Toronto Home Improvement

 

Every May, cottagers head back up north to their favourite lakeside retreats, filled with the anticipation of peace, serenity and the cry of the loon. But before they can enjoy any of these things, many face a frustrating, psychological ordeal: trial by water pipe. Will it be you? It may. Let me prepare you to prevail.

Somewhere deep within hundreds of cottages across the province, a little bit of water remained hidden in copper pipes after everyone thought the system was drained back in October. This water froze during, expanded and the subsequent burst pipe lies in wait for smiling, unsuspecting cottagers. This sinister condition sits ready to make itself known with a cascading fountain of despair as the pump pressures up again, wetting everything in sight.

My wife tells me that in the midst of life’s trials, what women really want is empathy, not solutions. I’m not so sure this applies to burst water pipes, though. When you’re 50 miles from the nearest plumber, with a bunch of cranky kids lined up waiting to use a bone-dry toilet, a solution is what we all want. Desperately. And to make that happen you need a little bit of know-how, some simple materials and a few tools and supplies. One new item, in particular, might even prevent you from burning your cottage down while you complete the repair.

Fixing a burst copper water pipe involves three steps: cutting out the bad section, preparing a piece of replacement pipe and couplings, then soldering these parts into the system. You’ll need about $20 worth of tools to make it all happen, and the first item is something called a pipe cutter, though not the usual sort.

Existing pipes are almost always located close to framing members and other building features, and this means there’s rarely room to swing a regular pipe cutter. That’s why your cottage plumbing repair kit should contain what’s called a ‘mini-cutter’. It uses a hardened steel wheel to score the pipe (just like a regular cutter does), but the cutter itself is very small. It needs less than an inch of clearance around the pipe to work. Clamp it on the copper, spin it around while continuing to tighten the pressure knob, and in less than a minute the pipe is cut.

With the bad section removed, it’s time to prepare fresh replacement pipe. Make it a little shorter than the piece you removed so you can slip it into place with couplings on each end. Even the smallest cottage-country hardware store carries the parts you need, though you really should keep a supply on hand. Remember, the kids can only hold it for so long.

Soldering is one of those jobs that seem more challenging than it really is. Success is virtually guaranteed as long as you do three simple things: clean all joint surfaces with sandpaper until they shine, apply a coat of plumber’s flux to the joints before assembly, then heat the pipe with a propane torch until the metal itself is hot enough to melt the solder as it’s touched to the surface.

All of this is simple and risk-free, except for that business with the torch. With tinder-dry wooden framing members and building parts typically located very close to pipes, the risk of fire is real. And this is where something called Cold Coat can help. It’s a spray-on gel that forms a temporary, protective coating around joists, wires, plastic drainpipes and subfloors. I’ve used it, and this stuff has to be seen to be appreciated. In fact, it makes it almost impossible to accidentally ignite wood with a torch. A bottle costs $10 at Home Depot and Home Hardware.

While it’s true that some of the sweetest sounds in cottage country are the cry of the loon or the laughter of kids as they jump of the dock. But before you can enjoy any of these, you need to hear something else first. Perhaps the best thing of all is the sound of the pressure switch as it shuts off the motor when the water tank gauge reads a nice, steady 40-psi. Okay kids, the bathroom’s all yours!

Home Improvement Toronto

 

Its spring cleaning time when tidiness at home takes on a major priority, and you can remove your junk with the help of a junk removal company in Toronto. However, you may be quite unsure when is the best time to have your junk removed. It is really not a good idea to call a junk removal company when you have too little junk, but you should also bear in mind that an increase in the amount of junk will cost you higher removal fees. So, it is really necessary to determine a budget before you decide to have your junk removed. Selection of a good junk removal agency is also essential as rates of these agencies may differ substantially.

What are the things you can call a junk removal company to remove?

While deciding how much junk you should have before calling a junk removal agency, it is wise to find out the types of things that junk removal companies pick up and also the things that they don’t. Most junk removal companies do not pick up commercial and hazardous waste. The main types of waste that junk removal agencies pick up are as mentioned below:

Paint, Pesticides, Insecticides, Paint thinners and Strippers, Tires, Batteries, Antifreeze, Motor Oil, Oil Filters, Propane Tanks, Florescent Lights, Solvents, Fertilizers, Pool Chemicals, Oven and Drain Cleaners, Furniture and Metal Polish, Electronics, Monitors and Others.

When is the right time to call a junk removal company?

Cleaning the entire home in a day can be hectic and troublesome, so instead of removing a large amount of junk, it is best to remove it slowly. On the other hand, the cost of junk removal depends on the amount of junk you want to dispose. Therefore, it is indeed essential that you know exactly how much junk to remove at a time.

Usually, the charges for commercial junk and domestic junk removals can vary. If you live in a small house, it is wise to get junk removal service when you have a small amount of junk, as this is more affordable. There are different online space calculators which can be used to determine the right amount of junk to dispose. With these calculators, you will know exactly how much junk you should dispose to get the best possible rates.

Getting the best prices for junk removal

You may have doubts when it comes to the prices of junk removal services. There may be several different types of junk removal charges. For less junk, the junk removal service providers will typically charge lower rates. In case you have a lot of junk to remove, you may have to pay maximum charges. The exact charges can be determined by calling the junk removal service providers. After you are sure of the prices, then you can decide the amount of the junk you want to dispose. It is also important that you find out the prices and quality of services of different companies to ensure that you have the best deal possible.

The pricing for junk removal can also vary depending on the locality you are in. Some junk removal companies will provide the rates of their junk removal services according to zip codes. Special discounts are also available for those who take advantage of online junk removal booking facilities.

Calling the junk removal companies in the Greater Toronto Area

Junk removal service providers usually have toll free customer care helplines, and you can find the information you need by dialing these numbers. You can also call the customer care executives of different companies to have a better idea of the junk removal services offered by them. It is also a good idea to write e-mails to these companies as most of them will respond to your inquiry promptly.

 

Cosmetic fixes that can put a prettier face on a plain-Jane home will pay for themselves - and then some.

Just as every mother believes her son is a handsome devil, we homeowners tend to see the best in our houses - or at least we become comfortably familiar with the way they look.

But let’s face it, to the objective eye, not every man is George Clooney and not every house is a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece. There are a lot of drab, even downright gloomy facades out there - especially among homes built after World War II, when many builders abandoned traditional architectural styling to streamline costs and mass-produce housing.

Thankfully, the cosmetic surgery required to put a beautiful face on your home won’t hurt a bit. It doesn’t even require a big-ticket construction job. “Creating curb appeal isn’t about trying to transform the house from, say, a plain-Jane ranch into a grand Victorian,” says Charlotte, Vt. architect Ted Montgomery. “Just changing one or two little details is all it takes.”

You can find your inspiration by looking at similar houses in the neighborhood - or by hiring an architect to offer suggestions ($300 to $500) and maybe sketch a plan (add $300 to $500). You’ll boost your home pride, endear yourself to the neighbors and generate a lot more interest from buyers someday when your house goes on the market.

Subtract Flaws

Assuming the house and yard are already well maintained, job one is to get rid of unsightly blemishes left by a penny-pinching builder or the misguided remodeling efforts of previous owners.

Replace the garage doors. The most prominent facial feature of many homes is a pair of big garage doors - which all too often are flat, lackluster slabs of steel or vinyl. Trade them for more visually appealing doors with moldings, windows or an old-fashioned carriage-house look ($2,000 to $5,000 a door, including labor). See designerdoors.com and clopaydoor.com for examples.

Remove siding. Sometimes ugliness is only skin-deep. “Peek under dreary aluminum, vinyl or asbestos siding and you may find well-preserved wood clapboards hiding underneath,” says Asheville, N.C. architect Jane Mathews. If so, remove the siding, repair the old wood and give the house an attractive paint job ($10,000 to $20,000). If not, you could paint the siding or replace it with fiber cement siding (see image), a no-maintenance product that looks like real wood ($15,000 to $25,000).

Lose the funky railings. Swap out bad porch or stoop railings - such as black iron bars and chunky pressure-treated decking components - for visually interesting banisters and spindles that are worthy of their prominent placement at the front of the house ($1,000 to $3,000).

Add Character

Like a dimple or a cleft chin, the addition of an interesting architectural element can give your house some distinctiveness.

Install a salvaged door. The typical postwar front door is decidedly dull, but the entry should be the focal point of your house, says Corvallis, Ore. architect Lori Stephens. For interesting replacements, troll an architectural salvage yard (the directory at buildingreuse.org can help you locate one). Consider a recycled mission-style oak door, a six-panel colonial with blown-glass windows, or arch-top French doors ($200 to $800; more if you’re converting to an arch top).

Add moldings. Many newer homes lack exterior trim; the siding just butts up against the windows and doors. A contractor can give the house a more sophisticated, traditional look by cutting back that siding and slipping in wide, flat moldings around the openings and possibly at the corners of the house and between its stories ($3,000 to $4,000). Consider using a synthetic product like cellular PVC for your moldings, which looks like wood but will never rot.

Enhance the roof. A straight, un-adorned roofline makes a house look about as interesting as a shipping container. So consider adding one or more windowed dormers (gabled peaks) or extending the eaves (the roof overhang) a few feet beyond the front of the house with detailed moldings on the under-side ($2,500 to $6,000 per dormer or eave extension). This is major surgery though; do not attempt it without first getting an architect’s input.

Multiply the Effect

Invasive procedures aren’t always necessary. Just adding the right accents can transform your home’s outer look - not unlike a pair of stylish new specs or a good haircut.

Replace light fixtures and hardware. Lose generic shiny brass or black house numbers, mailbox and porch lights (especially bare-bulb fixtures) and substitute something unique and substantial, perhaps made of antiqued copper, bronze or brushed nickel ($20 to $75 each). For ideas, see rejuvenation.com and restorationhardware.com.

Plan for a nonstop flower show. Most of the flowers in your yard probably bloom in the late spring, which makes for a beautiful May - or whenever the big show happens in your climate - but leaves you with a bland yard for the other 10 or 11 months of the year. A local nursery can help you choose and plant additional bulbs, shrubs and trees with different bloom times (as well as plants with colorful autumn foliage and winter berries), so there’ll always be something performing in the yard ($50 to $250 a shrub, $500 to $1,500 a tree).

Add color. A paint job ($2,000 to $10,000) in pleasing hues can make any structure appealing. “But don’t choose a bright, high-contrast color scheme - that only exaggerates a house’s flaws,” Montgomery warns.

For subtler suggestions, check out the book “House Colors” by Susan Hershman ($23 at Amazon.com) or go for the colors of nature - muted greens, deep reds or pale yellows - and keep the body and trim close in color. That will give your home a friendly, peaceful look rather than making it say, “Hey, look at me.” Sort of like an average-looking guy choosing a simple charcoal suit instead of a flashy powder blue one that only a Hollywood star could pull off.

Thanks to CNNMoney. All Rights Reserved. Toronto Home Improvement

There are many beautiful stone products available in the greater Toronto area - GTA - market. The design aesthetic is arguably the most important factor in choosing your stone, however, a number of other factors should be considered. Among these are, how the surface will be used, the colour, age, and architecture of your home, your project budget, and the level of maintenance that is acceptable.

Local limestone, such as Owen Sound or Credit Valley, either in dimensional or flag stone, is the most popular choice, but, by no means the only one. Granite, either native or imported, is very effective, used in cobbles for a more established old country look, or in flamed slabs for a more polished finish, perhaps for a French garden.

Porphyry is a natural stone we like very much for its unique warm reds, browns and grays. Porphyry is imported from Mexico, but is also available from Italy and Brazil in slightly different colouration. Porphyry has some very ancient and famous applications, including the floor of Solomon’s temple.

New York Bluestone

For more contemporary gardens, the concrete like appearance of Indiana Limestone is very effective, while New England Fieldstone and New York Bluestone provide a more rugged and colourful appearance suitable to country estates.

Many sandstones are also available. Sandstone is generally solid coloured and is a softer stone, less workable but highly satisfactory in many applications, at a slightly lower cost.

Indiana Limestone

If cost is a priority, there are numerous very good quality engineered stone products. Many of these provide a very attractive finish, particularly in combination with natural stone. For driveway and other heavy wear applications, these unit paver’s are better than natural stone.

Porphyry

Whatever combinations of stone products you choose, the application process will play a very large part in determining the attractiveness and durability of the finished hardscape. A highly skilled and experienced mason is worthy of his hire.

Toronto Landscaper

Unless Ty Pennington and the crew from “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” take on your renovation project, you’re likely to get weak-kneed looking at the estimate for the work or learning the terms of your home improvement loan.

If high prices, tough credit or falling home values have suddenly brought your fantasy makeover plans back to reality, the good news is that it’s often the more modest upgrades — not the grand additions — that offer the best return on your investment.

Another plus is that the sluggish remodeling market might make it easier to find available contractors and get their assistance with financing your project, even if they offer little wiggle room on the bill. Carol Friedhoff, a Certified Financial Planner in Dublin, Ohio, notes: “A lot of the builders are having to make extra concessions, trying to come up with creative financing.”

The February 2008 Leading Indicator for Remodeling Activity report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University projects that homeowner spending for home improvements will continue to decline, slipping at an annual rate of 2.6 percent through the third quarter of 2008.

“Contractors are much hungrier for the business now, much more responsive and more willing to negotiate on scheduling and things like that,” says Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies.

“I’m guessing there will be some negotiating on pricing, too, but their labor costs have probably not gone down and their material costs have by and large gone up.”

In other words, don’t expect a big break on the price, but do look for more accommodation in other areas such as financing.

Homeowners are taking their time deciding whether to remodel, says Michael S. Hydeck, president of Hydeck & MacKay Builders Inc. in Pennsylvania and treasurer for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. “The backup for projects and jobs is a lot smaller than it was a year or two years ago,” Hydeck says. “Most people are thinking and waiting.”

Waiting might not be such a bad thing, according to Friedhoff, if it means you can save enough money to pay cash for your project instead of having to borrow. “There’s a lot less risk, and you don’t have the possibility of owing more than the house is worth,” she says.

If you’re still mulling over your renovation options, here are six projects that can bring you a good value for your money.

1. Replace Your Siding

Exterior siding topped the list in Remodeling magazine’s 2007 Cost vs. Value report, which compared the construction costs of various projects to estimates of their resale value by members of the National Association of Realtors. Fiber-cement siding replacement came in at No. 1, with an estimated 88.1 percent of the cost recouped, while vinyl siding replacement had the third highest recoupment value at 83.2 percent.

Introduced nearly 100 years ago, fiber-cement siding is back in vogue, with cellulose replacing the asbestos of long-ago versions. The new and improved product is weather-resistant and extremely durable, says Tim Carter, a syndicated columnist who dispenses home improvement advice on his Web site askthebuilder.com.

And here’s an advantage over both wood and vinyl siding: “If you do it right, it really holds paint well,” Carter says. “The paint job can last 20 years.”

2. Build a Deck

Realtors in the Cost vs. Value survey estimated the average homeowner would recover 85.4 percent of the cost of a new wood deck from resale, giving this project the second highest value in the report. A composite deck addition — a costlier initial investment — was estimated to bring a 77.6 percent return.

Adding a deck is a relatively inexpensive way to gain more living space. “You can probably build a deck for $20 a square foot, labor and material,” Carter says. “If you were going to put a room on your house, you’re probably looking at $150 a square foot.”

3. Spice Up the Kitchen

A minor kitchen renovation ranked fourth in the survey, but in the eyes of Grand Rapids, Mich., Realtor, and immediate past president of the National Association of Realtors, Pat V. Combs, this is the project that “brings the best value for the buck.”

Rolling on a new paint color, installing new countertops and putting on new cabinet and drawer handles are three ideas that only take a little out of your pocket but make a big impact, she says.

But if you have your heart set on a total kitchen overhaul at some point, remodeler Hydeck warns it’s probably not wise to sink too much money into piecemeal fix-ups in the meantime.

4. Install Energy-Efficient Windows

Combs is not surprised that wood and vinyl window replacements were each given about an 80 percent recoupment value in the Remodeling survey.

“People are very energy-conscious right now,” she says. “The cost of heating and cooling a home is important. It’s not just the purchase price (that homebuyers consider), it’s the cost per month to live in the home.”

To make sure your new windows are of the best quality, Carter says you should look for the certification label of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association. For energy efficiency, the Energy Star label of the National Fenestration Rating Council is the gold standard.

Don’t expect a quick return on your investment if you buy replacement windows, which can run upward of $10,000 for the whole house. If lowering your utility bills is your goal, it’s important to understand that it can take years for the savings to cover the cost of the windows.

5. Give the Bathroom a Facelift

Fixing up the bathroom, whether it’s an upgrade or simply for maintenance, is another reliable investment. “People like to pamper themselves, and they just don’t want to be in a grungy bathroom,” Carter says.

A midrange bathroom remodel has an estimated 78 percent resale value, according to the Cost vs. Value report.

6. Crown Your Walls

Crown molding is near the top of Carter’s personal list of easy, inexpensive upgrades with big impacts.

“It just really dresses up a room,” says Carter, who estimates that a do-it-yourselfer could outfit a room for less than $100.

“The best analogy I can give is that it’s like putting a tie on. When you wear a tie, it’s just a simple linear thing that dangles from your neck, but it’s very distinctive. Crown molding does the same thing to a room.”

Location, Location, Location

The value of any renovation project you choose depends a great deal on where you live and whether your home is in an entry-level or upscale market.

“Just like all real estate is local, all of these various upgrade projects are localized,” Combs says.

Dream Home built by Probuilt by Michael Upshall
– No Need to Pinch Yourself; It’s Real!

The National Home Show favorite is back and better than ever. Interior décor diva Janette Ewen takes cues from the fashion world making this year’s Dream Home fit for the runway. Built by Probuilt and designed by Darren Sanger-Smith, the 2,900sq ft. home turns dreams into reality. This unique and inspiring space invites us to indulge and DREAM again…with furnishings from a myriad of decades and fresh colours from vivid blue to juicy orange in every room!

Presented By:

IKEA Love your Home Stage – Live Inspiration

The IKEA Love your Home Stage is home to some of Canada’s biggest and best design celebrities. Personalities such as Karl Lohnes from Style at Home and Mary Dobson from CityLine will provide their expertise and insight into todays interior and design trends. The IKEA Love your Home Stage also welcomes a selection of some of the finest celebrity chefs like Ste. Anne’s Spa’s very own Christopher Ennew, making for a tasty excuse to check out the action.

Toronto Star Dream Gardens – 42,000 Square Feet of Inspiration

This year’s Dream Gardens are all about imagination. Wander through the breathtaking Dream Gardens and set your imagination free. Arnis Budrevics of Alexander Budrevics & Associates, along with 16-featured landscapers, have created 42,000sq ft of flowers, foliage and much more. Use your imagination to uncover the possibilities and then find out from the experts out how to turn your Dream Garden into a reality!

Presented By:

Gallery New – Surround Yourself with New

Gallery NEW is the inaugural launch of a featured products showcase at The National Home Show. Designed, produced and curated by Adam Berkowitz, President and Creative Director of Equal Design + Development, the “gallery” is a museum style showcase with select innovative products beautifully displayed and described. It will highlight new products in household furnishings, electronics, cleaning products, lighting, gardens and outdoor living that reflect innovation in style, function and environmentalism. The Gallery itself is a model in sophisticated indoor and outdoor design.

SAM’S CLUB Flower Market – The Perfect Place to be for Spring

The Flower Market is the perfect place to find fresh cut and potted flowers but it is also the perfect place to give back a well. With 100% of your purchase proceeds going directly to the Children’s Miracle Network, you can truly feel good about treating yourself. The SAM’S CLUB Flower Market will also be home to the Miracle Network Tree. Buy a balloon, decorate the tree and help make a miracle.

Den Trends

Casalife, the experts in small space and multi-functional furniture presents Den Trends an educational feature offering inventive ways to best maximize space. Dens will inspire a range of lifestyles such as the home-office with a second bedroom, games room, sex in the city dressing room, as well as an intimate dining room. Along with the insightful design ideas, casalife will work with visitors on specific floor plans using the casalife space planner tool which enables people to see options and become a confident and educated consumer.

Destination Renovation – How’s that Little Project Coming Along?

Do you have big plans but don’t know where to start? Meet face to face with renovators and builders for a one on one construction consultation. Gain valuable knowledge that can save you time and money. Presented by BILD (Building Industry and Land Development).

What’s your Design Dilemma? - It All Starts Here

RENO & DECOR magazine and ARIDO present What’s Your Design Dilemma? – Visitors can speak one-on-one with interior designers who will advise you on how to solve any interior design dilemma that you may have.

Get Wired with the Artistic Smart Home - Connect to Tech

The future is now in the Get Wired with Artistic Smart Home. The ultra-modern exhibit by Erik Lauzon of Konstruk Design features cutting edge electronics, modern furnishings and flashy fixtures merged to create an advanced living environment. From extreme home gadgets to sustainable design options, The Get Wired Smart Home is a must see at this year’s show.

Presented By:

Fast n’ Furry - Man’s Best Friend and Family Favorite

You will be left panting when you see the amazing Fast n’ Furry showcase. This show is a continuous line up of fantastic dogs showing off their talent by performing flips, spins, and speed and comedy antics! You will see a variety of fast agility, Frisbee freestyle, and the ever-popular action packed team race called “Flyball”. Head to the Doggy Lounge after the show and shake paws with the stars!

Feel free to join us for Pawtographs and after show conversation, come meet and greet the stars and pet them with praise for their fantastic performances. This is also a great opportunity to speak with our Canine Crazy Team and find out how you can get started in building a Fun Rewarding Relationship with your canine Family member.

Using Less, Enjoying More

The Sustainable Condo is a full-size living space that displays green technologies and sustainable products. The recently refreshed exhibit is located at Exhibition Place in the CMHC Eco Pods (historic Music Building) and is open for public tours during the National Home Show on April 5 and 6. A free hydrogen-powered shuttle bus will be available to take you to and from the site. For more info see: www.usinglessenjoyingmore.com

Til Debt Do Us Part

HGTV’s Til Debt Do Us Part will be holding casting days at the National Home Show

April 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th and 11th

Money is the number one cause of failed marriages. Rare is the couple that agrees on how the pot should be divided and the bills paid. Most families are in debt, and with debt come family arguments, tears, tantrums and marriages on the verge of divorce. To save families from the doldrums of debt, each episode of Til Debt Do Us Part follows financial wizard Gail Vaz-Oxlade as she helps families go from red to black by getting to the root of their destructive spending habits.

TICKET PRICES

Adults (online)	$12.00
Adults (at door)	$14.00
Seniors (65+):	$10.00
Children ages 13-17 years:	$10.00
Children 12 and under:	FREE
Two Day Idea Pass:	$24.00
(valid any two days)

Group rates are available thru Group Sales International at 1-866-821-6422

 

 

 

 

PARKING

The parking at the Direct Energy Centre is $11 per day for both surface & underground parking. After 6:00 pm the rate is reduced to $8 respectively. Additional parking is available at Ontario Place (South side of Lakeshore Rd.) for $6.00 per day.

DIRECTIONS Please click here for a Map to Direct Energy Centre Driving The Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, is located downtown Toronto. The major intersection closest to Exhibition Place is Lakeshore Blvd and Strachan Ave, which can be accessed via the Gardiner Expressway. Streetcars, buses, subways and GO trains provide the city with one of North America’s safest and most efficient public transit systems. It connects all parts of Toronto and outlying areas to Union Station, the city’s transportation hub. Union Station is accessible from the Centre via the Skywalk, a weather-protected walkway.

Dates + Hours Friday, April 4 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Saturday, April 5 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Sunday, April 6 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Monday, April 7 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Tuesday, April 8 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Wednesday, April 9 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Thursday, April 10 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Friday, April 11 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Saturday, April 12 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Sunday, April 13 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Location Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place 100 Princes’ Blvd. Toronto, ON 416-263-3000 Click here to map your route using google maps.

Parking The parking at the Direct Energy Centre is $11 per day for both surface & underground parking. After 6:00 pm the rate is reduced to $8 respectively.

DirectionsDRIVING The Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, is located downtown Toronto. The major intersection closest to Exhibition Place is Lakeshore Blvd and Strachan Ave, which can be accessed via the Gardiner Expressway. Map to Direct Energy Centre Streetcars, buses, subways and GO trains provide the city with one of North America’s safest and most efficient public transit systems. It connects all parts of Toronto and outlying areas to Union Station, the city’s transportation hub. Union Station is accessible from the Centre via the Skywalk, a weather-protected walkway. TRANSIT You can also hop on the TTC or GO Transit. Both systems have stops minutes from The National Trade Centre. With a station at Exhibition Place, Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West, GO Trains take you to the show at Exhibition Place. Take the 509 Harbourfront streetcar from Union subway station, or Take the 511 Bathurst streetcar from Bathurst subway station, or Take the 29 Dufferin bus from Dufferin subway station.

Why does a faucet leak?

A faucet leaks when a drip, a trickle, or a flow of water comes out of the spout even when the handle is in the closed position. Faucets are supposed to efficiently regulate water flow but age and heavy usage leads to the wear and tear of the rubber o-rings and washers inside the fixture. When these worn-out washers fail to seal the faucet pipes properly, water leaks through.

Why is it important to fix a leaky faucet?

A small drip can send gallons of clean water down the drain every day. Allowing a drip to last for days is a huge waste of a precious natural resource. Also, a leaky faucet can make an irritating tapping sound that magnifies into a sleep-disturbing nuisance in the quiet of the night; and long-standing drips can leave nasty stains on the sink.

Because leaky faucets are relatively easy to fix, you won’t have to call a plumber over to bill you for the simple job of replacing old rubber washers and o-rings.

Types of Faucets

The different types of faucets are: conventional, ball-type, push-button, and sensor-type. The conventional faucet has a handle that you turn counterclockwise to open, and clockwise to close; ball-type faucets swivel to control the intensity as well as the temperature of the water; push-button types dispense a calibrated quantity of water each time the button is depressed; and sensor-type or automatic faucets are triggered on and off by sensors that detect the presence or absence of an obstacle.

Most of the unconventional faucets are specifically designed such that repair of leaks should be done using manufacturer-prescribed kits. When buying new unconventional fixtures, take note of the manufacturer’s recommendations for quick repairs, so that when you have to deal with a leak, you know which appropriate kit to use.

Steps

If you’re fixing a conventional faucet, purchase a set of rubber washers. These are available (usually a set of different-sized washers in a small pack) from any hardware or home repair store. For unconventional faucets, get the appropriate repair kits.

Before starting any faucet repair, turn off the main water source. Many faucets have a control valve somewhere along its pipe just under the sink, turning the valve counterclockwise will shut the water off from the faucet you’re working on.

Plug the sink drain (or cover it with a rag) to prevent screws or spare parts from falling in.

Conventional Faucets:

1. Just below the handle, where the faucet stem joins the water pipe, is a nut. Using a wrench, twist the nut counterclockwise to loosen it completely.
2. Turn the handle as if you’re opening the faucet (counterclockwise) until the whole assembly comes off.
3. At the bottom of the assembly, you will notice a rubber-like washer (or what is left of it) held by a screw. This dilapidated washer is what’s causing the water leak. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the old washer off and install a new one. Be sure the washers are of the same size. Tighten the screw well enough to secure the new washer.
4. Slip the assembly back into the pipe, turn the faucet handle clockwise to re-install, and tighten the stem nut in place.
5. Turn the water back on to check if the faucet still leaks. If it does, despite the washer change, then the faucet itself may be defective, in which case a new faucet is called for.

Unconventional Faucets:

Due to the many unconventional faucet types available, no basic step-by-step procedure can make for a standard reference for the repair of leaks. Some fixtures have easy-to-find screws for dis-assembling the faucet, while others conceal the screws and nuts under twist-off covers. Some faucets even require special tools to dislodge springs and tighten adjusting rings. O-ring washers may also be highly specific to a particular brand of fixture.

The best recourse to take when an unconventional faucet is leaking, is to check with the hardware store or the manufacturer for specific repair kits and easy-to-follow instructions. When repair seems too complicated to tackle, it’s always best to call a professional.

 

 This photo was taken at the scene of a house fire that occurred over the weekend.  I’ve never heard this info before…please read!!!!!I received this in an email from someone claiming is in the insurance property business.

This is one of those e-mails that if you don’t send it, rest assured someone on your list will suffer for not reading it. The original message was written by a lady whose brother and wife learned a hard lesson this past week.

Their house burnt down.. nothing left but ashes. They have good insurance so the house will be replaced and most of the contents. That is the good news.

However, they were sick when they found out the cause of the fire. The insurance investigator sifted through the ashes for several hours. He had the cause of the fire traced to the master bathroom. He asked her sister-in-law what she had plugged in the bathroom.

She listed the normal things….curlin g iron, blow dryer. He kept saying to her, ‘No, this would be something that would disintegrate at high temperatures’. Then her sister-in-law
remembered she had a Glade Plug-In, in the bathroom.

The investigator had one of those ‘Aha’ moments. He said that was the cause of the fire. He said he has seen more house fires started with the plug-in type room fresheners than anything else. He said the plastic they are made from is THIN. He also said that in every case there was nothing left to prove that it even existed. When the investigator looked in the wall plug, the two prongs left from the plug-in were still in there.

Her sister-in-law had one of the plug-ins that had a small night light built in it. She said she had noticed that the light would dim and then finally go out. She would walk in to the bathroom a few hours later, and the light would be back on again. The investigator said that the unit was getting too ho t , and would dim and go out rather than just blow the light bulb. Once it cooled down it would come back on. That is a warning sign

The investigator said he personally wouldn’t have any type of plug in fragrance device anywhere in his house. He has seen too many places that have been burned down due to them.

I have not verified the story, however you may want to pass it along.  It may save someone life.