Mike Holmes and BASF

Mike Holmes has had an ongoing relationship with the chemical company BASF for many years. Recently, Mike wrote an article about spray foam insulation in which he spoke about WALLTITE Eco, which is manufactured by BASF (See Mike Holmes on Spray Foam Insulation for more information). Yesterday, he posted a status update on his Facebook page about attending Construct Canada (http://www.constructcanada.com/), which is a building design and construction trade show. He held a meet and greet at the BASF booth # 846.

Great day today at the BASF booth at Construct Canada. I love these shows - so many industry leaders under one roof.



From the BASF Construction North America website:



Meet and chat with Mike Holmes at Construct Canada
External Link: go

Visit Construct Canada 2012 and have the chance to meet
Mike Holmes.

For two hours only, the star of the hit TV shows Holmes on Home, Holmes Inspection and Holmes Makes it Right will be live and in-person at the BASF booth (#846). Join us November 29 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm to meet Mike and learn how he and his crew are on a mission to make things right in homes across North America.

 

 



Going back a few years to 2008, the Holmes Group and BASF announced in a news release that WALLTITE Eco would officially be Mike Holmes' insulation of choice:


News Release

BASF Canada Signs Agreement with the Holmes Group

Mike Holmes to promote BASF WALLTITE® Spray Polyurethane Foam as the insulation of choice
MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 25, 2008 – Today, BASF Canada is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Mike Holmes, Canada’s most trusted contractor. For several years, Mike Holmes has promoted BASF’s spray polyurethane insulation, WALLTITE as the insulation of choice for homebuilders, contractors, and homeowners across Canada. The insulation will now carry the "Holmes Mark" to identify it as a Mike Holmes approved product. Mike Holmes has chosen BASF WALLTITE for its overall product performance and effectiveness in improving the comfort and energy efficiency of residential construction. According to Mike Holmes, WALLTITE is "ideal for creating a complete thermal break and controlling moisture, air movement and mould. WALLTITE should be minimum code."

Kerry Bowman, Business Director for the Polyurethanes Systems at BASF Canada, stated he is "pleased to be working with Mike Holmes for his integrity in building practices and product selection. BASF has appreciated the support that Mike has provided to WALLTITE over the past years."

Mike Holmes is a contractor with over 20 years of professional experience, with a passion to Make it Right™, the first time.

For more information contact:

Robert Armstrong

BASF Canada

Tel: (289) 360-6178

E-mail: robert.armstrong@basf.com

BASF Canada

100 Milverton Drive, 5th FL

Mississauga, ON L5R 4H1

Tel (289) 360-1300

Fax (289) 360-6000
www.basf.ca

In another Mike Holmes/BASF news release:
 

B A S F: Ma k ing it B e tte r
M I K E H O L M E S

“It was very clear, after using WALLTITE a couple of times, that it was the best possible insulation on the market – no question.”

MIKE HOLMES
THE HOLMES GROUP


100 Milverton Drive, 5th Floor
Mississauga, ON L5R 4H1
1-866-485-BASF (2273)
www.basf.ca


“To my mind,” Holmes says, “the perfect eco-friendly house would have an on-demand tankless hot water heater, in-floor radiant heating, solar-assist electricity and hot water heating, a living roof, a grey water-recycling system, light emitting diode (LED) lighting and geothermal heating.” Many of these features would find their way into the new home. As for insulation, Holmes’ eco-efficient, durable solution was WALLTITE® from BASF. Holmes started using WALLTITE products 5 years ago and has been impressed ever since. “It was very clear, after using WALLTITE a couple of times, that it was the best possible insulation on the market – no question.” Beyond the thermal performance, Holmes sees a lot to like about the insulation. “Homeowners should think about the overall effectiveness of the product,” he says. “As a spray foam, WALLTITE covers everything, so there is no potential for cold spots, gaps, voids or settling. It’s a complete thermal break between inside and outside temperatures and it allows for no air movement.” Homeowners who use WALLTITE products also benefit economically down the road, because of its insulation value. “Consider the long-term savings in energy efficiency and longevity,” Holmes says.

The Implementation

Christina and Joe’s completed house included the features that Holmes expects in a truly eco-friendly home. It uses a system of photovoltaic cells and hot water panels to absorb sunlight and covert it into usable electricity. These are situated on a roof that includes an eco-roofing system that helps manage rainwater and helps cool the house. Rainwater is also collected in a cistern and treated for laundry, toilets and exterior irrigation. The air system and interior building materials were selected to improve air quality. These features include paints that contain a minimum of solvents, non-allergenic carpets, hardwood flooring and tile, plus two furnaces, each with dual-filtration systems. For durability and heat conservation, concrete made up the complete substructure of the house. This also enabled the crew to install radiant in-floor heating that comfortably and evenly distributes warmth throughout the house. And, of course, WALLTITE envelopes the house. Sound architectural practices, like recessed, south-facing windows, a vaulted ceiling and the use of LED lighting, helped further maximize the energy efficiency of the house.

The Results

Well over 3 years after they moved out of their house, Christina, Joe and their daughter, Julianna, are now happily and comfortably living in their new home. “The learning curve has been painful,” says Holmes. “But this is research and development. We put all the theories into one project and designed a prototype that’s totally different and that no one’s ever built. And now we can do it even better.” Holmes is planning to develop a number of eco-friendly communities based on this prototype. And, WALLTITE products, which now carry the “Holmes Mark,” identifying thas Mike Holmes-approved products, will be part of the mix.





When Mike Holmes puts his stamp of approval on something, you can guarantee that he not only uses the product, but he stands behind as well. Mike Holmes is not quick to throw his reputation behind something, a quality that has made him Canada's (and maybe the world's) most trusted Contractor.

Whereas Mike Holmes' trademark phrase is "make It right," BASF's claim to fame is "we don't make the products you buy, we make the products you buy better." A partnership between two entities who want to make it right and make it better for the consumer can only be a good thing ("it's a good thing" is Martha Stuart's catchphrase, maybe Mike should partner up with Martha and put out his own line of "Make a Good Thing Right" bath towels or something. Mike and Martha would make a fabulous team!!! J/KLOL)

Pint Sized Mike Holmes

I found this adorable video entitled "Pint Sized Mike Holmes" while doing my ritual Mike Holmes internet scavanger hunt this morning. My favorite parts of the video are when the kid starts talking about the "manufacturing" of the heater, and then asbestos in the walls. At the very end the kids announce that they're going to fix the house, but they need to go get their tools first. LOL.

 

Yesterday's Episode of Holmes Makes It Right

Mike posted this on his Facebook page yesterday, during the airing of episode 7 "If the Shoe Fits" of Holmes Makes It Right:

Loved working on tonight's episode of Holmes Makes It Right. Such deserving homeowners. Very proud of the custom shoe rack that my team built! Watch them build it in the video below. http://holmesmakesitright.com/



Awesome video! I wish I had enough talent to build myself a massive wall sized shoe rack. Although I think I have maybe 8 pairs of shoes that I actually wear, two of which are flip flops. Would be kind of lost on me.

An Article about Tonight's Episode of Holmes Makes It Right

Tonight, if you live in Canada or have access to HGTV Canada, a brand new episode of Holmes Makes It Right is on at 9PM EST. If you live outside of Canada, Holmes Makes It Right will premiere in early 2013. Here's the HGTV Canada episode preview:



From the HGTV Canada website:

If The Shoe Fits

In this Episode

A high school teacher is run down by a van after his home is vandalized. Tragically, his recovery means learning how to walk again and the ones responsible have yet to be caught. But Mike rises to the challenge to make this horrible situation right and the long road to recovery a little easier. The crew and sub trades rally behind him and go the distance. They start by building a fully accessible backyard oasis complete with hot tub, his and her matching dens and a display shelf that’s a shoe-in. But Mike doesn’t stop there, even bringing in boxing legend George Chuvalo to deliver this knockout performance.



Mike's involvement with this project was also written about by a local news website:

Sault Ste. Marie Product Helps Mike Holmes 'Make It Right'

LOCAL2 Staff for local2 sault ste. marie
November 25th, 2012 | Last Updated Nov. 26 at 07:52am

Paverdeck, an innovative product made right here in Sault Ste. Marie, helps Mike Holmes "Make It Right" on an upcoming episode on his new HGTV series.

In the episode, "If the Shoe Fits", when a high school teacher, previously injured in a hit-and-run after his home is vandalized, faces a long road to recovery, Mike rises to the challenge to make this horrible situation right and the long road a little easier.

It is scheduled to air on HGTV on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 9:00pm.

“Mike is a contractor with honour and integrity, who knows the importance of resourcefulness, craftsmanship and reliability. He advocates for innovative solutions beyond the minimum standards of the building codes”, says Joseph Severini, Vice President of Evolutiondeck Inc. "Paverdeck was chosen because of its long life no-maintenance appeal, and it was a logical fit for Mike Holmes and the Makes it Right program".

Paverdeck is a decking system with a structure made from galvanized recycled steel, finished with stone or concrete paver tiles. It is the only maintenance-free lifetime deck solution available.

This past summer, Paverdeck decided to build a deck for an injured Canadian war veteran returning from Afghanistan. Their objective was to only to acknowledge this war veteran and contribute something towards improving his situation on returning home.

“We partnered with Jim Caruk, the well-known HGTV host, and founder of Redoes For Heroes Foundation and chose an initial project in Toronto”, said John Naccarato, Paverdeck’s President. “While building the deck in Scarborough, some Mike Holmes Crew members stopped by and were so impressed with the Paverdeck system, they referred it to Mike to consider for an upcoming episode of HGTV’s “Make it Right”. We made the pitch at the tailgate of our truck, and Mike quickly threw his support behind the product for the show.”

“It was a great experience for all involved, and the Mike Holmes crew and organization were top notch and personable. We are looking forward to more opportunities with them in the future.”

Evolutiondeck Inc. is an engineering company based in Sault Ste Marie, and manufactures the Paverdeck system for custom and DIY installations. For more information about the Paverdeck system, visit www.paverdeck.com.




For more information about this, read previous Holmes Spot blog entries:
Mike Holmes Gives Props To A Local Deck Building Company

Congrats Toronto Argos

From Mike's Facebook page yesterday:


Congrats Toronto Argos (Toronto Argonauts Football Club) on your Grey Cup Championship! Great game!



In my eyes, if you're talking about football, there's the NFL and then there's everything else. But I guess I'll let Mike cheer on his home team. If Mike were American, I'm sure he'd be home every Sunday cheering on the NY Giants, or maybe the Steelers. But he's not, so the Argos will just have to do  :-)

Mike Holmes: Canada's Captain America

Cracked.com is a spoofy funny website that puts a humorous spin on anything it touches. A while ago, they even Cracked out Mike Holmes. This is an oldie, but a goodie. Here's what Cracked had to say about Mike...


From the Cracked.com website:
 

When evil, conniving contractors of the Snidely Whiplash variety plunder and prey on innocent renovators, Mike Holmes steps in and delivers a one-two punch of sound advice and feel-good before and after renovation montages.

Mike Holmes: Canada's Captain America

Just The Facts

1. Mike Holmes is the man your father wanted you to be.
2. Only God can help you if you've violated Ontario building codes in his presence.
3. Chuck Norris may be the guy in the closet that the boogie man is scared of, but Mike Holmes built the closet. And the house.
4. Is one reason why HGTV is actually worth watching (just keep telling yourself that).
5. His wardrobe consists of boots, overalls, and muscle.
6. Is a perfect, shining of example of all that is right and American in the world and... wait...
7. He's Canadian. Sunuvabitch.

 

Mike Holmes: The Man

After World War II, Canada faced a wave of cheap housing, designed and contracted by evil, plotting contractors that laughed in the face of building codes. A hero was needed. The government put together a program. Named HOLMESONHOMES, the program put together the best and brightest of the building industry and the same team that injected Wolverine with Adamantium (they had experience working on Canadians).

 

Google Image Result for "crazy canadian scientist"

 

The Canadian government sent into the near future their highly trained team of Time-Traveling Mounties. 

 

Canadian Mounties are prepared to deal with any situation, no matter the level of ridiculous

 

 

The TTM's (as they shall henceforth be known) obtained the genome of Bob the Builder, and succesfully made it back to Canada. The genome was combined with that of the best mountie in Canada, after he had been selected through a grueling, 12 week-long test of physical and mental stamina, strength, speed and overall gritty manliness.

Needless to say, these hosers finished dead last.

 

After much mad cackling over bubbling test tubes, Mike Holmes was released into the world, to unleash order, good judgement and honest construction techniques. After fixing every leaky roof, water-logged basement and faulty electrical box in all ten provinces and three territories, (which he learned to do when he was freaking SIX YEARS OLD) Mike Holmes was not satisfied. No, many a bereaved homeowner still desperately needed help throughout the world, and Mike could hear their cries. He decided to create his own show, and he picked HGTV as being worthy of broadcasting his contractor-shaming shenanigans.

The first and last time Mike Holmes was in a suit was for his meeting with HGTV executives.

 

 

HGTV: We're more badass then you think.

Holmes Makes It Right Episode 7 Preview

On the next episode of Holmes Makes It Right...



Holmes Makes It Right airs on HGTV Canada at 9PM EST. If you don't live in Canada, Holmes Makes It Right will premiere in early 2013.

Mike Holmes on Spray Foam Insulation

If you ever watch one of Mike's shows, you know that one of his most favorite things in the world is spray foam insulation. He's even been an official spokesman for Walltite Eco:
 

In the article below, reposted from the Ottawa Citizen, Mike talks about the benefits of using closed-cell spray foam, and why it's important to hire a pro to install it.

Closed-cell spray foam tops home insulation options

 

By Mike Holmes, The Ottawa Citizen November 21, 2012

 

Closed cell spray foam is best, but it must be installed by professionals.

Photograph by: The Holmes Group, The Ottawa Citizen

Everyone’s always asking me what’s the best insulation? Batt? Loose fill? Rigid? Different insulation will work best for different jobs. But there’s one product that has proven itself consistently on every job I’ve used it: Closed-cell spray foam. For me, there’s nothing better. It does what good insulation is supposed to do.
When we talk about spray foam, there’s open cell and closed cell. Open cell means the tiny foam cells aren’t completely closed — you can crush open-cell spray foam in your hands. But with the closed variety, the tiny foam cells are closed and tightly packed together.
This makes the spray foam denser — it’s rock solid — and increases its R-value (resistance to heat loss).
This also makes closed-cell spray foam more expensive than open cell; but the former ends up paying for itself so it’s worth the investment. Still, the choice is ultimately up to the homeowner.
Closed-cell spray foam gives you energy savings by protecting your home against heat loss — that’s huge. It creates a complete thermal break in the building envelope.
So if your basement is normally cool in the summer, it won’t be if it has spray foam, which stops heat loss even when it’s hot outside.
It doesn’t let heat come in or out and it helps keep your entire home cool with minimal air conditioning.
What makes spray foam so effective? It controls moisture — that’s the big one. Forty per cent of heat loss is due to air movement, but the other 60 per cent is related to moisture. Heat moves with moisture. The warmer the air, the more moisture it can hold.
Cold air means less moisture, which is why your hands and lips get dry in the winter when you go outside.
But spray foam creates a barrier to stop moisture movement, which helps stop heat loss.
Spray foam is also inorganic, which prevents mould growth. It doesn’t absorb moisture so it won’t compress and lose its R-value. You don’t have to worry about it sagging in your walls and leaving open spaces like batt insulation can. It has its own vapour barrier and it isn’t harmful to your indoor air quality once it is cured.
Even the best systems will not work if they aren’t installed properly. Spray foam is no exception.
It needs to be applied by a specialized installer. Cutting corners leads to major risks. Trust only the pros.
Who’s a pro? A Foam Master. These are professionals who are certified and approved spray foam installers. When you hire a Foam Master you know that the job will be done right the first time. Spray foam is an expensive product so you don’t want to pay for a bad job.
Let me give a scenario. I was working on a house that had been retrofitted with spray foam.
That means spray foam installers came to the house years after it was constructed to install spray foam. So, instead of having open walls to install the spray foam in, everything had been drywalled over.
The original spray foam company that came in to quote the job — who also happened to be the pros I use — recommended taking the plaster down, re-studding the walls and then installing the spray foam.

The homeowners decided that option was too expensive. They went with a retrofit in which holes were drilled along their walls — in random places — and then filled with open-cell spray foam.
When a home is retrofitted with spray foam this way, all you can do is hope that the cavities get filled. Usually, this never works. In fact, it rarely works. What you end up with is a lot of voids and plenty of cold spots.
Yes, it was only a fraction of the original quote, but it was a total waste of money. The damage done to their home left them no choice but to call me.
And the worst part was that the foam they used contained urea formaldehyde. Urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) has been banned in Canada since 1980 because it releases formaldehyde gas into the air over time as it cures.
When you’re renovating a house, you get only one shot to do it right. It’s better to know you’re getting a good job than to hope you are. By removing the drywall and plaster, you can get the spray foam into that crucial space between the exterior wall and the wood stud.
Energy costs are increasing every single day. If you want your home to be energy efficient, proper insulation installed the right way is the way to go. It pays for itself. Not many things in the home do.
Catch Mike Holmes in his new series, Holmes Makes It Right Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on HGTV. For more information, visit hgtv.ca. For more information on home renovations, visit makeitright.ca.

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Randy Bachman from The Guess Who Swings A Hammer With Mike Holmes

Mike posted this to his Facebook yesterday:


Very proud to have Rock legend Randy Bachman - from Bachman–Turner Overdrive & The Guess Who - write all the music for my new show Holmes Makes It Right! Randy stopped by set to swing a hammer. Gotta love this guy. http://youtu.be/HXY0ImSg72Q



Yeah, he stopped by to swing a hammer... a $500 Stiletto hammer (http://www.stiletto.com/) . "The world's best hammer" in Mike's words on many occasions. It's funny that Mike is hanging around rock guys when he doesn't even like rock music... well, except for Rush, because I think it's a crime in Canada not to like Rush.

Have a great American Thanksgiving everyone!!!

HGTV Canada Contest - "Mike Holmes Autographed Giveaway"

From the HGTV Canada website:

(FYI- You won't be able to watch the videos unless you have a Canadian ISP. I wasn't able to watch the videos myself, but I entered the contest anyway - even though I'm not eligible to win because I'm not Canadian. I'm a real stinker, huh? If you watch enough Holmes on Homes, you should know the answer. It's not that hard to figure out.)


Mike Holmes Autographed Giveaway!

Posted by Tina Taus, Web Producer Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:50 AM EST

It’s Tuesday, which means more Mike Holmes on HGTV! Starting today, and every Tuesday going forward, we’re airing three hours of back-to-back Holmes Makes it Right episodes beginning at 7pm ET| 4pm PT. For this week and next week only, we’re giving away multiple sets of Holmes Makes it Right t-shirts, autographed by Mike Holmes himself, along with a copy of Mike’s book, Make it Right: Inside Home Renovation with Canada’s Most Trusted Contractor.

We have five (5) sets that include a book and an autographed t-shirt and we’d love to give them away to the first five (5) people who answer the following question correctly.

BUT, before you can answer the question, you must watch this Mike Holmes web exclusive video tip to figure out the answer.

Before entering, please read our rules and regs.

QUESTION: For Mike’s insulation method, as explained in the web exclusive video What is R-Value?, what does he say he does (what does he spray and add) to give a massive R-Value?

Please submit your giveaway question responses via email to giveaways@hgtv.ca

Good luck! And check back next Tuesday when we’ll have a new question and be giving away another five sets of this prize pack.

Urea Got Me

If you're in Canada, don't miss Mike's show Holmes Makes It Right tonight at 9PM EST. If you're not Canadian, Mike's new show will be airing in early 2013. A description of tonight's episode from the HGTV Canada website:

Urea Got Me

Mike gets called to a house recently retrofitted with a substance that’s been banned in Canada for decades. But what starts as a problem with their insulation grows into a complete demo, and Mike faces a decision he’s reluctant to make.
 

Project MOHR

I'm not posting this to advocate it or un-advocate it in any way. I oftentimes get a little embarrassed for Mike when people ask him for help because he is only one person, and he can't help everybody. Also, people forget that Mike is a certified contractor... in Canada. Not in the United States. There are laws and and unions and all kinds of things to get around when you work in the trades state to state and province to province, let alone country to country. Unfortunately Mike can't just pick up his tools and go work anywhere he wants, although he'd probably like to and we all wish he could! That said, I found this recent video this morning while doing my daily Mike Holmes internet scavenger hunt. It was well done, and a valiant effort, so I figured I'd share it.



The group who made the video calls themselves Project MOHR "Make Our Holmes Right," and their goal is to raise enough money to bring Mike Holmes to Cleveland, Ohio. They've set up an Indiegogo fundraising account with a goal of $10,000, but it doesn't look like they've raised much so far.

From their YouTube account:

Help us bring Mike Holmes to Cleveland so he can Make our Homes Right!

Unmistakably Premier Homes, a once highly respected home builder, has stuck it's customers with some less that desired workmanship in the Greater Cleveland area. Project MOHR has been started to see if we can get Mike Holmes to leave his native Canada, cross the border, and help us with our problems, like he has done for so many in the Great White North.

Help us out by spreading the word via Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit, about our fundraising campaign on Indiegogo.com!

Link to Fundraising page: http://igg.me/p/166905?a=845226
Link to Website: http://www.projectmohr.org/MOHR
Link to Mistakably Premier: http://mistakablypremier.wordpress.com/
 

Best of luck to you guys! Again, not sure if what you're asking for is legally feasible, but you never know. If you never ask, the answer will always be no!

Holmes Makes It Right - The Holmes Spot Review

Despite the flashy new opening, Holmes Make It Right is still classic Holmes.

For all of you lucky Canadian fans, Holmes Makes It Right has been on the air for a little over a month now. For everybody else in the world, we've been waiting patiently for 2013 to come so that we too can see Mike's new show. This morning, I got a little impatient however, and went looking on YouTube for some clips. Within seconds, I found that some mischievous bootlegger had ripped the episodes and put them up for all to see! Joy! So far, I've watched the first two episodes, and being that this is the Holmes Spot, I figured I'd throw my two cents in.

Computer graphics illustrate Mike's vision in real time.

I'll make it short but sweet. I LOVE the new show. At first, I was a little off-put but the flashy new opening credit sequence. I'm a big fan of the classic and simple opening of Holmes on Homes, which runs a little like collage of the most memorable moments from the show. Less is more. However, once I actually saw an entire episode, I realized there was a method to the madness. One thing is for sure, Holmes Makes It Right is NOT Holmes on Homes 2.0. It is an entirely different beast, one that combines Mike's know-how with a heavy dose of humor and personality, and perhaps a Red Bull or two. The show is non-stop energy -- it's very entertaining to watch, and yet it still manages to maintain the charm and spirit of its predecessors. Gone are the somber reveals and soft camera angles; instead, Mike and the crew celebrate a job well done with enthusiastic pride and fancy new computer graphics. The show also seems to display a new level of interactivity between Mike and the homeowners. In the first episode, "A Case of the Shingles," Mike not only allowed the homeowners to watch the crew's progress in real time (the family set out lawn chairs across the street), but invited one of them to work alongside the crew as they removed shingles from the roof. In summary, Holmes Makes It Right is definitely one of the most unique reno-reality shows on TV, and Mike seems to have found a comfortable place in front of the camera. The show is without a doubt Mike Holmes at his very best, and everything I've seen so far has exceeded my already high expectations. The Holmes Spot proudly gives Holmes Makes It Right two thumbs up!

Holy Crap, Look What I Found On YouTube!

For all you Canadians, BFD. But for all of the Americans out there who are Holmes deprived, this is for you... SPOILER ALERT!!!

Make It Right November 2012 E-Newsletter

I'm way notorious for not checking my email, but last night I did and found the Make It Right November 2012 newsletter in  my inbox. Awesome!!! If you want to sign up to receive updates from Mike, go to makeitright.ca and sign up!

 

It's funny, being born and raised in the southwestern United States, I never ever appreciated stucco. I've lived in stuccoed houses my entire life. Nearly every house here, new or old, has either stucco or aluminum siding. Guess I figured it was common so it wasn't that great. Little did I know that stucco is a great building material -- even a SOPHISTICATED one -- especially for our hot and dry climate.

 

I got my first real hint that stucco was something unique when I was carpooling with a couple from Canada whom I was taking wedding pictures for. As we were riding to the park for the shoot, they remarked how they liked how all the houses here were all stucco. I laughed and said, "What are the houses made of in Canada?" and they said "Bricks and wood." I told them I thought that bricks and wood siding were nicer than just plain old stucco. I guess if you see something all the time, it just becomes common and you don't appreciate it for what it truly is. In this article, reposted from the Ottawa Citizen, Mike Holmes talks about stucco, and how it not only looks nice (surprise to me!) but is also a good material in colder climates if applied properly.

 

 

 

Stucco, for a more sophisticated look

By Mike Holmes, The Ottawa Citizen November 15, 2012 9:02 AM

 

Stucco exterior finishes are popular in warm climates but can withstand cold weather, if applied properly.

Photograph by: Alex Schuldt , The Holmes Group

Traditionally, stucco has been a popular exterior wall system. It adds character and can give a house a sophisticated finish, especially when combined with other masonry wall systems such as brick. If it’s done right, stucco can also be a great barrier against rain and snow and provide extra insulation.
The big problem is that it doesn’t work great in all environments. It works best in dry climates, because if it’s exposed to moisture it can start to crumble. Have you ever seen an old building with crumbling stucco walls? Not pretty. It’s also a pain to fix because you’re not dealing with just one layer.
Fixing it usually requires tackling all those other layers. It takes time, and it’s expensive. A stucco exterior on a home can cost $30,000 to $40,000, sometimes more. That’s why you mainly see stucco on homes in hot, dry climates such as the southern United States, where it generally lasts longer. But there are a couple of strategies that help preserve stucco in climates like ours.
First, you don’t want a stucco wall to have snow resting against it. If you’ve seen a house or building that has a stucco exterior from top to bottom, you might see it crumbling or flaking wherever it’s been most exposed to moisture. In most cases, that’s along the bottom of a house where moisture from the ground, precipitation and snow will sit.
That’s why if we’re doing stucco I like to have a masonry bottom and a stucco finish at the top of the house — usually on the second floor. Keeping stucco away from the ground helps prolong its life.
The second strategy is controlling the air and moisture behind the stucco finish.
As I’ve said before, stucco has many layers. The first layer is the substrate — the material the stucco is applied to. This material must be tough and durable. A product such as oriented strand board (OSB) works best, but plywood sheathing is also effective.
On top of the substrate is the air and moisture barrier, probably the most important layer. Some people call it water/moisture/weather material.
The purpose of this layer is to prevent moisture from penetrating through to the substrate material that’s vulnerable to moisture, like wood sheathing or gypsum. If moisture gets trapped there it can start to rot the material and damage the stucco finish on the surface.
Depending on local code or manufacturer’s instructions or both, there might be specific moisture barrier and assembly requirements. Always check what they are and verify it with your contractor. In my line of work, asking questions rarely leads to problems. It’s when homeowners don’t ask enough questions that things get messy.
Some contractors will use waterproof building paper as the air and moisture barrier. If that’s the case, vertical seams should be overlapped by 15 centimetres or more; horizontal seams by 10.2 centimetres or more. But my guys apply an air and moisture barrier that looks a lot like icing on a cake. There are no seams so it provides one solid layer of protection.
The traditional way of doing stucco requires a steel mesh that’s properly installed on top of the moisture barrier. Then the stucco is applied — two layers if you’re working over masonry or concrete (one base coat, one finish coat). Three layers if it’s going over wood framing (scratch coat, base coat and finish coat). But there are a couple of new systems out there that have changed the process.

We now have exterior insulation finish systems (EIFS) that are basically rigid foam panels that go over the moisture barrier. I like them for two reasons: It gives us extra insulation and increases the R-value (resistance to heat loss) of your exterior walls. Two, these systems can help drain any moisture caught behind the stucco layers.
On a recent job we used a type of EIFS called PUCCS (pressure-utilized compartmented cavity system). PUCCS insulation is flat on one side with puck-looking shapes on the other — go figure. The side with the puck shapes goes against the air and moisture barrier. So in case moisture gets in, it flows through the cavities in between all the pucks and finds its way to the bottom of the wall where there is the drainage track.
There’s so much to consider when it comes to stucco. Every tradesperson will have a different way of doing it.
But the most important thing to keep in mind is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on all the materials. If they aren’t followed, the manufacturer’s warranty can be compromised, so if there was a problem you’d be out of luck and stuck with the repair bill.
Be smart. Be involved. And ask questions to make sure your home’s stucco stands the test of time.
Catch Mike Holmes in his new series, Holmes Makes It Right, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on HGTV. For more information, visit hgtv.ca. For more information on home renovations, visit makeitright.ca.

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Mike Takes A Sick Day

It takes a lot to knock big Mike off his feet. However, occasionally -- VERY occasionally -- Mike gets so under the weather he can't come to work. In the last episode of Holmes Makes it Right Mike took his second sick day in 12 years.


In the last twelve years Mike has taken only two sick days. And it was during this job that he had to take his second one. With only one day to the big reveal Mike has no choice but to trust his crew to get the job done and make his vision a reality.

 

(Anybody notice that Damon is wearing an old Holmes Inspection shirt and the "Inspection" is covered up with black tape?)

11 Questions For Mike Holmes

The Huffington Post Canada asked Mike Holmes 11 thought provoking questions, and Mike provided 11 brief but thoughful answers. Their conclusion after the interview? "As his replies to our 11 Questions suggest, he's a fearless family man of very few words." Read on...

11 Questions For Mike Holmes

The Huffington Post Canada | Posted: 10/15/2012 8:56 am Updated: 10/15/2012 9:24 am

Mike Holmes is passionate about helping people renovate their homes — and in a sense, their lives (HGTV Canada)

Anyone who loves home renovation and fix-it shows recognizes the trademark overalls of Canadian handyman extraordinaire Mike Holmes.

Not only is Holmes passionate about helping people renovate their homes — and in a sense, their lives — but he also dedicates much of his personal energy and finances to those in need. He took on a project in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans to build and replace the house a family lost in Hurricane Katrina.
Closer to home, he led a team of volunteers who rebuilt a beloved Toronto children's playground, which had been torched by arsonists.

Holmes returns to TV in “Holmes Makes It Right” (premiering on Oct. 16 at 9 p.m. ET). The show focuses on homes ruined by natural disasters, poor home inspections or bad contractor work.
As his replies to our 11 Questions suggest, he's a fearless family man of very few words.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

A balanced life.

What is your greatest fear?

I have no fear.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I can’t say “no.”

What is your greatest extravagance?

My boat.

On what occasion do you lie?

I would tell a ‘white lie’ if it would prevent someone’s feelings from being hurt.

What drew you to contracting?

My Dad. He helped me discover my love of building.

What is one thing you'd change about your industry?

The education of the trades.

When and where were you happiest?

My boat. I love my boat.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My kids.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My Dad.

How would you like to die?

In my sleep.

I Don't See It... Do You?

From Mike's Facebook yesterday:

Watch out for the HOLMES logo on Greg Biffle's #16 - 3M sponsored NASCAR at the race today in Phoenix! The race starts at 2 pm/et!



Here's a picture of the car...



It's there somewhere. I don't see it, do you?

Of course, the reason why Holmes would be displayed on a 3M car would be that Mike Holmes and 3M have a partnership in creating Mike's line of personal protective equipment (PPE). I have the safety glasses and they work and look great! For more information regarding Mike Holmes and 3M, read:

Mike Holmes New Line of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from 3M

Mike's Interview With Erin and Mike

In the days before Mike's new show Holmes Makes It Right premiered on HGTV Canada, Mike was busy scurring around Toronto promoting it on TV and the radio. One of the visits he made was to 98.1 CHFI with Erin and Mike, The Wiseguys. Check out this great interview...

Here's an article pertaining to Holmes Approved Homes and Avalon Master Builder, whom according to the article, reposted from the Calgary Herald, will be the most likely candidate to build the up and coming Wind Walk community.

 

 

 

Net zero adds up for homebuilder

 

 By Claire Young, Calgary HeraldNovember 9, 2012

 From left, TV celebrity renovator Mike Holmes of the Holmes Approved Homes program talks with Chris Williams and Ryan Scott of Avalon Master Builder during a visit to the company's Discovery 5 home in 2010. Avalon Master Builder is a member of the program and Williams and his wife are currently living in the house (click on the photo for our 11-picture tour).

Photograph by: Calgary Herald, Files

The Discovery 5 is Avalon Master Builder’s fifth green research home and third completely net-zero home.
These houses are designed to produce as much energy as they consume in a year from the traditional electrical grid.
About seven years ago, Avalon set its vision to work toward building only net-zero homes with no extra cost to the homebuyers.
Discovery 1, 2 and 3 were built in Red Deer. The first home was an R-2000 home, which is a voluntary federal standard for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in home construction.
Discovery 2 was a net-zero electricity house that used solar photovoltaic and solar thermal panels and added more insulation.
The next house in the series, Discovery 3, featured much more insulation. A standard house has insulation at a value of R-20, while in Discovery 3, the walls were insulated to R-60 and the ceiling to R-100.
Discovery 4 and 5 were built at SAIT, then moved to their permanent locations in McKenzie Towne and Altadore, respectively.
In Discovery 4, Avalon took a standard home that it was already selling and looked at fitting environmental technology into that plan.
“It’s got to work in a normal community,” says Ryan Scott, CEO and president of Avalon Master Builder.
“The neighbours have got to like it. It can’t be something weird. That became the goal for Discovery 4: trying to put all this stuff on it, but now make it look normal.”
Discovery 5 represents an unusual opportunity that presented itself.
General manager Chris Williams of Avalon Master Builder was looking to construct an infill on family land that once was the location of his grandfather’s house in Altadore.
The Discovery 5 is a Holmes Approved Home, which is a program under the wing of celebrity TV renovator Mike Holmes as part of the Holmes Group. Constructing the Discovery 5 under this program meant things such as changing the walls and using more spray foam.
The house has a complex system for recycling rainwater and it is testing a new heating system.
It involves a combination of slab in-floor heating on the main and basement floors, with electric baseboard heating on the second level.
Looking forward, Avalon Master Builder is seeking the right owner to partner on Discovery 6, along with SAIT and the Holmes Group. “The right person is somebody who’s interested in what we’re doing, has the same vision for the home that we do and really is passionate about the same things we are,” says Scott.
Avalon Master Builder will likely build the house in Wind Walk, a proposed community by Holmes near Okotoks.
For more information, visit avalonmasterbuilder.com/d5_about.html, or see a description of the Discovery 3 home at CMHC's website.

"Extras" Should Be Standard

Mike Holmes is known for going the extra mile for the people on his shows, but there are some "extras" that should be standard when it comes to contractors. One of those "extras" is taking due care of the homeowners' valuables before beginning a job. Making sure that valuables inside of the home are secure and aren't exposed to the elements should be a top priority for every good contractor. Read Mike's article, reposted from the Ottawa Citizen:

 

 

 

Contractor ‘extras’ should be standard

By Mike Holmes, The Ottawa Citizen November 7, 2012

 

Moving a homeowners’ belongings to a protected place before workers start on a home might seem like an extra, but should be standard.

Photograph by: The Holmes Group

People usually think the work of a contractor begins and ends with construction and building. That’s certainly a big part of it, but it’s not the whole story. A lot also goes into getting the job started.
Contractor extras are the details no one thinks of but what good contractors take care of. Sometimes the homeowners don’t even know how much work is involved.
When I get to a job site I immediately want to get to work — demolishing, restructuring, building. This is my ideal. But this isn’t what I always get.
Before anyone can swing a hammer I need to make sure the site is in the condition it needs to be so we’re working efficiently and safely. Safety is always my top priority. I hate pushing deadlines but will gladly do it if I can make sure no one gets hurt in the process. So we don’t start until the job site is clear and clutter-free.
Every good contractor has a code: Treat every house you work on like it’s your own. Take care of everything inside. That means moving the homeowners’ belongings out of the way and into a safe place where they will be protected. That way we don’t run the risk of damaging anything while we’re trying to work around it or trip over anything, potentially causing injury.
Some contractors will push everything into the basement, garage or a room the family doesn’t use much because it’s an easy temporary fix. But there are a couple of issues you run into if you decide to do that.
First, I know that nine jobs out of 10 I’m not going to be dealing with just one issue. I’m probably going to need to do some electrical, HVAC or plumbing work — or all three. These systems run all over the house. If one of my guys needs to look at ductwork that runs through a dining room and there’s furniture there, that’s going to delay his work.
And once one trade is delayed others will be, too. That’s extra time you’ll have to pay the trades, which drives up the cost of the job. I’d rather move everything out of the way where it’s not bothering anyone from day one.
We also have to think about the risks of leaving valuables inside. Renovations are known targets for burglaries. Criminals know that during major renovations homeowners usually don’t live in the house. So it’s not uncommon for homes to be vandalized during renovations. It’s usually not a big deal if there isn’t anything valuable inside. But if all your possessions are inside and not stored securely, you could lose it all.
Some contractors tell homeowners, “Go ahead. Put your stuff in the basement. Put your stuff in the garage. We’ll take care of it.” But they don’t. They don’t wrap up furniture and seal it properly. Next thing you know, they’re tearing down walls, pulling the roof off and exposing everything inside the house to the elements.
Imagine your whole life in a garage and basement. And I mean family photos, wedding clothes, furniture, books — imagine all that sitting there and no one caring about it. Do you think insurance is going to pay for everything that’s damaged? You think the contractors who do this are going to pay for it? Well, one way or another they’ll pay for it. I can promise you that.

I have to sleep at night. It matters to me who I am and what I need to do to finish my job and make it right. This is what separates the people who care from the people who don’t. Because anyone who cares about what they do does a good job not because they have to; they do it because they don’t know how to do it any other way.
I work with many wonderful people who care about what they do; people who actually want to help people in trouble and who pour their hearts and sweat into a job. I have people who work on long weekends just to get a job done when we say it’s going to be done or who will go to a job site in the middle of the night to make sure a tarp holds up during a storm. That’s integrity.
Some people might consider these acts as contractor extras. But good contractors know this is standard.
Catch Mike Holmes in his new series, Holmes Makes It Right, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on HGTV. For more information, visit hgtv.ca. For more information on home renovations, visit makeitright.ca.

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Holmes Makes It Right Episode 5 Teaser

On the next Holmes Makes It Right...



This episode will air on HGTV Canada on Tuesday, November 13, 2012. Holmes Makes It Right will premiere in the USA in early 2013.

Feel Better Soon, Mike...

Mike went on vacation to Costa Rica last week, but brought home a souvenir he hadn't planned on. From Mike's Facebook page:


I’m sick as dog. Just got back from Central America. If you’re travelling, please, take the proper medications and get the right vaccines. I’ve never been so sick in my life! I need to thank Wayne, the paramedic from British Columbia who helped me out. I couldn’t have received better advice. And I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to Ottawa for Skills Canada – I’ve never missed an event. But I’ll be there in January to make it right!


Even sick as a dog, Mike took a moment to remember those who are suffering even worse...


 I’ve been so sick, folks. But I’m back home and I’m getting the proper medical attention I need to get better. Those kids that live there in the developing world aren’t so lucky. We can help by making a donation to SOS Children’s Villages. Let’s send our support and help kids get the care they deserve! http://www.soschildrensvillages.ca/

You can read some more about Mike's work with SOS Children's Villages here:
Mike Holmes for SOS Children's Villages International

Let us be amongst the first to wish you a speedy recovery, Mike. Stay hydrated, take it easy, and watch lots of TV! Sometimes the flu is the best vacation we can hope for!!!

In this article, reposted from the Regina Leader Post, Mike Holmes talks about booster fans. When booster fans are used to solve a larger problem such as a bad furnace or improperly installed duct work, a booster fan will do you no good. Booster fans are cheap, but their uses are limited according to Mike. Read the article...

Duct fans don’t help poor air flow

By Mike Holmes, Regina Leader Post November 5, 2012

 

I was driving the other day when I heard an ad on the radio about duct booster fans. I couldn’t help but laugh. On a recent job we did the homeowner was having trouble with their HVAC so they called us in. They’d had an HVAC technician look at it. What was their solution? A duct booster fan. Did it work? No.

A duct booster fan — most people just call them booster fans — is a device that you can attach to your HVAC system’s ductwork. It’s supposed to increase airflow to rooms in your home that are far away from heating and cooling systems.

An example of a duct booster fan.

That’s why most technicians or homeowners will install them on long stretches of duct. So if you have a room in your house that’s always cold in winter and hot in summer the idea is that a booster fan can push air to that room.

The problem is when these devices are used to solve problems that an HVAC pro should solve. For example, let’s say your home’s ductwork or furnace is undersized, or your furnace needs to be replaced or maybe flex line was used instead of proper HVAC ducts.

If an HVAC technician recommends a duct booster fan when you have major issues like these going on it’s a cop out. Some people try to save money this way — it’s cheaper than a new furnace. But that’s a mistake.

An HVAC pro should examine the entire system and find the deficiency. There could be a disconnection somewhere in your ductwork. Or maybe the seams aren’t properly sealed. It might be that it has nothing to do with your HVAC and actually with your insulation. The point is a booster fan isn’t a one-cure-fits-all solution.

Duct booster fans are consumer products — at least in my experience. I don’t remember an HVAC professional using or recommending a duct booster fan on any job on which I’ve worked. The only reason you would want to install a booster fan is because the furnace is not blowing air to a specified area. But if you have a new furnace do you need to install a booster fan? No.

When is a booster fan a good solution? If you have a heating run that’s too long. Or if the exhaust venting for the drier needs to make a long stretch to the exterior. A booster fan will give you that extra push so the air can get to where it needs to go.

But if you want even distribution of airflow throughout your entire home, then even distribution of ductwork is what helps. That’s basic and it makes sense.

Ducts are like the veins of your house. They feed warm and cool air to all the areas in your home. You can’t expect proper airflow to every room if there’s no way of it getting there efficiently.

I’ve seen too many homes with 80 per cent of the ductwork on just one side of the house. And then you wonder why some rooms are always cold. The problem isn’t airflow. It’s the ductwork. And if that’s the problem, not even 10 booster fans will make a difference — just a lot of noise.

Booster fans are loud. They can sound like a jet engine is running in your basement. Some homeowners learn to cope with the noise. They’ll install the fan 20 feet from vents to minimize the sound from travelling. Other people can’t stand it.

Some people love booster fans. Others think they’re a waste of money. I think you have to be smart.

Booster fans are inexpensive. You can buy one for something like 60 or 70 bucks. I’ve even seen some for $25. Others can cost as much as $300. But like I’ve said a million times, you get what you pay for.

I can understand why some homeowners opt for a booster fan. When you compare $10,000 to replace ductwork to $60 for a booster fan, it’s no surprise which one most homeowners are going to choose. Not everyone has $10,000 lying around, especially not for something that’s going to be hidden in the walls. But if a booster fan can’t fix the problem I don’t care if it cost $2. It’s a waste of money.

Bottom line: The systems in your home should do their job. No one said doing it right was easy or cheap. I’ll be the first one to tell you it’s not. That’s why there’s so much crap everywhere. But doing it right is worth it. Why live uncomfortably if you don’t have to?

Catch Mike Holmes in his new series Holmes Makes It Right Tuesdays on HGTV. For more information, visit hgtv.ca. For more information on home renovations, visit makeitright.ca.

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

Interesting bit of news. According to this news release reposted from the Sacramento Bee, Mike launched a new streamlined website for those in search of advice regarding home inspections:

Mike Holmes Inspections launches new website

By Mike Holmes Inspections

Mike Holmes Inspections

Last modified: 2012-11-02T12:10:34Z

Published: Friday, Nov. 2, 2012 - 5:09 am

Copyright 2012 . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2012 -- /CNW/ - Mike Holmes Inspections is pleased to announce the re-launch of its website mikeholmesinspections.com, which streamlines all of its services into a single comprehensive interface.
"It's about making things easier for anyone coming to our website," stated Mike Holmes, President of Mike Holmes Inspections. "If they want to book an inspection, need information or want to learn about our services it's all there. It's simple. It's clear."
New resources available on the website include material on thermography, sample inspection reports, checklists, as well as information on the Inspection Diploma Program Mike Holmes introduced in partnership with Sault College.
"We focused on education," stated Ashley Shojaie, Head of Division for Mike Holmes Inspection. "Not enough homeowners realize the importance of home inspections and how they can be used to increase the value of their property. The website covers that."
Mike Holmes Inspections is also implementing new approaches that will make their service available in wider markets across Canada.
"Our edge isn't marketing or clever sales strategies," added Ashley Shojaie. "It's giving our clients more without all the gimmicks. We're in the business of helping homeowners and homebuyers make smart decisions that will save them money and protect their investment. It's really straightforward. We invest in services that increase value to our clients."
About Mike Holmes Inspections
Mike Holmes Inspections is an independent home inspection service company providing thorough, fair and educated assessments of building structures and systems by integrating advanced technologies with sophisticated industry techniques. It invests in the development and augmentation of industry standards through collaborations and third-party ventures with educational institutions and industry associations.
SOURCE Mike Holmes Inspections

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/02/4956657/mike-holmes-inspections-launches.html#storylink=cpy