everything completely dry is the best course. In addition to being a health hazard, mold can eventually cause structural damage to the home if left to grow and thrive. Mold removal should be done by a qualified professional who will certify their work in the home. Minor ceiling cracks are not uncommon and may simply be the result of the home settling. Even older homes can continue to settle for decades. If the cracks are minor, they can be repaired with relative ease. The technique used will depend on the ceiling material. Old plaster ceilings will often sag and crack over time, and can be patched with drywall instead of new plaster. Popcorn ceiling cracks can be covered with aerosol sprays made specifically for this use. Major cracking can be due to seismic activity or structural issues and should be assessed by a professional before repair or replacement. Paying attention to the ceiling can really pay off by allowing the discovery of small problems before they can become big ones - avoiding serious and potentially costly problems down the road.

Wayne DeJong, P. Eng
 Registered Home Inspector & National Certificate Holder

License BPCPA #47414
Proudly Serving the Vancouver area.

We know our stuff!

 Vancouver@pillartopost.com

www.pillartopost-vancouver.com

 Phone:  604-250-9263
Fax:       604-873-9536