Our beloved Septic System
Author: Andree Lavigne
•8:28 AM


Our beloved Septic System

With summer just around the corner, many of us are preparing the exterior of our homes for the great days ahead. But not everything that needs tending to is in plain sight. For many homeowners it lurks beneath your feet...Our beloved Septic System. 

All of us are very aware of what they do for us, but not what we can do for it.

With the recent sale of her home, a seller decided to have her septic system cleaned and evaluated to make sure all was well.  To many of us, the report that is received after the procedure can be overwhelming – or worse, not read!  The seller’s report stated that her septic tank was in good condition.  As for the weeping field, it showed a high water level. What does this all mean to the homeowner?

The septic system consists of two major components: the septic tank and the weeping field. Septic tanks must have structural integrity and be watertight. Its purpose is to separate the liquids from the solids and to provide some breakdown of organic matter in the wastewater. The most commonly used construction material for septic tanks is concrete, which is pre-cast for easy installation in the field. Other materials include fibreglass and polyethylene. The weeping field (or leaching field) consists of a network of perforated plastic pipes laid in gravel trenches over a layer of soil. This is in brief!!
Many organisms live in and on the weeping field of your septic system and clogging of the weeping field occur gradually.

Overloading can cause saturation/clogging of the weeping field. The wastewater will then either seep to the surface of the ground or into a lake close by or into the ground water or back up into your house – all being hazardous to the environment and to the family’s health – representing an expensive repair bill...  

To be sure that this isn't happening to you and your property, you –the homeowner - can and should request a thorough cleaning and inspection be done every two years. And do the necessary repairs/maintenance as required.

To prevent any mishaps and to prolong the life span of your septic system, be sure to flush only toilet paper and its 'friends' down, nothing else! No paper tissues or paper towels, no diapers, no harsh chemicals, paints, solvents, no food, no grease, no coffee grounds. Nothing should be built over the weeping field: no above-ground swimming pools, patios, storage sheds, gardens, trees, etc.

The condition of you septic system plays a big role in your day to day life and in the next owner’s as well. If it isn't maintained over the years, it can impact in the sale of your house: not just the final sale price, but with legal matters resulting if past problems were not resolved or worst still, camouflaged –

For more information on septic systems visit the CMHC website or in French SCHL.

Andree



Photo credit: www.funnychix.com


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Well Displayed Homes Sell Faster and for Larger Profit
Author: Andree Lavigne
•7:12 AM
Well Displayed Homes Sell Faster and for Larger Profit


For this blog post I thought I would try something a little different and invite a guest to write about something that I find very important when trying to sell a home; home staging. Current statistics demonstrate that a well displayed home sells faster and for larger profit. Using home staging as a strategy is something I would recommend to most home sellers.

Mandi  Drennan from Mandi Creations is a home stager serving the Hudson, St-Lazare, Rigaud area.  From color consultations to prepping homes for re-sale, Mandi has an array of experience in various design related realms. Here is what Mandi has to say about Home Staging...


The term ‘home staging’ is being used a lot these days.  You hear about it on the television and read about it in magazines. To many, home staging is just another un-necessary expense while trying to sell your home.  In reality it is a great way to represent your home in all its glory.  This process does not have to be a costly one.  Many people think that they have to get rid of all their old furnishings and spend thousands of dollars renting or buying new ones.  This is not always the case.  Although that is an option that is used for showing high-end homes, the next best thing is working with everything you have.  It is cost effective and you get to bring all the great ideas and looks along with you to your new home.

When a real estate agent suggests staging a home, many may take it as an insult. That their house isn’t nice, or that they have a bad sense of decorating.  In fact, the real estate agents wants you to be able to sell your home for all its worth and the quickest way possible.  In some cases, it may involve some furniture arranging, de-cluttering and maybe a simple paint job.  It needs to be eye pleasing to as many potential buyers as possible, for many can’t look past cosmetic details.  They need to be able to imagine themselves building a new life in your home.  Many can relate to others home furnishings; most people have a sofa, a television and a dining room table.  So potential buyers can then start to envision their own furnishings and can get an idea of size and placement.

Here are some examples of simple staging methods of just working with the sellers current furnishings. 

By using white bedding, it gives the room a hotel feel, clean and fresh.  The wall curtains add a focal point and also gives the illusion of additional windows and space.



             

Placing the area rug underneath the dining room table gives a finished look and defines the dining space.




Home stagers offer a variety of staging techniques and procedures.  By having an at-home consultation with your home stager, you can then decide on the appropriate changes that may need to be made, all with your budget in mind.

Another bonus to home staging is it makes your moving experience, quick and organized, for you will have less to pack come the big day of finding not just any house, but your home.  Happy Staging!

To find out more about Mandi  Drennan visit www.mandicreations.com



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