Protect your investment in recreation properties by having a Building Code Qualified inspector assess your property. We offer the experience, training and latest equipment to ensure your property does not have any hidden surprises. We have over 6 years of experience in cottage and chalet inspections and we even do "boat access" inspections. (you supply boat)

Cottage Inspections

Our inspections include Free Wett inspection for wood burning appliances and a Free Thermal Scan which will find heat loss, hidden moisture problems, over-heating of wiring and mould. With over 27 years of combined construction and inspection experience and over 2,000 residential home inspections we offer a 100% Money-Back guarantee if not completely satisfied.

Feel free to call and ask us about problems with your cottage or chalet at no charge. We provide assistance to many home owners who call in with problems, some even call us to explain their home inspection report that our competitors provide, we are always happy to help. We have written many articles on the different systems of cottages, homes and commercial buidings and we welcome you to browse through and look for items of interest. Visit our Home Owners Tips and Advice site and benefit from our expertise and training.

We are available 7 days a week for inspections and even work weekends. We actualy prefer to inspect cottage properties on weekends as it allows us to visit new areas and enjoy the local parks and scenery. No matter what your location our service are probably available to you, we are just a phone call away. Call Roger at 705-795-8255 or Toll Free at 1-888-818-8608

What We Bring to Your Cottage or Chalet Inspection

3 Ladders – 30 ft, 24 ft and 12 ft
Thermal Imaging Camera – Infrared detection of moisture, heat loss or overheating conditions
Moisture Meter – Up to 1 inch penetration of most building materials
2 Levels – 6 ft and 4 ft
Complete tool set – wrenches, screwdrivers, pry bars, shovels
Combustible Gas Detector
LED Snake and Colour Monitor (inspecting holes and other areas without damage)
Electric circuit checker and measuring device
Building Code Qualified Inspector – Certified by Ontario Building Officials Association

When Only the Best Will Do ! Call Roger at 1-888-818-8608 or 705-795-8255

Structural Concerns

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Here are some common sense tips and advice of things to do prior to the winter season arriving. It is better to be snuggled up in front of your fireplace once old man winter arrives, rather than rushing around repairing items that some fall maintenance would have prevented. So with that thought in mind please peruse the following list:

1) Furnace Inspection

· Make sure your furnace is in good working order. Make sure that the thermostat and pilot light are working properly and that the pipe bringing fuel to your furnace isn’t leaking or loose

· Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly.

· Consider switching out your thermostat for a programmable thermostat.

· If your home is heated by a hot-water radiator, bleed the valves by opening them slightly and when water appears, close them.

· Remove all flammable material from the area surrounding your furnace.

2) Get the Fireplace Ready

· Cap or screen the top of the chimney to keep out rodents and birds. Check top of chimney for cracks in cap or mortar. Also check visible bricks and mortar for cracks. Have any cracks repaired prior to winter.

· If the chimney hasn’t been cleaned for a while, call a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote or buy equipment and do it yourself.

· If your home is heated by a fireplace or wood stove, buy firewood or chop wood. Store it in a dry place away from the exterior of your home.

· Inspect the fireplace damper for proper opening and closing.

3) Check the Exterior, Doors and Windows

· Inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes; seal them with exterior quality silicone caulking.

· Use weather stripping around older style doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk exterior window joints to ensure no drafts are present.

· If your home has a basement, consider protecting its window wells by covering them with plastic shields. Ensure your window well drains are installed properly, covered with screen and then a layer of stone. They are tied into your weeping system and any debris could block your foundation weepers causing problems with your basement.

· Remove any un-needed screens and store until spring.

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Garage Door Maintenance Tips

Annual inspection of your home garage door is very important to prevent premature replacement or opening difficulties. Painting is the first and most important defense against moisture and sun damage to your door. Most wood doors will require to be painted every couple of years. Once rotted wood is hard to repair and may even reach the point where door has to be replaced. Ensuring all cracks are filled and protected with paint is a good investment in the life of your garage door. Reglular inspection will ensure maintance is done in a timely manner. The garage door has many moving components which all contribute to the operation of the door. the most common problem homeowners encounter is difficulty in opening the door. Applying lubricant and making minor adjustments is usually all that is required to resolve this issue. I usually recommend using penetrating oil to all the rollers and hinges at least once a year. I also put a light coating of grease on the track, this seems to free up the opening and closing plus the added benefit of quietening track noise. check all your bolts for tightness and re-tighten as required. If your door seems unusually heavy your springs probably require adjustment. Unless you have had previous experience on adjusting these springs it is recommended that you call in a garage door contractor to perform this chore. He will inspect the rest of the door while there and advise on any other deficiencies. Aligning the rollers with the track is a fairly simple job that can be performed with just basic tools, wrench, hammer and block of wood. Sagging doors or panels can be repaired by adding supports or even replacing just the damaged panel. Electric door openers are quite common and are fairly easy for homeowner installation. Ensure door is properly adjusted so that it closes completely and the auto safety switch is working. The common mistake with installing the safety beam is choosing too low a height, this will allow the posssibility of the beam passing under your vehicle, allowing the door to be accidentally lowered onto your vehicle. This is personal preference but I would not be happy to come out and find a dent across the roof of my new vehicle. So remember that preventive maintenance will allow you many years of problem free use of your garage door.

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