3rd Annual Baeumler Family Foundation Celebrity Karaoke Gala - Video Preview

For the past couple of years, HGTV star Bryan Baeumler and his wife have hosted a black tie event that brings out the biggest and brightest names in HGTV and beyond, all for a good cause. The 3rd Annual Baeumler Family Foundation Celebrity Karaoke Gala, slated to be held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Toronto on May 21, 2015 will no doubt be a blast for all those in attendance. You can buy a ticket to the charity event at the BFF website, but you better hurry because they will sell out. Mike Holmes has been a celebrity guest for the past two years, and although the website doesn't list him as an attendee this year, I'm betting that he'll make an appearance or support the organization in some way.



A video montage was released today on the YouTube channel belonging to the photographer for last year's (and presumably this year's) event. The video really gives you a good feel for the affair, and features Mike and his date Anna (wearing the green dress) in multiple spots.

Mike Holmes' Appearance on This Hour Has 22 Minutes - 3/31/2015

Mike Holmes made an appearance on a segment of the CBC political satire show This Hour Has 22 Minutes, in which he and the host bantered back and forth about the very expensive Parliament building renovation project. The segment aired tonight at 8:30 PM Eastern time on the CBC.





Pictures:

Mike Holmes in Brantford with Empire Communities

Earlier this month, Mike Holmes announced his partnership with Ontario home builder Empire Communities (for more information, see Empire Communities Partners with Mike Holmes for HOLMES Approved Homes Program). Today, Mike did a meet and greet with fans at the Empire/Holmes Partnership Event in Brantford.

From the Empire Communities Facebook page:

"Great turnout today at our ‪#‎EMPIREHOLMES‬ Partnership Event at Wyndfield by Empire Communities in Brantford. Paul Golini, Mike Holmes and local dignitaries spoke about their passion and dedication towards building higher quality homes for our our kids and future generations. Followed by a Mike Holmes photo frenzy which included kids and folks who came out from all over the GTA and Southwestern Ontario to celebrate and learn more about this new partnership."

You can view the Empire Communities event photo album here. Here are some of my favorite pics from the album:

 

Check out these videos featuring some very bold kids asking Mike some very poignant questions and Mike responding back with some very frank answers!

 

 

Mike Holmes Partners with Duvanco Homes

The Holmes Approved Homes program has a new partner to add to its growing list of industry leading builders. Mike Holmes Approved Homes has has partnered with Duvanco Homes due to their commitment to excellence in both building homes right from the ground up, and building homes with that "wow" factor that makes homeowners love living in them.

For more information about Mike's partnership with Duvanco Homes, visit the Duvanco Homes website.

Spring Maintenance - It's About Priorities!

Spring is in the air, and even if there's still a layer of snow on the ground where you live, you can almost smell that warmer weather is just around the corner. Many people want to get out of the house and jump right into their pet projects and fixing up the yard, but Mike Holmes warns homeowners to stop for a moment and prioritize what's really important when it comes to renovating. Mike highly suggests that people work from the inside out, meaning focus on all the things you don't readily see that make your home more comfortable and weather resistant. Start with inspecting the roof and foundation and make sure that the caulking around the windows held through the winter. Mike also recommends that people maintain a 5% slope away from the house to protect the foundation from spring's rain and next winter's snow. When it comes to spring maintenance, prioritize your projects and renovate smart and you won't go wrong.

From the National Post:

Mike Holmes: It’s finally spring — so start preparing your house for next winter

We’re finally at the beginning of spring. That means spring maintenance — the stuff we do to get our homes in tip-top shape for next winter. It also means renovation season is just around the corner.

If you have a renovation or construction project you want completed before next winter, get on it now. It’s going to take at least a couple of months to find the right professional, so you better start looking and doing your homework fast; otherwise, you might have to put it off until next year.

When it comes to home repairs and maintenance, spring is about re-roofing, upgrading or replacing windows or regrading.

Most people want to jump right into creating their dream backyard in time for summer, renovating the kitchen or a bathroom, or finishing the basement. But you have to think smart. What’s the point of getting the perfect backyard if it’s just going to get trampled over and ruined if you have to fix a crack in the foundation, replace the windows or regrade your property to prevent a leak or flood?

These fixes make such a difference in your home, but a lot of homeowners lose perspective as the temperatures get warmer — they get spring fever. That’s when you forget about what’s important, such as upgrading insulation, making sure your attic is well-ventilated and insulated, or making sure the roof is strong and there’s a system that directs water away from your house and its foundation.

Instead, many people go with the impulse buys — the stuff we all want, like that awesome deck or man cave, modern kitchen or hot tub. But we should work from the outside in, looking at the building envelope first so that anything we do on the inside is protected and therefore lasts.

Prioritizing spring fixes

1. The most important thing is to regrade your property. Grading with at least a five-degree slope away from the foundation (that’s a one-inch slope for every horizontal foot) can help protect against basement flooding and leaks. This is the time of year you’ll start to notice if your property has sunk away from your foundation; build it up, and divert water away.

2. Look for puddling around the yard. Spring brings many showers, and with all the melting snow it’s no wonder basement flooding is common during this season. If you’re concerned, bring in a contractor you trust as soon as possible. They might be able to give you a temporary solution so that permanent repairs can be made during summer.

3. Inspect caulking around windows and doors. If it’s cracked, replace it. There’s a lot of good caulking on the market, but educate yourself so you know what you’re buying. A rubberized exterior caulking moves with the window framing so the seal doesn’t break as it expands and contracts with changing temperatures.

If there has been a lot of condensation or mould on your windowsills, or cold drafts around them, bring in a window pro. It might be time to replace and upgrade your windows.

4. And of course, check your roof. From the ground, look for missing, torn, buckling or curling shingles, or shingles with missing granules. These, along with asphalt granules in eavestroughs (you have to clean your eavestroughs, too!), are telltale signs your roof needs attention.

If you work from the outside in and keep up with regular seasonal maintenance, your home and future renovations will be protected — not to mention, your family will be, too.

Watch Mike Holmes on Holmes Makes It Right on HGTV. For more information visit makeitright.ca.

Mike Holmes on Home Water Filtration

Good whole-house water quality is something that every person should be concerned with. Having access to clean water for drinking, cleaning, and bathing is pretty much what separates a first world country from a third world country. I for one live in a desert environment where water quantity and quality are of huge concern. The water where I live is some of the poorest quality water in the entire country, with a hardness rating of over 100 in some neighborhoods. This means without a good quality water softener, every water using appliance in the house is covered in a thick scummy coat of limestone, calcium, and magnesium. Hard water is not just inconvenient, it kills water using appliances such as washing machines, dish washers, and water heaters in a matter of a few short years. Long story short, having hard water sucks. Water hardness is not the only factor to consider with water quality. Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and VOC's can be present in the local water supply, making a good quality water filter a must for many people. A water filter and a water softener are two entirely different products - filtered water is NOT soft water, and soft water can still contain many contaminants that are harmful to drink. In my region, I utilize a water softener for whole house water treatment to soften water and prolong the life of water using appliances. I also use a reverse osmosis water filtration system located at the kitchen sink for drinking and cooking. Reverse osmosis systems have their pros and cons, but the biggest "pro" includes bottle-quality water on tap. The type of water filtration system you will need depends largely on the region in which you live. A good plumber should be able to give you a recommendation for the best type of water filtration system for your region. In the article below, Mike Holmes talks about water quality and water filters, and how to find the best system for your home.

From the National Post:

Mike Holmes: Which water filter is best for your family?

With World Plumbing Day on March 11 just gone, it seems like a good time to talk about water filters.

As a homeowner, it can be difficult to know exactly where to start. Do you call a plumber? Should you get the standard pitcher-style countertop filter? Would that be enough? How often do you need to change the filter? How much is it going to cost you? And, is it worth it?

When most people think of water filters they think of the typical water filter pitcher (also called a carafe filter) that is stored in the fridge. But water filters come in different shapes and sizes. There are carafe, faucet-mounted, under-sink and whole-house filters, among others.

Some reduce water flow. Some wear out fast and need to be replaced often, while others don’t need to be replaced at all. Some replacement filters are fairly inexpensive, but others might cost in the hundreds. Some filters require changing plumbing, while others just attach to the tap.

The right water filter depends a lot on where you live and your lifestyle.

For example, in some municipalities the local water supply is so hard (which basically means it has a lot of minerals in it) that builders will automatically install a water softener into every new home they build. In other regions there is concern about such chemicals and bacteria as radon (yes!) or E. coli getting into our water supply, rather than, say, lead or arsenic.

And whatever is more convenient and cost-efficient for you might not be for your neighbour — a lot of it has to do with how many people live in your home and how much water you use. A carafe filter might be enough for two people but not for a family of four.

And different filters eliminate different contaminants. For example, a water softener removes minerals — mainly calcium and magnesium — from water. But you’ll need a different water filter to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chloroform, radon or bacteria.

So choosing the right filter starts with knowing what’s in your water. The only way to do that is to get your tap water tested.

Every city has its own local authority for testing water — and in most cases (if not all) it is free.

The next step is to take those results to the right pros. You have two choices: a licensed plumber or a water filtration expert. The latter will usually have a store that sells all kinds of water filters, water filtration systems and softeners, and they’ll have their own service guys who will install the system for you.

But you can also ask a licensed plumber you trust for a consultation. Some plumbers have more experience in water filtration systems than others. For example, a plumber that works in a rural area might know more about water filters than a city-based pro because water filtration is more of an issue in rural areas.

A licensed plumber will typically take your water’s test results to a water filtration supplier, ask for at least three water filters that will get rid of the contaminants in your water, and then recommend a proper water filtration system based on the plumbing in your home, number of fixtures, layout and consumption.

Of course, it will cost you. But if it means getting the right system that will help protect your health and safety, there is no better investment.

Watch Mike Holmes on Holmes Makes It Right on HGTV. For more information visit makeitright.ca.

Mike Holmes Visits Lethbridge College - Video

On March 7, Mike Holmes was in Lethbridge, Alberta Canada visiting Lethbridge college in their Trade Wing to promote his partnership with Bezooyen Contracting Inc. and Stranville Living. In the short news video below, Mike explains the reason for his visit and his commitment to the next generation of tradesmen and women. For more information about Mike's visit to Lethbridge, see Mike Holmes at Lethbridge College.

Pictures:

Mike Holmes on BT Discussing Deck Safety and SigmaDek - Video

Early this morning, Mike Holmes appeared on a segment of CityTV's Breakfast Television (or BT for short) where he discussed his endorsement of innovative decking company SigmaDek, as well as the fundamentals of deck safety. Mike explains the important of a sound and sturdy deck by citing a time where he leaned against a rail which broke, sending him four feet down to the ground.

SigmaDek is a high tech company out of Calgary that now boasts the "Holmes Approved" seal of approval on their decking products. Mike explains his endorsement of the company and how they serve as both an innovative and cost effective way of creating a beautiful, strong, durable deck.

For more information about Mike's endorsement of SigmaDek, see Mike Holmes Endorses SigmaDek, Unveils Innovative Decking Products At National Home Show in Toronto.

Mike Holmes Endorses SigmaDek, Unveils Innovative Decking Products At National Home Show in Toronto

Mike Holmes announced today through a press release that he is endorsing SigmaDek, a revolutionary new decking company out of Calgary, for their innovative new decking system. With SigmaDek, one can create a durable, beautiful, and virtually maintenance free deck that wont scratch, stain, or fall apart. Mike Holmes describes this product as a "game changer" in the world of decks that is aesthetically appealing and convenient to install. Mike Holmes will be unveiling this new product at the National Home Show in Toronto, Canada on March 13.


From Newswire.ca:

Construction guru Mike Holmes joins SigmaDek to unveil its revolutionary patio deck system at National Home Show

TORONTO, March 12, 2015 /CNW/ - SigmaDek™ Ltd. of Calgary will unveil its unique, Canadian-made prefabricated decking system – the next generation in home deck design and building – with trusted contractor and TV host Mike Holmes at this month's National Home Show, presented by RE/MAX and co-located with Canada Blooms in Toronto.

Holmes will attend the opening day of the National Home Show, presented by RE/MAX and co-located with Canada Blooms on March 13, 2015 from 9:30 am to noon to give the media a first look at the high-tech SigmaDek product line, which combines aerospace-grade aluminum substructure with aluminum-and-porcelain deck boards that connect seamlessly. The award-winning system creates a stunning patio deck surface that delivers unprecedented levels of durability, fast assembly, convenience and safety.

"SigmaDek is a game-changer. It introduces a whole new product category when it comes to building decks, and it's smart. It reduces construction time, it's scratch proof, stain resistant, maintenance free, and it lasts. Not to mention it looks good, too!" said Holmes, host of the popular television series Holmes on Homes® and Holmes Makes It Right. "Homeowners, deck installers, builders and designers are going to love this product!"

SigmaDek has been officially designated a HOLMES Approved Product. The HOLMES Approved Products program helps homeowners choose quality products for their home.

SigmaDek will have a full patio model on display for the run of the National Home Show, presented by RE/MAX and co-located with Canada Blooms from March 13–22 in the Direct Energy Centre at Toronto's Exhibition Place.

"Our new SigmaDek system is a breakthrough product that truly must be seen to be believed," said Tory Weber, President of SigmaDek Ltd. "Our easy-to install, pre-fabricated system features non-combustible components that interlock seamlessly, look beautiful and will never rot, crack or warp. It's nothing less than a paradigm shift in patio deck construction and materials."
SigmaDek is the industry's first painted and prefabricated deck system, with ready-to-assemble components that minimize job site waste while dramatically reducing construction time.

"We are extremely excited to introduce SigmaDek to the Canadian market following seven years of careful development and we are very proud to have the participation of Mike Holmes, Canada's leading voice on home improvement and construction," Weber added.

SigmaDek will be available nationally in retail home improvement stores starting in May 2015, and the in-store experience will include SigmaDek's industry-leading Customer Experience Interactive Center. Trained SigmaDek representatives will be a touchscreen away via a high-tech, interactive kiosk to provide live consultation and information to Canadian consumers.

"Personal interaction with each customer from our trained experts is essential in providing the highest level of customer service and support and that is unprecedented in the building materials sector," said Paul Walker, SigmaDek CEO.

SigmaDek's aluminum deck system – deck substructure, railing, stairs and porcelain deck boards - carries a limited lifetime warranty. SigmaDek's system is Built Green™ certified and tested beyond Canada's existing building code requirements.
Additional details on SigmaDek's innovative design are available online at www.sigmadek.com, along with amazing videos demonstrating SigmaDek's incredible durability and unique appearance.

For all media inquiries regarding Mike Holmes, please contact The Holmes Group.

ABOUT SIGMADEK
Based in Calgary, Canada SigmaDek Ltd. is a privately held company founded in 2008. SigmaDek™ has spent over six years designing and engineering a safe, aluminum component decking system. SigmaDek is using materials that do not deteriorate and can only be installed according to a pre-engineered design. These systems are made from rugged die cast aluminum and extruded aluminum. SigmaDek is taking the lead in providing a Safe, Strong and Sustainable alternative to wood constructions, while improving outdoor esthetics.
ABOUT MIKE HOLMES
Mike Holmes is a professional contractor and the host and creator of the hit TV series Holmes on Homes®, Holmes Inspection and Holmes Makes It Right. He's been named the 2nd Most Trusted Canadian by Reader's Digest, Forbes' 3rd Most Trustworthy Celebrity and the 8th Most Trusted Public Name in America. Through his company, The Holmes Group, Mike Holmes leads an international brand with operations in independent media production, new-home building and home inspection, residential construction and renovation, as well as product development. The HOLMES brand includes Make It Right Productions Inc., HOLMES Communities, HOLMES Approved Homes, MIKE HOLMES Inspections, HOLMES Approved Products, Make It Right Construction, HOLMES Workwear and The Holmes Foundation.

SOURCE SigmaDek Ltd.

Empire Communities Partners with Mike Holmes for HOLMES Approved Homes Program

It was announced today that Empire Communities, a home builder with a 20 year track record of building quality homes in Ontario, is the latest member of the Holmes Approved Homes program. The partnership between the two companies was announced via a press release:

From Newswire.ca:

Empire Communities Partners with Mike Holmes for HOLMES Approved Homes Program

The partnership will see Empire's lowrise communities inspected and certified by HOLMES Approved Homes inspectors

VAUGHAN, ON, March 9, 2015 /CNW/ - Empire Communities continues its commitment to building homes of enduring value with the announcement that they partnered with Mike Holmes and his HOLMES Approved Homes Program for all of its lowrise communities in Ontario. Empire was approached by the Holmes team to join the exclusive program.

"Empire is the biggest builder we've partnered with, hands down," states Mike Holmes. "I'm excited about this partnership because it helps me to reach more homebuyers. Everyone deserves to have a home built right. Thanks to this partnership with Empire, now they can. This is going to be huge!"

The HOLMES Approved Homes Program implements Mike Holmes' mandate in new-home construction, giving homebuyers the opportunity to purchase a home built to Mike's standards. Every unit registered in the Program must undergo a series of inspections during critical stages of construction to receive HOLMES Approved Homes certification.

"We are honoured that the Holmes team personally selected us for the HOLMES Approved Homes Program and are thrilled to say inspections have already begun at our sites in Southwestern Ontario," says Paul A. Golini Jr., Co-Founder and Executive Vice President, Industry Relations, Empire.

The HOLMES Approved Homes Program augments Partner Builders' quality assurance programs, based on Mike's building specifications, and transfers that value to their clients for added reassurance and their peace of mind.

Through the partnership, every Empire home that is part of the program will be inspected both during and after construction, including building envelope reviews, thermographic scans, and a complete review of finishes, plumbing, HVAC and electrical, among other inspections.

Once all inspections are complete, Empire homeowners will receive a HOLMES Approved Homes Summary Report as a transparent record of their home's construction and to help build future value.

"By providing our homeowners with transparent proof that their home has been built to be safer, stronger and more durable thanks to superior construction practices and a strict adherence to proper code, they can have peace of mind knowing their future home has been built to last and is a smart investment," says Golini.

Empire lowrise communities currently registered in the HOLMES Approved Homes Program include Eaton Square, Glow, Imagine, Lakeside, Lush at Victory, Summerlea, Victory, Wyndance and Wyndfield.

In its 20-year history, Empire has achieved over 90 awards for outstanding service, achievement and design. The company is one of the most awarded Green Builders in Ontario having for a number of years been recognized by the HHHBA, WRHBA, BILD and EnerQuality as Green Builder of the Year.  In 2014 EnerQuality recognized Empire for achieving 1000 ENERGY STAR® qualified homes in their Wyndfield Community making them the largest ENERGY STAR® builder in Southwestern Ontario.

For Empire interview opportunities, please contact Vicbar Marketing Ltd.

For all inquiries regarding Mike Holmes, including interviews, please contact The Holmes Group.

SOURCE Empire Communities

Image with caption: "Mike Holmes (CNW Group/Empire Communities/The Holmes Group)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150309_C3738_PHOTO_EN_12951.jpg

 For further information: Media Contacts: Vicki Griffiths, Vicbar Marketing Ltd., Ph: 416-510-0073, Cel: 416-432-8785, vgriffiths@vicbarmarketing.com; Jodi Goulart, Vicbar Marketing Ltd., Cel: 647-887-8643, jgoulart@vicbarmarketing.com; Amanda Heath, The Holmes Group, 647-253-0300 ext. 410, amandaheath@makeitright.ca