Future Proofing Your Pre-wire
When building, go over your wish list and make sure to pre-wire accordingly. The worst thing you can do is try to retrofit after. Due to the increased costs, many times it may be impossible to do it after the fact. It is always much better to have everything hard wired rather than trying to find a wireless solution. Pre-wire Considerations:
- Multi-room audio: Make sure to run speaker wires to every zone in the house. You can leave out areas that you are sure you don’t want audio, however, even if you are unsure about a particular zone I would still wire it.
- Automation/Security: At every location where you may have a table wire in a cat6e cable. This way you can avoid any unsightly power cables. I would recommend you also wire cat6e cables to all the desired camera locations.
- TV locations: I advise to run at least two cat6e cables per location. Most flat panel TVs today are considered smart. With the world of streaming on demand this will ensure a stable connection. In the future cat6e cables through baluns can be converted to an assortment of different connections. For example, if you want the sound from that particular TV to be sent to the rest of the house, it is still possible.
- Soundscape: Don’t forget about your outdoor sound system. Even if it means running a pair of speaker cables to your future patio. Also consider a conduit to your utility room to the outside of your house. With the ever-growing popularity of outdoor sound products, the possibility is endless.
Kurt Villanueva, The Audio Room
5 THINGS YOU MIGHT BE OVERLOOKING IN YOUR HOME
Homeowners, whether new or seasoned, have a long list of to-do’s to take care of every year. What are you missing? The experts at Rümi share the top 5 things homeowners often miss when it comes to home maintenance:
- Attic hatch. Make sure it’s well insulated to save on energy and reduce the chances of finding attic rain in the winters.
- Dryer vent. Clean your vents every year to help prevent irritating allergies and potential devastating house fires.
- Water leaks. Any leaks should be treated seriously. Tiny drips can point to major damage in your home.
- Furnace Filter. This is a quick fix that can make a big difference. Swap out your filter in the winter (and in the summer if you have AC) to keep your hardest working appliance functioning at its best.
- Visual Inspection. A simple 360 degree walk around your home can help spot anything out of place. Not sure what you’re looking for? Rümi’s Ask A Home Inspector service, a one-of-a-kind virtual service, with our experts, can help.
Brendan Graham, Rümi
A mortgage broker acts as an intermediary between the borrower and the lender. Traditionally, banks sell their own products. They are working for themselves rather than for the consumer.
Mortgage brokers, on the other hand, are working for the best interest of the consumer. With access to banks and an unlimited number of various mortgage lenders, a mortgage broker can offer an option tailored specifically to the homebuyers’ needs. As mortgage lending guidelines become more complicated, mortgage brokers are the key factor in helping consumers get proper approval with a mortgage option that works for their needs.
Jevad Danesh & Lina Addeo, Easy Mortgage Pro
The service provided by a licensed and accredited plumbing service provider can have a big effect on one’s life and on your families’ lives. Here is what you should be looking for when hiring a professional plumbing service:
Certification & Licensing: The individual plumber performing the work is to be certified as a journeyman plumber with a certificate issued by the province. Additionally, the company must possess a Master plumber license and a plumbing contractor’s license, both issued by the city.
Insurance: They should carry liability insurance indicating the name of the company and the level of coverage. Be sure to note the expiry date.
Jeff Wright, The Great Plumbing Company
Characteristics of an Inefficient Dryer:
- Dryer takes more than one cycle to dry your clothes
- The dryer vent hood flapper doesn’t open
- The clothes that come out of the dryer are hotter than normal
- Dryer vent has sagging or pinched areas in its run
If you own an older home you may have a duct system that is possibly more restrictive than today’s standards. If so, it’s even more important to have your dryer vents cleaned regularly.
Dryer Vent Doctor
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