RESTORATION BLOG IN TORONTO & GTA

Significantly different from the surrounding environment. Mold is almost universal since it feeds on rotting plant and wood materials among many other things. As Certified Mold Testing Experts, we do not anticipate a mold test finding that indicates there are no spores present in the house. The existence of these spores, however, could signify a problem with the quality of the air in the home if we discover mold in the home in quantities and forms that we do not observe in the area around it.

​The following list includes some of the most significant molds that your test results may reveal, along with a succinct description of each:

​The most prevalent mold species in homes are Aspergillus and Penicillium, both of which have over a thousand distinct species. Even in reasonably clean conditions, these molds can thrive when the only supply of moisture is the air's humidity. Since many times the species of mold outside and inside your home are different, it might be challenging to entirely eradicate these molds from your home.

Another allergenic mold that grows outdoors and indoors is called Cladosporium. It frequently grows on fiberglass, wood, and painted surfaces. Cladosporium has a velvety look and a dark green or black tint.

​A particular kind of mold called chaetomium is frequently discovered in wet structures. It typically develops from moist drywall, carpets, and insulation. This particular mold breeds swiftly and disperses. It can seriously harm a house's structural integrity once it gains control of it.
Basidiospore Mushrooms and other fungi create basidiospores. They can frequently be found outside in moist, shaded settings like woodland areas or next to pools of water. On moist surfaces or in humidifiers, basidiospores can also be found indoors.

​Using a specialized pump, a consistent volume of air is drawn through a mold spore trap, a tiny plastic container about the size of a silver dollar, to collect an air sample. For small to medium-sized homes, we normally collect three air samples: one from the outside, one at the lowest finished level (where we suspect the most problems), and one at a higher level or in the area where we suspect the least problems with the air quality. We might take more samples from larger homes or residences with many possible problem locations for poor air quality.
We transmit the traps and supporting documentation to a lab for analysis after collecting the samples. Each trap's catch will be identified and counted by the lab, and we will receive the results in a report. The findings of a mold test should always be understood in the context of a house inspection or a mold inspection, which is why home inspectors who specialize in mold testing are some of the best experts to contact for a dispassionate assessment of the air quality in the home.

​The test outcome will list the quantity and kind of spores discovered in each sample. The information will be presented and organized differently across different labs. Our laboratory divides the various spore kinds into three groups: 

​These spores develop on moist or saturated surfaces within the home and may be an indication of a more serious/active/persistent indoor air quality problem with a higher potential for mycotoxin and allergy production.

​In general, these spores develop primarily outdoors and are poor predictors of the general air quality within the home.

​These spores, particularly aspergillums/penicillium, are excellent indications of indoor air quality problems since they frequently develop in damp settings in the home. Penicillium and Aspergillus are capable of producing mycotoxin and allergens.
An indoor mold is a form of fungus that is occasionally called mildew. Mold needs moisture to grow. It is recognized that some molds contain mycotoxin and allergenic potential. Mold is highly prevalent inside. Although most molds are benign, some varieties can be extremely harmful to human health, especially when present in huge amounts.

​The best way to evaluate test findings is to consult a professional. Air quality issues may be indicated when the raw counts of specific spores are significantly out of range from the outdoor sample. Sometimes there are too many spores to count individually, thus only a percentage of them are counted in the lab. For instance, if only 10% of the raw count, which is 60, was evaluated, that may mean there were 10 times as many spores as 600. (Not 60). View the video for additional details

​The report then estimates the calculated number of spores per cubic meter, or how many spores we can anticipate finding floating around in a cubic meter of air, using the raw counts. The test findings are best read by an expert; these visualizations can be informative but potentially deceiving. Remember that the maximum amounts can change depending on the sample; check the video for further details. These graphs are not to scale.

​Recognize that fungal spores can be found both inside and outside of the home, so if you see some red on the report marked "ELEVATED," don't panic. That does not imply that there is always a problem. Simply put, it indicates that the fungal spore count in question was at least ten times greater than in the outdoor sample. Regardless of that figure, it might not be a problem. The kind and overall quantity of spores will determine this.
Three air samples are taken to examine the air's quality; one sample is taken outside the house, and the other two are taken within. When the test results are available, we contrast the two indoor samples with the outdoor sample (which is called "background" on the report). We will know there is a problem in the house if any of the inside samples contain noticeably more mold spores than the exterior sample.

​It's critical to shield your pipes from the cold. Due to this, even the most durable commercial plumbing system may encounter serious problems. Ice pressure could cause cracks, leaks, or bursts in your pipes if they are not shielded and insulated.
Durable materials are used to construct residential plumbing pipes, which can withstand water pressures of 45 to 80 psi. Pressure can surpass 25,000 psi, and the volume of the water can increase by as much as 9% when an intense freeze transforms liquid water inside a pipe into solid ice.
Frozen pipes break when they thaw because the extreme pressure and volume of the obstruction weaken them. The pipe explodes as a result of the enormous power that the thawing water exerts. Water downstream from the obstruction often retreats through the supply line to its external source. The direction of water flow to interior faucets is often where most of the damage from the break occurs.

A leak can be tolerated, at least temporarily. The same is true with hot water issues. Even though low water pressure is a problem, you still have access to water. But coping with ruptured pipes is much more difficult. Pipe bursts can result in significant damage. There is no getting around it; consider how much water you use in an average evening. Imagine that instead of flowing from your taps, all that water is rushing out of a busted pipe in your walls or ceiling. It goes without saying that the amount of water that accumulates in your walls and ceilings produces a variety of issues!
You're certain the pipes froze over throughout the night. Before the worst occurs, you hope they would thaw.

• These are just a handful of the symptoms that point to a significant issue if they do burst.
• A sudden, loud roar may be heard coming from inside the walls.
• Overnight leaky faucets aren't working.
• After a flush, toilet tanks don't refill.
• If there is water pressure, it is very weak.
• Walls quickly acquire dark spots and moist streaks.
• Broken pipes in the ceilings cause water leaks.
• Pipes under sinks have moisture or frost on them.
• Even if every fixture is off, the water meter still detects flow.
• In the yard, you detect any unusual ponding or sinkholes.

Quick action is required in the event of a burst pipe to stop or reduce the water flow and reduce damage. Use the water shut-off valve, remove all items from the affected area, and check that the drains are clear. Another crucial step is hastily drying the damaged area.
Mold growth is the biggest long-term worry associated with a water leak. There is a chance that mold could start to grow if moisture is left in the region as the weather warms. In the event that a basement floods, homeowners should proceed with great caution. The possibility of electrocution is increased in these areas by standing water.

Giving every customer experience a higher degree of excellence has been the foundation of our business. We are happy to offer both an on-time promise and a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. Our certified plumbers are equipped and prepared to manage a variety of plumbing services that your property may need because of this. Our plumbers are familiar with your plumbing problems because we are a family- owned and -operated company.
What makes our business successful are the founding values that direct its day-to-day operations:

• Our emergency services are available 24/7.
• There are no extra payments for our services, even on the weekends and on holidays.
• All plumbing systems created, maintained or installed by our plumbers adhere to the strictest industry standards as well as all relevant local, state, and federal building codes.

Our staff of plumbers can help you with frozen, burst, or leaky pipes in your home. Our plumbers are accessible to you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week because plumbing emergencies never happen at a convenient moment.
These are a few of the plumbing pipe services we offer:

• Freeze-ups in pipes, which need skill and patience because time is of the essence. Our plumbers are adept at handling frozen pipes to prevent them from bursting.
• Burst pipes: Because of the potential for significant damage, nobody wants to deal with a situation involving a burst pipe. Yet, if a pipe does burst, our plumbers can repair the damage and get things back to normal.

The greatest approach to stop your pipes from busting is through preventative plumbing.
Yes, you can contact an emergency plumber to fix or replace a burst pipe. But, if you ask us, preventing damage to your house is preferable that reacting to it. It's not, it's preventative! Your neighborhood plumber will examine all your home's plumbing systems during a plumbing inspection. They'll be able to recognize issues and gauge their seriousness. The best part is that, if necessary, your plumber may also provide on-the-spot repairs for any problems they find!

• As mentioned earlier, turn off the water supply.
• Turn on all the cold-water faucets and flush the toilets to empty the system.
• Turn off the immersion and the central heating. Let solid fuel burn out if you use it.
• Turn on the hot taps to further drain the system after turning off the water heating altogether.
• If it is safe to do so, turn off the mains if water from a burst pipe is spilling near any sockets, switches, or appliances. Do not touch a wet switch; instead, contact a licensed electrician.
• Make sure you have access to the stop cock if you share a water source, such as if you live in an apartment building.

How long it takes to clean and dry out your home and its belongings depend on how much water damage there is. It can take up to a week to restore the water, or it might take as little as two days. Our air sanitizers and water damage drying equipment are left behind at your house or place of business to complete the water cleanup process. We don't take down our cutting-edge machinery until temperature, humidity, and moisture testing state that the affected regions have dried to acceptable standards.

• A ruptured pipe can be repaired by being bound with tape or fabric.
• Replace this as quickly as possible with a long-lasting fix completed by a licensed and skilled plumber.
• BEFORE turning your immersion or boiler back on, make sure your hot water system has been refilled.

​You might not be aware of the problems it might cause or what to check for if you haven't had a pipe burst. Some of the telltale indicators that a pipe has burst include water stains on the wall, pools of water on the floor, and strange sounds while turning on or off the faucet. You should be alert of a pipe leak even though these state a busted pipe (s). If there is a persistent leak, it is likely that you will soon be dealing with a burst pipe. Increased water bills, a change in the appearance or smell of the water, and adjustments to the water pressure are all signs that need to be looked into right once.

I know that many homeowners overlook warning indications of a plumbing issue, as I minimized and disregarded the discomfort in my tooth in the months before my root canal. They may worry that they will need to have expensive and invasive work done as well as worry that their problems don't actually need the services of a plumber. It's all too simple to brush off a smelly drain or write off low water pressure as a sign of an old house or a minor issue. But as I've already mentioned, throughout my years in the plumbing industry, I've seen far too many people disregard similar problems only to learn that they were signs of a larger problem. It's crucial as a homeowner to understand how to identify plumbing problems so you can take care of minor problems as soon as they arise. So that you can take preventative action and maintain your home in top condition, I'll go through some of the warning signs and symptoms of damaged pipes and plumbing issues.

A burst pipe emergency in the dead of winter is something that no homeowner wants to deal with. Unfortunately, frozen and broken pipes are a regular issue during the severe winters. We provide 24-hour emergency plumbing services, so we can come to your home whenever you need us. Our plumbers are committed to offering effective, superior plumbing repair.

• With these six easy suggestions, you can safeguard your pipes and get ready for freezing temperatures:
• Before holidays, drain the pipes
• Find your shutdown valve location for emergencies.
• Reduce draughts and insulating pipes
• Protect your RPZ valve and outdoor faucets.
• Open doors below sinks when it gets below freezing and leave a faucet running all night.
• If your pipes do freeze, defrost them.

A burst pipe is a significant issue that might occur when it is below freezing. When water freezes inside your pipes, it expands. Due of the extreme strain this puts on it, a pipe may explode. If a pipe explodes, hundreds of gallons of water per hour will be released. In addition to creating a major mess that will be expensive and time-consuming to clean up, this water can damage wood, carpets, floors, and drywall. The harm from a ruptured pipe can be lessened with prompt intervention. If you can, find the main water shut-off valve for your house and switch it on right away.

In cold temperatures, some pipes may freeze but not break. The situation has improved, but your pipes are still inoperable. Furthermore, you might find that your pipes are frozen before they break, which would allow you to use a professional before any damage is done. A frozen water line or drain pipe is only a couple of signs that your pipes have frozen:

• None of the faucets are dripping water.
• Ice or frost covering exposed pipes
• Unusual burbling or gurgling noises coming from the pipes
• Clogged drains
  • Pipes in unheated interior spaces, such as crawl spaces, attics, and basements, are prone to freezing. Insulate any exposed pipes against the cold. Wrap them in pipe insulation or heating tape to prevent them from becoming too cold.
  • Keep cabinet doors beneath sinks open - By keeping the cabinet doors under your sinks open, warm air will circulate over the pipes, keeping them warmer.
  • Keep your home at a pleasant temperature - Even when you are away, your home should be kept at 55 degrees or higher.
  • Before a cold snap, open the faucets on your exterior faucets and let a trickle of water stream through the pipes.
  • Moving water does not freeze, only standing water does. Garden hoses should be disconnected, drained, and stored throughout the winter.

To deal with any frozen pipes inside or outside of your home, you should call a qualified plumber straight soon to avoid a costly tragedy. Anytime pipes freeze, they risk bursting. Your home can flood as a result of this. Our local plumbers are able to locate frozen pipes and immediately fix or replace them before they break or crack. In the event that a pipe has already broken and is starting to leak, we provide burst pipe repair services. We have been repairing broken pipes for more than 20 years. Using their expertise and sophisticated equipment, our plumbing technicians can find any frozen pipes and return your pipes to regular operation.

Each person wishes to give their tiles a more attractive appearance. This is where the origin of your project comes into play. Any surface must first have a thorough layout before it can be tiled. In this manner, both your cuts and your tiling pattern are known. Before you begin tiling, decide where you want to place the first tile. Lay the rest of your tiles after the first one. Although tiling is a relatively safe task, it is advisable to use caution as with any DIY project. Make sure you are wearing the proper eye protection if you will be chiseling, removing, or cutting new tiles. Similarly, you might want to put on the proper safety gloves if you plan to handle tools like trowels. Another choice is a face mask.
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Knowing where any hot water pipes are located inside the walls of your bathroom can be beneficial. Any electrical connections are the same. Use a pipe locator to quickly locate any pipes if you don't know where they are located.

Where to begin tiling a floor is one of the most commonly requested questions. Your floor could be tiled at any time. However, starting in the wrong place can result in uneven joints and an unbalanced tile installation. The tiling pattern you choose to use will determine where to start while tiling a floor. There are specific methods for tiling that can be used.

​Many tile designs in recent years have used tiles in more than one size. The layout calls for the sequential placement of two or three tiles of various sizes and shapes throughout the floor. The leftmost corner of the room should serve as the beginning point if you follow this arrangement. Standing by the entrance. The benefit of installing tiles from the corner is that cutting the tiles to fit them at the margins will be simpler. You can also set the tiles in the pattern you like if you start at the corner.

If you're just starting off, you should stick to this tiling pattern to prevent any mistakes. Two methods can be used to choose the starting point for laying tiles in a straight line. The first approach entails locating the wall's center point on the side opposite the front door. Since there will be a whole row of tiles in front of you as you enter the room, this will give your tiles a more finished appearance. The tiles can be laid out across the rest of the room's perimeter after being cut at the edges.

​Always start from the center of the wall when tiling a backslash. This maintains all of the tiles level and symmetrical and provides your backsplash a more appealing appearance. Measure the wall's length and divide it in half to determine its center. At this midpoint, mark a straight line, measure the height of the wall, and divide that measurement in half as well. At the intersection of the two lines, draw a line. The backsplashes center and starting point for tiling is here.

Start at the bottom and work your way up when tiling the wall around a bath. At the top, cut tiles won't be as noticeable. Additionally, tiles may slip and fall due to weight if you begin tiling from the top of the wall. It is simple to end with a whole tile if you don't tile from floor to ceiling.​

​Are you planning a brand-new bathroom or are you just updating an old one? In either case, a smart place to start is by perusing the most recent bathroom tile patterns. Bathroom tile trends provide you with information about current interior design trends as well as a jumping-off point for examining your own unique style and preferences. Homeowners are becoming more daring with small powder room designs and creating distinctive primary bathroom rooms rather than just creating a functional place.

​Consider these bathroom tile trends for 2023 as your starting point when selecting a bathroom tile design. Let your imagination run free while drawing inspiration from them. And keep in mind that having fun and not holding yourself back is this year's top bathroom tile trend.

One of the newest bathroom tile fads is long, thin tiles, sometimes called "ribbons" or "slats." When putting ribbons and slats in your bathroom, you have a variety of alternatives to select from. For instance:

• Set them up in mosaics.
• Between larger tiles, place them.
• Use sizable tiles that are designed to resemble slats.
• Lay them out in original configurations, like the herringbone pattern.
• Add texture by selecting textured tiles or by arranging them to give the appearance of three-dimensionality.

​Black and white patterned tile is one of the major trends in bathroom floor tiles. Contrary to common belief, black and white tile patterns are not new; in fact, they were one of the first bathroom floor tile designs. Hexagon, octagon and dot, and penny round tile in black and white were popular floor tile styles when bathrooms were first placed in houses.

Another recent bathroom tile design that has shown some sturdiness is zellige tile. A Moorish and Islamic tile-making process called zellige includes hand-crafting tiles with extreme care and attention. Traditional zellige tile is still used in construction all over Spain, Morocco, and the Islamic world.
The popularity of zellige tile is currently on the rise as people start to favor more organic and natural aesthetics. However, the recent zellige tile revival is streamlining the designs, which were previously complex multicolor mosaics. Nowadays, monochrome zellige tile looks are more common, however, color blocking and the use of strong colors are also fashionable. Now that zellige tiles are being created in large quantities, more tile selections are available that have a handcrafted appearance.

​Our next trend is a continuation of vintage-inspired designs. Around the same time as domestic bathrooms themselves, penny round tile first appeared in Victorian architecture. Yes, they are one of the initial black-and-white bathroom floor tile designs that contributed to the development of the aforementioned trend. Penny round tile continues to be one of the most popular bathroom tile designs, in addition to influencing other contemporary bathroom tile styles.
Modern penny round tile designs, like the diamond pattern above, typically prioritize patterns over monochrome aesthetics. Word-based designs are a wonderful way to use penny rounds as well.

​One of the largest bathroom tile trends for 2022, if not the biggest, is large-format tiles. For tile to be deemed large-format, it must be at least 12 inches long. Gauged porcelain tile panels and slabs come in sizes up to 10 × 15 feet.  Large-format tiles have the advantage of having fewer grout lines, which results in a cleaner appearance and can visually enlarge your area. The appearance of wallpaper or large slabs of real stone can also be simulated with fewer grout lines. Large-format tiles are certain to dazzle, no matter what style or design you choose.

​The top of the list is the checkerboard tile. You might automatically imagine checkerboard tile in opulent areas like grand entrances. However, it's a terrific option to quickly and easily add aesthetic flair to your bathroom. Depending on the color combinations you pick, this will have a certain effect. Choose a classic black-and-white color scheme for a vintage or classic appearance. Conversely, if you're going for a softer, more contemporary look, use colors that contrast less, as in the example below.
Since checkerboard tile complements both traditional and modern design, it is particularly useful for connecting together transitional bathrooms. So that you can see more of the pattern, keep in mind that smaller checkerboard tiles perform better in smaller bathrooms.

​Tile offers a wonderful canvas on which to express your creativity. They can be as subtle or as spectacular in design as you choose, but their durability makes them a practical option for walls and floors. Tile, which is readily available in a wide range of hues, finishes, sizes, forms, and price ranges, also has a secret weapon: the ability to express your personality and alter the visual proportions of your space by selecting a chic or cunning scheme.

​If you're searching for small bathroom tile ideas, our tile layout design is ideal for you. Any area with a limited ceiling height, such as a bathroom, kitchen, mudroom, or entryway, can benefit from using the tile method demonstrated in this bathroom by Base Interior.
To give the illusion of a taller room, simply use darker tile in the lower half of the tiled area and switch to brighter hues as you move above.

​A similar effect can make a small bathroom look bigger and more intriguing with a rainbow stripe of tiles, just as color fade can be used to exaggerate ceiling height. Stick to a fairly small color palette if you want the impact to be subtle rather than overt, and place brighter colors farther apart to give the illusion that the room is longer.

​It can be very challenging to add interest to a small space without making it feel crowded. One clever way to accomplish this and designate various zones within the room is to use various tile materials and layout patterns.

​One tile pattern can be fixed in two different ways to produce a more intriguing look if you want to add interest to a kitchen but are on a low budget. The tiles are fixed horizontally and then vertically, alternating on each tier, to provide a checkerboard effect with a repeating step pattern of yellow as opposed to a straightforward stacked grid.

​Placing patterned tile in one area and plain flooring adjacent to it is one technique to designate zones in an open-plan concept. Highly patterned tiles can also be utilized to add surprise to an otherwise plain space. The timeless elegance of a monochromatic scheme always wins points, and the chevron-patterned tile here elevates it even further.

​Before placing tiles, prepare the surface by removing any loose paint or wallpaper and repairing any holes and cracks with a filler. After that, use sandpaper to smooth the surface and a moist sponge to remove any dust and debris. Apply painter's tape to the window's edges after the surface has had time to dry. To stop the mortar from harming the nearby surface, this is done.