Is The Foundation Of Your Home Sinking? Article By Trusted Saskatoon Contractors K & S Contracting

5. Apr 2023 Admin Saskatoon Contractors, Trusted Tips

K & S Contracting specializes in foundation repair for homeowners across Saskatchewan. In addition, they also offer general contracting services to Saskatoon and the surrounding area. In their latest Trusted Saskatoon tip, K & S Contracting, Trusted Saskatoon General Contractors, and foundation specialists, ask: is the foundation of your home sinking?

IS THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR HOME SINKING?

The foundation is the most important part of a house as it provides the necessary support to the entire structure. Any damage or issue with the foundation can lead to serious structural problems and safety hazards. One of the most common foundation problems is sinking, which can cause cracks in walls, windows, doors, and other structural components. Here are some signs that may indicate that the foundation of your home is sinking.

Cracks in walls and floors: One of the most obvious signs of a sinking foundation is cracks in walls and floors. Look for cracks that are wider than 1/4 inch, especially if they are diagonal or appear near windows and doors. Horizontal cracks may also indicate that the foundation is settling unevenly.

Uneven floors: If you notice that your floors are sloping or sagging, it may be a sign that the foundation is sinking on one side. Check if doors and windows are sticking or not closing properly, as this may also indicate a problem with the foundation.

Water pooling around the foundation: Water pooling around the foundation can cause soil erosion and weaken the foundation over time. If you notice water pooling around the foundation after rain or irrigation, it is important to address the issue as soon as possible.

Chimney leaning: Not many homes in Saskatoon have a chimney anymore, but if you have one of those amazing vintage homes and it does have a chimney, than a leaning chimney is a clear sign that the foundation is sinking on one side. If you notice that your chimney is leaning, it is important to have it inspected by K & S Contracting.

Cracks in exterior walls: If you notice cracks in the exterior walls of your home, it may be a sign of a sinking foundation. Look for cracks that are wider at the top than at the bottom, as this may indicate that the foundation is sinking on one side.

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to have your foundation inspected by K & S Contracting as soon as possible. Ignoring foundation problems can lead to serious safety hazards and costly repairs down the line. K & S Contracting can identify the cause of the problem and recommend the best course of action to fix it. Don’t wait until it’s too late – address foundation issues as soon as possible to protect your home and family. Contact Steve with K & S Contracting today.

K & S Contracting is a Trusted Saskatoon General Contractor and foundation specialists.

Their services include:

For more information about K&S Contracting, view their listing in the Contractors section on Trusted Saskatoon.

Trusted Saskatoon Wheatland Fireplace Inspiration & Customizing Your Outdoor Kitchen

4. Apr 2023 Admin Saskatoon Outdoor Living & Recreation, Trusted Tips

Your first step into the beautiful Wheatland Fireplace Kitchen & Bath Saskatoon showroom will help you understand why Wheatland Fireplace has been given the Thumbs up by Trusted Saskatoon. Wheatland loves their customers and as a result, their customers love and TRUST them. In their latest outdoor living tip, they explain how to customize your outdoor kitchen.

How To Customize Your Outdoor Kitchen

Custom outdoor kitchens are in high demand because they add value to the home, are great for entertaining, and expands your property’s living space. Let’s explore the most important factors to consider when customizing your own unique outdoor dream kitchen.

Define the Space

Just as homes come in many shapes and sizes, the same is true for outdoor kitchens. A few common kitchen shapes are L-shaped, linear, and even U-Shaped kitchens. Another popular option is a two-piece kitchen, where there’s a section for cooking, storage, and accessories. The other section usually features a bar and is used for dining and entertaining. Which layout sounds most suitable for your outdoor area?

It’s important to consider placement when you are incorporating a custom kitchen into your space. Here are a few things you’ll need to think about when turning your outdoor dream into a reality:

1. Proximity

One crucial aspect of where you decide to place your kitchen is how far away it is from your home. Since some of the food preparation will need to be done inside, you’ll want to place your kitchen in close distance with the entrance of your backyard. This will allow for hassle-free transportation between the two locations.

2. Backyard Size

The size of your backyard should factor in to how large you build your outdoor kitchen. Take some time to strategize how much square footage you’re willing to give up for your custom kitchen design. The size you want your kitchen to be is completely up to you.

3. Zoning Laws

Be sure to check with local and national ordinances when determining the size and placement of your outdoor dining area. Zoning laws are in place to regulate how your property can be used. It’d be a shame to finalize a beautiful outdoor kitchen project that might not satisfy local codes and regulations.

Pro tip: Find a professional. There are many technical factors to consider when building an outdoor kitchen, such as heat clearances, electrical accessibility, and zoning laws, so finding the right person for the job will aid in creating a safe and fully optimized outdoor entertainment area.

Prioritize Your Accessories

When it comes to indoor cooking and dining, what’s most important to you? Perhaps it’s the shimmering, stainless-steel appliances or plentiful amount of pantry space. Some homeowners really value a kitchen island with a bar for entertaining guests and countertop space with added storage.

Since an outdoor kitchen brings all that you love about your indoor kitchen outdoors, we recommend reflecting on what’s most important to you as you customize this new area. Here’s a quick list of grills, storage units, and other accessories commonly used in outdoor kitchen designs:

Drawers and access doors for storage and trash
Charcoal, gas, and electric grills for cooking
Sink with faucet for cleaning
Refrigerator for beverages

Explore What’s Popular

Once you’ve built the framework for your outdoor kitchen, the next step is deciding the kind of look you want for the exterior finish. Homeowners commonly use the same materials on their home for the exterior of their outdoor kitchen for a clean, unifying look. Other popular materials used for the base are stucco, brick, or stone veneer, also known as stacked stone. Supercast™ concrete and granite are suitable options for the countertop section of outdoor kitchens.

Many backyards also incorporate some kind of shading, such as a gazebo, awning, pergola, or umbrella, to further define the outdoor kitchen area and fend off a bright and scorching sun. These sources of shade can be outfitted with outdoor lighting to make kitchens an all-day, one-stop-shop for relaxation and entertaining.

Wheatland Fireplace, Kitchen & Bath are successful for a reason! This really is where your outdoor living and indoor fireplace, bathroom & kitchen dreams meet in spectacular surroundings! Wheatland services and installs high-quality fireplaces. Visit their website or stop by their showroom to feel the warmth and comfort of their amazing selection.

"Better Living Begins Here... At Wheatland, it is ALL ABOUT YOU!"

Wheatland Fireplace Kitchen & Bath are your Trusted Saskatoon Bathroom Store

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners at Bridge City Compare the Connection Between Allergies and Duct Cleaning

27. Mar 2023 Admin Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaning, Trusted Tips

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners Bridge City Duct Cleaning provides both residential duct cleaning and commercial duct cleaning and furnace maintenance services. Their team is professionally trained, qualified, bonded, and factory furnace and duct cleaning technicians. In their latest article, they compare the connection between allergies and duct cleaning.

What's The Connection Between Allergies and Duct Cleaning?

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace and Duct cleaners have some advice in regards to the connection between allergies and duct cleaning. Could there be a connection between your sneezing and your HVAC ducts? Well, it wouldn’t be the first time that dirty ducts turn out to be the culprit behind air conditioning allergies.

The Link Between Allergies and Duct Cleaning

Does air duct cleaning reduce allergies? Consider this.
What happens when you blow the dust off an object? Often the airborne dust blows back at you. For those with allergies, what happens next is a sneezing fit.

When your HVAC blows air through ducts coated in dust, you end up with airborne dust in your home. So, it makes sense that cleaning dust, allergens and other contaminants from ducts could improve air quality and reduce allergy symptoms.

Poor air quality in your home or business can lead to a laundry list of nagging health issues. Is anyone complaining about eye, ear and throat irritations? Is there a lot of coughing and sneezing going on? How about headaches and dizziness? Well, dirty ducts can make the occupants of your place sick.

Contaminants Circulating Through Your Ducts

When considering allergies and duct cleaning, remember that all your indoor air circulates through your HVAC system and ductwork. Here’s a list of some of the undesirables that can be released into the air:

DUST MITES – It’s impossible to keep our homes dust-free when HVAC ducts are spewing out dust particles. Those particles quickly settle on surfaces. Dust is a big problem for allergy sufferers.
POLLEN – It’s tracked in on your clothes and shoes. It enters your home through open windows and doors. It’s another allergy sufferer’s enemy and it’s dispersed throughout your space by your HVAC system.
PET DANDER – We love our pets, but not everyone might share in our affection. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates 3 in 10 people have allergic reactions to cats and dogs in the U.S. Your ductwork might be spreading dander throughout your space.
SMOG – If you think once you shut your door, you’re safe from outdoor pollutants, you’re wrong. Pollutants creep into your home. In fact, the EPA says indoor air is at least 2 to 5 times more polluted than outside!
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS – Most of us don’t think much about VOCs. But they’re all around us. VOCs are harmful gases that are given off by common household items. Cleaning fluids and even printers produce VOCs. Your HVAC system is circulating these VOCs through your ducts.
MOLD AND MILDEW – Moisture in your ducts can lead to mold and mildew. When looking into allergies and duct cleaning, if your ducts are moldy, duct cleaning is needed. Mold is responsible for many allergy symptoms.
BACTERIA AND VIRUSES – If bacteria and viruses get into your home, they can circulate throughout your indoor space via air ducts and make people sick. In the worst case, you could end up with Sick Building Syndrome.

Other Allergies and Ductwork Cleaning Concerns

Not all the nasty stuff circulating from your ducts will make you sick. Some problems associated with duct issues are more uncomfortable than dangerous. Dirty ducts can produce odors and hot and humid air.

What the EPA Says About Allergies and Ductwork Cleaning

While the EPA hasn’t offered a blanket endorsement on duct cleaning because of the lack of comprehensive information on allergies and ductwork cleaning, it has recommended that you consider duct cleaning in the following instances:

There is substantial visible mold growth on surfaces such as ducts or other components of your HVAC system.
Ducts are infested with rodents or insect vermin.
Ducts are clogged with excessive dust and debris and release these particles into your home from your supply registers

Reducing Allergies and Ductwork Cleaning Benefits

Improve air quality by removing contaminants from ducts
Eliminate odors by ridding your ducts of mold, mildew, rodent droppings and other nasty things.
Reduce dust (one of the primary reasons for allergies and ductwork cleaning.) Not only from the air, but from your furniture and other surfaces.
Increase HVAC system efficiency by unclogging your ducts of debris. If dust and other stuff coats ducts, it interferes with airflow. Reduced airflow causes your HVAC system to work longer and harder. Clean air ducts reduce energy cots and extend the life of your system.

Do You Need Duct Cleaning for Allergies? Call for Inspection.

Were your ducts were properly installed? Has your HVAC system been regularly maintained through a preventative maintenance contract? If so, air duct cleaning for allergies might not be necessary.

However, sometimes ducts become damaged. Pesky rodents can enter ducts and create havoc. Call an HVAC professional to assess whether you need to address allergies and duct cleaning.

Wondering about the connection between your allergies and ductwork cleaning? Choose an HVAC company experienced with ductwork cleaning and certified.

Call today to book your appointment with Bridge City Duct Cleaning.

Bridge City Duct Cleaning Services Include:

Bridge City Furnace and Duct Cleaning Is A Trusted Saskatoon Furnace and Duct Cleaning Company

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners at Bridge City Share 3 Reasons Why Duct Cleaning Benefits You and Your Home

27. Mar 2023 Admin Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaning, Trusted Tips

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners Bridge City Duct Cleaning provides both residential duct cleaning and commercial duct cleaning and furnace maintenance services. Their team is professionally trained, qualified, bonded, and factory furnace and duct cleaning technicians. In their latest article, they share 3 reasons why duct cleaning benefits you and your home.

3 Reasons Why Duct Cleaning Will Benefit You and Your Home

Ducts accumulate dirt, debris, and allergens and over time these particles become airborne every time your heating or cooling equipment turns on. Getting your ducts professionally cleaned helps improve the indoor air quality in your home, and enhances the efficiency of your heating/cooling systems.

Still on the fence? Here are 3 reasons why the choice is simple!

1. Removing Odour

An odor in your home can mean that dust, mold or mildew may be present in the air ducts, fresheners or candles only mask the problem. Air duct cleaning eliminates the smell almost completely.

2. Healthy Living

Removing contaminants which can include, pollen, mold, rodent droppings, and even pet dander from your ducts helps to achieve better indoor air quality which can help to minimize reaction to allergies and asthma.

3. Saving Money

Duct cleaning is an important part of regular maintenance that can help save you money in energy bills. By removing the buildup of dust from cooling system coils will reduce energy usage by up to twenty-one percent, and at the same time prolong the life expectancy of your heating and cooling system.

Call today to book your appointment with Bridge City Duct Cleaning.

Bridge City Duct Cleaning Services Include:

Bridge City Furnace and Duct Cleaning Is A Trusted Saskatoon Furnace and Duct Cleaning Company

Trusted Saskatoon Accountants at HTH CPA's Tax Tip: Underused Housing Tax (UHT) Returns

16. Mar 2023 Admin Saskatoon accountants, Trusted Tips

Hounjet Tastad Harpham has decades of accounting experience working with clients across Saskatchewan. Their expert accounting advice is valued by clients ranging from individuals to businesses, small and large. Hounjet Tastad Harpham is a Trusted Saskatoon Accounting firm, and in their latest helpful Saskatoon accounting and tax tip, they explain the new Underused Housing Tax (UHT) Returns.

Underused Housing Tax (UHT)

The Government of Canada implemented the Underused Housing Tax (UHT) on June 9, 2022, and as of December 31, 2022, it will impact certain residential property owners.

A residential property owner who is not classified as an “Excluded Owner” must file the UHT return by April 30 of the following year. They may be required to pay an annual 1% tax on the Taxable Value or the Fair Market Value of the vacant or underused housing.

Excluded Owners include Canadian citizens and permanent residents, so most individuals will not need to file a UHT return. However, all private corporations, partnerships and trusts (even those owned by Canadian citizens) who own residential property will be required to file a UHT return annually, even if they are exempt from the UHT.

Failure to file a UHT return has significant penalties, starting at $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for corporations. Further, failure to file could lead to the UHT being payable, even if an exemption should have applied.

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (except in capacity as a partner or trustee), no action is required on your part. Anyone else who owns residential property, including individuals who own the property as a partner or trustee, may want to consider discussing your situation with your tax advisor.

Exemptions

Your ownership of a residential property may be exempt from the Underused Housing Tax for a calendar year depending on:

the type of owner you are
the availability of the residential property
the location and use of the residential property
the occupant of the residential property

Remember, if you are an affected owner of a residential property in Canada on December 31 you still have to file an Underused Housing Tax return for the residential property for the calendar year, even if your ownership qualifies for an exemption.

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Accounting Services:

If you are looking for a Saskatoon chartered professional accountancy firm contact the team at Hounjet Tastad Harpham today.

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