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Haunted Places Series: Craigdarroch Castle

October 12, 2020

Location: Victoria, British Columbia, CanadaArchitectural Style: ChâteauesqueBuilt: 1887-1890 “They’re heeeere!” With the return of the spooky season comes the return of our Haunted Places series! We’re starting off on a new ghost hunting adventure by taking a trip to Canada and the famed Craigdarroch Castle. From hauntings to Hollywood, this location has attracted both the living and the dead. What better way to get in the Halloween mood than with a castle fit for Dracula? BackgroundCraigdarroch Castle is a 39-room, Victorian-era castle that spans over 25,000 square feet (2,300 m2). The castle was originally built for Scottish-immigrant turned coal-magnate Robert Dunsmuir and his wife Joan. Located atop a hill overlooking the City of Victoria, the mansion was meant to be a status symbol for all below to see. However, Robert would never get to bask in the beauty of the completed castle. He died 17 months before construction was completed, one in a string of deaths that followed the family. The original architect, Warren Heywood Williams, also died following the passing of Robert Dunsmuir. With Mr. Dunsmuir gone and the castle only halfway finished, the Dunsmuir boys Alexander and James took it upon themselves to see their father’s dream to

Handmade Haunting: Bringing the Tricks and Treats to Your Home

October 5, 2020

Halloween is normally the time where all the local ghosts and goblins make their way door to door in search of goodies. However, much like the spooky season itself, this past year has proved to be anything but normal. If you’re looking for a fun way to have your candy and eat it too, then making an at-home haunting is just what Dr. Frankenstein ordered. Get the whole family involved in the construction. While your kids may be saddened that they won’t be able to travel the neighborhood, having them create their own house of horrors will cheer them right up. It’s also a good idea to get your little ones involved in the creation since they know their own scare-level. You don’t want to create a house that scares them too much, and definitely don’t want to make a “house of snores.” Decorate with DIY spiders, ghosts and other monsters. You don’t need to head out and buy expensive animatronic spooks that will just sit in storage most of the year. You can easily create your own freaks and creeps from items around your house, with a few additional supplies from the craft store. Some grotesque guests to get

Transforming Your Unused Room into a Healthy Space

September 28, 2020

Being active and staying fit are some of the most common life goals people have today. Whether you’re young or old, finding ways to squeeze more exercise into your busy schedule can provide numerous benefits for you. Maintaining an active lifestyle can be difficult for many, but it’s easier when you bring the gym to you! Gyms Aren’t Always the Answer Gym memberships can be expensive, and you might not be getting your money’s worth if you don’t go regularly. In fact, you might not even have a gym near you that fits your needs. If the thought of fighting miles of traffic after work to get to the gym makes your eyes cross, you’ll probably be one of the many people who don’t keep up with their regimen. Put an Unused Room to Use Your house could be the solution for your workout dilemma. More and more people are beginning to realize the benefits of transforming unused space into their own gym. A basement, your garage or even a spare bedroom are all great candidates. You can easily customize these rooms to fit your requirements, and you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on high-end equipment. All it

The Importance of an Emergency Radio

September 21, 2020

When an emergency strikes, you need to be prepared to keep you and your family safe. You’ll of course need a solid safety plan, then you’ll need to make sure you have the right tools at the ready. One often-overlooked device you should include in your kit is an emergency radio. Keep reading to learn more about why an emergency radio is one of the most important gadgets in your arsenal. Why Do You Need a Radio? In the age where information can be accessed instantly in the palm of your hand, you might be asking yourself why you need an “older” piece of technology. The answer to your question is simple: phones don’t always work. If you experience a storm with high winds, cell towers could be damaged, hindering service in your area just when you need updates the most. Plus, if you experience a lengthy power outage, your phone could be dead for days without a backup charging solution. The same applies to your TV, which you might be tempted to rely on for updates. Receive Accurate Information Before and After During an emergency situation, it’s important to know where to go and what to do. With the

5 Tips for Making the Perfect Remote Learning Space

September 14, 2020

Back-to-school season is now in full swing, but classrooms look much different than they did last year. As schools across the country adjust to social distancing guidelines, many are moving courses online to help keep students and teachers healthy. While remote schooling means you won’t need to pack lunches or rush your kids out the door in the morning, it does come with its own unique set of challenges. Designing the perfect study spot will help keep students of all ages on task and ready to learn. 1. What space is the best?When you start out designing your new “classroom,” it can be hard to narrow it down to one single spot, especially if you have multiple students at home. Lounging comfy beds all day may seem perfect, but just about anyone might be more inclined to take a nap than to read that next chapter. Natural lighting is good, but it can take willpower not to stare out the window all day. To avoid students constantly moving around and losing focus, make a list of what you need to best replicate their classrooms at school. In the end, after a little trial and error, it’s important that you pick

Here’s What You Should Know about Removing a Chimney

September 8, 2020

A fireplace in your home can be a nice decorative item to have, and they can be a high selling point in certain locations. But if a fireplace sits unused for a prolonged period of time, they can become a safety issue. Potential buyers can see them as more of a hassle to maintain, and a bulky fireplace can disrupt the look of a room. So if you’re a homeowner or renovator, how can you cut out that old smokestack to update your property? Have a Professional Look at It Chances are that if you don’t use your fireplace very often, you may not know the condition it’s in. If that’s the case, don’t immediately turn on your fireplace to see if it works. Dirt and other debris can build up over years of inactivity, and suddenly lighting a flame can start a dangerous fire. Call in a professional to examine your chimney both inside and outside. They can give you the necessary information on the condition of your fireplace and accompanying components, as well as advise the best course of action to have it removed. These inspectors may also be licensed to get everything shut off and closed to

What’s that Smell? What Different Odors in Your Water Mean

August 31, 2020

Have you noticed a strange smell emanating from your faucet lately? When it comes to strange or unpleasant water scents, the devil is in the details. Here’s a list of some of the most common water odors and what they say about the condition of your home’s plumbing or water supply. Your Water Smells Like FishFirst of all, no worries—it’s not actual fish! Depending on where you live, you could be getting your water supply from the bodies of water around you. During the summer months these ponds or lakes can produce algae blooms, and particles from them may make their way into your water. Naturally occurring metals in the ground and other decaying materials can also cause a fish-like scent. Chloramine used to treat water can produce a smell as well. Solution: One way to deal with fishy water is to try and flush out your water heater. If that doesn’t work, your next course of action will depend on if you have a private or public well. If you have a private well, try to shock chlorinate it to kill any algae or install an automatic chlorinator. If you use a public water system, it’s best to contact

Adding Value to Your Home with a Weatherized Porch

August 18, 2020

A screened porch can be the perfect place to relax and entertain guests during the warmer months of the year. But if you live in an area with freezing winters or muggy summers, your porch may sit empty the majority of the time. If this sounds like a problem you currently have, then it might be time for an upgrade. An all-weather porch will allow you to better utilize this part of your home, while adding both beauty and value. DIY or Hire Once you’ve made the decision that changing to an all-weather porch is right for you, you have two options. You can either hire a contractor to do all the work, or you can try and do it yourself. While you might manage to save some money with a DIY, hiring out may better fit your remodeling timeframe. The biggest factor when making your choice is ultimately how confident you feel in your own handiwork. You could even try and merge the two options by doing what best fits your skillset and leaving the rest to a professional. Layout The next step is trying to configure the layout of your new enclosed porch. You will want to stay

Have an Old Tree in Your Yard? Look Out for These Hidden Issues

August 10, 2020

Older trees are highly desirable for adding greenery, shade and a certain “stateliness” to any yard. But just with any landscaping in your outdoor space, tall, old trees bring their own set of challenges. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for when it comes to your yard’s oldest trees. High Wind Risks No matter an area’s climate, high winds are a given from time to time. Wind gusts can reach 60 miles per hour or more, tossing around debris and branches. If a tree’s trunk or limbs reach too close to your home, they can cause severe damage, sending branches or even the entire tree through your roof or windows. They can also knock out power lines, causing long outages that extend to neighboring homes. Branches should be kept trimmed 10 to 30 feet from your home—we recommend the higher end of this scale for added safety. Far-Reaching Roots Older trees often have far-reaching roots, which can cause extensive damage to your home’s structure and major systems. Some roots can harm your home’s foundation by reducing moisture in the soil, causing it to contract–this can cause your home to start shifting, often inward. Roots can also

Safe and Sound: Protecting Yourself from a Home Emergency

August 4, 2020

An emergency can strike anytime, anywhere, even in the place we’re supposed to feel safest–home. While it’s not easy to think about, some emergencies are unavoidable, and the best thing you can do for you and your family is be prepared. Do a Home Safety CheckA preventative home safety check can help decrease your chances of a major accident. Examine each nook and cranny to ensure that you do a comprehensive check. Go room by room and inspect all appliances, fixtures and furniture for potential safety issues. In Your Kitchen In Your Bedrooms and Living Rooms In Your Bathrooms In Hallways and Stairways In Your Basement Accounting for Small ChildrenWhether you have kids yourself, or have family and friends that do, your checklist will need to be adapted. Unless you can watch them at all times, your house will need to go through a “baby overhaul.” Watch out for more things like chipped paint, high surfaces and easily accessible doors. Along with your normal check, go over a baby safety guide to keep everyone in your home out of harm’s way. Install Warning Devices and Preventative Items A checklist is a good starting point to improve your home’s safety, but