A burst pipe, a severe storm, an overflowing sink, a sump pump on the fritz – structural water damage is distressingly common. Water damage accounts for 50% of home insurance claims costs across Canada. Those in British Columbia are particularly weary: water damage claims costs in this province rose 84%… Read more »
Hurricane Katrina was a heartbreaking lesson in what happens to pets when a natural disaster and lack of planning collide. Experts estimate that 100,000 to 250, 000 pets were stranded because shelters and evacuation routes didn’t accommodate them. Tragically, between 70,000 and 150, 000 pets died. Pet owners suffered, too.… Read more »
The puddle next to the baseboard in the main corridor was mysterious but the maintenance crew didn’t worry about it. Perhaps an employee spilled something. But mopping up the same splotch seven days in a row? That was more than a curiosity. As they pondered the source, a wet clue… Read more »
We’re spoiled by bathrooms we frequent in the privacy of our homes. Yes, we clean them regularly and restock paper products as needed. Otherwise, they quietly function day in and day out. Calling a plumber once a year would be exasperatingly often. Public restrooms, in contrast, are very high-maintenance locales… Read more »
Floods have bragging rights: they are the most common natural calamity in Canada. They can surge in suddenly from so many sources: torrential rains from seasonal weather fronts, hurricanes, storm surges, spring thaws, even precipitation runoff from denuded wildfire areas. It’s no surprise that so many property owners are asking… Read more »