150 Reasons we love being Canadian!

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Tags: Canada 150

1. Free healthcare

2. World renowned politeness

3. Visits from the Royal Family

4. Cultural diversity

5. Poutine

6. Ketchup Chips

7. Hockey Night In Canada

8. CBC’s Peter Mansbridge

9. Tim Hortons

10. Canadian comedians like Jim Carrey, Martin Short, Mike Myers, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Eugene Levy, John Candy and Russell Peters

11. Wayne Gretzy

12. High Park’s Cherry Blossom festival

13. Inclusivity

14. Nanaimo bars from B.C.

15. Canadian spelling: favourite, colours, neighbours

16. The smell of Evergreens

17. Rick Mercer

18. Frank Gehry’s Art Gallery of Ontario

19. Maple Syrup taffy

20. Whale watching in Newfoundland

21. Habitat 67 in Montreal

22. Indigenous wisdom and history

23. Harvey’s

24. Great inventors like James Naismith and Alexander Graham Bell

25. Skating on the Rideau Canal

26. Street-smart, urban wildlife

27. Freedom

28. The Northern Lights

29. Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in Vancouver

30. Coastlines and lakeshores

31. West Coast Trail at Vancouver Island

32. Multi-generational households

33. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

34. Multilingual communities

35. Portaging

36. Wendy’s

37. Autumn colours

38. Icicle-covered roofs

39. Salmon Fishing

40. Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland

41. Accessible education

42. Toronto’s Pride Parade

43. Summer festivals

44. The Art Gallery of Alberta

45. Algonquin Park

46. Snow days

47. Canadian Musicians like Drake, The Tragically Hip, Rush, Bryan Adams, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, Celine Dion and Neil Young

48. Shared social services

49. Free speech

50. Skiing in Whistler

51. Art Gallery of Alberta

52. Camping

53. Fish & chips in St. John’s

54. George Stroumboulopoulos

55. Remembrance Day

56. The parliament buildings in Ottawa

57. Canada Dry Ginger Ale

58. The Rockies

59. Joie de Vivre

60. Canadian Prairies

61. Colourful money

62. Canadian Musuem of Civilization in Gatineau

63. The red Maple Leaf

64. Sydney Crosby

65. Farmers markets and local veggies

66. Great women in history like Kim Campbell, the Famous Five and the Women’s Suffrage movement.

67. Fresh lobster to-go at St. John’s Airport

68. Joe Louis

69. The green roof at the Vancouver Convention Centre

70. Trans-Canada travel

71. Snow shoeing

72. Bike Trails

73. Economic and social mobility for all

74. Montreal Bagels

75. The beautiful Great Lakes

76. Cobblestone streets in Old Montreal

77. Democracy

78. Beaver Tails

79. Shows like Trailer Park Boys, Murdoch Mysteries, Degrassi and Breaker High

80. Notre-Dame Basilica

81. Swiss Chalet

82. Georgian Bay

83. True sportsmanlike conduct

84. Cottaging in Muskoka

85. Music Festivals like Osheaga, Way Home, OVO, Ottawa and Bluesfest

86. Butter tarts

87. Chris Hadfield tweeting about space travel

88. Opéra de Montréal

89. Kraft Dinner

90. Kluane National Park and Reserve in the Yukon

91. OCAD in Toronto

92. Canadian bacon

93. Superman creator Joe Shuster

94. Natural beauty from Sea to Sea

95. Female athletes like Clara Hughes, Christine Sinclair, Genie Bouchard and Cheryl Bernard

96. Ice fishing

97. The 6ix

98. Hershey Factory in Ottawa

99. Maison Symphonique De Montreal

100. Oktoberfest in Kitchener-Waterloo

101. Open minds and open hearts

102. Beautiful forests

103. Canadian Pacific Railway

104. Respect for all

105. Endless adventures

106. Valuing and preserving natural habitats and wildlife

107. Cultural differences across the country

108. Caesars

109. Honouring our rich history

110. Hot apple cider

111. Monique-Corriveau in Quebec City

112. National pride

113. Smoked meat

114. National parks

115. Life of Pi by Yann Martel

116. Sense of community

117. Coffee Crisps

118. Fresh water from the tap

119. Science World in Vancouver

120. Campfires

121. Hot dogs with ketchup

122. McLobsters at McDonald’s on the East Coast

123. Hiking in Canmore

124. Amazing post-secondary education institutions

125. Traffic jams for crossing moose, deer, geese, beavers, turtles, ducks and other critters

126. Smarties

127. P.E.I. Potatoes

128. May Two-Four long weekend

129. Margaret Atwood

130. Crown Royal Whiskey

131. The CN Tower in Toronto

132. Bob and Doug McKenzie

133. Toques, Scarves, Mitts and Boots

134. Canadian beer

135. Canada Goose coats

136. Mounties

137. Split Pea soup

138. Wine tasking in Okanagan Valley

139. The Group of 7

140. Williamson Chong’s House in Frogs Hollow, Ontario

141. Street hockey until it’s dark outside

142. Bagged milk

143. Niagara Falls

144. The Loonie and Toonie

145. Canadian talent like Rachel McAdams, Donald and Kiefer, The Ryans and many more

146. Cree Cultural Institute in Quebec

147. The national anthem

148. Hot Chocolate with marshmallows

149. Great breweries across the country

150. Seeing backpacks with Canadian flag stickers all over the world

                                                www.realtorpankajpatel.com

April 25, 2017

Andrew Monachino

Decor & DIY, First Time Home Buyers

Gardening Tips for Your New Home

Spring is a time of renewal, when things start to come back to life and we can start to enjoy our outdoor space again. It’s also a great time to take advantage of the mild weather to do some much-needed gardening tasks around the house!

1) Don’t Plant Trees too Close to Your Home

If you’ve just moved into a new home, you likely don’t have any established trees yet. If you do choose to plant trees around your property this spring to add some shade to your garden, make sure you’re planting them a safe distance from your home. Consider how large your plant species will get when it reaches maturity, and leave enough space between it and your home. Trees that are too close to your home could cause damage to the roof during a storm.

2) Clean Out Your Garden

Over the fall and winter, garden debris can build up throughout your property, and will need to be cleared in the spring. Clear up the last leaves that you may have missed in the fall, and any branches that may have broken off or blown onto your property during a winter storm. Also take this time to sharpen your garden tools that have sat unused in your garage or shed over the winter, so you’ll be ready to use them this season.

3) Clean Out Your Gutters

Cleaning the gutters on your home is an often-overlooked, yet essential, gardening task for the spring. Like the debris in your garden, leaves and other debris can build up over the fall and winter in your gutters. Clogged gutters aren’t just an eyesore – they can be potentially damaging to your home. With spring rains, clogged gutters can cause flooding in your roof and even in your basement if there isn’t proper drainage leading away from your house. So grab a ladder and some gloves and give those gutters a good clean.

4) Prepare Your Lawn

Your lawn goes through a lot over the winter months, so take some time in the spring to give it some TLC and get it ready for spring and summer. Clear any debris and dead growth that you notice, and then rake your lawn. Raking the lawn helps to expose it to more light and air – which it has had very little of over the winter – so it can start to regrow. If you see any bare patches, scatter some grass seed and keep it well watered until you start to see it sprout.

5) Plan Your Garden Projects

With a brand new home, you’ll probably want to start thinking about how you want to use your outdoor space this season. If you don’t already have a deck or patio, start planning out your landscaping projects. Decide what kind of seating areas, flower beds or other landscaping and gardening features you want in your home, and get to work on those. If you’ll be using a landscaping company, call them early in the season as they tend to get booked up fast.

5 ways to make your older home feel new

(NC) Dreaming of improving your home, but a major remodel isn't necessarily in the budget? It may seem basic, but a fresh coat of paint is an easy trick to give your home a new look. Try some of these simple, inexpensive paint projects that make for quick updates and keep the old-home charm.

Paint kitchen cabinets. This is an economical way to transform an outdated kitchen into something timeless. Select a primer that is recommended for the type of surface you have, then remove the cabinet doors and hardware and label them for easier reassembly. Use painter's tape to protect the wall or backsplash tile and cover the countertop with plastic or poly-sheeting. Instead of the typical two-step process to apply poly-sheeting, try using Painter's Mate double-sided poly-hanging tape to make prep time a breeze.

Revamp drawer pulls and door handles. Give your home a small but impactful refresh by updating worn door handles, drawer knobs and pulls. Instead of replacing everything, try repainting — all you need is a screwdriver to remove knobs and handles and a metal spray paint. Before painting, clean the hardware and lightly sand to ensure that paint adheres easily. Add a layer of clear lacquer after the paint dries to help prevent scratches.

Create an accent wall. This focal point can be a powerful design move, breaking up the traditional look of having four same-coloured walls. Plus, it's an easy way to play with colour in a new way without committing to painting a whole room. When selecting the colour, the accent wall should complement the adjacent wall colour. When in doubt, paint your statement wall two shades darker than the rest.

Paint your ceiling. If your home already has a fresh coat of paint, then look to other areas that could use a touch-up, such as the ceilings. When repainting the ceiling, don't be afraid to add a pop of colour. Whether dramatic or subtle, adding colour to the fifth wall can alter the geometry of a room, tricking the eye and changing the feel of a space.

Pro tip: use a roller with extended reach to tackle high ceilings.

Refresh trim. Details such as moulding, trim and baseboards can seem relatively minor but create a significant impact. As these accents are the visual foundation for a space, you can change the look of any room by simply playing them up with a crisp white colour.

Find more painting projects and tips online at paintersmategreen.com.

5 tips for a DIY home garden

(NC) Spring may have sprung a little late this year, but here are some tips for a successful garden that will have you growing in no time:

1. Choose your garden space wisely. Since most garden plants need ample sunlight to grow, make sure that your garden is given every opportunity to succeed by being strategic with the growing conditions. Ensure you pick an area with direct sunlight for plants that need it. If you're growing a vegetable garden, start small. Some vegetables keep providing throughout the season, so you may not need as many plants as you think.

2. Build up your soil. Create a mound of organically rich soil in your garden before you plant. This will encourage a larger yield and an improved root system during growing season because there is less competition for nutrients compared to regular earth.

3. Be smart about spacing. Receive better yields from each plant by paying close attention to how you arrange them. Avoid planting in square patterns or rows. Instead, stagger the plants in triangles which will let you fit more in. Just be careful not to space your plants too tightly — some won't reach their full potential when crowded.

4. Extend your growing season. If you're feeling really ambitions, add a few weeks to each end of the growing season by keeping the air around your plants warm even when the weather is cold by using mulches, cloches or row covers.

5. Aim for protection and comfort when gardening. Choose clothing that will guard you from the sun's UV rays, is flexible for you to move around in, and is higher rise to provide you with coverage when you're bent over the soil. The Shambhala all-over print capri from Mark's allows you to stay flexible while it wicks away moisture to keep you comfortable.

Tips to protect your home from water damage

(NC) Did you know that water is the leading cause of home damage in most provinces? Just this past May, communities across the country had to cope with flooding as heavy rainfalls hit various regions over many days.

What can you do to protect your home? Here, Marc Barbeau, property claims manager of Intact Insurance shares his top four tips:

1. Water-resistant décor. The next time you're renovating your home, explore installing cement board instead of drywall in your basement. It's typically used in showers and tubs and is less likely to absorb water. Cement boards are extremely moisture resistant and dry quickly when wet. For base moulding, consider a formed, paintable plastic material instead of wood. This way, even if water gets in, your home may be able to withstand excess water and mould damage.

2. Install backflow valves and sump pumps. A sump pump may help keep your basement safe and dry by collecting and disposing the water from your home. Already have a sump pump? Think about adding battery backup for times where the power is out.

When there's a heavy rainstorm, it may become too much for the sewers to handle, and waste can back up through floor drains, toilets and sinks. A backwater valve is a one-way valve that is installed on the main drain of your home. In the event of a backup, the valve closes to stop sewage from coming in.

3. Consider overland flood insurance. It's estimated that only 10 to 15 per cent of Canadians have insurance for overland flooding. New insurance products can help cover this. For example, Intact Insurance's enhanced water damage package consists of up to four components: sewer back-up, water and sewer lines, overland water and ground water. It's best that you talk to a broker to ensure you're getting the coverage you need.

4. Keep valuable items on higher floors. Store sentimental and valuable items on the upper floors of your home, away from the basement as many of these items may never be replaced if your basement floods.

Home » Basement renovation advice & information » Prevent flood damage with this one essential tool

Prevent flood damage with this one essential tool

Published Darla Grant-Braid - May 12, 2017

Learn how to protect your home against flood damage, with a high-water alarm system. Plus, enter to win a Tulsar Sentry Z Control high-water alarm.

With the recent heavy rainfall drenching parts of Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes, reports of flooding and residential water damage have been on the rise.  Ottawa and Quebec have been particularly hard hit, with hundreds of residents being forced to evacuate their homes. When they return, they will likely be faced with costly flood damage to repair. 

“All this rain has come at a time when the ground was already saturated from previous downpours, limiting its ability to absorb further rainfall. As a result, conservation authorities across the south of the province [Ontario] issued flood watches or warnings. Making things even more difficult was the fact that water levels on Lake Ontario are uncommonly high, making coastal flooding also likely.” (The Weather Network)

Protect Your Property from Flood Damage

You take many precautions to ensure that your home is a safe place for you and your family. You use locks and alarm systems to keep intruders at bay, as well as smoke and CO detectors to keep everyone safe from fires and deadly gas. But what about water?

Most people don’t think about the prospect of flood waters threatening their property or family. However, as recent events have shown, the weather can be unpredictable, and flooding does occur.

“It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of heavy rains that cause urban flooding,” says George Micevski, President of Tulsar Canada Ltd., a Brantford, Ontario.-based company that manufactures custom engineered control panels to efficiently and effectively manage water, including wastewater.

The Sentry Z Control

Protecting your home against the threat of flooding can be as easy as installing a high-water alarm. A high-water alarm is a device to be used in conjunction with a sump pump, for the purpose of alerting you to sump pump failures before water has a chance to damage your basement.

Tulsar’s Sentry Z Control is the next generation in high-water alarms, monitoring the water level in wells, sumps, holding tanks or septic tanks. If the water begins rising or the pump stops working, the Wi-Fi-enabled Sentry Z Control sends a text or email to alert the homeowner of a pending problem. It is also equipped with an audible alarm and light, which can be controlled remotely through the Sentry Z Control app and online interface.

The Tulsar Sentry alarm is easy to use and very reliable. Its water-detection capabilities are accurate, and the alert is easy to hear at various distances. Of course, its real strength is the ability to delivery SMS, text, and email alerts, along with the ability to remotely silence and reset the alarm through both App and Web interfaces.

For more information or to enquire about purchasing a Tulsar Sentry for your home, contact Tulsar by Email or call 519-748-5055 ext. 102.

Win A Sentry Z Control!

Tulsar is giving away a free Sentry Z Control water alarm on eieihome.com. Protect your home from the threat of flood water, now, by entering to win on eieihome.com. The winning name will be drawn Friday, May 26^th. Enter now!

About Tulsar Canada

Tulsar Canada is a leading designer and manufacturer of pump control panels. All of their control panels are crafted by hand in Brantford, Ontario . They specialize in pump control solutions for the municipal, industrial, environmental, and recreation sectors.

Visit eieihome.com for more home improvement articles, to read contractor reviews, request quotes and more.

Image Source: Wikipedia

Is mould affecting your home and health?

Is mould affecting your home and health?

By: Scott McGillivray(NC) 

All homes can be susceptible to mould growth. In fact, mould could be present without you even realizing it. Exposure can cause an array of health issues from coughing, wheezing, headache and nausea to nasal stuffiness, sore throat, skin irritation, fatigue and more.

Virtually anywhere can be a breeding ground for mould, as long as there's air, moisture, organic material (a food source) and adequate temperatures––between 40˚F (5˚C) and 104˚F (40˚C). It's most commonly found in areas where moisture levels tend to be higher, like basements, kitchens, bathrooms or near water leaks in roofs, attics, walls, and pipes.

Identifying a mould problem can be a challenge, because mold can grow in hidden areas such as behind walls. Signs include discoloration of indoor surfaces, dark spots or patches. Musty odours can also be an indication that harmful mould is present.

Swift action is necessary to ensure your health and prevent mould from damaging your home. Start by containing it, then begin remediation. Resolving small amounts of surface mould can be a simple to moderate DIY project, but large areas should be left to professionals. Finally, take preventative measures to keep mould away for good.

Several mould prevention strategies can safeguard your home and health. When building, renovating or remediating an existing mould issue, it's wise to carefully consider building materials, especially within your wall assembly, which is a common area for mould growth. Certain types of insulation are especially vulnerable. Only use insulation with high drying potential, made from inorganic material that will not promote the growth of mould when exposed to moisture. I recommend a stone wool insulation, like Roxul Comfortbatt and Safe 'n' Sound. It's Greenguard certified to the highest standard for indoor air quality. Mould-resistant wood, drywall, caulking, paint, and other moisture management materials are also available.

Always be sure to immediately dry any areas in your home that get wet. Prevent moisture with proper ventilation. Monitor indoor humidity, aiming for 30 to 50 per cent. Direct water away from your home and its foundation. Keep gutters clear and stay on top of roof maintenance and repairs. Improve air flow in your home.

Finally, inspect your home regularly to ensure your family breathes easy.

Scott McGillivray is host and executive producer of the hit HGTV series Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays, a real estate investor, contractor, author, and educator. 

Simple ways to brighten your home

(NC) Small adjustments to everyday items you rarely think about can create a big impact. Try these easy, chic ideas the next time you're looking for a weekend project.

Fresh furniture. Use white or light-coloured furniture to open up any space. Think cream couches and white dressers or side tables. Design experts are loving acrylic furniture right now, so if you're feeling fashion forward, try it in a coffee table or shelving unit.

Seamless window treatments. Sleek and streamlined window treatments allow sunlight to stream through without glare. A sheer shade in a natural material like linen is key, which you can find in the Pirouette line from Hunter Douglas. The shadings feature soft fabric vanes attached to a sheer backing that appears to be floating, drawing natural light into your room.

Magic mirrors. Fake extra square footage with strategic use of mirrors. A cramped entryway with mirrored closets will double in size, while a decorative mirror in a dark corner will make your space appear bigger and brighter. Metallic finishes in semi-reflective materials, like on-trend copper, are another way to get this look.

Bright bulbs. Clean dusty lamps and switch out yellow-tinted bulbs for bright white LEDs in the highest recommended wattage. You can also try “invisible lighting” — clear glass lamps that hang for the ceiling to illuminate without taking up valuable floor space.

Curated accessories. Select accents and decorative elements thoughtfully to eliminate visual clutter and create a cheery mood. Artisan pieces like glass-blown vases and handcrafted baskets are sure to make a statement.

Paint power. Almost nothing is easier and quicker than using a fresh coat of paint to update a space. Choose pale pastels, which are perfect for spring and summer décor and will keep you calm and cool in warmer months. Don't think you have to commit to painting a whole room — choose an accent wall to highlight or revive kitchen cabinets to breathe new life into your home.

Open shelving. Closed bookcases and shelves darken and break up the flow of a room. Opt for open shelving instead, showcasing pretty items with a nautical or tropical theme for the season.