Home Systems
From lead, galvanized steel and copper to Poly-B, Kitec and today's standard PEX, homes from different eras use different pipes, with different risks. This article explains how to identify them by the home's age and appearance, where to look at a showing, Toronto's lead pipe testing and replacement program, sewer camera inspections and how to prevent frozen pipes in winter.
Home Systems
A water softener deals with scale and washing, while a water filter improves the taste of drinking water and filters it. They serve different purposes. This article explains how each works, whether you need one, renting versus buying, what to do in a home on well water, and how to handle existing equipment when you buy.
Home Systems
Many older homes still contain building materials that are no longer used. Some affect health, some affect insurance, and some become a replacement cost after closing. This article organizes the common ones by era and explains how to spot them at a showing, how to verify them during the conditional period, and how to deal with and negotiate them.
Home Systems
Most detached homes in Toronto use a gas furnace with central air; heat pumps are increasingly common, and some homes have boilers with radiant heat or electric heating. This article explains the pros and cons of each, what every piece of equipment in the basement does, buying versus renting equipment, routine maintenance, and the energy rebates and loans currently available in Ontario and Toronto in 2026.
Home Systems
Insulation decides how warm your home is in winter, how hot it gets in summer and how high your heating bills are. This article covers common insulation materials, what R-value means, priorities for attic and basement insulation, signs of poor insulation, the most common mistakes when adding insulation, and Ontario's current insulation rebates in 2026.