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Smart Home Technology

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Smart home technology in Toronto has come a long way in recent years. In just the last little while we have gone from only having home lighting systems being controlled by smart technology to having everything from security systems to home amenities now with built-in smart home capabilities. The one thing all of these systems have in common is the requirement to have access to the internet as that is the means by which you are able to control the system remotely. Each networked device will have it’s own app to help control the settings. Although now with Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Home, automation is becoming more centralized as many devices can now be controlled through the “home assistants”. Naturally, every technology has its pros and cons and we will take a look those inherent in a Smart Home over here.

 

The Pros

There is no denying that smart technology is very convenient. It can drastically simplify your life. The small daily tasks that we have to remember can easily be taken care of by programming or can be done remotely in case you forget to do them before leaving the house.

Another big pro for smart home technology is the cost and energy savings that can be derived from it. Once installed and programmed, you can easily cut down on your energy consumption. Adaptive thermostats respond to your family’s habits and schedule and adjust accordingly thereby reducing your energy consumption.

Smart home technology also allows you to monitor your home remotely – which is very convenient if you have to travel or leave for extended periods of time. Additionally, smart home technology can increase the resale value of your home and some insurance providers do offer reductions on premiums for smart homes.

 

The Cons    

Although smart homes are very convenient and can be programmed to do everything from opening your blinds in the morning and closing them at night to starting your coffee maker, monitoring your crock pot and even locking your door remotely, the one big drawback with these advancements is that they all rely on a working internet connection. If the internet goes down, then so do the services.

Another drawback is the initial cost of installing such a system in your home. Yes, you will likely make up that cost in the long run, but you will have to outlay a considerable sum of money to get a good system in place.

If you are not technologically inclined, then the complex programming that these systems require can also be seen as a con. As many devices work on different platforms or through different apps, this reality will require to you know how to download, set-up and operate all of these programs.

Lastly, safety is a concern when it comes to smart home technology. The same programs that make it possible for you to lock your doors from across the world, means that, unless your network is absolutely secure, you can be vulnerable to being hacked.

Smart home technology is not yet seamlessly integrated into our lives – but it is certainly getting there.

Roofing Remedies

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Roofing materials in Toronto are available in many options. While all are fairly sustainable, some are more natural and will provide excellent coverage for an extended period of time, however, costs are always a consideration when looking at roofing. Here will we look at the different roofing materials on the market and what you can expect of them.
 
Asphalt shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used shingles. Cost effect and easy to install, they have a relatively short life span ranging from 15-50 years depending on the quality of shingle you buy and the installation. However, their relatively low cost, their wide range of colour options and designs make them a perennially popular option.
 
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is a very durable, cost effective option that is also on the lower end of the cost-spectrum. Usually given a metallic coating to prevent rust, residential options can be found in a number of colours and last a 50+ years. It is also fire resistant and sustainable.
 
Slate Roofing
Slate roofs are on the higher end of the price line, but are a great, custom made alternative to your roofing needs. Cut from actual slate rock, they are usually hand-cut and crafted and last a lifetime. Most slate roofs outlast the fixtures that are used to attach them to the roof and can easily be reused when retiling. They are naturally fire resistant and very eco-friendly.
 
Clay Tiles
Among the more expensive options on the market, clay tiles are also some of the most aesthetically pleasing and among the more durable. The only drawback with clay tiles is that some roofing structure might not support the weight of the tiles. They are also not the ideal choice for cold climates, although they are hailstone resistant.
 
Wood Tiles
Wood tiles are considered rich-looking and attractive and are commonly chosen over other options due to their looks. Natural and eco-friendly, they are not fire resistant and discouraged in areas of extreme dryness and heat. However, they are very efficient at conserving heat, are easy to repair and last longer than synthetic options.

Creating an income suite

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Incomes suites in Toronto are a great way of subsidizing the growing cost of owning a property. Whether you are just starting out as a homeowner or you already have the house of your dreams and are looking to downsize, creating an income suite is a smart investment.
 
Income suites are a clever way of ensuring that you always have a form of income being generated. This income is great for helping you pay down your mortgage, clear up debt or even build your savings account. However, it is important to build the suite properly.
 
Firstly, you shouldn’t invest more than two years worth of rent in the renovation. So, for example, if you are planning to charge $1000 per month, then the total cost of your renovation should be less than $24,000.
 
Next, look for a natural division in your home to create the rental suite in. For instance, if you already have a backdoor that leads to a lower level or if you have a space over your garage to which you can add a staircase or even if you are able to section off your foyer to lead either an upper level or your main floor – these are all very good options. In fact, many seniors are opting to convert their upper level into an income suite instead of downsizing – not only does it provide them with a steady stream of income after they retire, but they get to remain in the home that they have probably come to love.
 
Getting the proper permits to build an income suite is also necessary. You will have to look into your municipalities bylaws to make sure that you are allowed to build a rental property in your home.
 
Lastly, don’t spend too much on fixtures. Although it is essential to get good quality, durable fixtures for the bathroom and kitchen, it isn’t necessary to spend a lot of money on them. Do, however, have a focal point in the home that will help get renters in the door and will help you market your place when the renovations are done.

Protect your fruit trees from pests

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Protecting your fruit trees from pests in Toronto is actually not all that hard. There are a few very simple precautions that you must take to ensure a bumper crop of fruit throughout the growing season. Since most pests and fungi tend to overwinter to emerge strong in the spring, it is best to take some precautions during the trees’ dormant season which is usually between November and May.
 
Once the trees enter their dormant cycle it is wise to spray them with the proper dormant spray to prep them for the next growing season. By spraying while it’s cold you are also attacking the bugs at their most vulnerable time. The best sprays to use are natural and include dormant oil spray to prevent spider mites and scale on apple and pear trees and a lime-sulphur spray for plum, peach, apricot and cherry trees. The lime-sulphur will also help to control peach leaf curl and plum pocket.
 
In the spring, most pests will emerge from their hibernation and start laying eggs. The best way to beat them is to prevent them from doing this. Traps are the best way to prevent this from happening. An easy trap to deter apple maggots is to place a large ball painted red and covered with petroleum jelly to your apple trees. Apple maggots will be attracted to the ball and will get trapped on them. To prevent coddling moth, use 1 cup sugar, 1 cup vinegar and 1 banana peel. Put all of the ingredients into a plastic container, fill to the top with water, close and shake vigorously to mix well. Then remove the cover and secure to your fruit trees. The insects will be attracted to the mixture and will drown in it. Just be sure to keep filling it up as the summer goes on.
 
The next steps to keep pests away from your trees are basic maintenance. Pruning is necessary to open up the canopy to light and to increase air circulation, so it should be done yearly during the dormant season. The other very important task is to clean up the old fruit and diseased leaves from the ground and the tree itself. Remove rotten fruit from the tree and from the ground to prevent disease from coming back in the spring – the same holds true for diseased leaves. If left to rot on the ground beneath the tree, it will infect the tree again the following season.
 
Ensuring that your trees are healthy and bear plenty of fruit is not very complicated as long as you are willing to put in the little bit of extra effort it requires.

Caring for your hedges

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If you love the look of hedges for your Toronto home, but don’t know exactly how to maintain them so that they maintain their healthy, green fullness, don’t despair – it’s actually rather easy. We will take a look at the basics of hedge care below.
 
Planting your hedges should be done in loose, well fertilized soil. Be sure to put them with their branches just touching so that they have room to grow and spread out. If you plant them too close, they won’t thrive. Jiggle the roots around in the ground to make sure that there is no air space between the soil.
 
Once your hedges are established, caring for them is actually quite easy. Just make sure to fertilize them every spring with horn meal and to keep the soil around them loose for maximum aeration. Your hedges should be watered daily – especially when temperatures climb and/or if there is little rain in the forecast. You can trim your hedges to keep them at the height you want and to also shape them as needed. If you do shape your hedges, then they will have to maintained at least three times during the summer season to help them maintain their shape. However, just be careful not to cut into hardwood as it will remain bald and not grow back.
 
In the fall, remove any deadwood and, if the hedges are small and in areas of heavy snowfall, wrap them in burlap to help them keep their shape and to protect them over the winter.
 
As you can see hedges are among the more low maintenance plants around. Not only do they look great, but they are also very easy to care for!

Fish pond care

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Having a fish pond in your Toronto garden can add serenity and tranquility to your backyard. You can landscape your fish pond to look natural and add benches and sitting areas around it to maximize the return you can get from its beauty. While fish ponds require a bit more care than an average garden, they are not so complex that you cannot master the art fairly quickly.
 
If you have ever owned an aquarium then you already know the basics of maintaining a healthy fish pond in your Toronto backyard. You will have to follow the same kind of guidelines that you would to keep any indoor aquarium life healthy.
 
Here are the recommendations:
 
1 – Don’t overfeed your fish! Fish will eat all that they need within 2-3 minutes. Any leftover food should be removed from the water immediately. Food that isn’t eaten usually falls to the bottom of the pond and rots.
 
2 – Keep a healthy balance of plants around your pond. Your pond should be shaded by plants, but it should be by no less than 40% of the surrounding surface and no more than 60%. Any level that doesn’t fall within those numbers will unbalance the pH level of the water in your pond. You should also remember to keep your pond shaded during the hottest days of the summer. Water temperature should not exceed 75 degrees fahrenheit as then oxygen levels in the water will drop and your fish will have a harder time breathing.
 
3 – Have a good pump. Make sure that the pump you have for your pond is the right size for the area you have. You should always have a good circulation of water going. Reading the specs of the pump on the box will let you know whether the one you have is right for your pond.
 
4 – Keep your pond clean. Make sure that you clean your pond frequently to prevent the build-up debris and decay. When debris starts to decay, it will raise the ammonia levels in the water, which is hazardous to aquatic life.
 
Keeping your pond healthy is not that difficult. As long as you are able to follow the simple guidelines outlined here, you can enjoy your fish friends for years.