Nisha Muire

Smart Toronto homes are the way of the future. With advances in what automation can do to improve and facilitate everything in our lives from locking our doors remotely to monitoring who is going in and out, there are gadgets that can answer nearly every want.
 
In the past a wired home was the ultimate in modernity. Now, a wired home is slowly going the way of the dinosaur. While all homes need one hardwired connection for a router or other network adaptor, many don’t even require that with occupants working of their mobile device data plans through WiFi. Now, smart homes are so much more. Here we take a look at four devices that will change the way you live.
 
Curb Energy: Monitoring Device
This nifty device attaches to the inside circuit breaker panel in the garage and monitors real-time energy consumption data for your entire home. It is terrific way to see where your highest energy consumption takes place and helps you to cutdown on energy costs quickly and efficiently.
 
Ecobee 3 Smart Thermostat
Install this in your hallway or living room and let it do the rest. Although it will need to connect to every room in your home, it reads the temperature of every room and then adjusts the temperature to the room you are in so that you don’t have cold spots or hot spots – just a consistent and comfortable temperature throughout. It saves energy and money. The best part – you can control it remotely from your Android or iPhone.
 
Sonos Wireless Speaker System
All you music buffs will want to have this installed as soon as you can in your Toronto home! This clever sounds system allows you to play anything anywhere in your home. As long as you’ve installed the speaker in the desired spots, you can control who hears what from any part of your home.
 
Philips Hue Smart Light Bulbs
Naturally having LED light bulbs are all the rage – energy efficient and long-lasting they have revolutionized the way people approach lighting. However, the Philips Hue Smart light bulbs can let you program them to mimic sunrises and sunset and can even turn different colours according to who messages you!
 
As homes get smarter technology will slowly get woven into every facet of our lives – until we can no longer remember a time we didn’t have some kind of gadget taking care of every need.

The roof of your Toronto home is what protects it from the elements, provides you with a warm, dry place to live and shields your belongings from the elements. The key to taking care of your roof is maintenance. Although no one really wants to put in the time and effort required to ensure that their roof is in good shape, a yearly check-up of the basic points is all you need to keep your roof going for year to come.
 
Yearly Check
Given the severity of the Toronto winter, every spring after the snows have melted you should set aside some time to go over your roof. If you are unable (or unwilling) to climb up to take a look at what the winter wrought, then hiring a reputable roofer to give is a thorough once-over is a good idea. If you go up on the roof yourself, be sure to wear good rubber boots that have sufficient grip on them and have someone spotting you when you climb up. These yearly checks can help you spot problems when they are small enough to warrant a quick fix.
 
Gutter Care
Making sure that your gutters are not blocked, cracked or otherwise unserviceable is another very important aspect to roof care. A moist roof will deteriorate much more quickly than a dry one. Allowing water runoff a proper place to drain will help to keep your roof dry. So, during the roof check in the spring, be sure to check that your gutters haven’t accumulated any debris over the winter. In the fall, once the leaves have fallen, be sure to clean out any errant leaves that might have clogged up your gutter.
 
Timely Repairs
Nothing can beat making repairs as and when you see them on your roof. A small leak is easily fixed, but if left unchecked can lead to extensive damage – not only to your roof, but to the underlying structure as well.
 
Your roof can last a good 20-25 years with the proper care. As long as you take the time to maintain it, you won’t have to worry about what is over your head.

Creating an income suite in your Toronto home is a good way of generating passive income and of helping you pay down your mortgage. With the ever-increasing cost of homes in the GTA, it is no wonder that some people are opting to install income suites in their private homes so that they can afford their first or even their fifth homes.
 
The first thing to think about when creating an income suite is whether you have the room for one. Not just that, but the creation of an income suite should not impinge on your own comfort of the free use of your home. It is best to choose a spot that has it’s own access to the exterior so that there is no daily contact between you and your renters. Ideal spots include lower levels that have an exterior access, above the garage or on the main level if there is a way to partition it so that your renter can go directly into their own wing.
 
You must also determine what the by-laws of renting out a space in your home are in your locality. If you need a permit or need to change the zoning of your home, then be sure to get all of the necessary paperwork in place prior to beginning work.
 
Next, look for a good contractor who has experience in creating income suites. He/she will be able to get the necessary build permit so that you don’t run afoul of any zoning bylaws.
 
When you are creating a second dwelling within your home, be sure to get adequate fire and sound-proofing between your dwelling and the rental unit so that you don’t have to worry about clumsy or loud tenants. You will want to make sure that the second dwelling has proper exits and sufficient lighting in each room. As well, remember to rebalance your heating so that your home doesn’t suddenly lose heat to the new dwelling and do the same for your plumbing.
 
When you have properly installed an income suite in your home, you will reap the benefits for years to come.

Trees add so much beauty and life to a yard, it is understandable why they are so popular. However, before you decide on what tree to plant in your yard, here is a quick overview of some trees best avoided.
 
Silver Maple
These popular trees grow quickly and are beautiful making them a perennial choice with homeowners. However, because they grow so quickly, they are very brittle and prone to breaking during storms. Additionally, they have a very shallow root system that tends to invade sewer systems and cause plenty of damage.
 
The Aspen
The Aspen is a gorgeous white-barked tree that has lovely leaves. However, it also has a very strong root system that is virtually impossible to eradicate once established. Unless you want to be killing off young Aspens every year all over your property, it’s best to steer clear of this one.
 
Lombardy Poplar
The Lombardy Poplar is another homeowner favorite as it grows very fast and has a very distinct shape. However, they are prone to disease and bug infestation and can end up looking rather sparse and ugly. Then, when you want to get rid of it, its root system make is nearly impossible to do.
 
Willow
The weeping willow is one of the most beautiful and highly recognizable trees around. However, it is also the thirstiest! It’s strong root system will look for water everywhere and can destroy sewers, drains and foundations. Plus, it is has weak wood that will break easily and only lives for about 30 years.

Growing fruit trees on your Toronto property is one of the many joys of owning your own home. Although it can take several season for a young fruit tree to start producing fruit, the wait is definitely worth the effort you’ll need to put into protecting your trees from pests. However, don’t despair, it doesn’t take much to protect your trees from the most common critters.
 
Easy fixes
Two of the most common pests are the apple maggot and cherry fruit fly. Luckily there is an easy fix for these bugs – the trick is to catch them in the spring before they hit your tree. The apple maggot and fruit fly overwinter in the ground and then emerge from the soil in the springtime. A great way to trap them is to simply paint an apple-sized ball red, coat it with vaseline and leave it at the base of your apple tree. All it takes is one ball, but it is enough to attract the bugs and get them stuck to it.
 
The Codling Moth is another big enemy of the apple tree. It can wreck havoc with your fruit and your tree. Scraping loose bark in the early spring and then spraying with an oil-controlling substance works well. But, for an easier fix try filling a plastic jug with a cup of vinegar, a banana peel and one sugar cube. Shake well and attach it to your tree. The moths love this mixture and drown when the go to check it ou.
 
Pruning and Cleanliness
Before the leaves sprout on your tree in the spring, take advantage of its leave-less state to see whether there are any diseased branches that need pruning or whether you can improve its shape.
 
Also be sure to remove any old fruit from on the tree or around the base of the tree to prevent it from causing disease or rot to spread to the tree and/or roots.
 
With these very simply measures you can have healthy and happy fruit trees in your yard every year and you can enjoy your own delicious harvest every fall.

Hedges are the kind of exterior enhancement that immediately adds a natural beauty to your home. When well-maintained, they are elegant, beautiful and can add plenty of curbside appeal to your dwelling. However, neglect them and they can growing unkempt and take away from your home’s appeal. Once your hedges are planted and growing, maintaining them is relatively easy. If you follow these very simple steps, you can have lush, luxuriant hedges to frame your house.
 
– Spring is the best time to fertilize your hedges
– Adding hoof and horn meal to keep the soil loose and is a very good idea
– Water your hedges frequently all year-round, especially during dry period – and remember, evergreens don’t require as much water as flowering hedges
– When fall rolls around clear away dead wood and restore the mulch layer around your hedges if you have one
 
Another very important aspect to keeping your hedges healthy is periodic trimming. Once a hedge is established, it’s crucial to prune it depending what you want to encourage.
 
– If you trim the new wood in summer, it will help with branching
– If you trim the old wood in winter, it will help with the formation of strong new shoots
– When it comes to evergreen hedges be careful not to cut into old wood as it may inadvertently result in bald patches.
– If you have hedges that are manicured and shaped, then they should be trimmed at least three times during the spring and summer months
– To get bushy hedges, be sure to trim them on an angle
 
A great tip to make for a quick clean-up after your hedge-trimming is to spread a tarp, brown bags or newspaper underneath them so that you just have to scoop them up afterwards instead of raking for hours on end.

If your Toronto home includes a fish pond in the backyard, you probably already know how enjoyable these natural additions to your yard can be. However, if you are new to the game or contemplating such a feature, then there are a few things to keep in mind. Along with the proper placement and installation of such a feature, it’s also important to remember that they will require seasonal maintenance to remain in tip-top shape. Here is a basic overview of how to keep your fish pond in perfect shape.
 
Spring
Once the temperature starts to rise and you can see the life begin to return to your pond, it’s time to get it ready for another season. You can start by “unwinterizing” it – basically undo whatever you did in the winter to get it ready for the cold. This will include:
 
– Turning on the pump
– Feeding the fish once the temperature hits a constant 10 degrees
– Clean out any accumulation of leaves or debris or use a product to accelerate debris decomposition such as Microbe Life Sludge Away or EcoFix.
– Pump the water out of the pond until just covering the fish – conserve this water in a large receptacle that’s been placed in the shade
– Catch your fish and transfer for the receptacle
– Remove the plants if repotting is necessary and place in the shade and cover with a damp cloth; underwater plants should be placed in a container of water
– Once you’ve pumped as much water as possible from the pond, it’s time to finish removing sludge and debris – don’t use chemicals at this stage
– After everything is clean, you can return the water from the receptacle to the pond along with the fish
– Remember to add a dechlorinator to the water and then top up the pond with water from your hose
– Replace the plants while the water is refilling
 
Your pond is now ready for another season. Additionally tips:
– Fertilize plants every 3-4 weeks
– To reduce algae you can add Anacharis
 
Summer Care
Your plants will need constant care during your pond season. You’ll have to always remove dead leaves or debris. You will have to feed your fish properly. You should check and clean your filter regularly. Make sure that there’s proper aeration happening on especially warm days. And mostly, now is the time to really enjoy your pond!

Water features add an enchanting and natural feel to any yard. Whether you are in the heart of a big city or on a secluded lot in the countryside, installing a fountain on your grounds will add value and pleasure to your how you experience your dwelling. However, prior to adding any kind of water feature, it is important to keep a few very important guidelines in mind to protect your dwelling against potential leaks and the problems that they can cause.
 
Plan
On of the most crucial steps in the process is planning the placement of your water feature properly. Choose a spot that is stable enough to support the weight of a pond. If you have plants or trees nearby, make sure that they will not be able to pierce the liner. If you want to include fish in your pond, then remember to place it in an area with direct sunlight. Make sure that it is sloping away from your home.
 
Depth
The depth of your water feature will depend on whether you want it to include plants or fish. If you do want fish, then it needs to be deep enough for the fish to hibernate in the winter.
 
Kits and Liners
If you have never installed a water feature before, then using a kit is probably your best bet. Kits come with clear instructions and will help you to follow the proper procedure for installing your pond or fountain with confidence. When it comes to liners, butyl rubber is best and the thicker the liner the more chances of it lasting your lifetime. An added tip is to first layout carpet padding to cover any pebbles, which in turn will protect your liner from getting punctured.
 
Oxygenation
If you are installing a fish pond, consider adding a waterfall to increase the amount of oxygen in the water and to ensure that no stagnation occurs. Water circulation prevents algae from forming and prevents mosquitoes from laying eggs.
 
Edging
The right pond edging will give your water feature a natural, always-there look and help it blend seamlessly into the scenery.
 
Whatever kind of water feature you choose to install, you can rest assured of enjoying it for as long as you love your home.