Holmes knows homes, so when Mike put his stamp of approval on Calgary builder Lifestyle Homes, it was as good as gold. They even put him on the front page of their website. The Holmes brand signifies quality and trust, two values the Canadian company chooses to embrace. In this recent promo for Lifestyle Holmes, Mike speaks of his endorsement of the builder and how they are different from other builders.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
That's a Mighty Fine Lookin' Billboard
A billboard in Alberta, Canada...
Glad I don't live there. I'd probably drive right off the freeway.
Happy Saturday! :)
Friday, September 28, 2012
PinkWood Saves The Day
This article is only tangentially related to Mike Holmes, but I thought it was interesting. In Calgary, Canada, a condo complex caught on fire (try to say that 5x fast). Fortunately for the people who owned the units, the complex used a new and unique building material, PinkWood, to frame the townhouses. PinkWood is fire retardant, and creates an endothermic (heat absorbing/cooling) reaction when exposed to fire. The result? "'No homeowners lost their home,' says Ian Nash, vice-president for Brookfield Homes Alberta Housing. 'No one was injured. No homeowners were displaced.'”
As the article briefly states, Mike Holmes endorses PinkWood. It's a product he uses and vouches for.
See related Holmes Spot blog entries:
Treated wood seen as helping contain fire
By Claire Young, Calgary Herald
Firefighters investigate the aftermath of an early morning fire Sept. 16 at a condo complex under construction in McKenzie Towne. The fire started in Brookfield Homes' Mosaic Mirage, a townhome project totalling 286 units. Of the units burned, 14 had been sold. Changes to the building and fire codes may have helped contain the damage or spread of the fire. The company used PinkWood fire-retardant sheeting (click on the photo for our three-picture tour). Photograph by: Calgary Herald , Files
Brookfield Homes is working with 14 buyers whose units were damaged in a fire that burned three buildings and 22 units at a condo complex under construction in McKenzie Towne.
The three-alarm fire started early Sept. 16 in Brookfield Homes’ Mosaic Mirage, a townhome project totalling 286 units. Of the units burned, 14 had been sold.
“No homeowners lost their home,” says Ian Nash, vice-president for Brookfield Homes Alberta Housing. “No one was injured. No homeowners were displaced.”
Brookfield contacted all home purchasers by 6 a.m. last Sunday to apprise them of the fire.
The sales team individually called each buyer and is working with them on a case-by-case basis to decide “what is best for them,” says Nash.
“(Our purchasers) were so caring, so understanding, so considerate,” says Nash. “It really shows the human spirit and how people can come together in times of challenge.”
Investigators were recently on site. An estimate on the total cost of damage is being determined by the insurance adjusters.
“It’s going to be a while before we can compile that number,” says Nash.
Changes to the building and fire codes may have helped contain the damage or spread of the fire, the cause of which is under police investigation. “One of the new things that came into this latest fire code was the exterior fire-retardant sheeting. We used PinkWood there. It’s for protection during construction,” says Nash.
PinkWood is a Calgary-made coating for wooden building materials that provides protection from fire, mould, fungus and rot.
It is endorsed by TV celebrity renovator Mike Holmes.
“One of the other things that was in the old code as well was the drywall in between units,” says Nash.
“The assembly is a one-hour fire rated assembly — that’s once the units have been drywalled and taped. The three buildings (that burned) were at three different stages of construction, so they all performed differently.”
The exterior vinyl siding melted, which was to be expected, he says.
“People think it’s the last layer on the exterior of a building that provides protection, but vinyl, itself, shrinks and falls off. It’s the fire protection underneath it that achieves the rating.
“Vinyl is neither good nor bad. It’s just what we choose to put on the outside of some of our buildings. It’s the fire protection underneath, which is the PinkWood on the outside and inside the units, it’s the assembly with the drywall.”
Nash expressed the company’s appreciation to Calgary’s fire and police departments for their response during the incident.
“We’re a builder and we like to build homes,” he says. “The sooner we can wrap everything up and get back to business as usual, that’s what we want to do — and look after our purchasers first.”
Visit pinkwood.ca.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Termites: Killing Your Home Softly
If you live in an area that is susceptible to termites, this article, reposted Canada.com, should be of great interest to you. Termites are of course those little nasty critters that use the wood that makes up the bulk of your house for food. They have a special enzyme in their digestive tracts that can break down cellulose into carbohydrates, which is a sugar used for energy. Yuck. Unfortunately, because termites eat wood from the inside out, it's hard to know you have a problem until you REALLY have a problem. It's a much better idea to prevent infestations of wood devouring critters by using pressure treated wood where appropriate, pest resistant building materials such as Bluwood, and preventing moisture problems by fixing leaks and keeping downspouts clean and clear of debris.
Are termites killing your home softly?
Mike Holmes surveys damage caused by termites in a residential home and looks for other signs of infestation, such as discarded wings, hollow sounding wood and termite droppings.Photograph by: Handout, The Holmes Group
Living on Canadian soil has its benefits, such as world-class resources, a robust economy and workforce and nature's playground in our own backyard. Another huge benefit - especially as a contractor and homeowner - is something that our soil doesn't have: a lot of termites.
That's not to say we're termite free. But for now, termites aren't a big issue for the majority of Canada. They are in the US. And the more south you go the worse it is. So any affected areas in Canada are going to be pretty close to the border.
Where are they?
There are some areas in southern Ontario (including Toronto), Winnipeg, southern Alberta and southern British Columbia - including Vancouver - that have been known to have termites. But you need to do your research. Every area is different.
I always say never ignore your environment. If you're building in an area that's known to have termites there are construction measures you can take. In fact, according to most local building codes these construction measures are a must.
Building against termites
First, all stumps, roots and wood debris needs to be removed to a minimum depth of 300 mm (113/4 inches) under the building. Then, there should be a minimum clearance of 450 mm (173/4 inches) between structural wood elements and the ground below them.
If you live in an area where foundations are insulated there needs to be a metal or plastic barrier between the insulation and finished materials. This stops termites from passing through or behind insulation.
Structural wood supported by anything directly touching soil needs to be PT, or pressure-treated, with a chemical that's toxic to termites. If the vertical clearance between wood elements and the ground is less than 150 mm (or 5 inches) they need to be pressure-treated with a preservative that makes them resistant to decay.
The same goes for any wood exposed to precipitation and can accumulate moisture. BluWood is a good example of a product that protects lumber from moisture, mould, rot and - you guessed it - termites.
Why is it important to make sure wood elements are resistant to decay? Because termites - and other insects, like carpenter ants - need soft wood to tunnel through to create passageways and nests.
But unlike carpenter ants, termites will actually eat the wood - and not just wood. They'll feed on all cellulose-based material, including books, boxes, furniture and drywall. And because termite colonies are hard workers - working non-stop 24 hours a day - they can do a lot of damage in not a lot of time.
Termite clues
The damage termites wreak on homes is a direct result of their eating habits. The products we use to build homes just happen to be on their menu. But homeowners rarely see the damage happening because termites eat wood from the inside out. So you usually don't know you have a termite problem until it's really serious. But there are clues.
For example, if you find wood in your home that sounds hollow when you tap it there's a pretty good chance it is hollow. Termites make wood look like swiss cheese on the inside until there's nothing left but dust - or at least what you think is dust. Ever wonder what termite-poop looks like? It actually looks like sawdust - go figure. Makes sense for something that eats wood. By the way, the technical term is frass - not termite-poop. (I don't want to get more angry emails.)
You should also keep a lookout for cracked or bubbling paint and mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams or in crawl spaces. Also look for discarded wings. Some people are surprised to know that termites have wings. But they drop them once they find a good place to nest.
Also be careful of any swarms of winged insects that disappear after a while. It could be termites looking for a good place to nest. And if the swarm is followed by a lot of discarded wings you know they've found one.
If you think your home could have termites your best bet is to call a professional pest inspector. They know exactly what to look for and how to find it. They'll use a combination of probing, tapping and listening techniques to find termites - some even use fibre optic scopes that can peer inside walls. They'll also check decks and fences for any damage.
What can you do?
Termites love moisture. So call a professional to repair anything that's leaking, including faucets, water pipes and A/C units. Keep your gutters and downspouts clean. Keep your vents clear and open - adding screens to outside vents is also a good idea. Remove plant materials, leaves and mulch around your home that could attract these critters. And store firewood and lumber away from the foundation or any crawl spaces.
Your next job is finding a qualified contractor who has plenty of experience dealing with these kinds of pests. They'll block access routes by sealing up cracks where bugs might enter. That includes openings around pipes and heating ducts. They will make sure water is diverted away from your foundation. And any structure they need to repair or replace should be done with materials that can stand up to nature's demo team.
Catch Mike Holmes in his new series, Holmes Makes It Right, premiering Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 9 p.m. on HGTV. For more information, visit hgtv.ca. For more information on home renovations, visit makeitright.ca.
That's not to say we're termite free. But for now, termites aren't a big issue for the majority of Canada. They are in the US. And the more south you go the worse it is. So any affected areas in Canada are going to be pretty close to the border.
Where are they?
There are some areas in southern Ontario (including Toronto), Winnipeg, southern Alberta and southern British Columbia - including Vancouver - that have been known to have termites. But you need to do your research. Every area is different.
I always say never ignore your environment. If you're building in an area that's known to have termites there are construction measures you can take. In fact, according to most local building codes these construction measures are a must.
Building against termites
First, all stumps, roots and wood debris needs to be removed to a minimum depth of 300 mm (113/4 inches) under the building. Then, there should be a minimum clearance of 450 mm (173/4 inches) between structural wood elements and the ground below them.
If you live in an area where foundations are insulated there needs to be a metal or plastic barrier between the insulation and finished materials. This stops termites from passing through or behind insulation.
Structural wood supported by anything directly touching soil needs to be PT, or pressure-treated, with a chemical that's toxic to termites. If the vertical clearance between wood elements and the ground is less than 150 mm (or 5 inches) they need to be pressure-treated with a preservative that makes them resistant to decay.The same goes for any wood exposed to precipitation and can accumulate moisture. BluWood is a good example of a product that protects lumber from moisture, mould, rot and - you guessed it - termites.
Why is it important to make sure wood elements are resistant to decay? Because termites - and other insects, like carpenter ants - need soft wood to tunnel through to create passageways and nests.
But unlike carpenter ants, termites will actually eat the wood - and not just wood. They'll feed on all cellulose-based material, including books, boxes, furniture and drywall. And because termite colonies are hard workers - working non-stop 24 hours a day - they can do a lot of damage in not a lot of time.
Termite clues
The damage termites wreak on homes is a direct result of their eating habits. The products we use to build homes just happen to be on their menu. But homeowners rarely see the damage happening because termites eat wood from the inside out. So you usually don't know you have a termite problem until it's really serious. But there are clues.
For example, if you find wood in your home that sounds hollow when you tap it there's a pretty good chance it is hollow. Termites make wood look like swiss cheese on the inside until there's nothing left but dust - or at least what you think is dust. Ever wonder what termite-poop looks like? It actually looks like sawdust - go figure. Makes sense for something that eats wood. By the way, the technical term is frass - not termite-poop. (I don't want to get more angry emails.)
You should also keep a lookout for cracked or bubbling paint and mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams or in crawl spaces. Also look for discarded wings. Some people are surprised to know that termites have wings. But they drop them once they find a good place to nest.Also be careful of any swarms of winged insects that disappear after a while. It could be termites looking for a good place to nest. And if the swarm is followed by a lot of discarded wings you know they've found one.
If you think your home could have termites your best bet is to call a professional pest inspector. They know exactly what to look for and how to find it. They'll use a combination of probing, tapping and listening techniques to find termites - some even use fibre optic scopes that can peer inside walls. They'll also check decks and fences for any damage.
What can you do?
Termites love moisture. So call a professional to repair anything that's leaking, including faucets, water pipes and A/C units. Keep your gutters and downspouts clean. Keep your vents clear and open - adding screens to outside vents is also a good idea. Remove plant materials, leaves and mulch around your home that could attract these critters. And store firewood and lumber away from the foundation or any crawl spaces.
Your next job is finding a qualified contractor who has plenty of experience dealing with these kinds of pests. They'll block access routes by sealing up cracks where bugs might enter. That includes openings around pipes and heating ducts. They will make sure water is diverted away from your foundation. And any structure they need to repair or replace should be done with materials that can stand up to nature's demo team.
Catch Mike Holmes in his new series, Holmes Makes It Right, premiering Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 9 p.m. on HGTV. For more information, visit hgtv.ca. For more information on home renovations, visit makeitright.ca.
© Copyright (c) Postmedia News
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Hilti Teams Up With Mike Holmes
In a press release from Hilti.com, it was recently announced that Hilti will be providing a full line of tools for Mike Holmes' new series Holmes Makes It Right. It's unclear whether or not they will be the exclusive provider of tools and equipment for Mike and his crew, though. This is quite the shift, being that Mike Holmes has been using DeWALT tools fairly exclusively since the beginning days of Holmes on Homes. I guess those familiar yellow drills will now be replaced by red ones. Hilti is a very recognizable brand, and it's nice to see big names trying to attach themselves to the HOLMES brand. According to Holmes, "Hilti performs, bottom line." As anyone knows, if Mike Holmes vouches for something, he believes in it.
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Carla Biggs (918) 872-3265 carla.biggs@hilti.com
Hilti teams up with Mike Holmes
Hilti provides tools for new Holmes Makes it Right series
For more information on Hilti products, please contact Hilti Customer Service. From the U.S., call Hilti, Inc., at 1-800-879-8000 or visit www.us.hilti.com; from Canada, call Hilti (Canada) Corporation at 1-800-363-4458 or visit www.hilti.ca.
About Hilti, Inc.
Hilti is a world-leading manufacturer and supplier of quality, innovative and specialized tools and fastening systems for the professional user. With more than 1,300 highly trained Hilti account managers and engineers throughout North America and an additional 1,000 Hilti employees nationwide, Hilti expertise covers the areas of powder actuated fastening, drilling and demolition, diamond coring and cutting, measuring, firestopping, screw fastening, adhesive and mechanical anchoring, and strut and hanger systems.
About Holmes Makes it Right.
The Holmes Group is an international brand with operations in independent media production, new home building and inspection divisions and expansion into product development. It is entirely owned by Mike Holmes and it is responsible for developing and managing HOLMES branded entities, including HOLMES Homes, Mike Holmes Inspections, HOLMES Workwear, Make It Right Releasing Inc., and The Holmes Foundation.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Mike Holmes' On Canadian TV Talk Show Steven And Chris
It's been a while since the last lite addition to the Holmes Spot Blog. Between Holmes Makes It Right updates and the All American Handyman finale, I figured I'd do something rather uncharacteristic for a Tuesday and take a bit of a break.
Mike Holmes occasionally appears on TV talk shows, sharing his expertise on building with different audiences all over the world. From Ellen to Fox and Friends and everywhere in between, Mike's no-nonsense style and communication skills make he a much sought after guest. The Canadian TV talk show Seven and Chris is certainly no exception. Earlier this year, Mike tested Steven and Chris' audiences' handyman IQ with a little pop quiz. No cheating, ladies!
Mike Holmes occasionally appears on TV talk shows, sharing his expertise on building with different audiences all over the world. From Ellen to Fox and Friends and everywhere in between, Mike's no-nonsense style and communication skills make he a much sought after guest. The Canadian TV talk show Seven and Chris is certainly no exception. Earlier this year, Mike tested Steven and Chris' audiences' handyman IQ with a little pop quiz. No cheating, ladies!
 |
| Click to watch video on the website. |
Monday, September 24, 2012
All American Handyman Week 6 Finale Recap
The All American Handyman finale was certainly tense and exciting as the final four contestants battled for all the glory and the title of All American Handyman, not to mention the $10,000 Sears prize pack, and HGTV development deal . Sonne walked in, still looking like she went a round with Mike Tyson after last week’s battle with a piece of plywood (the plywood won, hitting Sonne in the cheek and causing the large, unsightly bruise underneath her eye during the build-it challenge.)
The Fix-It challenge this week addressed an issue common to
many professional handymen (especially Mike). What happens when a homeowner
attempts a project but gets in way over their head and can’t finish it? This
week, the contestants needed to fix an entertainment room disaster. They were
presented with half-finished rooms, with attempted stadium seating and an
attempted wall mounted flat screen TV. The handymen were grouped in teams of
two and needed to finish the stadium seating, install carpet, put up crown
molding, fix a botched surround sound installation, and install a mounting
bracket for a flat screen TV. Oh yeah, and they only had two hours to do it.
Team 1 – Scott H. and Sonne
Team 2 – Chris L. and Michael
Midway through the
challenge, it was announced to the contestants by Anitra that the advantage for
this fix-it challenge was like no other advantage the contestants had ever
fought for. The advantage was to continue on to round 2, because the bottom two
contestants for the fix-it challenge were up for elimination. With stakes so
high, the handymen trudged on, fighting to have a finished product to present
to the judges.
Almost right away, Michael realized that the step for the
stadium seating was over 8 inches in height, making it against code. It was
something that needed to be fixed before he could move on to the next step.
Unfortunately, Michael took well over an hour to construct the platform. It was a
costly mistake that would cause him and Chris L. to struggle to finish their
room on time. Chris L., who was usually one of the top performers in the competition, was
uncharacteristically flustered. As he installed the TV bracket, he realized
that the stud placement in the wall was working against his plans. Chris L.
also had problems putting up the crown molding. He couldn’t seem to get his
mind wrapped around the angles to make the mitered edges, leaving his molding
hanging haphazardly off the wall. By the end of the challenge, their finished
product wasn’t very finished.
On the other team, Scott and Sonne seemed to be moving
swiftly and efficiently. Mike was very impressed by their display of teamwork.
Unlike Michael, Scott H. failed to realize that the step was too high, and did
not fix it, leaving it over 8 inches and not to code. Other than that, though,
by the end of the challenge, the room looked pretty complete. Mike did
criticize Sonne’s installation of the carpet, being that she did not tuck it
under the baseboard properly.
The remaining four contestants gathered together to face the
judges for the last elimination of the competition. Each contestant gave their
reason why they thought they should be the one to move on the final build-it
challenge. Although Chris L. felt he had given 110 percent to every challenge
he participated in, he was eliminated because essentially he had botched the
fix-it challenge, causing his team to run out of time. Michael was also
eliminated, leaving Sonne and Scott H. to move on to the final round.
The build-it challenge was the biggest, most elaborate challenge
of the entire competition in which the final two contestants were to design and
build their own version of the dream kitchen, complete with cabinets,
countertops, a backsplash, and an array of Kenmore appliances. The judges would
be looking for design and function. Because of the level of difficulty, the
challenge would stretch over 2 days, and the contestants would be given four
hours each day to work.
As the challenge began, Scott H. and Sonne began to plan out
their kitchens. Mike observed Sonne measuring for an island to put the dishwasher
under. He was impressed with her layout, and commented that she was doing quite
well. As Mike made his rounds to Scott H.’s kitchen, he brandished his trusty
carpenter’s square. He was quite disappointed that Scott H.’s cabinets were not
square.
As day 1 ticked down, there was still so much for both
contestants to do.
On day 2, Scott H. and Sonne entered the warehouse to a
standing ovation from all of the previously eliminated contestants from the
past 5 weeks. They weren’t just there to cheer on Scott H. and Sonne, though.
As Anitra announced, it’s important for a handyman to be able to work with
others, but also to supervise them. In this last leg of the final challenge,
Scott H. and Sonne were to pick one of the eliminated contestants to work with
them. As Scott clarified though, it was not about teamwork or a team build, but
about the contestants’ ability to supervise.
Scott H. chose Michael to work with him, and Sonne selected
Rodney. Scott questioned Sonne’s choice, stating that “Rodney is super
brilliant, but hard to manage.”Scott H. put Michael to work right away, having him do the backsplash. The backsplash was interlocking glass tile, and was designed to be installed in one piece, however, Michael started customizing it, picking out tiles and swapping them out with others, which was a “big no-no” according to Scott, who also questioned Scott H.’s supervision of Michael. “I don’t feel like I have to micromanage [Michael] for the tasks,” he said.
Sonne on the other hand put Rodney to work cutting slate to
tile the island, but the slate was falling apart in Rodney’s hands. Mike said
they shouldn’t have worried about tiling the island, and should have used the
tile for the backsplash.
As the 30 minute mark came around, both teams realized they
were nowhere close to being done. As they fought to the finish, Scott H. lost
focus and cut his hand on the range hood, leading Mike to call Scott a little “reckless.”
Both teams raced to the finish all the way down to the very
last seconds. At this last judging, no one was being eliminated… someone was
being crowned!
Mike and Scott examined the contestants' kitchens, looking
at every detail to see which one of them had pulled out ahead of the other. The judges noted that Scott H.
had picked the most conventional kitchen layout that would appeal to the most
people, most of the time. Mike did not like the fact that Scott H. had not used
a square or level, and his work was not perfectly square. They also noted that
Scott H. had not been the best leader, leaving Michael to his own devises as
opposed to supervising him. The stove and the dishwasher also bumped doors when
they were opened. However, overall, he did a good job, and stuck to a very
appealing, very simple conventional design. He played it safe, which allowed
him to complete more of his kitchen than Sonne had.
Unlike Scott, Sonne chose more of an elaborate design with a
functional island. However, she failed to finish the backsplash. There was also
no end gable for the fridge, but as the judges pointed out, that was due her
using the materials to make the island. Overall, Sonne’s kitchen was much more
luxurious and ambitious, but she was unable to complete it in the allotted
time.
As Scott H. and Sonne stood before the judges one last time,
Mike stated that he was proud of both of the contestants, and that both had
grown in the competition. When all was said and done, however, it was pointed
out that Sonne didn’t finish her kitchen because she was paying attention to
the details. She had an excellent layout that was less complete. When asked why
she came to be the All American Handyman, she stated, “I wanna be like Mike…" a comment that took Mike aback, making his already red face a little bit redder. Although Sonne hadn’t
finished her project, what she had was better. Her growth and attention to
detail pushed her into the winner’s circle, and she was crowned the All
American Handy(wo)man.
That’s the Holmes Spot All American Handyman Finale recap! I
really enjoyed this show! I hope Mike finds the time to do a season 4!
ALL AMERICAN HANDYMAN CONTESTANTS - FINALE
ALL AMERICAN HANDYMAN CONTESTANTS - FINALE
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Holmes Makes It Right - Speculations, Rantings, and Pictures
A couple days ago, Mike launched the official Facebook page for his new show, Holmes Makes It Right, and announced the series' new website, which is as of now a placeholder with a ticker countdown for the launch of the new series in Canada.
It was also announced that the US and beyond would NOT be getting the new series in October. For those outside of Canada, the new series will be airing sometime in "early 2013," according to the announcement. So... in the US, I'm guessing that means a mid March or maybe April release date??? I say that because that's usually when new series come out in the US. Of course, being that HGTV is not a major network like ABC, CBS, or FOX, they might have their own timetable for new series release dates. I'm just speculating, as I'm not exactly sure what "early 2013" means, and I haven't read anything definitive yet. It could mean January, or it could mean something much later than that. All I know is that it's a bummer and a half that we have to wait so long to see the new series! Mike's not just a Canadian superhero, his superpowers belong to the world! Get with it HGTV Canada!!! [/speculative rant]
So anyhow, in the meantime, to tide all of us over as we wait, I figured I'd just post some of the pictures Mike posted on the Facebook page from the new show, complete with bonus Holmes Spot commentary, which is usually just my own silly fangirlish dreck. (Oh, and by the way, everything is "hot" today. Well... almost everything.) Enjoy!
Mike at work. That's hot. (Well, actually cold, since they all appear to be wearing winter wearing coats.)
Mike on a roof. Love the harness. Safety...totally hot.
Not a picture of Mike, but still pretty hot. Don't fall guys! That wouldn't be very hot.
Come on guys, get that pole up! Hot.
Mike with his big hammer. Hot.
Bluwood... won't mold or rot. Totally hot.
What a good looking bunch... dig the pink respirator! Super hot.
Two Mikes for the price of one. Hot and hot.
Not being able to see the new series until 2013??? Totally NOT hot :(
In fact, it's downright cold!
It was also announced that the US and beyond would NOT be getting the new series in October. For those outside of Canada, the new series will be airing sometime in "early 2013," according to the announcement. So... in the US, I'm guessing that means a mid March or maybe April release date??? I say that because that's usually when new series come out in the US. Of course, being that HGTV is not a major network like ABC, CBS, or FOX, they might have their own timetable for new series release dates. I'm just speculating, as I'm not exactly sure what "early 2013" means, and I haven't read anything definitive yet. It could mean January, or it could mean something much later than that. All I know is that it's a bummer and a half that we have to wait so long to see the new series! Mike's not just a Canadian superhero, his superpowers belong to the world! Get with it HGTV Canada!!! [/speculative rant]
So anyhow, in the meantime, to tide all of us over as we wait, I figured I'd just post some of the pictures Mike posted on the Facebook page from the new show, complete with bonus Holmes Spot commentary, which is usually just my own silly fangirlish dreck. (Oh, and by the way, everything is "hot" today. Well... almost everything.) Enjoy!
Mike at work. That's hot. (Well, actually cold, since they all appear to be wearing winter wearing coats.)
Mike on a roof. Love the harness. Safety...totally hot.
Not a picture of Mike, but still pretty hot. Don't fall guys! That wouldn't be very hot.
Come on guys, get that pole up! Hot.
Mike with his big hammer. Hot.
Bluwood... won't mold or rot. Totally hot.
What a good looking bunch... dig the pink respirator! Super hot.
Two Mikes for the price of one. Hot and hot.
Not being able to see the new series until 2013??? Totally NOT hot :(
In fact, it's downright cold!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Holmes Makes It Right - A Slew of Updates
Yesterday, Facebook was a buzz with a whole lot of updates regarding Mike's new show, Holmes Makes It Right, set to air October 2012 (if you're Canadian, but more on that later).
First of all:
I'm happy to announce the offical launch of the Holmes Makes It Right Facebook Page! My team just posted photos of my crew and some behind the scenes shots from site. More to come! http://facebook.com/holmesmakesitright
Looking through the crew, there are some very familiar faces, but a few new ones too:
Blake Steed
Derek Ullman
First of all:
I'm happy to announce the offical launch of the Holmes Makes It Right Facebook Page! My team just posted photos of my crew and some behind the scenes shots from site. More to come! http://facebook.com/holmesmakesitright
Looking through the crew, there are some very familiar faces, but a few new ones too:
Blake Steed
Derek Ullman
Tommy Quesnel
Gotta love that mane on Tommy! Let's not forget our Holmes veterans:
Meow!!! Mike has stated that he was "working out with a trainer." A friend of mine says that Mike has lost quite a few pounds and has beefcaked up in between the last series and this one! My oh my... I'm sure he looks absolutely dreamy, as usual.
The always handsome Mr. Bennett. Damon is suppose to be doing his own show soon, I hope it will air in the US as well as in Canada.
And then there's the always beautiful Miss Sherry. She's definitely not the mailman's child, she's the spitting image of her father, Mike.
Baby Mikey!!!! Holy crap, Jr. looks like he could bench press a truck! Holmes fans have watched Mike Jr. bloom from a scrawny kid with a "black belt in Nintendo" into... that!
Adam Bellanger, who is Mike's son-in-law, who is married to his oldest daughter Amanda. He's also the father of his two undoubtedly beautiful grandchildren.
Carlito!!! Carl Pavolic returns for yet another Holmes series. And as usual, he looks like he wants to start a fight. Quite an intense stare you got there!
"Uncle" Billy Bell, Mike's uncle (can't you see the family resemblance?) Gotta love that guy's smile! He just lights up the room!
Oh Nichole. Nichole. Nichole. As a card-carrying member of the Fake Titty Committee myself, you really gotta watch where you point those things. I'm not hatin', just statin'.
What an incredibly handsome bunch!!!
I was so excited to see all the pictures and the updates.... and then, the worst news in the world.
We have news for our US fans. We just got the news that HGTV US is going air Holmes Makes It Right in early 2013. We are sorry for the delay - but unfortunately we cannot control the air dates! In the meantime we will be posting lots go great photos and video to keep you all in the loop! Thank you all for your support.
And that's it for now. Hope all you Canucks enjoy Mike's new show. We Yanks have to wait until next year to see the new series. Please try to refrain from rubbing it in. Lame :(
Gotta love that mane on Tommy! Let's not forget our Holmes veterans:
Meow!!! Mike has stated that he was "working out with a trainer." A friend of mine says that Mike has lost quite a few pounds and has beefcaked up in between the last series and this one! My oh my... I'm sure he looks absolutely dreamy, as usual.
The always handsome Mr. Bennett. Damon is suppose to be doing his own show soon, I hope it will air in the US as well as in Canada.
And then there's the always beautiful Miss Sherry. She's definitely not the mailman's child, she's the spitting image of her father, Mike.
Baby Mikey!!!! Holy crap, Jr. looks like he could bench press a truck! Holmes fans have watched Mike Jr. bloom from a scrawny kid with a "black belt in Nintendo" into... that!
Adam Bellanger, who is Mike's son-in-law, who is married to his oldest daughter Amanda. He's also the father of his two undoubtedly beautiful grandchildren.
Carlito!!! Carl Pavolic returns for yet another Holmes series. And as usual, he looks like he wants to start a fight. Quite an intense stare you got there!
"Uncle" Billy Bell, Mike's uncle (can't you see the family resemblance?) Gotta love that guy's smile! He just lights up the room!
Oh Nichole. Nichole. Nichole. As a card-carrying member of the Fake Titty Committee myself, you really gotta watch where you point those things. I'm not hatin', just statin'.
What an incredibly handsome bunch!!!
I was so excited to see all the pictures and the updates.... and then, the worst news in the world.
We have news for our US fans. We just got the news that HGTV US is going air Holmes Makes It Right in early 2013. We are sorry for the delay - but unfortunately we cannot control the air dates! In the meantime we will be posting lots go great photos and video to keep you all in the loop! Thank you all for your support.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Say it ain't so!!!!!!!!!!!
No but really, this sucks. HGTV Canada is on my sh-t list. No Christmas presents for you, HGTV! You have been very, very bad!
And that's it for now. Hope all you Canucks enjoy Mike's new show. We Yanks have to wait until next year to see the new series. Please try to refrain from rubbing it in. Lame :(
Friday, September 21, 2012
When Disaster Strikes, Holmes Makes It Right
Great little press release regarding Mike's new show, Holmes Makes It Right. It's coming, and it's going to be huge! After reading everything I can get my hands on about the new show, this is the conclusion I have reached! I'm really excited to see what Mike has in store for us :)
When Disaster Strikes, Holmes Makes It Right
September 20, 2012
Mike Holmes Takes on Jobs That Would Make Other Contractors Run In HGTV
Canada’s Brand-New Series
Holmes Makes It Right Premieres Tuesday October 16 at 9pm ET/PT
For video sneak peeks and images please visit
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/56854-hgtv-canada/
TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2012 /CNW/ – When bad things happen to good people, Mike Holmes is known for his dedication to step in and make it right. In the
brand-new HGTV Canada series Holmes Makes It Right, Mike takes on massive projects and tackles unexpected obstacles as he
rescues families and communities from problems they never saw coming. Holmes Makes It Right premieres on Tuesday, October 16(th) at 9pm ET/PT on HGTV Canada.
This series follows Mike as he challenges himself more than ever.
Whether it’s completely demolishing and re-building an $80,000
contracting job gone wrong, redesigning and building Toronto’s High
Park Playground after it was destroyed by arson, or building an
accessible outdoor deck and dining area for a teacher paralyzed in a
horrible hit and run, there’s no project too disastrous for Mike Holmes
to make right. Together with the familiar faces of his crew including
Damon, Mike Holmes Jr. and Sherry, Mike is putting himself in
circumstances that don’t just need a contractor, they need a miracle.
“We’re thrilled to have Mike Holmes back with a new series, confronting
and solving major renovation and construction problems for people in
despair – making it right the way only Mike can.” said Barbara
Williams, Senior Vice President of Content, Shaw Media.
“To make it right and help these families I go beyond the surface and
behind the walls,” says Mike Holmes. “For each job in Holmes Makes It Right I’m shocked at what we find. But like every job I take on, we do what
it takes to get the job done right.”
With his signature commitment to perfection and his quest to make
homeowners more knowledgeable about their rights and responsibilities,
Mike Holmes is saving people, neighbourhoods and houses with every nail
he hammers in Holmes Makes It Right.
For exclusive webisodes, tips and advice from Mike, full episodes after
they air, photo galleries and more visit www.hgtv.ca. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
HGTV Canada is a Shaw Media Network
About Shaw Communications Inc.
Shaw is a diversified communications and media company, providing
consumers with broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Home
Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business), satellite
direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct) and engaging programming
content (through Shaw Media). Shaw serves 3.4 million customers,
through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw Media operates one
of the largest conventional television networks in Canada, Global
Television, and 19 specialty networks including HGTV Canada, Food
Network Canada, HISTORY and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and
New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index
(Symbol: TSX – SJR.B, NYSE – SJR). For more information about Shaw,
please visit www.shaw.ca.
About The Holmes Group
The Holmes Group is an international brand with operations in independent media
production, new home building and home inspection, as well as expansion
into product development. It is entirely owned by Mike Holmes and
responsible for developing and managing all HOLMES branded entities, including HOLMES Homes, MIKE HOLMES Inspections,
HOLMES Workwear, Make It Right Releasing Inc. and The Holmes
Foundation.
When Disaster Strikes, Holmes Makes It Right
September 20, 2012
Mike Holmes Takes on Jobs That Would Make Other Contractors Run In HGTV
Canada’s Brand-New Series
Holmes Makes It Right Premieres Tuesday October 16 at 9pm ET/PT
For video sneak peeks and images please visit
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/56854-hgtv-canada/
TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2012 /CNW/ – When bad things happen to good people, Mike Holmes is known for his dedication to step in and make it right. In the
brand-new HGTV Canada series Holmes Makes It Right, Mike takes on massive projects and tackles unexpected obstacles as he
rescues families and communities from problems they never saw coming. Holmes Makes It Right premieres on Tuesday, October 16(th) at 9pm ET/PT on HGTV Canada.
This series follows Mike as he challenges himself more than ever.
Whether it’s completely demolishing and re-building an $80,000
contracting job gone wrong, redesigning and building Toronto’s High
Park Playground after it was destroyed by arson, or building an
accessible outdoor deck and dining area for a teacher paralyzed in a
horrible hit and run, there’s no project too disastrous for Mike Holmes
to make right. Together with the familiar faces of his crew including
Damon, Mike Holmes Jr. and Sherry, Mike is putting himself in
circumstances that don’t just need a contractor, they need a miracle.
“We’re thrilled to have Mike Holmes back with a new series, confronting
and solving major renovation and construction problems for people in
despair – making it right the way only Mike can.” said Barbara
Williams, Senior Vice President of Content, Shaw Media.
“To make it right and help these families I go beyond the surface and
behind the walls,” says Mike Holmes. “For each job in Holmes Makes It Right I’m shocked at what we find. But like every job I take on, we do what
it takes to get the job done right.”
With his signature commitment to perfection and his quest to make
homeowners more knowledgeable about their rights and responsibilities,
Mike Holmes is saving people, neighbourhoods and houses with every nail
he hammers in Holmes Makes It Right.
For exclusive webisodes, tips and advice from Mike, full episodes after
they air, photo galleries and more visit www.hgtv.ca. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
HGTV Canada is a Shaw Media Network
About Shaw Communications Inc.
Shaw is a diversified communications and media company, providing
consumers with broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Home
Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business), satellite
direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct) and engaging programming
content (through Shaw Media). Shaw serves 3.4 million customers,
through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw Media operates one
of the largest conventional television networks in Canada, Global
Television, and 19 specialty networks including HGTV Canada, Food
Network Canada, HISTORY and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and
New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index
(Symbol: TSX – SJR.B, NYSE – SJR). For more information about Shaw,
please visit www.shaw.ca.
About The Holmes Group
The Holmes Group is an international brand with operations in independent media
production, new home building and home inspection, as well as expansion
into product development. It is entirely owned by Mike Holmes and
responsible for developing and managing all HOLMES branded entities, including HOLMES Homes, MIKE HOLMES Inspections,
HOLMES Workwear, Make It Right Releasing Inc. and The Holmes
Foundation.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Insulating With SIPs and ICFs
Mike Holmes truly is a fantastic communicator. Seriously, who else could write an article about new technology in home insulation and keep a reader's interest? All things considered, he's a pretty brilliant guy. I do have to admit though, this article, reposted from the Ottawa Citizen, was a rather technical article to get through. Mike does a spectacular job at explaining and describing what ICFs (Insulated Concrete Forms) and SIPs (Structured Insulated Panels) are, and what they're use for. Even so, it was still a little hard for me to picture exactly what it was that Mike was trying to describe. Perhaps a diagram would have helped? Ah-ha... the almighty Google comes through again!
Here is a diagram of a Structured/Structural Insulated Panel:
And here is a diagram of an Insulated Concrete Form:
Ahhh... now my small brain can wrap around this article a little better! Hopefully these visuals aid in your understand as you read Mike's article.
As you might expect, ICFs and SIPs are building materials, mostly used for exterior walls. They're composed of building materials (wood, metal, and concrete) layered with foam. The foam increases the R-value of the material and provides a thermal break. What does this mean for consumers? It means a more energy efficient home that costs less to heat and cool! They're relatively easy to install, which is great for reducing labor costs. However, ease of installation is double-edged sword. "People think the installation is so easy you don’t need highly skilled labour to do it...any time you have unskilled labour doing anything there will be mistakes." Mishandling of these products by leaving them exposed to the weather for too long (especially if they're made of OSB) can compromise the integrity of the structure. Also, SIPs and IFCs are structure material, meaning "[y]ou can’t carve into them. If you do, it’s like cutting into joists — you compromise the strength of the entire structure you’re building." So, there are some major advantages and major drawbacks in using these new building materials. As Mike likes to stress, consumers need to educate themselves on what these products are, and tradespeople need to learn how to properly install them.
Here is a diagram of a Structured/Structural Insulated Panel:
And here is a diagram of an Insulated Concrete Form:
Ahhh... now my small brain can wrap around this article a little better! Hopefully these visuals aid in your understand as you read Mike's article.
As you might expect, ICFs and SIPs are building materials, mostly used for exterior walls. They're composed of building materials (wood, metal, and concrete) layered with foam. The foam increases the R-value of the material and provides a thermal break. What does this mean for consumers? It means a more energy efficient home that costs less to heat and cool! They're relatively easy to install, which is great for reducing labor costs. However, ease of installation is double-edged sword. "People think the installation is so easy you don’t need highly skilled labour to do it...any time you have unskilled labour doing anything there will be mistakes." Mishandling of these products by leaving them exposed to the weather for too long (especially if they're made of OSB) can compromise the integrity of the structure. Also, SIPs and IFCs are structure material, meaning "[y]ou can’t carve into them. If you do, it’s like cutting into joists — you compromise the strength of the entire structure you’re building." So, there are some major advantages and major drawbacks in using these new building materials. As Mike likes to stress, consumers need to educate themselves on what these products are, and tradespeople need to learn how to properly install them.
Insulating a new home with SIPs and ICFs
New building systems that incorporate insulation such as Insulated Concrete Forms or Structured Insulated Panels are moving residential housing in the right direction. Alex Schuldt, The Holmes Group
If you’re thinking about building a new house and doing some research, you may be hearing about SIPs and ICFs, two new building systems that have been gaining popularity. But like everything else, they have their pros and cons.
First, what are they? SIP stands for Structural Insulated Panels and ICFs are Insulated Concrete Forms. Both are types of panels that have foam insulation. They’re usually used for exterior and foundation walls, sometimes floors and roofs. In fact, I’m building my new garage using an original ICF made from cement and inert wood chips. But SIPs and ICFs are different.
SIPs have one layer of foam insulation — usually closed-cell spray foam — sandwiched between two layers of building material. There are many different types of SIPs out there. Some have corrugated metal, others have galvanized sheet metal. But the most popular kinds have OSB (oriented strand board) or plywood sheathing on both sides of the foam insulation.
ICFs are constructed differently. They have a layer of concrete sandwiched between two layers of foam insulation, usually EPS (expanded polystyrene). These two panels are connected to each other with plastic connectors or steel ties that hold the foam layers in place. The space in the middle is filled with concrete, making them look like concrete-filled Lego. When pouring the concrete, it’s important there aren’t any air pockets. Gaps in the concrete will compromise the structural strength of the entire wall or structure you’re building.
The foam insulation in SIPs and ICFs gives them a high R-value without the need for vapour barrier, depending on local code. It gives us that thermal break we’re always looking for by keeping warm from meeting cold.
Both SIPs and ICFs get integral structural strength without the need for studs. This eliminates thermal bridging, which happens when you have anything in your wall that conducts cold more than your insulation, like wood or metal studs. That’s why you have cold spots in the winter on your exterior walls.
People love SIPs and ICFs because of their high R-value and high energy-efficiency levels (some are even Energy Star rated).
However, the main selling point of these panels is that they provide all the layers in a wall that should be there without having to build them. This saves time and costs related to labour. The building process is quick and requires less equipment. When you’re building in harsh climates outdoors, you want building materials that can go up fast. That’s why they’re popular for First Nations housing.
But this can also be a double-edged sword.
People think the installation is so easy you don’t need highly skilled labour to do it. In my 30 years’ experience, any time you have unskilled labour doing anything there will be mistakes. Also, because SIPs and ICFs are somewhat new to the industry, not many tradespeople know how to work with them properly.
Education is crucial any time you have a specialized product.
Tradespeople need to learn how to work with the product — no matter what it is — and what they can and can’t do. SIPs and ICFs are fairly new to the market. Not everyone is going to know how to work with them the right way.
First, what are they? SIP stands for Structural Insulated Panels and ICFs are Insulated Concrete Forms. Both are types of panels that have foam insulation. They’re usually used for exterior and foundation walls, sometimes floors and roofs. In fact, I’m building my new garage using an original ICF made from cement and inert wood chips. But SIPs and ICFs are different.
SIPs have one layer of foam insulation — usually closed-cell spray foam — sandwiched between two layers of building material. There are many different types of SIPs out there. Some have corrugated metal, others have galvanized sheet metal. But the most popular kinds have OSB (oriented strand board) or plywood sheathing on both sides of the foam insulation.
ICFs are constructed differently. They have a layer of concrete sandwiched between two layers of foam insulation, usually EPS (expanded polystyrene). These two panels are connected to each other with plastic connectors or steel ties that hold the foam layers in place. The space in the middle is filled with concrete, making them look like concrete-filled Lego. When pouring the concrete, it’s important there aren’t any air pockets. Gaps in the concrete will compromise the structural strength of the entire wall or structure you’re building.
The foam insulation in SIPs and ICFs gives them a high R-value without the need for vapour barrier, depending on local code. It gives us that thermal break we’re always looking for by keeping warm from meeting cold.
Both SIPs and ICFs get integral structural strength without the need for studs. This eliminates thermal bridging, which happens when you have anything in your wall that conducts cold more than your insulation, like wood or metal studs. That’s why you have cold spots in the winter on your exterior walls.
People love SIPs and ICFs because of their high R-value and high energy-efficiency levels (some are even Energy Star rated).
However, the main selling point of these panels is that they provide all the layers in a wall that should be there without having to build them. This saves time and costs related to labour. The building process is quick and requires less equipment. When you’re building in harsh climates outdoors, you want building materials that can go up fast. That’s why they’re popular for First Nations housing.
But this can also be a double-edged sword.
People think the installation is so easy you don’t need highly skilled labour to do it. In my 30 years’ experience, any time you have unskilled labour doing anything there will be mistakes. Also, because SIPs and ICFs are somewhat new to the industry, not many tradespeople know how to work with them properly.
Education is crucial any time you have a specialized product.
Tradespeople need to learn how to work with the product — no matter what it is — and what they can and can’t do. SIPs and ICFs are fairly new to the market. Not everyone is going to know how to work with them the right way.
For example, you can’t leave SIPs exposed to the elements for long, especially if they’re made from OSB or plywood. If moisture gets in them, the entire structure can be compromised. Once the panels are up and in place, house wrap should go up quickly to prevent moisture from getting in.
Another problem is that unskilled tradespeople forget that these are structure materials. You can’t carve into them. If you do, it’s like cutting into joists — you compromise the strength of the entire structure you’re building. They are only as strong as the weakest link. That means you can’t go changing things like adding windows or doors. You need to stick to your construction plans.
Also, every SIP and ICF panel is manufactured according to specific engineered construction plans; you can’t go to the store and buy SIPs and ICFs. That’s why it’s cheaper for production builders to use them when building large volumes of a single model home. But that also means that every panel has a designated place where it must be installed. Just because all the panels look the same doesn’t mean they are the same.
SIPs and ICFs are moving residential housing in the right direction. They’re popular because you get a lot of results for not a lot of work. You also have low labour costs because installation is easy.
But, like I said, you need to know what you’re doing. When it comes to SIPs and ICFs, many things can go wrong.
I like sticking to what I know. And I know that a cinder block home studded and spray foamed is 100-per-cent thermal broken. To me, proper construction is always foolproof. And that’s something I can stand behind.
Catch Mike Holmes in his new series, Holmes Makes It Right, premièring Oct. 16 at 9 p.m. on HGTV. For more information, visit hgtv.ca. For more information on home renovations, visit makeitright.ca.
Another problem is that unskilled tradespeople forget that these are structure materials. You can’t carve into them. If you do, it’s like cutting into joists — you compromise the strength of the entire structure you’re building. They are only as strong as the weakest link. That means you can’t go changing things like adding windows or doors. You need to stick to your construction plans.
Also, every SIP and ICF panel is manufactured according to specific engineered construction plans; you can’t go to the store and buy SIPs and ICFs. That’s why it’s cheaper for production builders to use them when building large volumes of a single model home. But that also means that every panel has a designated place where it must be installed. Just because all the panels look the same doesn’t mean they are the same.
SIPs and ICFs are moving residential housing in the right direction. They’re popular because you get a lot of results for not a lot of work. You also have low labour costs because installation is easy.
But, like I said, you need to know what you’re doing. When it comes to SIPs and ICFs, many things can go wrong.
I like sticking to what I know. And I know that a cinder block home studded and spray foamed is 100-per-cent thermal broken. To me, proper construction is always foolproof. And that’s something I can stand behind.
Catch Mike Holmes in his new series, Holmes Makes It Right, premièring Oct. 16 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