New Allstate Commercial Featuring Mike Holmes - "Ike"

I've been seeing an edited version all over TV of the latest commercial featuring Mike Holmes from Allstate, but the full version is way better! It's the one I've been looking forward to seeing the most since Mike announced that he was a spokesman for the insurance company back in July. In the commercial Mike meets "Ike" the not-so-handy husband. Is it just me, or does Ike look rather familiar?



Pictures:

Recent Interviews With Mike Holmes

In the last couple of days, Mike Holmes has been doing a lot of interviews to promote the new season of Holmes Makes It Right on HGTV/Canada, and also to bring attention to the work he has been doing lately in the flood-devastated area of High River in Alberta.

Recently, Mike Holmes phoned in an interview with CBC Radio. In the interview, Mike confirms that he is filming an episode of Holmes Makes It Right in Alberta. He has made several trips to the region, and he is in the process of helping at least one family directly.

Edmonton AM | Aug 22, 2013 | 6:56
Holmes on High River homes

Celebrity TV host Mike Holmes of Make it Right was in southern Alberta helping flood victims assess damages to their homes. Hear his take on the situation.

To listen to the full interview, visit the CBC Radio website.





Mike Holmes also did a Q&A interview with HGTV/Canada's Tina Taus. In the interview, he stressed the importance for flood victims to have patience, because without patience things can only get worse, not better. He also reiterated that he is indeed filming one of his shows in Calgary.


From HGTV Canada:

Mike Holmes on Holmes Makes it Right, Calgary, and Future Plans

Posted by Tina Taus, Web Producer Tuesday, August 27, 2013 5:11 PM EDT
 

After over 10 years on HGTV Canada, Mike Holmes shows no signs of slowing down in his efforts to change an industry and make-it-right. I got to sit down with him to chat about the new episodes of Holmes Makes it Right, which kicks off tonight at 9pm. But, in the Q&A below, Mike also shared his advice for people devastated by the Calgary flood, and what plans he might have for the future.

Q&A with Mike Holmes:

Tina: Looking back over the last season of Holmes Makes it Right, what have you been most proud?

Mike Holmes: Actually my team.The guys are really the best team I have had in all these years. And finding the right talent was really hard to do, and it's not so much onscreen. It's funny because people will say, "Did you purposely pick a stunning group of characters?" Like all the women, when they see the whole crew, are like, "Oh my god, I want to marry that guy." But it's who they are, it's how much they love their job - that is the best thing for me.

T: What is the biggest surprise you have encountered doing this series?

MH: Timelines. Trying to stay on time in the show. It's been no different than all the years I've been doing this, and being so good at efficiency, especially after all the years, you'd think that I'd still be on time. But, we're catching up from the beginning of this… and getting caught up is everything, but all that means is working almost 7 days a week.

T: So what do you do when you're faced with a timeline you find hard to meet? Because you don't stop..

MH: No, there's no stopping. The guys don't get breaks, we just keep going. And that's what we have to do. And I tell them, look it, you're going to get Christmas off, and I'll try and find some down days, you can go away on Friday, and you can do this, I can't, but you know I'll try and fit it in that they can. Because I love them. I don't want to kill them all just from working too much. And you can really see it, the fatigue in some of their faces, it really takes a toll on them. So I'll say, ok you got next week off. But we need the man…to meet the timelines.

T: It's hard to help everyone, so do you have any advice for those people who've lost hope?

MH: Man, no matter what happens, it's all about slowing down and remembering, why are we here? Our kids, our lives, what is more important. Filming in Calgary right now is really big, because there's so many families that are begging for my help. But what's happening is, all this no patience is causing a huge effect. And they don't realize this. They're closing up their houses that are soaking wet. Imagine your basement's full, okay, so what do they do? They come in, they suck all that water out, they rip everything down. But what you're not really realizing is, one: the contaminated soil. And, two: the hydronics pressure that is against the foundation of your home; if the land is saturated with water, and so is your basement, everything's balanced out, if you look at it that way. But as soon as you pull that water out of the basement, now you have so much pressure against the foundation that foundations are caving in, their pushing in. So, again, moving too fast is a really bad thing.

To the other people that have water above the first floor and their home’s devastated, it’s coming down, they don't know what to do. They've got mortgage payments, they've got rental payments, whether or not they live in a trailer, they live at mom and dads, or they’re moving to somewhere else - There's been a storm heavily after the storm. And this is going to continue. This isn't just one storm, it's going to be bankruptcy, it's going to be total devastation where it comes to family spirit, you know, I call it divorce dust. You're going to see a lot of divorces after this. And then the aftermath of all this, a year from now, is going to be the people that moved in the wrong direction, that closed up their houses, are going to have nothing but problems. And they're not going to be able to sell their homes. This is going to be a massive problem in years to come. And again, why? Because everyone's running in the wrong direction.

T: So patience is key…

MH: Yes, I can't say it enough. If you don't have patience, you're going to have a problem.

T: You've been going now on HGTV Canada for over 10 years, but we don't see signs of slowing down, do you have plans?

MH: I do have some new plans. And there's no way to slow this down. And one thing I'm getting is, all the networks around the world want more shows. That's what their #1 thing is, we want more shows. So it's like, do I keep doing this, or should I change it? What makes sense. Because I'm downstairs talking on The Morning Show, and here I am talking to someone, I've been here so many times, and they just gutted their house, it's [from] 1938, and right away I say, “Did you get an air test? Did you check to see if there was asbestos in the plaster?” So I realize every time I seem to be talking on a show, there's things that people miss. So maybe I need to film something that I can do more of, and educate even more. And I've got some ideas on that, in other words the networks can have more shows, and the people will win by that. So that is something that I'm toying with right now and thinking of, and I don't even think they know it. But that's okay, that's what I've done for years. It's no different than Holmes on Holmes going to Holmes Inspection. I knew where I was going, and then moving to Holmes in New Orleans then Holmes Makes it Right. It's just an inevitable change I see that is necessary. But there's just no stopping this train, because what am I trying to do? I'm trying to change the industry. So that's a big accomplishment.

Watch Holmes Makes it Right – Tuesdays at 9.

Holmes Le Fait Bien

As most people know, Canada is a unique country in that it embraces two official languages -- English and French. A great deal of French-speaking Canadians reside in the province of Quebec, and in Quebec they have what I can only describe as a French version of HGTV. The network is called CASA (which ironically is Spanish for "home") and features a variety of shows pulled from HGTV, including none other than Holmes Makes It Right, which translated into French is "Holmes Le Fait Bien."

Here are some French-language promos for "Holmes Le Fait Bien"...






And here's one for "Inspection Holmes"...

"Holmes Makes It Right" Season Two Media Blitz

Mike Holmes was up early this morning doing a slew of TV and radio interviews to promote season two of Holmes Makes It Right. He also talked about the work he's been doing in Calgary to help the flood victims.

ONE-ON-ONE WITH MIKE HOLMES (GLOBAL NEWS)




Mike also did a full interview with the Global TV morning crew. In the interview, Mike discusses his recent work in High River, and how he's helping one family rebuild their home, as well as helping 500 other families through his company.




More updates to come as I find them :)

The 6 Tools Every Homeowner Needs

Mike Holmes is the king of home renovation, and being the man at the top of the heap, he is often asked the question "What tools should I have in my tool belt at home?" Mike Holmes believes there are six basic and essential tools that every homeowner needs to have. Even tasks as simple as hanging a picture on a wall need at least four of them. All tools range in price and quality, and choosing which ones are best for you require some thought as to how the tools will be used. In this article, Mike Holmes talks about the tools every homeowner needs, and gives some advice as to which ones he would recommend you buy for your own home.

 

 

From the Montreal Gazette:

Mike Holmes: Tools every homeowner needs

Even simple task of hanging a picture requires at least four of them

By Mike Holmes, Postmedia News August 21, 2013

After a decade, Mike Holmes still cares because he knows the work he, his crew and others do makes a real difference to the people they help.

Photograph by: Alex Schuldt/The Holmes Group, Postmedia News

My dad used to say, “Mike, if you’re going to do something, do it right the first time.” Part of that is having the right tools.
Every once in a while, someone will ask me what tools they should have in their home. And even though I’m not a big fan of DIY, there are basic things every homeowner needs to do around the house that requires a few tools, like putting furniture together or hanging things on your wall.
What are the essentials? For me it comes down to practicality because a tool is only as good as the person holding it. So you don’t want to overwhelm yourself with tools you might (or should) never use. That’s how some accidents happen!
But there are a few key tools that I think every homeowner should have in their tool box, which are pretty simple and straightforward to use.
TAPE MEASURE: A tape measure is probably one of the most important tools you can have. You need it for all kinds jobs, big and small.
If you’re buying blinds you need a tape measure to know the length and width of your windows. If you’re buying furniture you need to make sure it fits in the appropriate space — not to mention through the door!
Even hanging pictures is easier — and looks a lot better — if you use a tape measure to help make sure they’re centred.
You want a tape measure that’s at least 16 feet (about five metres) long and ¾ of an inch (about two centimetres) wide. That let’s you support it with one hand when it’s extended, which makes it easier for you.
LEVEL: Every pro knows just how crucial a level is. Have you ever hung a crooked photo? It can bother you the entire time it’s up. Most jobs around the home require a level, like installing a flat screen television, putting up shelves and hanging pictures.
Get a level that’s at least three feet (about one metre) long. And, for durability, a metal level is best. You can also use a virtual level on a mobile app — although I prefer the real thing — or a hands-free laser level.
DRILL: Most homeowners can get away with not having a drill for a while. But sooner or later they’re going to need one. A cordless drill is more convenient but replacing the batteries can get expensive. Plus a drill you have to plug in is also cheaper.
The great thing about drills is that they work as a multi tool. By replacing the bits (attachments), you can use a drill to sand, make different size holes, grind metal, remove rust and mix paint, grout, thinset and mortar.
STUD FINDER: No, this isn’t a dating service — although it might just be a matter of time before it is. A stud finder helps you locate the wood framing behind your drywall.
Why should you know this? For one, you don’t want to accidentally cut into your framing.
But more importantly, if you’re hanging something heavy, like a big canvas painting, glass frame, television or a shelf that will need to support some weight on it, you want to make sure it’s secure and screwed into something solid, like a wood stud.
If you just screw into drywall there’s a good chance what you put up can come crashing down.

SCREWDRIVER: Your best bet is getting a screwdriver set, because it’s frustrating when you want to do a simple job, like screwing in a light switch, but you don’t have the right screwdriver to do it.
To avoid a situation like this make sure you have a flat and Phillips-head screwdriver in different sizes. And get a Robertson head — made in Canada you know! The magnetic tips are really convenient because they hold the different tips in place.
HAMMER: No tool box is complete without a hammer. Hammers come in different shapes and sizes. You want one that is easy for you to manoeuvre, that you use for various tasks and that you’re comfortable swinging.
My personal favourite is the Stiletto because the weight is properly balanced, it’s light and powerful — you don’t need much force to hammer something in. But it’s expensive. The average homeowner wouldn’t need one for the kinds of tasks they’d be doing.
It’s surprising how many different tools you need to do something simple like putting up a picture — at least four of the ones I mentioned (tape measure, level, stud finder and hammer). But even the simplest jobs can be messed up without the proper tools. So make sure your tool box is fully equipped to make it right.
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 Montreal Gazette

New Holmes Makes It Right Cast Photo

I love this...


What an awesome bunch!

Mike Holmes: Tear Down Mold-Ridden Homes and Start Over

Mike Holmes was in the flood-devastated town of High River yesterday, once again using his clout as a celebrity home renovator to try to influence government representatives to do the right thing. Many of the homes affected by the June 20 flood are damaged beyond repair according to Mike, and he's hoping that officials such as Rick Fraser, Associate Minister of Regional Recovery and Reconstruction will agree with him. From the article, I gleaned that Mike is in High River filming one of his shows.

From the National Post:

Mike Holmes calls for mold-ridden homes to be torn down after devastating High River flood

 

Jen Gerson | 13/08/21 | Last Updated: 13/08/21 6:47 PM ET

Jen Gerson/National PostTV personality and home renovator Mike Holmes talks to the media in Calgary, Tuesday, August 20, 2013. There’s a lot of damage in High River, Holmes said after meeting with Hampton Hills residents and the minister for rebuilding the area, Rick Fraser.

 

His home had been sitting in several feet of water for four weeks before John Badduke was able to return. He had 15 minutes to pack a pick-up truck with his family’s belongings — most of which were so mold-ridden they had to be trashed.
When he looked in his backyard, he found TV personality Mike Holmes.

"If it’s not diamonds, leave it and walk away"

“He just happened to be walking in my backyard and I thought I’d ask him some questions and get some knowledge,” Mr. Badduke said. Mr. Holmes was filming his home renovation and repair show nearby and had come around to the flood-ravaged community of Hampton Hills to assess the damage caused by June’s floods.
“His thing was this: the house is so full of mold and structurally unsound. Don’t go in, he said: if it’s not diamonds, leave it and walk away. It’s not good.”

Lorraine Hjalte / Postmedia News fileThe view into Hampton Hills in High River on June 29, 2013. how much water still needs to be cleaned up. Evacuees were lining up to try to get back to their homes in High River on June 29, 2013.

Mr. Badduke knew right then that his home was lost. Like almost all of the structures in this community located on the fringe of the town of High River, the damage is so extensive, he won’t walk inside. This suburb was built so far from the river that it was never marked as a potential risk on the flood maps. Now, peach, black and white mold have plastered everything in his garage; mold is growing on the floor joists. It’s under the laminate and behind the siding. His floor is sagging. And Mr. Holmes has made himself an uncommon ally for residents here, mediating a talk between devastated homeowners and the provincial government during a meeting between the two this week.

“[Mike Homes] said as soon as you have water on your main floor, you’re done,” Mr. Badduke said. He had three feet of water on his main floor: seven feet filled his garage. Mold now covers the line of trophy deer antlers that decorate the roof beams of the carport.
Yet Hampton Hills is far from idle: government contractors hired in a rapid no-bid contract are donning respirators and head-to-toe white suits to clean the homes out — an action that remains baffling to residents. Why spend the time and money to clean houses that will almost certainly have to be demolished?

Jen Gerson / National PostA worker walks outside a flood-stricken home in Hampton Hills, a suburb of High River on Aug. 20. Residents of the neighbourhood are fighting to have their homes torn down as, they say, the residences are too mold-ridden to remediate.

Residents were told on Tuesday that that’s just part of the process: the buildings have to be cleared before they can be assessed by another private company — Landlink — which manages the province’s disaster relief fund. Landlink is expected to begin assessments on the homes in the coming days.

"PLEASE don’t make me sleep in the basement Daddy"

Meanwhile, two months after the flood, residents are growing more frustrated and desperate, many stretched thin financially as they pay rent on their temporary housing along with the remaining mortgages on their now-worthless homes. Many of the residents just want the government to demolish their homes, pay them out and be done with it. One resident purchased a large white sign and hung it on the second storey of his home to emphasize the potential dangers of moving back in: “PLEASE don’t make me sleep in the basement Daddy…I’m too young to die.”
There’s a lot of damage in High River, Mr. Holmes said after meeting with Hampton Hills residents and the minister for rebuilding the area, Rick Fraser.

Lorraine Hjalte / Postmedia News file Rick Fraser, Associate Minister of Regional Recovery and Reconstruction was on hand on August 8, 2013 as about 60 families started to move into the temporary neighbourhood of Saddlebrook.

“I also noticed that … there was worry: are they going to fix my house? Is my house going to come down? I know some of the houses I saw have to come down, but just because I say it doesn’t mean anything. It needs to be verified, it needs to be documented,” Mr. Holmes said.
The celebrity was filming one of his home improvement shows nearby and gave his opinion about the situation while being filmed by TV crews and news cameras alike.

The Holmes Group file TV personality and home renovator Mike Holmes

“There’s only one solution to all of this and that’s patience. And it’s a real shame and I feel for the people because how would you like to be kicked out of your house, lose everything you have and still have a mortgage to pay and now you’ve gotta pay rent if you don’t have a place to go and you have kids. I get that. You don’t even have a pillow for them. You gotta buy a pillow,” he said.
Mr. Holmes said the government was moving in the right direction, but everyone needed to improve their communication; it’s appropriate to clean out the worst-hit homes to get a better sense of the damage before deciding whether they’ll be condemned.
But that still leaves Hampton Hills residents in limbo.
“If the home is uninhabitable because of its mold damage, the mold damage is too high or there are structural deficiencies, those homes will be demolished and rebuilt under the [Disaster Recovery Program]. But each home has to undergo an assessment and we have a group that will be starting tomorrow,” Mr. Fraser said, adding the government has asked the company to move faster and hire more people. However, “we don’t have a timeline.”
In the meantime, Hampton Hills residents walked away from Tuesday’s meeting placated. Now they know someone is coming to tell them the fate of their homes. They’re just not yet sure quite when.

Mike Holmes: Flood-Affected Homes in High River Should Be Torn Down

In June of 2013, Calgary, Alberta Canada was hit with a massive flood, which devastated the town of High River and the surrounding areas. Mike Holmes initially toured the flood damaged areas, and has since pledged his support to the recovery effort.

In this Global News story, Mike Holmes is using his power and influence to put pressure on officials such as Recovery and Restoration Minister Rick Fraser to "make it right" for the people of High River. He argues that you can't fix a home where waters have exceeded the basement into the first floor of the home, and if you try to, you'll have problems with the house forever. Instead, the recovery funds should be used to tear down and rebuild those homes severely effected.

To view the accompanying video, please visit the Global News page.

From Global News.ca:

Mike Holmes calls for flood-affected homes to be torn down
By Jill Croteau and Tamara Elliott Global News

CALGARY- The flood-devastated town of High River is getting some high-profile help.
It’s been two months since the June flood, but thousands are still out of their homes—which the government has been telling residents not to tear down.
“It drives you crazy. Purgatory is how I describe it,” says resident Lisa Szabon-Smith. “This is hard. We’re expecting our first child and we’re trying to focus on the home we were going to bring him to, [but] every time we ask the government questions we’re patronized.”
Fortunately, homeowners now have an ally in the man who has made a career rescuing people from damaged homes—Mike Holmes.
“When the water has exceeded into the first floor of the home, that home should come down,” says the HGTV host. “There is no fixing that. I don’t care what anyone says, you can’t fix it.”
He adds that starting over is the only option, for some badly-damaged homes.
“Take it down, build it smarter. If you try and fix it, you’re going to have problems.”
Residents are meeting with officials about remediation and recovery, and say they just want to move forward.
“I do it all day long,” complains homeowner Sarah Bruinsma. “I neglect my children, I neglect my job, because I still have a house that is unsafe that I can’t take my children to.”
Affected residents are requesting a lump sum payment from the government, so they have the financial freedom to make a decision about the future of their homes.

Pictures (from the video):

Mike Holmes Bio - Revised!

Hey everyone, please check out the Holmes Spot's Mike Holmes Biography. It's newly revised, with some corrected factual errors and lots and lots of new information! I've even got a few exclusive pictures in there. I won't say how I obtained them, but they're there, so when I see them floating around the internet, I'll know where you stole them from! :)

Enjoy!

Having Trouble Hiring A Contractor?

I love this article! Mike's articles are usually right on the money, but this one I can particularly vouch for. I'm not a contractor in the same vein as Mike, but I do meet with clients and give them bids. I show clients my portfolio and quote them a price for the work they want, and if the client and I see eye to eye, I get the job. I don't build houses for a living -- no. I work with clients who are probably even more stressed out than the people Mike has worked for. I work in the wedding industry, and my clients are mostly brides-to-be and their mothers. And you know what? Sometimes, I turn down clients. If I think a client is going to be more trouble than she's worth, I won't work for her. I don't need to be put through the stress of someones wedding, and deliver a product that I know she's not going to be satisfied with. Or if I think a client is going to be unreasonable demanding or abusive to me as a professional, I'll politely pass. In this article, Mike explains how when you talk to a contractor, you're not the only one doing the interviewing. If you're meeting with a good contractor, chances are that contractor is going to be booked for weeks and can afford to be selective. So if you're talking to a lot of contractors and realize that your phone calls aren't being returned, perhaps you should do so introspection. Are you being reasonable and realistic with your demands, budget, and schedule? If not, you risk getting yourself in a bad situation.


From the National Post:

Mike Holmes: Trouble hiring a contractor? Take a look in the mirror

 

Most homeowners think that when they talk to contractors for a potential job that they’re the only ones doing the interviewing. But don’t be fooled — the contractor is interviewing you, too.
Good contractors are booked weeks, sometimes months, in advance. That means they can be picky about the contracts they accept and the homeowners they work with.
If they’re going to reject other offers to work on your project, you better believe they’re going to be smart about how they invest their time. They want to be proud of their work and what they do. But more important, they want to make their clients happy.
Good contractors want to work for people who appreciate their work (I love the hugs I get at the end of a job!). As a contractor, there’s nothing worse than working your butt off for months only to have an unhappy homeowner at the end.
If a contractor can tell within the first five minutes that it is unlikely they can make you happy, they’ll move on. Why get into a bad relationship? Because that’s what it is when you hire a contractor — a relationship. There has to be communication, respect and trust.
If you’re having trouble hiring the right contractor, you might need to rethink your approach. Because sometimes the problem isn’t the contractors, it’s you. Here are some warning signs:
Contractors don’t call you back. If you’ve asked a dozen contractors for quotes but only two call you back, the others are either too busy or don’t want the job. It could be the way you speak to them. Or you might have unrealistic expectations about the work, the budget, the schedule — or all of the above.
You want stuff done that goes against code. A smart contractor will not accept any contract where the work breaks municipal bylaws or goes against code. If they do, they’re no good and you’re asking for trouble. I once had a client that wanted their sump pump to drain on the other side of their property by digging and running a pipe across 20 feet. That goes against code because it could freeze and burst in the winter. We have building codes for a reason. Contractors who break them don’t have your best interest in mind.
You don’t budge on your schedule. Good contractors can’t start the next week. In most cases, the contractors that are readily available are usually the ones to avoid. In a good contractor-client relationship, both sides will accommodate each other’s schedules as best they can to facilitate the project.
You’re confrontational from the get-go. A few home renovation shows (and I won’t mention which ones) have made some homeowners edgy and mistrustful of contractors. This is good in moderation, but at the same time you have to be respectful. Remember, respect is a two-way street. You have to give it to get it.
You ask for extras but don’t want to pay. Good work isn’t cheap or free. You’ve heard the saying: “You get what you pay for.” It’s one thing for a contractor to throw in better cabinet handles or not charge for a certain step in a job, such as sanding. But it’s just bad etiquette to ask your contractor to paint your living room and family room for free, when they were hired to do your kitchen.
You don’t let the contractor talk. You’re hiring a contractor because he or she is (or should be) the expert. Your job is to do the research, ask the right questions and listen. But I’ve met homeowners who don’t let me get a word in. That tells me three things: 1. They think they are the experts; 2. They don’t trust my skill; 3. They’ll be questioning me on everything every step of the way. Who would want to work for somebody like that?
Asking a contractor why they do things a certain way is necessary. But telling them how to do their job isn’t. If you don’t trust their work, don’t hire them. Otherwise you risk getting into a bad situation — for you and the contractor.
—Catch Mike Holmes in his 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.

Totally Random Video of Mike Holmes Riding a Horse

I have absolutely no context or story behind this video. It's a recently uploaded video on YouTube entitled "Xavier teaching Mike Holmes to jump a horse!"  I thought it was interesting. Obviously Mike's a quick learner, because the user also posted a video of Mike jumping on his own! Be careful Mike! That second one looked a little scary and we need your neck firmly intact!

"Welcome Home" HGTV Promo Featuring Mike Holmes

HGTV Canada just released a new promo ad for their fall lineup featuring Mike Holmes and several other HGTV Canada stars, including Scott McGillivray, Bryan Baeumler, and Sarah Richardson.

More Allstate Videos From Mike Holmes

As most fans know, Mike Holmes has become an official spokesperson for Allstate and has been doing commercials and short videos about home maintenance for the insurance giant.

In this latest installment from Allstate as part of their Good Life Campaign, Mike Holmes shows homeowners how to maintain the exterior of their home, check bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, choose better building materials, inspect gutters, and keep the roof in good condition. As Mike Holmes says in the videos, a healthy life includes a healthy home, and Allstate's Good Life Campaign is geared at helping homeowners take the simple steps to better maintain the health and safety of their homes.











Pictures:

Season Two of Holmes Makes It Right on HGTV Canada

Season two of Holmes Makes It Right premieres on HGTV Canada on August 27, 2013.

Win it Right!

There are quite a few contests going on right now having to do with Mike and his show which just premiered on the DIY network in the United States Holmes Makes It Right. First, if you have a Facebook page, you can "like" the Holmes Makes It Right fanpage and enter to win a bucket of swag.

From the contest page:



To celebrate the launch of our new series Holmes Makes It Right premiering on DIY Network in the USA - Mike is giving away 3 buckets filled with HOLMES Gear. Enter for your chance to win!
Each bucket contains:
• 1 Pair of Holmes Workwear™ Safety Eyewear
• 1 Pair of Holmes Workwear™ Work Gloves
• 1 Holmes Workwear™ Jacket
• The Holmes Inspection Book
• Kitchens and Bathrooms Book
• Make It Right® Hammer Multi-Tool
• Make It Right® T-Shirt
Approx Value: $150

CONTEST CLOSES: SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 at 11:59PM





The next contest is sponsored by Shaw Media. They're giving away a chance to meet Mike and visit him and his crew on a Holmes Makes It Right jobsite. The prize package includes airfare to Toronto, hotel accomidations, and $250 in spending money. Pretty sweet prize package!

From the Shaw contest page:

Put on your best tool belt, because you could be on your way to meet HGTV star, Mike Holmes. Shaw Friends can enter to win a trip for two to Toronto to visit Mike Holmes on the set of Holmes Makes It Right and have lunch with Mike and his crew.
Enter before August 31, 2013 for your chance to win.
           

Prize includes

• exclusive visit to see Holmes Makes It Right on location
• have lunch with Mike and his crew
• airfare for two to Toronto
• two nights' hotel accommodation
• $250 spending money

Contest runs August 1 through August 31. You must enter no later than August 31 for a chance to win.
Don't miss a new season of Holmes Makes It Right, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning August 27, only on HGTV.
Learn more about eligibility and complete rules and regulations

The last contest isn't really a contest per se, but a chance to submit a question to Mike Holmes via HGTV Canada. HGTV Canada is asking users to submit their queries via their Facebook page or email.

From the HGTV Canada Facebook page:

 If you could ask Mike Holmes one question, what would it be?

Send us your question either via comment below or to webmaster@hgtv.ca for a chance to have it answered. Stay tuned to see if your question is answered on http://www.hgtv.ca/!

Tale of the Sword

I posted this video last year, but because it has to do with tonight's episode of Holmes Makes It Right on the DIY Network tonight, I thought I'd post it again.

Tonight's episode is first run in the US. This webisode "Tale of the Sword" gives some cool background information on the sword in the stone located at the entrance of the Jamie Bell Adventure Playground in High Park.




Mike and his crew certainly left their mark when they rebuilt that castle!
 
(Picture by Belinda Cooling)

Building Castles

For US fans, tomorrow is a brand new episode of Holmes Makes It Right on the DIY network. Tomorrow's episode is called "Building Castles" and it's something the Holmes Spot covered very closely last year. In May of 2012, Mike Holmes met with the residents of High Park to discuss the rebuilding of the beloved Jamie Bell Adventure Playground in High Park, which had been burned down by an arsonist in March of that year. In July of 2012, Mike Holmes and crew battled through record breaking temperatures to complete the castle. Members of the community and the Toronto Fire Department pitched in as well to help shovel wood chips and complete the castle. After a successful community build day, the park reopened to hundreds of happy children and their parents, many of whom had grown up playing in the original castle that had been destroyed. The episode was most definitely one of Mike's favorite from the season, and he held a live chat specifically about the episode on location from one of his builds as "Building Castles" premiered in Canada in October of 2012.

For more information about tomorrow night's episode of Holmes Makes It Right, visit some of the following Holmes Spot blog entries from last year, which covered the rebuild. This is not an exhaustive list due to the fact that the Holmes Spot so closely covered the story as it broke last year.


Mike Holmes Helps to Rebuild Jamie Bell Adventure Playground in Toronto
Jamie Bell Adventure Playground in High Park Grand Re-Opening
The Build Begins For the Jamie Bell Adventure Playground
Mike and Crew Down To The Wire On Jamie Bell Playground Rebuild
Jamie Bell Adventure Park Rebuild Comes To A Close With Community Build Day
Building Castles
Jamie Bell Adventure Playground Community Build - YouTube Videos
More videos from the Jamie Bell Adventure Playground Grand Re-Opening, July 13
More Pictures and Video From The Jamie Bell Adventure Playground Community Build

This Isn't Funny... But It's Kind of Funny

So, I think I might be a witch, or maybe a prophet, or maybe some sort of prophetic witch. One of my friends shared this picture with me from Damon Bennett's Twitter feed...



I don't mean to laugh... I mean, under normal circumstances someone wearing a cast wouldn't be funny at all. But given Mike's birthday present exactly one week ago today, I'm finding this a little ironic. No word has come back yet if MJ is available to saw off Damon's cast with a chainsaw.

On a serious note, The Holmes Spot wishes Damon a speedy recovery and all the best :)

When I think saunas, I think post-workout at the gym. It just boggles my mind to think that saunas are a luxury item people are actually putting in their homes! A sauna of course is a very warm, very moist room. We all know by now that when you mix warm with moist it's the perfect recipe for mold. In this article, Mike Holmes talks about the proper procedure for installing a home sauna. He stresses the importance of using mold resistant products and properly installation, which includes making sure the room is sealed appropriately and is properly vented so that the warm moist air doesn't escape into any non-sauna areas.

 

 

From the Ottawa Citizen:

Sauna essentials

Mould- and moisture-resistant products are a must for installation

By Mike Holmes, CD Out - All August 7, 2013

 

Saunas, like the one in the 2012 CHEO Dream Home, need to be properly installed to control moisture.

Photograph by: JULIE OLIVER, OTTAWA CITIZEN

For Postmedia News
Mike Holmes: If you’re thinking of installing a sauna, mould- and moisture-resistant products are a must.
Some health professionals say using a sauna can help with arthritis pain, circulation and getting rid of toxins. I don’t know much about that. But what I do know is that some downtime in a sauna feels awesome.
The problem with building a sauna for your home is that it can cause mould and other moisture issues if the proper precautions and building methods aren’t followed. It must be properly sealed, waterproofed and ventilated. If you can’t afford to do it right, it’s not worth the risk.
Saunas are made to make you sweat. That means a lot of heat and extra moisture and humidity. All that moisture needs to go somewhere — but not in your walls. That’s why a tight seal and proper ventilation is crucial between your sauna and your home.
Building a sauna as an addition or along an outer wall lets the moisture and humidity escape directly to the exterior. But if the sauna is built inside your home, such as the basement, moisture can get (and stay) inside your walls.
Only mould- and moisture-resistant products should be used in the entire construction of a sauna — both inside the sauna and the area outside. You should treat it like a shower in a bathroom.
Every time that sauna door opens — and it should swing out, not in — heat and moisture escape. Where they escape to needs to be ventilated. (It’s illegal for a sauna door to swing in. If someone gets injured or dizzy, they must be able to fall out of the sauna to avoid staying trapped inside.)
One way to stop moisture getting inside your home is by building a sauna as a separate structure on your property — similar to where you might put a shed. But depending on your municipality, it can be considered an accessory structure, so check with city planning. Make sure you’re allowed to have a sauna on your property and that it abides by local codes.
You’ll also need to run wiring or gas lines if you build your sauna outside. If you want to add a shower that means plumbing. All of that adds to the cost, which isn’t great if you’re on a tight budget.
There are wet saunas and dry saunas — both produce a lot of humidity and both need waterproof floors. The only difference is that in wet saunas you pour water over volcanic rocks that sit on top of a heat source. The water vaporizes immediately when it hits the rocks, and that produces the steam.
The most popular heat source for saunas nowadays is electricity. But there are also wood, gas and infrared saunas. If you go with gas, it needs proper ventilation and a carbon monoxide detector. If you go with wood, you’ll need a chimney. And if you choose infrared, it can only be a dry sauna, not a wet one.
If you want to avoid humid air, which is always a safe bet, far-infrared heaters are the top choice. But they’re also the most expensive — go figure! That’s why most infrared saunas use low- or medium-infrared panels.
All three kinds of infrared panels emit infrared light that feels like heat. But far-infrared heaters heat only the body, not the air. Their panels stay cool, too. This is not the case with low- and medium-infrared panels, which heat the air inside the sauna and can get hot.

There’s a lot that goes into building a sauna the right way so it doesn’t cause problems in your home. That’s why you should hire a pro with plenty of experience building saunas. Don’t hire a deck or fence guy.
A pro will know to use Roxul insulation, not foam board or spray foam, which can off-gas dangerous chemicals in high temperatures. They will install specially certified sauna lights that are safe for hot and humid conditions, and build your sauna using clean cedar without knots, which hold onto heat and can burn you. Plus, cedar won’t discolour, swell or shrink as much as other woods, and it stays a lot cooler.
But it all starts with educating yourself, knowing your options and the various things to watch out for. Because some people might like it hot, but not everyone can take the heat.
Catch Mike Holmes in 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.

A Case of the Shingles

Yesterday was the US premiere of Mike's latest show, Holmes Makes It Right. It's been a long wait, as the show officially premiered in Canada in October of 2012. US fans have been real troopers and in my opinion haven't been given the proper credit and thanks they deserve for putting up with ever-changing tentative dates, a void in communication, and what some have perceived to be a lack of sincere interest in US fans. It's been quite the bumpy ride for loyal US fans these last ten months, but for all those who have been brave enough to hold on, the payoff has been sweet.

As I've said a couple of times now, I cheated a little bit and found some episodes of Holmes Makes It Right online last November and watched them for the purposes of reviewing the show for the Holmes Spot, so neither the show nor the episode "A Case of the Shingles" was 100 percent new to me. Being the avid fan that I am, I'm suffering from a severe case of deja vu on Mike's facebook page and website (just go back to October of last year, and you'll see why). A lot of repeated content that's new for probably many of Mike's Facebook followers, but a familiar echo to the loyal fans. Fortunately though, with the US premiere of Holmes Makes It Right, the Holmes Group appears to have reserved some content for this very day. The promos may be repeats, but a few new behind the scenes photos have been posted via Mike's Facebook page. They're either new, or perhaps I just don't remember seeing them, in which case, they're new to the Holmes Spot! There's also a contest on the Holmes Makes It Right Facebook page for a bucket of Holmes swag. It's open to both the US and Canada residents, excluding Quebec. Poor Quebec.

The promo:



Pictures from Mike's Facebook pages: