by Mr. Rooter

Mr. Rooter Plumbing uses Wally the Wrench in The Drip Game on Facebook to promote being Water-Wise™ in real life.

The Drip Game is about stopping leaks, which has become a rampant problem in reality. More than 1 trillion gallons of water is wasted from household leaks each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

“We started the Water-Wise initiative at Mr. Rooter Plumbing to bring attention to the importance of conserving water,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Corporation. “With The Drip Game we can make learning about water conservation more entertaining.”

And entertaining, it is. In the first month of being live, The Drip Game has been played more than 65,000 times. That equals more than 7,500 hours of playtime.

“We’ve been blown away with the attention The Drip Game is getting,” said Fawn Barlow, marketing manager at Mr. Rooter Corporation. “It’s challenging, fun and to be honest, my wrist hurts from playing it so much.”

The Drip Game has three levels: sink, toilet and shower. It also has “powerups” that make the game interesting. While some catch, slow and stop the drips, others multiply the score and lower the clog level.

The Drip Game is available on Mr. Rooter Corporation’s Facebook page at facebook.com/mrrootercorporation. Just click on The Drip Game link in the left side menu.

If you have a leak, check out the Mr. Rooter online drip calculator. It determines the amount of water wasted daily, monthly and yearly based on the number of drips per minute.

It’s easy to use. Just enter the number of drips per minute in the box, and the amount of wasted water is calculated immediately. You can find the drip calculator at www.mrrooter.com/AskTheExpert/Drip Calculator.aspx.

Finding and fixing leaks can save the average household more than 10,000 gallons of water annually, according to the EPA. That’s enough to fill a back yard swimming pool.

About Mr. Rooter^®:

Established in 1970, Mr. Rooter is an all-franchised, full-service plumbing and drain cleaning company with approximately 300 franchises worldwide. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500” and Franchise Times Top 200, Mr. Rooter franchisees provide services to both residential and commercial customers. Mr. Rooter began franchising in 1974 and is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information or to find the location nearest you, please visit our Web site at www.mrrooter.com and www.mrrooter.ca. Follow us on www.facebook.com/mrrootercorporation and twitter.com/mrrootercorp.

by Mr. Rooter

The tree’s up and decorations are out …but what about those holiday preparation and cleanup tips that aren’t on your to-do list? It’s a busy time of year for Mr. Appliance^®, Mr. Electric^® and Mr. Rooter^® Plumbing. In celebration of the holiday season, they came up with their version of the 12 Days of Christmas.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my service professional fixed for me:

• Twelve tangled lights
• Eleven frozen pipes
• Ten dishwashers spraying
• Nine power cords fraying
• Eight drips a leaking
• Seven ovens overheating
• Six breakers blowing
• Five toilets overflowing
• Four fridges not cooling
• Three light bulbs bursting
• Two drains clogging
• And one service call to fix it all.

To keep the oven, garbage disposal and kitchen sink drain in good working condition this holiday season, cooks need to take some precautions before and after the holiday celebration.

“Oven problems usually go unnoticed until the big meal is already inside the oven,” said Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance^® Corp. “A few minutes spent checking your kitchen appliances could save your holiday season.”

The same goes for your decorating your home for the holidays. “The holidays can be a joyous time, but we also need to be aware of the potential for electrical accidents and keep our families safe,” said Mr. Electric Corporation President Jeff Meyers.

Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electric and Mr. Rooter have the Top 5 Holiday Tips You Haven’t Thought Of:

1. Avoid running the self-cleaning cycle before a big holiday dinner.
2. Replace gaskets at the first sign of a leak or if moisture appears on outside of oven.
3. Avoid pouring grease down the drain.
4. Throw leftovers in the trash or compost pile instead of putting down the garbage disposal.
5. Ensure there is enough space around appliances to allow heat to escape.

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About Mr. Appliance®:

Mr. Appliance is North America’s leading appliance repair franchise system. Established in 1996, its franchises provide full-service residential and light commercial appliance repair. Mr. Appliance has more than 150 locations throughout the United States and Canada and is consistently ranked among the top home service franchises by Entrepreneur magazine and other industry experts. Mr. Appliance is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information, visit www.mrappliance.com.

About Mr. Electric®:

Established in 1994, Mr. Electric is a global franchise organization providing electrical installation and repair services. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500,” Mr. Electric franchisees provide these services to both residential and commercial customers at almost 200 locations worldwide. Mr. Electric is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For further information or to find the location nearest you, visit www.mrelectric.com. © 2011 Mr. Electric Corp.

About Mr. Rooter^®:

Established in 1970, Mr. Rooter is an all-franchised, full-service plumbing and drain cleaning company with approximately 300 franchises worldwide. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500” and Franchise Times Top 200, Mr. Rooter franchisees provide services to both residential and commercial customers. Mr. Rooter began franchising in 1974 and is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information or to find the location nearest you, please visit our Web site at www.mrrooter.com or www.mrrrooter.ca.

by Mr. Rooter

10 Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes

If homeowners don’t winterize their homes before Old Man Winter arrives, he could bring a flurry of high repair bills as well.

“Frozen pipes can be a costly problem if proper precautions are not taken,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Corporation. “Often times, homeowners are unprepared when the winter weather hits.”

The best way to prevent frozen pipes is to take the necessary precautions now. It can save homeowners time and money later.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing has 10 simple tips that will help homeowners keep their pipes from bursting when temperatures plummet this winter:

1. Insulate pipes

• Cover faucets and exposed pipes with insulation or wrap thick towels around them.

2. Secure basement doors, windows and crawl space openings

• Caulk, seal and weather-strip.

3. Drain outside water lines

• Remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets, close interior valves that lead to outside hose taps and then open outside hose taps to drain.

4. Apply electrically-powered heat tape to pipes

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions or call a plumber to do this.

5. Wrap water heater with an approved manufacturer’s blanket

• Use the appropriate type of blanket for your water heater

6. Open cabinet doors

• Allows heat to circulate and keeps interior pipes warm.

7. Keep faucets running

• Either a small trickle of water or constant drip is recommended when temperatures drop below freezing for more than 24 hours.

8. Do not set thermostat lower than 55 degrees when travelling

• Have a neighbor check during below freezing temperatures

9. Locate the main water shut-off valve

• Learn how to use it in case pipes freeze and burst.

10. Have a hair dryer handy if pipes freeze

• Heat pipe’s exterior with a hair dryer by applying heat slowly and moving constantly.

The first step to safely thawing frozen pipes is turning off water at the main water shut-off valve. Next, open the nearest faucet to allow water to drain as the ice melts. Now it’s time to use the hair dryer to heat the pipes, or you can wrap a hot, wet rag around pipes. Do not attempt to thaw exposed frozen pipes with an open flame, such as an acetylene torch. If you’re not a do-it-yourselfer or your pipes burst, call a qualified plumber.

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About Mr. Rooter^®:

“We’ll be available 24/7 to help those having a plumbing emergency. This can be a stressful time for homeowners, and we understand the urgency they feel.”

Established in 1970, Mr. Rooter is an all-franchised, full-service plumbing and drain cleaning company with approximately 300 franchises worldwide. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500” and Franchise Times Top 200, Mr. Rooter franchisees provide services to both residential and commercial customers. Mr. Rooter began franchising in 1974 and is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information or to find the location nearest you, please visit our Web site at www.mrrooter.com.

Pool heater and heat pump contractor’s guideline on how to choose a quality service company

This article was written to help people choose a company to work on their pool equipment but the philosophy applies to all trades.

Choosing a swimming pool heat pump service contractor for a job is sometimes harder than the work itself. You need to find one who is honest, competent and who cares about the quality of his work with swimming pool heating systems.

They are out there, though. Usually they don’t have to advertise their experience with pool heaters, and they can pick and choose who they work for, but when you find one, hang on to them, because they are worth their weight in wrenches. Hopefully it will be the start of a relationship that will last for many years; one that will give you peace of mind knowing that you are being treated fairly and your electric pool heater, gas pool heater, or solar pool heater is properly installed and maintained at a reasonable price.

The best way is the old standby: word of mouth. Call everyone that you know and ask who they have had a good experience with when it came to the installation of their swimming pool heating equipment. If you are a hermit or new to your area, we’ve made a list of ten rules to help you find a good pool heating service contractor. And don’t forget anything beats just calling the biggest ad in the phone book.

1. Never use a pool heating contractor who solicits you for your business. You have to ask yourself why he’s so lonely?

2. Only use a pool heating contractor who uses his name in the title of his company. I want a person with a big ego fixing things for me. Chances are they will take pride in their work.

3. Try only to deal with the owner of the pool heating contracting company. Employees come and go but owners seem to stay around a little longer. Remember you are trying to develop a relationship.

4. Never chase a special price on pool heater service. There is always something else you have to buy. See rule #1.

5. Ask what the hourly rate is on the phone. When they arrive tell them that you want to know the cost of the pool heating parts before they are installed. If the rate is too high or the materials seem out of line, tell them that it is more than you are able to spend at this time. Never let them lower their price. Tell them that you respect their ability and competence, and the way they value their work but you are unable to do business with them at this time. But the next time something comes up you will give them the opportunity to bid on the work. And the next time do give them the chance. They might be more reasonable.

6. If the estimate is too high, tell the contractor that you will get some more quotes. If he wants to be paid for the service call, pay him and ask for a credit if he does the work later. Then call two other pool heater contractors to get a free estimate for the specific repair that the first contractor said the problem was.

7. Never haggle with the price. See rule Five. If you use them again they will overcharge you and then reduce it when you haggle. You don’t want somebody working for you who feels like they are being cheated.

8. Don’t promise to get them a lot of work with other people. Contractors hear that all day long from people who want a break on the bill. Don’t give the contractor an opportunity to laugh at you.

9. Look at the truck and the service person. Are they clean? Is the name painted on the truck? Does the pool heater contractor look like an axe murderer?

10. Pay by credit card if possible or pay by check when the job is complete. No deposit “to buy the parts” but on equipment change outs you might have to give a deposit. Make sure you have a contract.

When you find a good one, treat them well and you’ll be repaid many times. And don’t forget good people know other good people so don’t be afraid to ask. Maybe you will have a lot less to worry about.

This article was provided by PoolHeatPumps.com

By Whitney Wyatt

With the uncertain economy and high gas prices, homeowners are doing more ‘staycations’ these days. And that has made enhancing the backyard for entertaining purposes more popular.

From upgrading the patio to putting in an outdoor kitchen, creating outside spaces has become the trend. What is your idyllic outdoor oasis? Many homeowners find outdoor kitchens make their homes more convenient while giving their backyards a nicer look.

Before hiring a professional to help build your summer sanctuary, Mr. Rooter® Plumbing recommends homeowners ask themselves this question: “How do I want the space to be used?”. (Don’t forget to keep children and pets in mind while you think about this.) When this question is answered, it’s time to decide on a budget. Once the budget is set, here comes the fun part – selecting the products.

Think about your home. The kitchen is usually the focal point when it comes to family gatherings – from doing homework to eating meals to playing games. Just like it was important to select items for the inside of your home, it’s important to design your outdoor space to your liking as well.

For homeowners who want an outdoor kitchen with all the bells and whistles, they also need to think about products that will ‘weather’ the weather. Thankfully, there is a good selection of items, as backyard retreats have become increasingly popular.

And the popular sink selection is stainless steel. Picking a stainless steel sink is going to be the best option, because it withstands weather better than other materials. Because it is sturdier than other products, it also doesn’t damage as easily. When it comes to fixtures, heavy duty brass is the top pick. Heavy duty brass does not corrode, and it is rust free.

When it comes to installing these projects, some can be do-it-yourself while others are not. For example, installing the water line for outdoor kitchen sinks, refrigerators and ice-makers can be a DIY project. But hiring a plumber is recommended, because professionals know the best location for installation.

As for installing the drain line for the kitchen sink, homeowners who are not DIY savvy should hire a plumber. The drain needs to connect to a sewer source to dispose of waste water. It is also best for homeowners to hire a professional to install the gas line for outdoor ranges and grills as well as patio heaters and fireplaces. Professionals have the training and experience to ensure proper and safe installation.

Once your outdoor space is created, we hope it captures the feel you want – whether it’s a party atmosphere or a serene space to read a book.

This article was provided by Mr. Rooter.

Jim Jennette is HRG’s resident plumbing expert of our popular “Ask the Experts” section, regularly answering the plethora of plumbing questions sent in by our readers. With more than 20 years of plumbing experience, Jim’s extensive knowledge and resources give him the tools to tackle any plumbing issue or question. Jim Jennette works at the Mr. Rooter Corporation now coaching Mr. Rooter franchise owners in every aspect of their businesses as a franchise consultant, a position he’s had for over five years.  Jim is also skilled in garbage disposals, water heaters and boilers as well as pipe bursting and relining, which is new technology to replace broken underground piping without digging up yards and sidewalks.

Here is a round up of some frequently asked questions, which may be of great help to you!

QUESTION: My wife accidentally dropped some coins down the bathroom sink and I would like to know the simplest way to get them out.

You can get the coins out by disconnecting the trap, which is located below the sink and is directly connected to the drain. The trap can hold on to heavier items such as coins or jewelry that are dropped down the sink drain. Using a wrench, you can detach the trap by disconnecting the top and bottom fittings holding it on to the pipes and then unscrewing them. If the trap is chrome or copper, it may have deteriorated over time and could crumble upon removal. If this happens you will need to replace the trap. You can get a replacement trap at a home store or local plumbing supply store. You simply put it back on as it came off. If you are unsure, you may want to call in a plumbing professional. You can always call a plumber to recover the coins if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself.

QUESTION: My toilet bubbles when I flush it, and the water level rises to the top, almost overflowing and finally sinks back down, but sometimes doesn’t clear what is being flushed. Sometimes the water level stays high and when I plunge it, it’s better but after awhile the same thing happens. Do I need a plumber or can I just get stuff from the store to get it flushing normally again?

No, there is not a simple drain opener you can buy from the store. Since there are a couple different scenarios that could be causing the problem you describe, I would recommend you call a plumbing company. A plumber has the knowledge and tools necessary to repair this problem in a safe and proper way.

The bubbles generally indicate the toilet is gasping for air as it attempts to flush. Your toilet is connected to a house stack, which is a pipe that runs from your sewer line in the opposite way, up through the roof of the building. This allows the pipe to “breath”, allowing an escape for air and creating the partial vacuum that allows the toilet to flush down the sewer pipe. If something has lodged itself in this stack pipe it can prohibit a good flush. The object will need to be removed, usually by a ‘snaking’ operation of the pipe, which a plumber can easily do.

The other possible problem is rare, but on occasion an object can become stuck in the throat of the toilet (the portion you do not see as the flush passes to the sewer line). This may be the reason your plunging will work on occasion. It may dislodge the object for a few flushes but it then reverts back to its former location, blocking the flush again. This can usually be remedied by removing the toilet from the floor and searching for the object from the underside of the toilet. I’ve found small toys and action figures, large plastic caps and even credit cards that can act as a cantilever and lodge permanently in the toilet. Removing any of these objects that cannot be found once the toilet is lifted from the floor may require breaking the toilet and then installing a new one. The toilet would have to be reset to the floor with a new wax seal to prevent leakage. Again, a plumber can do this for you.

QUESTION: the nuts under the sink connected to the water lines are stripped, and my tap wrench cannot grasp the nut, how do I remove them?

I would use a basin wrench, which has a long arm that allows you to reach high into the under sink area. It has a set of ribbed jaws (much like a large wrench) that can grasp a stripped nut or one in a difficult location. You can buy a basin wrench at a local plumbing supply house or a home improvement store.

QUESTION: Over the last few weeks, we have been getting a nasty odour from the kitchen drain. We’ve tried flushing it with Drano, vinegar, baking soda, etc but to no avail. A friend tells me that because the kitchen drain is not vented, the odour is probably sewer gas. We have been in the home 1.5 years so I asked him why we would only be having the problem recently. He stated that because there have been a lot of new homes in the area, there’s likely more pressure on the overall system now and therefore the gas is being forced back through the water in the trap. Any thoughts or suggestions?

The first issue may be rather serious because all waste systems in houses and commercial property must have proper venting. If the line in question is NOT vented, this needs to be corrected immediately. Venting helps provide air to be introduced into the system, assisting in the removal of waste water down drain lines and preventing foul odors.

The other device that is important is the trap under the sink. This device develops a water seal that prevents gases from entering the dwelling and is a critical part of any plumbing system. If the line is vented and there is a trap seal, there is another possibility in cold climates called “hoary frost’ that can develop. It occurs when the venting exiting the roof of the dwelling has ice and snow buildup, and it freezes solid, preventing the house gases from exiting and creating gurgle sounds and possible foul odor in the system.

If you are unsure about which of these effects are taking place, consult a qualified plumber to check it out.

QUESTION: We are getting septic odours from 2nd floor bathroom sink especially in very cold weather. Is water being pulled out of the trap?? What is the fix? No issues with tub or toilet.

Water is being pulled out of the trap. This sort of problem usually occurs in the northern parts of North America, and it usually involves a heavy buildup of snow on the roof. A simple solution would be to cut the vent pipe in the attic area and insert a new longer piece of vent pipe up through the roof. Be sure to reconnect the vent pipe and seal it in. It should be above the deepest anticipated snowfall lines. The only other option would be to defrost the pipe every time it snows, but that is not too practical.

QUESTION: We are planning to renovate our basement bathroom. The existing plumbing pipe for the sink comes up from the floor and it seems that a full vanity is required just to hide this black pipe. The contractor has advised that there is nothing that can be done to change that, and that a pedestal sink or a vanity that is open at the base are not options. There isn’t really enough room for a vanity – one of the cupboard doors on the previous vanity wouldn’t open fully because the toilet is too close. We presume that the plumbing could be changed, but is the contractor really saying that it would be very costly to do so?

The line can be rerouted to accommodate a pedestal sink, but I can’t tell you how much it will cost without looking at it. I would get an estimate from a plumber. How much time and money are you willing to devote to this task? A “false” wall could be constructed and the floor jack hammered up to make the proper moves to accommodate the new fixture. The pipe could then be run up the false wall to the proper height to the rough, which is the point where the pipes protrude from the wall to where the sink will be attached, in the pedestal sink. Remember that the line must be vented to provide air supply to the system and to be in code compliance.

QUESTION: My Bathroom sink takes up to one hour to drain. I have disconnected the trap and cleaned properly. As soon as I unscrew the trap it drain very quickly. But as soon as the trap is reconnected there is no suction to drain the water out of the sink. Please help.

The drain is probably clogged downstream from the trap. It will need to be cleaned out using an electromechanical snaking machine or a high velocity water jetter machine, which is even better. Only a trained professional should use the second choice as other damage may occur if not operated properly.

For more handy tips and info, check out the new “Mrs.” Rooter blog, MrsRooter.com, which will officially launch in September, written by the company president Mary Kennedy Thompson.

Want to renovate your home but don’t feel you can afford it? Well, many homeowners are turning to “phased remodelling”. The National American Remodeling Industry (NARI) recently published a press release that showed homeowners are completing their dream homes step by step. That is, instead of one intensive single project renovation, they are redoing perhaps one room at a time over a longer period. It’s a less intrusive way of remodeling your home and more friendly for the wallet because renos always tend to bring up unexpected costs. A smaller project would be more predictable in terms of following the projected estimate.

So great, if you’ve decided start with redoing either the  kitchen or bathroom first, make sure that any new plumbing is installed correctly.  The City of Toronto has recently put out a new ad campaign blitz regarding water sanitation in renos (well, recent as it’s a month delayed due to the strike). Interested in Green building and energy efficiency? Well, imagine the impact of a “cross connection”. That’s right, it’s integral to make sure not to mix any pipes and you might require certain building permits.  “Sanitary pipes” should be directing any household waste water to the treatment plant and not into stormwater pipes that channel rain water back into the lakes or rivers. For more information, visit the Toronto Website. On a side note, please don’t litter in our local sewer drains because that goes back into Lake Ontario! Not a Toronto resident? Check out your local city regulations.

Serious about eco-building or seriously interested? What about going so far as to make a “solar ventilator” for a doghouse?  In a recent Treehugger.com interview, Steve Thomas, former host of This Old House and now on Planet Green’s Renovation Nation, talks about his kookiest project and other green build topics. Recaps of previous Renovation Nation episodes here.

We were recently contacted with further information to provide homeowners with facts about the 2009 Home Renovation Tax Credit. Great timing since there have been many interesting questions about what projects, materials, or labour are applicable for this credit.

Image provided by Sico Paints

To view the webpages, visit:   http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/hrtc/

Below, is the FAQ page content, which hopefully will answer some of your questions about how you can benefit from this tax credit.

Here is the link of the page: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gncy/bdgt/2009/fqhmrnvtn-eng.html

FAQS

1. What is the Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC)?

The proposed HRTC is a non-refundable tax credit for work performed or goods acquired in respect of an eligible dwelling.

2. What is meant by eligible dwelling?

An eligible dwelling is a housing unit that is eligible to be an individual’s principal residence or that of one or more of their family members, at any time between January 27, 2009 and February 1, 2010. In general, a housing unit is considered eligible to be an individual’s principal residence where it is owned by the individual and ordinarily inhabited by the individual, the individual’s spouse or common-law partner, or their children. This means that any dwelling that you own and use personally could qualify, including your home or your cottage.

3. What is the eligibility period?

The credit will be based on eligible expenditures for work performed or goods acquired after January 27, 2009, and before February 1, 2010. Expenditures incurred pursuant to an agreement that was entered into before January 28, 2009, will not be eligible for the credit.

4. Who will be eligible for the credit?

Eligibility for the HRTC will be family based. A family will generally be considered to consist of an individual or an individual and his or her spouse or common-law partner, including children who will be under 18 years of age, at the end of 2009. A family will be allowed a single credit that may be shared within the family.

If two or more families share the ownership of an eligible dwelling, each family will be eligible for their own separate credit (i.e. each up to $1,350) that will be calculated on their respective eligible expenditures.

5. How will the credit be calculated?

The credit will only be available for the 2009 tax year and applies to eligible expenditures of more than $1,000, but not more than $10,000, resulting in a maximum credit of $1,350 ($9,000 x 15%).

6. What are eligible expenditures?

To be eligible, expenditures incurred in relation to a renovation or alteration to an eligible dwelling (or the land that forms part of the eligible dwelling) must be of an enduring nature and integral to the dwelling, and includes the cost of labour and professional services, building materials, fixtures, rentals, and permits.

Eligible expenditures must be supported by acceptable documentation.

7. What does the CRA consider to be acceptable documentation?

Documentation, such as agreements, invoices, and receipts, must clearly identify the type and quantity of goods purchased or services provided, including, but not limited to, the following information:

• information that clearly identifies the vendor/contractor, their business address and, if applicable, the GST/HST registration number;
• a description of the goods and the date when the goods were purchased;
• The date when the goods were delivered (keep your delivery slip as proof) and/or when the work or services were performed;
• A description of the work performed including the address where the work was performed;
• the amount of the invoice; and
• proof of payment.  Receipts or invoices must indicate paid in full or be accompanied by other proof of payment, such as a credit card slip or cancelled cheque.

Please consult our Underground Economy Web page, for tips to protect yourself when hiring a contractor.

To verify whether someone is registered for GST/HST, please consult the GST/HST Registry.

8. If I own both a house and a cottage and incur eligible expenditures for both, are both sets of expenditures eligible for the HRTC?

If you own and use your home and cottage personally, eligible expenditures incurred for both properties will normally qualify for the HRTC. Please note that the maximum amount of eligible expenditures you can claim in respect of the HRTC is $10,000 per family.

9. I am planning to replace my windows in 2009: can I hire my brother-in-law to help me out and still be eligible?

It depends. Expenditures will not be eligible if the related goods or services are provided by a person not dealing at arm’s length with the individual, unless that person is registered for the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax under the Excise Tax Act. So, in your case, if your brother-in-law is registered for GST/HST and if all other conditions are met, the expenditure will be eligible for the credit.

10. Will expenditures for the common areas of condominiums and co-operative housing corporations qualify for the credit?

In the case of condominiums and co-operative housing corporations, the individual’s share of the cost of eligible expenditures for common areas will qualify.

11. I rent out my basement. If I renovate the basement for my tenant, will I be allowed to claim the credit?

No. Individuals who earn business or rental income from part of their principal residence will be allowed to claim the credit only for expenditures made for the personal-use areas of the residence.

For expenditures made for common areas or that benefit the housing unit as a whole (such as re-shingling a roof), you must divide the expense between personal use and income-earning use. For further information, please consult the Business and Professional Income Guide or the Rental Income Guide, as applicable.

12. If an eligible expenditure also qualifies for the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC), will I be allowed to claim both the HRTC and METC?

Yes. Where an eligible expenditure qualifies for the METC the individual will be permitted to claim both the METC and the HRTC for that expenditure.

13. Will the credit be reduced by other government grants or credits that I may receive for the same expenditures?

No. Eligible expenditures will not be reduced by other government tax credits or grants that the individual may be entitled to.

14. Does work performed by electricians, plumbers, carpenters, architects, etc. qualify?

Generally, work performed by electricians, plumbers, carpenters, architects, etc. in respect of an eligible expenditure will qualify. See below for examples of eligible expenditures. If you’re planning on hiring a contractor to do construction, renovation, or repair work on your home, the Get it in Writing! Web site has information that will help you.

15. Could you provide me with some examples of eligible and ineligible expenditures?

Yes, some examples are:

16. What types of expenditures will not qualify?

The following expenditures will not be eligible for the HRTC:

• the cost of routine repairs and maintenance normally performed on an annual or more frequent basis;
• expenditures that are not integral to the dwelling, and other indirect expenditures that retain a value independent of the renovation;
• expenditures for appliances and audio-visual electronics; and
• financing costs.

17. Do I have to submit any supporting documents with my income tax return?

No. However, you must ensure that this information is available, should it be requested by the CRA.

18. How will I claim the HRTC?

A new line will be incorporated in the 2009 personal income tax return to allow you to claim the credit.

19. Where can I get more information about this new tax credit?

Additional information will be posted on the CRA’s Web site as it becomes available. In the meantime, please see the Department of Finance’s Budget 2009 documents for details.

20. The Budget also mentions the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes grant. What is it and how can I obtain more information?

The ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes grant is administered by Natural Resources Canada. The grant applies to a host of measures that reduce energy consumption and provide for a cleaner environment. Home and property owners could be eligible for federal grants of up to $5,000 to offset the cost of making energy efficiency improvements to their home or property. Most provinces and territories have complementary programs that offer additional financial assistance based on the results of the ecoENERGY Retrofit evaluation. For information on how you can qualify, please consult the ecoACTION Web site.

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An online pamphlet will soon be available.

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Planning on some home improvements? What project ideas do you have that fits in the $1000-$10,000 range? Does the HRTC give you the incentive to renovate this year?

Many people have been wondering about the home renovation tax credit and just what exactly it entails.  Information is now available on the Canadian government website, including a pamplet with further details.

Below is a break down of the main points of interest:

What is the time frame during which the credit can be applied?

“…after January 27, 2009 and before February 1, 2010, pursuant to agreements entered into after January 27, 2009.”

For work completed and some necessarily obtained goods!  This credit is for new renovations and ongoing improvements on the residential structure itself, as well as the land it sits on.

What exactly can I get back?

It’s a 15%  credit which can be claimed on an amount which is more than $1000 and under $10,000. The maximum credit that you can obtain is $1350.

What Dwellings are eligible?

* houses

* cottages

* condo units

(must be inhabited or used by the owner)

What Types of expenses can be considered?

* projects (ie: finishing your basement or re-doing the kitchen)

* “associated expenses” (permits, rentals, labour, etc.)

Who is eligible to claim it?

“Taxpayers can claim the HRTC when filing their 2009 tax return…. Family members will be able to share the credit.”

The 10th annual Interior Design Show was held a few weeks ago in Toronto, and although the bitter cold has turned everything snow white, the real colour of choice this year is, you guessed it, green.

IDS 08 featured a seminar on the benefits of sustainable design, from your home’s mechanical systems (heating, cooling, ventilation) to design (passive solar) to furniture and fixtures. Sustainability permeated every corner of interior design, as shown by the new products on display at the show.
Luckily, you didn’t have to come to Toronto to find these goods. Here’s a sampling of the new, the cool, the green.

Rad Rads
Belgian manufacturer Jaga has transformed boring—albeit efficient—radiators into objets d’arte. First there’s Angula Plus, which, unlike a traditional rad, fixes around 90-degree corners with a thin width that makes it perfect for small spaces, such as entranceways and bathrooms. But it’s the Heatwave (pictured below), designed by Joris Laarman, that will cause your head to spin.

Unbeatable Underfoot
Forget hardwood flooring and look to its evolution with Plyboo, a laminated bamboo material that can be used for flooring, paneling and plywood. Plyboo has been recognized by the Leadership in Environmental Design (LEED) certification system for its durability, and its composition from 100 per cent bamboo grass means the resources used can be replenished without needing to replant them.

Let it Flow
American Standard’s new FloWise high-efficiency toilet is the Cadillac—the Michael Caine—of toilets. Not only is it stylish and easy to clean (if there’s anywhere for an anti-microbial surface, it’s definitely the toilet)it also uses 20 per cent less water than standard, 1.6-gallon-per-flush toilets, and comes with a 10-year warranty.

Rock On
South African designer Ronel Jordaan has taken our fixation with fixing the planet and turned it into rock—well, soft—solid comfort. 100 per cent wool rock-shaped cushions and pebble carpets contain fibres that link when rubbed together, bringing nature inside, while keeping things comfy.