Appliances

The life expectancy of a typical appliance depends to a great extent on the use it receives.

Moreover, appliances are often replaced long before they are worn out because changes in styling, technology and consumer preferences make newer products more desirable.  Of the major appliances in a home, gas ranges have the longest life expectancy: 15 years. Dryers and refrigerators last about 13 years.  Some of the appliances with the shortest lifespan are: compactors (6 years), dishwashers (9 years) and microwave ovens (9 years).

Cabinetry and Storage

Kitchens are becoming larger and more elaborate, and together with the family room, modern kitchens now form the “great room.”  Great rooms are not only a place to cook, but also a space where people gather to read, eat, do homework, surf the Internet and pay bills.  Kitchen cabinets are expected to last up to 50 years, medicine cabinets for 20+ years, and garage/laundry cabinets for 100+ years.  Closet shelves are expected to last for a lifetime.

Concrete and Masonry

Masonry is one of the most durable components of a home.  Chimneys, fireplaces, and brick veneers can last a lifetime, and brick walls have an average life expectancy of more than 100 years.

Countertops

Natural stone countertops, which are less expensive than a few years ago, are gaining in popularity and are expected to last a lifetime.  Cultured marble countertops have a life expectancy of about 20 years.

Decks

Because they are subject to a wide range of conditions in different climates, the life expectancy of wooden decks can vary significantly.  Under ideal conditions, they have a life expectancy of about 20 years.

Doors

Exterior fiberglass, steel and wood doors will last as long as the house exists, while vinyl and screen doors have a life expectancy of 20 and 40 years, respectively.  Closet doors are expected to last a lifetime, and French doors have an average life of 30 to 50 years.

Electrical and Lighting

Copper plated wiring, copper clad aluminum, and bare copper wiring are expected to last a lifetime, whereas electrical accessories and lighting controls are expected to last 10+ years.

Engineered Lumber

Floor and roof trusses and laminated strand lumber are expected to last a lifetime, and engineered trim is expected to last 30 years.

Faucets and Fixtures

Kitchen sinks made of modified acrylic will last 50 years, while kitchen faucets will work properly for about 15 years.  The average life of bathroom shower enclosures is 50 years.  Showerheads last a lifetime, while shower doors will last about 20 years.  Bath cabinets and toilets have an unlimited lifespan, but the components inside the toilet tank do require some maintenance. Whirlpool tubs will function properly for 20 to 50 years, depending on use.

Flooring

All natural wood floorings have a life expectancy of 100 years or more.  Marble, slate, and granite are also expected to last for about 100 years, but can last less due to a lack of maintenance.  Vinyl floors last up to 50 years, linoleum about 25 years, and carpet between 8 and 10 years (with appropriate maintenance and normal traffic).

Footings and Foundations

Poured as well as concrete block footings and foundations last a lifetime, assuming they were properly built.  Termite proofing of foundations will last about 12 years if the chemical barriers put in place during construction are left intact. Waterproofing with bituminous coating lasts 10 years, but if it cracks it is immediately damaged.  Concrete or cast iron waste pipes are expected to last 100 years or more.

Framing and Other Structural Systems

Framing and structural systems have extended longevities: poured-concrete systems, timber frame houses and structural insulated panels will all last a lifetime. Wall panels and roof and floor trusses will similarly last a lifetime. Softwood, hardboard, and plywood last an average of 30 years, while OSB and particleboard are expected to function properly for 60 years.

Garages

Garage door openers are expected to last 10 to 15 years and light inserts for 20 years.

What do you want first the good news or the bad news?

 The good news is the Canadian economy is strengthening in just about every front.  This is news that echoes what’s coming from the United States where the economy has had its second quarter of growth.

Here is Canada the growth numbers for the GDP are expected to be 2.4% but don’t surprised if that number increases as the year matures.  The expected growth rate was 2.0% so a 20% increase in growth is sizeable and may even exceed these expectations.  Recent comments by the International Monetary Fund support these statements “In Canada, the recovery is well advanced, and the economy is well-positioned with room for policy makers to respond flexibly to changes in the economic outlook.”  The economic outlook is supported by an increase in the United States Canada’s chief export market.

Now the bad news; you can expect Bank of Canada Governor to raise interest rates sooner than later.  This is a dramatic shift in expectations as it looks as though this rate hike will occur before years end whereas many speculated that 2013 Q1 would be the earliest jump in rates.

Canada remains very concerned with the level of consumer debt and the effect a rate jump may have on the Canadian households. Mr Carney seems anxious to reign in the booming housing market and will definitely use economic recovery as a point to rally the key rate.  However the United States Federal Reserve is committed to a near-zero rate policy so there is only so high Mr. Carney can go without sending the Canadian currency skyward.  Mr. Carney’s mere hint of a rate jump on April 16^th sent the loonie up over a full cent against the U.S. dollar.

Inspecting your home on a regular basis and following good maintenance practices are the best way to protect your investment in your home.  Whether you take care of a few tasks at a time or several all at once, it is important to get into the habit of doing them.  Establish a routine for yourself, and you will find the work is easy to accomplish and not very time-consuming.  A regular schedule of seasonal maintenance can put a stop to the most common — and costly — problems, before they occur.  If necessary, use a camera to take pictures of anything you might want to share with an expert for advice, to monitor or remind you of a situation later.

By following the information noted here, you will learn about protecting your investment and how to help keep your home a safe and healthy place to live.

If you do not feel comfortable performing some of the home maintenance tasks listed below, or do not have the necessary equipment, for example a ladder, you may want to consider hiring a qualified handyperson to help you.

Spring Maintenance Checklist

A client of our recently asked us to comment on Diane Francis National Post article on Foreign Buying contributing to housing bubble.  Here is the article http://opinion.financialpost.com/2012/04/13/to-tame-torontos-housing-bubble-ban-foreign-buying/

I admire and respect Ms Francis but her article here is not 100 per cent accurate and contains many half truths and inaccurate and dangerous assumptions.  What Ms Francis is missing (and I have argued this many times of most, if not all, economists) is the view from the ground floor.  Yes, foreign buying is contributing to the market boom particularly in Vancouver and somewhat in Toronto but no, that is not the sole source of our heated market place.  For the purposes of this blog, I am going to leave Vancouver alone; 1) I don’t work there so don’t have the ground floor view of which I speak and 2) it’s a distinct animal, more an Asian Pacific city than a Canadian one and thus should not be lumped together with cities east of the Rockies.

As for Toronto, I can tell you first hand that the buyers lining up for resale homes are and have predominantly been resident Canadians.  They come to open houses, they have local representation and they sit in their cars anxiously waiting on offer nights. They are not foreigners, they are not speculators any more than you and I, in owning a family home.  In the last month, W-B Real Estate has sold multiple homes most with multiple offers; every offer was presented with the buyer present or nearby.  The resale market accounts for 95% of the housing market, sighting new build condos and the marketing and sale of those units to foreign investors is xenophobic, dangerous and quite frankly inaccurate.  More importantly it factors only a tiny percentage of the volume of sales conducted; therefore, much to small a sample set to be indicative of the market as a whole.  Sighting one example of a wealthy foreign student purchasing a bungalow is not at all indicative of what’s really happening in the market place.  Ms. Francis argument strikes me as being very “Chicken Little”.

With respect to CMHC, Ms. Francis is quick to point out that the public is on the hook for defaults, but what she fails to mention is that CMHC is an insurance company with skilled actuaries setting and adjusting their rates in accordance with risk in the marketplace.  It’s the insurance premiums that really pays for the defaults not our taxes.

Toronto Simon responded best to Ms. Francis in the third comment down, I couldn’t say it better, so here is his reply reprinted… “CMHC has allowed the financing of multi-residential student housing, very much in line with what they already do for typical multi-residential apartments.  To this, the regulations in place are meant to encourage the provision of housing for a traditionally underserved market.  Your loose connection between the million dollar bungalow and a CMHC insured mortgage is unsubstantiated, probably incorrect, and from the comments I’ve reviewed here below clearly embolden a xenophobic portion of the population.”

Purple violas are beautiful mixed with other shades of purple flowers in a spring planter.

Planters in bloom announce the long-awaited arrival of spring with a burst of beautiful colour and breath-taking fragrance.  You can create a spring planter by selecting flowers based on a monochromatic colour scheme or a mix of vibrant or pastel colours.  Spring bulbs are easily grown or transplanted to planters, and with the addition of some greenery, you can create a beautiful arrangement with only a few different types of plants.

 Monochromatic Colour Arrangements

• No colour says spring more than purple, and there are many varieties of purple flowers available to make a monochromatic, or one colour, spring planter.  Crocuses are usually the first to arrive. Select several varieties for different bloom times to keep your planter full of flowers for an extended period of time.  Hyacinths can be added to the planter for additional purple shades and fragrance.  Tuck in some trailing dichondra for greenery and violas (johnny jump-ups) for more purple.

Vibrant Colour Arrangements

Pansies offer the full spectrum of vibrant colours in the spring planter.  Since they tolerate colder temperatures, you can start these early and they will bloom into summer.  White, purple, yellow, red and orange are among the colours you can find.  Plant some additional brightly coloured tulips and add some Ivy for greenery and structure, letting it trail over the planter.

Pastel Colour Arrangements

For a highly fragrant arrangement of pastels, start with the stock flower in various shades of pink, purple, yellow, pale orange and white. Pale yellow and white daffodils add a different texture and dianthus adds additional pink and extends the bloom time. Position a white or pink bleeding heart plant as a focal point to add sculptural impact and greenery to the planter.

Source:  Erika Marie, eHow contributor

1.       Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart.  June 3^rd from 6am.  Raise funds for heart and stroke research while riding the DVP and Gardiner Expressway.  For more info visit http://rideforheart.caor call (416) 486-RIDE.

 2.       Birkdale Art in The Park. June 2^nd from 10 am to 4 pm at Birkdale Community Center, 1299 Ellesmere Road.  Birkdale Art in the Park 2012 – Annual Outdoor Art Show and Sale.  Art in the Park is an annual one-day outdoor community arts festival that is held in the Birkdale Ravine surrounding the Birkdale Community Center.  For more info visit www.birkdaleartinthepark.com

 3.       For The Masses A Photographic Pilgrimage.  Runs through to June 4^th at Joseph D Carrier Art Gallery Villa Colombo, 901 Lawrence Avenue West, Lawrence Avenue West and Dufferin Street.  Gallery open from 10 am to 10 pm.  During a 2011 Pilgrimage in Northern France, Visual artist James C Swartz was enraptured by the beauty of the churches he visited.  His photographic collection captures the historical romanticism from the famous, including the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, to the tiniest churches scattered throughout the Loire Valley and Normandy.  The glorious XII and XIII Century Romanesque Frescoes and Murals, painted with earth and ground stones on wet plaster, are a vibrant part of this exhibition.  James vision of the Church is truly “For the Masses.”  His photos of the countryside capture the romance of the land and its people.  For more info visit www.villacharities.com

 4.       Korean DANO Spring Festival.  June 1^st to June 2^nd from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM and 1100 AM to 11:00 PM at Chrisite Pits Park, 750 Bloor Street West, Christie Street and Bloor Street West.  The 20th anniversary of the “Korean DANO Spring Festival” will take place in Toronto and will feature Korean food, traditional dance and music, Korean Pop, arts & crafts, Taekwondo demonstrations, sports competitions, veterans’ exhibitions, business booths and continuous entertainment along with a beer garden (Free Admission).  The Korea Town BIA, ALL TV and The Korea Times Daily have successfully co-organized the Festival for 20 years attracting over 200,000 spectators since 1992.  For more info visit www.koreandanospringfestival.com or facebook.com/KoreanDanoSpringFestival

 5.       Race for Kids.  June 2^nd from 2 pm to 4:30 pm at St. James Park, King Street East and Jarvis Street.  An Adventure right in Toronto!  Your participation will help support over 28,000 youth and allow us to deliver programs and services aimed at providing opportunities for youth right in your own community.  Race for Kids is an urban adventure race where teams of five compete in a race to the finish line.  Each team must complete all 10 challenges before crossing the finish line.  Challenges are designed for participants to experience a fun team bonding experience.  Teams should expect the unexpected!  For more info visit www.raceforkids.ca

1.     Bike with Mike 2012.  May 27^th from 12 pm to 5pm at Christie Pits Park, Bloor St W and Christie St.  Grab your bike and helmet and join Councillor Mike Layton and his team for a two-wheeled scavenger hunt around our community, Ward 19- Trinity-Spadina Teams of two or more are recommended, so be sure to bring your friends and family to this fun, green and free event.  Please bring: Bike helmet and bell or whistle, Camera or camera phone, Water and snacks to keep you fuelled, Weather-appropriate gear.  After the Scavenger Hunt, join Mike at Christie Pits Park located at Bloor and Christie for refreshments, prize announcements and other cycling-related activities & information.  Need more info? Email councillor_layton@toronto.ca or visit www.mikelayton.ca

2.   Doors Open Toronto.  May 26^th and 27^th at various locations throughout Toronto.  In commemoration of the War of 1812 bicentennial, this year’s Doors Open Toronto theme is 200 Years of Building the Urban City.  More than 135 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings will highlight their city builders; the fascinating personalities who shaped Toronto’s architecture and history.  All for free!  For more info and locations please visit www.toronto.ca/doorsopen

3.   Free Concert Series 2012 Festival Preview.  May 29^th from 12 pm to 1 pm (Concertgoers are encouraged to arrive early as late seating is not available) at Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen Street West, Queen Street West and University Avenue.  Now in its seventh season, the Toronto Summer Music Festival has established itself as the city’s premier chamber music festival.  Newly appointed artistic director Douglas McNabney presents a sneak preview featuring emerging artists and music from the festival.  For more info visit www.coc.ca

4.   Mimico Village Tulip Festival.  May 29^th from 4 pm to 7 pm at Mimico Village, Royal York Road between Evans Avenue and The Go Train (Newcastle Street).  The festival offers a great family fun day with free events.  Activities for children include a rock climbing wall, a jumpy castle, carnival games and prizes, face painting, cookie decorating, entertainment, community BBQ, and a school art and craft fair.  Each family receives a FREE Shop the Shore recycle gift bag to fill with their festival giveaways. The spirit of volunteerism is also raised through high school students who donate their creative talents in face painting and supervising other fun areas for children.  Police officers and firefighters meet with families in the community to help with children’s safety information.  For more info call 416-251-1126

5.   Toronto Bicycling Network Spring Kick-Off Event.  May 26^th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Etienne Brule Park, Bloor Street West and Old Mill Road.  Bring your bike, meet people and learn all about The Toronto Bicycling Network, Canada’s largest recreational cycling club.  There will be snacks, info table, educational and fun events as well as a variety of rides.  Etienne Brule Park can be entered at the south end from Old Mill Road off of Bloor Street, or at the north from Lundy Avenue.  Cyclists can also travel through the park on the Tommy Thompson Trail, using entrances at Pasadena Gardens and Lundy Avenue.  For more info visit : www.tbn.ca

1.      Artisans at the Distillery Show.  May 19^th to 21^st from 11 am to 6 pm at Distillery District, 55 Mill Street, Parliment Street and Front Street East.  Held in the distinctive cobble stoned 19th century Distillery District, Artisans at the Distillery show features a wide range of goods; jewellery, pottery, glass, gourmet foods and body care spa products, inlaid cutting boards, inspired paintings and photography, handmade cards, funky hats, clothing and handbags.  The free outdoor show features 80 artists and their wares from across Canada and is open in Toronto for one weekend only.  For more info visit www.artisansatthedistillery.com

2.       Ensemble Studio Performance of Semele.  May 23^rd at 7:30 pm at Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen Street West, Queen Street West and University Avenue.  This special performance stars Ensemble members Mireille Asselin and Ambur Braid, two sopranos sharing the role of Semele, along with tenor Christopher Enns as Jupiter and mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb as both Jupiter’s jealous wife, Juno, and Semele’s sister, Ino.  The young artists perform with the full COC Orchestra and Chorus under the direction of Semele’s conductor Rinaldo Alessandrini and director Zhang Huan.  For tickets and more info visit www.coc.ca

3.       Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival.  May 17^th to 27^th at TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King Street West, King and John.  One of the largest LGBT film festivals in the world.  Taking place over 11 days, the Festival draws crowds of close to 35,000 to screenings, artist talks, panel discussions, installations and parties that highlight more than 200 films and videos from Canada and around the world.  In 2009 Inside Out welcomed RBC Royal Bank as the Presenting Sponsor for the Festival.  For more info visit www.insideout.ca

4.       Scotia Bank CONTACT Photography Festival.  Runs through to May 31^st at multiple locations, please contact event organizers for more details.  Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival celebrates and showcases the art of the photographic image, through exhibitions, educational activities and events.  Approaching our 16th anniversary in May 2012, CONTACT, a month long festival, is one of a number of photo festivals worldwide, establishing its mark with other host cities such as Paris, Madrid, Houston, Arles, Stockholm and Mexico City.  For more info visit www.scotiabankcontactphoto.com

5.       West Side Story.  May 8^th to 27^th at Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge Street.  Directed by David Saint, using Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction, West Side Story remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The new Broadway cast album of West Side Story recently won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.  The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere.”  For more info and tickets visit www.dancaptickets.com

 1.       Annex Plays George Crumb’s ‘Black Angels’.  May 11^th from 8 pm to 10 pm at Gallery 345, 345 Sorauren Avenue.  Black Angels is probably the only string quartet to have been inspired by the Vietnam War. The work draws from an arsenal of sounds including shouting, chanting, whistling, whispering, gongs, maracas, and crystal glasses.  The score bears two inscriptions: in tempore belli (in time of war) and “Finished on Friday the Thirteenth, March, 1970″.  Having worked closely with the Kronos Quartet, The Annex Quartet take up a piece known mostly through its Kronos interpretation. “Black Angels” is like nothing you’ve ever heard before.  For tickets and more info visit http://www.nimbitmusic.com/theannexquartet#shows

2.       Circus! The Exhibition.  May 9^th through September 3^rd at Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue East.  The science of the trapeze, the human cannonball, sword swallowers and more are explored in Circus! The Exhibition.  Designed and developed by the Ontario Science Centre, the popular exhibition immerses visitors in the illusion and reality of the circus.  Its 23 exhibits and related programming are a fully interactive, thrilling romp through the magic of the Big Top.  Learn how high-wire performers defy gravity on the tightrope, how collagen, muscles and flexibility allow contortionists to fold into tiny spaces, how juggling relies on mathematics, and discover many more secrets behind the acts of the greatest show on Earth.  For more info visit www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca

3.       Martingrove Gardens Family Fun Day BBQ & Bazaar.  May 12^th from 8 am to 1 pm at Martingrove Gardens Park, 31 Lavington Drive, Kipling Avenue and Dixon Road.  EMBRACE Martingrove Gardens community fundraiser 2nd Family Fun Day in Martingrove Gardens Park!  Great vendors, BBQ from 11 – 1pm, Silent Auction, Raffle Draw, Police Recruitment booth, Appearances by Blinky the Police Car, Pat Troll, Twinkles the Clown and fun for all!  For more info visit www.embracemggp.blogspot.com

4.       Mayfair in Rosedale Park.  May 12^th from 9 am to 5 pm at Rosedale Park, 38 Scholfield Avenue, East of Mount Pleasant Road and North of Roxborough Drive.  Exciting carnival rides, midway games for kids (great prizes!), face painting, track and field, fish pond, candy floss, popcorn, bingo, raffle, silent auction and more!  Kids – dress up as your favourite movie character for the street parades, 8:15 to 8:45 am. (see web site for parade maps.) Prizes for costumes!  Relax at our Outdoor Pub with live music and BBQ!  For more info visit www.mooredale.org/events/mayfair

5.      Spring Bird Festival.  May 12^th from 7 am to 4 pm at Tommy Thompson Park, 1 Leslie Street.    Join us at the Spring Bird Festival to learn about the amazing phenomenon of migration and the importance of bird conservation. A variety of activities will be offered for people of all ages and all birding abilities!  For more info visit  www.springbirdfestival.ca

1.       14^th Annual Gems Walk.  May 6^th, 2012 at various locations thru ought the city, visit web site for locations.  Registration opens at 1:00 PM. Walking Tours will start at 2:00 PM, followed by a social gathering at Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant (212 King St. W.) from 3:30 to 5:30 PM.  Gain knowledge and enthusiasm about the history of Toronto’s architecture alongside friends and family.  Discover a rich history of the city and some new architectural gems through this signature fundraising event that aims to be informative and enjoyable for all ages.  Organized by volunteers, the gems walk continues to remain strong in raising over $130,000 since inception.  Help us make this a record breaking year by asking family, friends, neighbors and colleagues to sponsor your walk in support of HD.  For more info visit www.hdtoronto.org

2.       Baobab.  May 8^th through 17^th at Young People’s Theatre, Nathan Cohen Studio Theatre, 165 Front St E., Front Street East and Sherbourne Street.  Inspired by West African legends, this story is of an ancient boabab tree standing tall amidst a persistent drought.  One day the tree brings forth an egg and from the egg is born a little boy.  The villagers recognize that this little boy is the only one who can undertake the quest to bring water back to the land.  But there are four formidable tasks to be completed before success is possible.  Can a little boy change the history of the world?   For more info, tickets and show times visit www.youngpeoplestheatre.ca/en/current/baobab.cfm

3.       Community Spring Fair.  May 5^th from 10 am to 3 pm at Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood & Community Health Centre, 1900 Davenport Road. Highlights of the Spring Fair include a silent auction, bake sale, tea room, artisan market gallery, great food, family photos, community information and free kid’s activities!  “We have a fantastic day of activities lined up for people of all ages.”  The event will also celebrate the opening of DPNCHC’s new health centre with expanded health services for the community.  For more info visit www.dpnchc.ca

4.       Family Team Building Adventure.  May 3^rd from 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm at Ralph Thornton Centre, 765 Queen Street East.  Team-up with your family and participate in thrilling team races, awesome obstacle courses, brain-busting challenges and more.  Your family will love the variety of active, hands-on, and fun challenges only offered by Dynamix.  As in all Dynamix programs, teams will work and play together and, without even knowing it, learn what respect, cooperation and team spirit is all about.  This unique experience fosters family teamwork, better communication and appreciation for our loved ones.  For more info and to register please visit www.getdynamix.com/FamilyTeam

5.       Ontario Police Memorial Ceremony of Remembrance.  May 6^th from 10 am to 12 pm at Memorial Park, Queen’s Park.  In 2000, the Ontario Police Memorial was created to honour those police officers, in the Province of Ontario, who lost their lives in the line of duty.  The names of all known fallen officers are inscribed upon the Wall of Honour at the Memorial Park in Queen’s Park, Toronto.  On the first Sunday of May each year, the Foundation hosts the Ceremony of Remembrance for these fallen officers’ families, friends, colleagues and the people of Ontario to remember those officers we have lost.  For more info visit www.opmf.ca/memorial/ceremony.php