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Note: I originally published this in 2022, but with the benefit of 4 more years of experience under my belt have added in some areas and removed other bits of irrelevant information.
There are few things I prioritize over quality home inspections, and my family is at the top of that list. Like any loving parent, I do everything I reasonably can to keep my child safe and healthy. However, much like being a good home inspector, parenting is a continuous learning experience. There are always new things to discover, lessons to learn and improvements to make.
Over seven (!!) years ago, my son was born, and I officially became a parent. I still remember the drive home from the hospital, thinking about how two of the biggest life changes most people experience: moving into a new home and bringing home a newborn come without much in the way of an instruction manual. I knew I wanted to be a great parent, but I also had that all-too-common feeling of not really knowing where to start. But enough about my personal ramblings. This article is about creating a safe and healthy environment for our little ones.
Over the years, I've learned quite a bit through both my home inspection training and general life experience. Most new parents already know about baby gates, outlet covers, cabinet locks and securing furniture to walls. Those are all important, but I want to look at some of the less obvious things that can have an impact on children's health and safety inside the home.
Houses (and Children) Need to Breathe!
One of the common responses I hear when discussing ventilation is something along the lines of: "Is ventilation REALLY that important? I grew up in an airtight home and I turned out fine!" Well, perhaps. But that doesn't necessarily mean the indoor environment was particularly healthy.
Growing up in the 1980s, I remember a very different approach to indoor air quality. Home construction placed considerable emphasis on keeping heated air inside, and much less attention was paid to bringing fresh air in and getting stale air out. Smoking indoors was also commonplace, and exposure to cigarette smoke was something many children simply grew up around.
Today, we have a much better understanding of indoor air quality and the importance of ventilation.
Everyday household activities produce moisture and airborne contaminants. Cooking, showering, cleaning products, building materials, furnishings and even the people living inside a home contribute to indoor air pollution. Without adequate ventilation, these contaminants and excess moisture can accumulate.
This is particularly important in newer or renovated homes, which are often constructed or upgraded to be much more airtight than older houses. Mechanical ventilation systems, including Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs), can help introduce fresh outdoor air while exhausting stale indoor air. Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans also play an important role in removing moisture and contaminants at their source.
Good ventilation isn't simply about making a home feel less stuffy. It's about maintaining a healthier indoor environment for everyone living there.
Lead is STILL an Issue Today
I remember being a child in the 1980s and pulling up to a gas station, hearing my parents ask for "regular unleaded." Leaded gasoline was gradually being phased out, and by the time the 1990s arrived, it was no longer something we routinely encountered at the pump. So, lead is a thing of the past, right?
WRONG!
Lead is still present in many everyday products and, more importantly for homeowners, in some older building materials and plumbing components. Lead exposure is particularly concerning for young children because their developing brains and nervous systems are more vulnerable to its effects. Even relatively small amounts of lead can be harmful, and there is no known safe level of lead exposure for children.
The good news is that awareness and a few sensible precautions can go a long way. Here are some places where homeowners should pay particular attention.
Water Pipes and Plumbing
Lead was historically used in water service lines, plumbing solder and certain plumbing fixtures. In the Halifax Regional Municipality, the potential for lead service lines is primarily associated with homes built before 1960 in certain older areas of peninsular Halifax and Dartmouth. This is not a concern limited to every older home in those neighbourhoods, but it is worth investigating if your property falls within the affected area.
Halifax Water has an interactive map that allows homeowners to check whether their property is within the historical lead service line boundary. It also provides information on identifying the material used in your water service line. It's important to remember that the service line isn't the only possible source of lead. Older plumbing solder, brass fittings and faucets can also contain lead.
Although lead solder was restricted under the National Plumbing Code in 1990, and plumbing fixture requirements have become considerably stricter, older components can still be present in existing homes. If you suspect your home has lead plumbing, have the materials properly identified and consider having your drinking water tested (remember I can I do it for you). Simply looking at the water or checking whether it tastes normal will not tell you whether lead or any similar contaminants are present.
Lead was historically used in household paint, particularly as a pigment and drying agent. In Canada, restrictions on lead content in indoor paint were introduced in 1976, but that certainly doesn't mean every home built after that date is automatically free of lead! As a general guideline, homes built before 1960 are more likely to contain lead-based paint. Homes constructed between 1960 and 1990 may also have lead-containing paint, particularly on exterior surfaces.
As a home inspector, I spend a considerable amount of time looking at the physical condition of homes. As a parent, I look at those same homes a little differently. I think about the people living inside them, particularly the little ones who may not yet be able to recognize or avoid potential hazards themselves.
Nobody expects a home to be perfect, and there is no need to panic over every potential issue. But a little knowledge, some preventative maintenance and an awareness of the less obvious hazards can make a meaningful difference. After all, a house is more than just a building. It's where we raise our families, make memories and, hopefully, feel safe.
There are few things I prioritize over quality home inspections, and my family is at the top of that list. Like any loving parent, I do everything I reasonably can to keep my child safe and healthy. However, much like being a good home inspector, parenting is a continuous learning experience. There are always new things to discover, lessons to learn and improvements to make.
Over seven (!!) years ago, my son was born, and I officially became a parent. I still remember the drive home from the hospital, thinking about how two of the biggest life changes most people experience: moving into a new home and bringing home a newborn come without much in the way of an instruction manual. I knew I wanted to be a great parent, but I also had that all-too-common feeling of not really knowing where to start. But enough about my personal ramblings. This article is about creating a safe and healthy environment for our little ones.
Over the years, I've learned quite a bit through both my home inspection training and general life experience. Most new parents already know about baby gates, outlet covers, cabinet locks and securing furniture to walls. Those are all important, but I want to look at some of the less obvious things that can have an impact on children's health and safety inside the home.
Houses (and Children) Need to Breathe!
One of the common responses I hear when discussing ventilation is something along the lines of: "Is ventilation REALLY that important? I grew up in an airtight home and I turned out fine!" Well, perhaps. But that doesn't necessarily mean the indoor environment was particularly healthy.
Growing up in the 1980s, I remember a very different approach to indoor air quality. Home construction placed considerable emphasis on keeping heated air inside, and much less attention was paid to bringing fresh air in and getting stale air out. Smoking indoors was also commonplace, and exposure to cigarette smoke was something many children simply grew up around.
Today, we have a much better understanding of indoor air quality and the importance of ventilation.
Everyday household activities produce moisture and airborne contaminants. Cooking, showering, cleaning products, building materials, furnishings and even the people living inside a home contribute to indoor air pollution. Without adequate ventilation, these contaminants and excess moisture can accumulate.
This is particularly important in newer or renovated homes, which are often constructed or upgraded to be much more airtight than older houses. Mechanical ventilation systems, including Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs), can help introduce fresh outdoor air while exhausting stale indoor air. Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans also play an important role in removing moisture and contaminants at their source.
Good ventilation isn't simply about making a home feel less stuffy. It's about maintaining a healthier indoor environment for everyone living there.
Lead is STILL an Issue Today
I remember being a child in the 1980s and pulling up to a gas station, hearing my parents ask for "regular unleaded." Leaded gasoline was gradually being phased out, and by the time the 1990s arrived, it was no longer something we routinely encountered at the pump. So, lead is a thing of the past, right?
WRONG!
Lead is still present in many everyday products and, more importantly for homeowners, in some older building materials and plumbing components. Lead exposure is particularly concerning for young children because their developing brains and nervous systems are more vulnerable to its effects. Even relatively small amounts of lead can be harmful, and there is no known safe level of lead exposure for children.
The good news is that awareness and a few sensible precautions can go a long way. Here are some places where homeowners should pay particular attention.
Water Pipes and Plumbing
Lead was historically used in water service lines, plumbing solder and certain plumbing fixtures. In the Halifax Regional Municipality, the potential for lead service lines is primarily associated with homes built before 1960 in certain older areas of peninsular Halifax and Dartmouth. This is not a concern limited to every older home in those neighbourhoods, but it is worth investigating if your property falls within the affected area.
Halifax Water has an interactive map that allows homeowners to check whether their property is within the historical lead service line boundary. It also provides information on identifying the material used in your water service line. It's important to remember that the service line isn't the only possible source of lead. Older plumbing solder, brass fittings and faucets can also contain lead.
Although lead solder was restricted under the National Plumbing Code in 1990, and plumbing fixture requirements have become considerably stricter, older components can still be present in existing homes. If you suspect your home has lead plumbing, have the materials properly identified and consider having your drinking water tested (remember I can I do it for you). Simply looking at the water or checking whether it tastes normal will not tell you whether lead or any similar contaminants are present.
Lead was historically used in household paint, particularly as a pigment and drying agent. In Canada, restrictions on lead content in indoor paint were introduced in 1976, but that certainly doesn't mean every home built after that date is automatically free of lead! As a general guideline, homes built before 1960 are more likely to contain lead-based paint. Homes constructed between 1960 and 1990 may also have lead-containing paint, particularly on exterior surfaces.
As a home inspector, I spend a considerable amount of time looking at the physical condition of homes. As a parent, I look at those same homes a little differently. I think about the people living inside them, particularly the little ones who may not yet be able to recognize or avoid potential hazards themselves.
Nobody expects a home to be perfect, and there is no need to panic over every potential issue. But a little knowledge, some preventative maintenance and an awareness of the less obvious hazards can make a meaningful difference. After all, a house is more than just a building. It's where we raise our families, make memories and, hopefully, feel safe.
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s someone who was born and raised in the suburbs and now lives in a typical suburban home in Halifax with my family, I imagined most of my clients would be in the Halifax and Dartmouth areas when I launched my business, so I had no plans to do water testing. These areas are serviced by Halifax Water via the Pockwock and Lake Major water treatment plants respectively. In short, our water is clean, safe and if for some reason conditions change, we will be instantly alerted.
It eventually became apparent that I was serving many clients in rural areas: I would estimate that over half the inspections I have done so far in 2023 are in what would commonly be considered rural areas. Upon adding water testing services earlier this year, it quickly became my most requested add-on service.
Why Water Testing Matters
I remember at the age of 9 moving to Dartmouth close to the water treatment plant on Lake Major and instantly noticing how the water tasted like swimming pool water! There was no question that chlorine was added to the water supply and as unpleasant as it was at least it wasn’t going to make one sick in that quantity. Unfortunately, many contaminants aren’t easily identifiable by the senses like that. We all know that water is commonly known by its chemical composition (H2O) as a molecule of water is made up of 2 Hydrogen atoms and 1 Oxygen atom. In theory that’s correct but water is almost never seen in its purest form. Here are a few chemicals frequently tested for in a water test and why.
Arsenic (As)
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element and prolonged exposure to As can lead to skin problems, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
Lead (Pb)
While found in bedrock, Pb is rarely found in groundwater. The main concern is with Pb supply lines, which are concentrated mainly in Peninsular Halifax and the older section of Dartmouth. Lead can cause significant neurological issues, especially in children as well as many health problems in adults.
Nitrates (NO3) and Nitrites (NO2)
Both compounds are similar, with the difference being the number of oxygen atoms. Both commonly come from fertilizers and animal waste and can lead to health issues, most noticeably methemoglobinemia (commonly referred to as blue baby syndrome), caused by low oxygen in the blood.
It eventually became apparent that I was serving many clients in rural areas: I would estimate that over half the inspections I have done so far in 2023 are in what would commonly be considered rural areas. Upon adding water testing services earlier this year, it quickly became my most requested add-on service.
Why Water Testing Matters
I remember at the age of 9 moving to Dartmouth close to the water treatment plant on Lake Major and instantly noticing how the water tasted like swimming pool water! There was no question that chlorine was added to the water supply and as unpleasant as it was at least it wasn’t going to make one sick in that quantity. Unfortunately, many contaminants aren’t easily identifiable by the senses like that. We all know that water is commonly known by its chemical composition (H2O) as a molecule of water is made up of 2 Hydrogen atoms and 1 Oxygen atom. In theory that’s correct but water is almost never seen in its purest form. Here are a few chemicals frequently tested for in a water test and why.
Arsenic (As)
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element and prolonged exposure to As can lead to skin problems, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
Lead (Pb)
While found in bedrock, Pb is rarely found in groundwater. The main concern is with Pb supply lines, which are concentrated mainly in Peninsular Halifax and the older section of Dartmouth. Lead can cause significant neurological issues, especially in children as well as many health problems in adults.
Nitrates (NO3) and Nitrites (NO2)
Both compounds are similar, with the difference being the number of oxygen atoms. Both commonly come from fertilizers and animal waste and can lead to health issues, most noticeably methemoglobinemia (commonly referred to as blue baby syndrome), caused by low oxygen in the blood.
Fluoride (F–)
Commonly known as that stuff in toothpaste, fluoride is related to, but not the same as the highly reactive element fluorine (F). F– is an ion (meaning it is electrically charged: in this case negative). While beneficial in very small amounts, excessive F– can lead to dental and bone problems known as fluorosis and large F- levels can lead to brain damage and even death. Contact us for more information on the variety of water testing options we can provide for you. We’ll properly take samples and provide a report while interpreting the laboratory results in an easy-to-understand format.
Commonly known as that stuff in toothpaste, fluoride is related to, but not the same as the highly reactive element fluorine (F). F– is an ion (meaning it is electrically charged: in this case negative). While beneficial in very small amounts, excessive F– can lead to dental and bone problems known as fluorosis and large F- levels can lead to brain damage and even death. Contact us for more information on the variety of water testing options we can provide for you. We’ll properly take samples and provide a report while interpreting the laboratory results in an easy-to-understand format.
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Did you know that your home has at minimum, not one but two plumbing systems that need to be kept completely separate? They are:
Most homes in the Halifax core are connected to Halifax Water and one of its 2 large (Pockwock & Lake Major) supply plants. It is supplied to homes in various pipes with the biggest concern being lead pipes. If your home was built before 1960 and is located on the Halifax peninsula or Dartmouth inside Highway 111 there is a chance you have lead pipes and should have them inspected. Other concerns for the home inspector are homes that use the following types of supply pipe:
Galvanized Steel
The main issue with this type of supply pipe is its age. As it has not been widely manufactured for over 60 years, the 40-to-50-year life expectancy has long since passed. The other main problem with this type of plumbing is that they will rust from the inside out, leading to low pressure, rusty water, and ruptured pipes. These pipes should be replaced as soon as possible.
Polybutylene (PB) and/or Kitec (PEX-AL-PEX)
There have been large class action lawsuits field against the manufacturers of both products alleging that they have an unacceptably high failure rate. While the internet is full of horror stories in my experience there have been very few problems with both types of pipe here in Canada and are usually the result of poor fittings. The main concerns are that if these pipes fail, they tend to catastrophically burst rather than leak and that some insurance companies refuse to insure homes with these types of pipes without some form of mitigation, up to complete replacement. I touched upon Kitec in a previous article and this type of piping is usually used in heating systems with PB a popular choice for water supply in the 1990s.
With all that out of the way, what is a good type of pipe to use? Generally, two main types are used today: Copper (usually Type L) and Plastic (usually PEX or Cross-Linked Polyethylene). There are pros and cons to all these types of piping and a qualified contractor can advise on the best option for your home. It is very important that supply piping be kept separate from DWV piping as this can lead to serious, even fatal cross contamination. The biggest issue I see is homeowners leaving garden hoses connected when not in use: this can lead to outside water being drawn into the potable water supply and they should be disconnected when not in use.
- Water Supply System (Public or Private)
- Drain, Waste & Vent (DWV) System (Public or Septic)
Most homes in the Halifax core are connected to Halifax Water and one of its 2 large (Pockwock & Lake Major) supply plants. It is supplied to homes in various pipes with the biggest concern being lead pipes. If your home was built before 1960 and is located on the Halifax peninsula or Dartmouth inside Highway 111 there is a chance you have lead pipes and should have them inspected. Other concerns for the home inspector are homes that use the following types of supply pipe:
Galvanized Steel
The main issue with this type of supply pipe is its age. As it has not been widely manufactured for over 60 years, the 40-to-50-year life expectancy has long since passed. The other main problem with this type of plumbing is that they will rust from the inside out, leading to low pressure, rusty water, and ruptured pipes. These pipes should be replaced as soon as possible.
Polybutylene (PB) and/or Kitec (PEX-AL-PEX)
There have been large class action lawsuits field against the manufacturers of both products alleging that they have an unacceptably high failure rate. While the internet is full of horror stories in my experience there have been very few problems with both types of pipe here in Canada and are usually the result of poor fittings. The main concerns are that if these pipes fail, they tend to catastrophically burst rather than leak and that some insurance companies refuse to insure homes with these types of pipes without some form of mitigation, up to complete replacement. I touched upon Kitec in a previous article and this type of piping is usually used in heating systems with PB a popular choice for water supply in the 1990s.
With all that out of the way, what is a good type of pipe to use? Generally, two main types are used today: Copper (usually Type L) and Plastic (usually PEX or Cross-Linked Polyethylene). There are pros and cons to all these types of piping and a qualified contractor can advise on the best option for your home. It is very important that supply piping be kept separate from DWV piping as this can lead to serious, even fatal cross contamination. The biggest issue I see is homeowners leaving garden hoses connected when not in use: this can lead to outside water being drawn into the potable water supply and they should be disconnected when not in use.