Home Tips

Save money and avoid pitfalls by hiring a pro

• How to avoid pitfalls when hiring Home Renovation & Repair from Toronto? This article clarifies quotes, deposits, licenses, and Insurance.
  First time hiring workers for repairs or renovations on Greater Toronto Area: how to compare quotes, safety of deposits, checking licenses and Insurance, what to include in contracts, warning signs — all explained to save you money.

Seasonal maintenance

• How to clean your eavestrough in autumn? Toronto Leaf season: DIY or hire a pro, explained in one article
  After leaf-fall season, clogged gutters easily freeze, cause ice dams, and leak into the house in winter. Learn how to check if gutters are clogged, tools and steps for DIY cleaning, ladder safety tips, and when hiring a professional makes more sense.
• Windows fogging and mold in corners during winter? How to control indoor humidity
  In winter, water droplets on windows and black mold on windowsills and corners are caused by indoor dampness and cold windows and walls. Learn the proper humidity level, how to reduce humidity, how to adjust your humidifier, and when to call a professional to check your ventilation.
• What to do about icicles and ice dam leaks? Plus Snow Removal safety tips
  Icicles hanging from the eaves and leaks when snow melts from the ceiling are usually caused by ice dams. How do ice dams form, can you break them yourself, and what are long-term solutions? Also, Snow Removal methods that protect your back and driveway.
• How to prevent frozen pipes in winter? The first 5 things to do if pipes burst
  Pipe freeze damage is one of the most common Insurance claims in Toronto winters. Which pipes freeze easiest, prevention tips, what to do if pipes freeze, and first steps if they burst—all explained.
• Toronto Pre-winter home inspection checklist: complete these 12 tasks before winter
  Winter temperatures in Greater Toronto Area can drop to -20°C. Spending a weekend pre-winter to inspect Furnaces, pipes, eaves, doors and windows, and alarms can save costly emergency repairs. Includes tasks you can do yourself and those to hire a pro for.

DIY repairs

• What to do when your circuit breaker trips? Reasons why the heater trips frequently in winter and checks you can do yourself
  Does your circuit breaker trip when you turn on the electric heater or hair dryer, or does the power go out unexpectedly at night? Learn how to locate the breaker switch in the electrical panel and reset it properly. Find out if the issue is due to overloading, appliance leakage, or wiring problems, and when you must call a licensed Electricians.
• What to do if Water Heaters has no hot water? Check these 6 things yourself first in winter Toronto
  No hot water during winter showers, or water turns cold after a few minutes? First, identify if it's gas, electric, or tankless Water Heaters. Then check ignition, circuit breaker, temperature settings, and your rental agreement before deciding whether to call a technician, repair, or replace.
• Furnaces Not heating? Check these 8 things before calling a technician
  If your Furnaces heating suddenly stops blowing hot air in winter, it's often minor issues like the thermostat, power switch, filter, or outdoor vent blocked by snow—fixable in minutes. Includes how to change filters and when to call a technician.
• What to do when drains are clogged? DIY methods for kitchen, toilet, and bathtub unclogging, and when to call a pro
  Slow sink drainage, clogged toilets, bathtub water buildup—most can be fixed with a plunger, drain snake, or removing the P-trap. Which methods to avoid and when to definitely call a plumber, with typical TorontoDrain Clearing pricing.

Everyone's Asking

Common housing issues answered here; if you can't fix it, post a request and nearby pros will provide free quotes.

• Is it normal for the contractor to ask for half the deposit upfront?
  How to avoid pitfalls when hiring Home Renovation & Repair from Toronto? This article clarifies quotes, deposits, licenses, and Insurance.
• How to check if Electricians and gas technicians are licensed?
  How to avoid pitfalls when hiring Home Renovation & Repair from Toronto? This article clarifies quotes, deposits, licenses, and Insurance.
• If quotes vary greatly, check if the lowest one has issues?
  How to avoid pitfalls when hiring Home Renovation & Repair from Toronto? This article clarifies quotes, deposits, licenses, and Insurance.
• How many times a year should gutters be cleaned?
  How to clean your eavestrough in autumn? Toronto Leaf season: DIY or hire a pro, explained in one article
• Can gutters still be cleaned in December?
  How to clean your eavestrough in autumn? Toronto Leaf season: DIY or hire a pro, explained in one article
• Can you patch leaking gutters and dripping joints yourself?
  How to clean your eavestrough in autumn? Toronto Leaf season: DIY or hire a pro, explained in one article
• If a breaker trips and won’t reset, is it broken?
  What to do when your circuit breaker trips? Reasons why the heater trips frequently in winter and checks you can do yourself
• Can space heaters be plugged into power bars?
  What to do when your circuit breaker trips? Reasons why the heater trips frequently in winter and checks you can do yourself
• If breakers trip often, can you install a higher-capacity breaker?
  What to do when your circuit breaker trips? Reasons why the heater trips frequently in winter and checks you can do yourself
• If the Water Heaters is rented, can you hire a technician to repair it yourself?
  What to do if Water Heaters has no hot water? Check these 6 things yourself first in winter Toronto
• Gas Water Heaters flame out—safe to ignite yourself?
  What to do if Water Heaters has no hot water? Check these 6 things yourself first in winter Toronto
• How many years can Water Heaters usually last?
  What to do if Water Heaters has no hot water? Check these 6 things yourself first in winter Toronto
• Is window condensation a window quality problem?
  Windows fogging and mold in corners during winter? How to control indoor humidity
• In winter, dry air causes skin discomfort and static; can I use a humidifier?
  Windows fogging and mold in corners during winter? How to control indoor humidity
• Are icicles always ice dams?
  What to do about icicles and ice dam leaks? Plus Snow Removal safety tips
• Does ice dam water damage Insurance cover?
  What to do about icicles and ice dam leaks? Plus Snow Removal safety tips
• Why does Furnaces keep starting and stopping repeatedly?
  Furnaces Not heating? Check these 8 things before calling a technician
• Furnaces is blowing cool air.
  Furnaces Not heating? Check these 8 things before calling a technician
• What to do if your heater breaks down in the middle of the night and you can’t wait for a technician?
  Furnaces Not heating? Check these 8 things before calling a technician
• How much does Drain Clearing usually cost?
  What to do when drains are clogged? DIY methods for kitchen, toilet, and bathtub unclogging, and when to call a pro
• What to do if basement floor drains back up?
  What to do when drains are clogged? DIY methods for kitchen, toilet, and bathtub unclogging, and when to call a pro
• How to prevent drain clogs?
  What to do when drains are clogged? DIY methods for kitchen, toilet, and bathtub unclogging, and when to call a pro
• Is leaving a faucet drip really helpful?
  How to prevent frozen pipes in winter? The first 5 things to do if pipes burst
• What about going away in winter?
  How to prevent frozen pipes in winter? The first 5 things to do if pipes burst