On February 27^th of this year, the National Research Council (NRC) announced it is poignant to update Canada’s building codes to reflect the realities of climate change. Continue reading Climate Change is Now Being Introduced into the Building Code →

An insurance advocate is a consumer advocate who works with people as they consider the purchase of an insurance policy,  assists with negotiations of claims between policyholders and insurance companies, and helps people get the most out of their insurance policies. The advocates goal is to make sure that the rights of the consumers are protected; to make consumers aware of the fine details on their insurance policies; and to make sure all their benefits are activated in the event of a claim. Continue reading Why Do I Need to Hire an Insurance Advocate →

CASE STUDY – from the files of Integral…………

The complex was approximately 16 – 18 years old at the time of our inspection and the perimeter drainage system is Big O pipes. Big O piping is a flexible 6-inch pipe that can collapse with pressure from land movement or roots over the years. Continue reading Too Much Water Too Soon →

CASE STUDY – from the files of Integral…………

When we visited the site, the weather was overcast but dry. The residence is a 9-year-old one storey frame dwelling with an attached garage and basement.

A tree being topped by the neighbour to the south fell onto the Insured’s roof, striking the roof over the dining room and damaging the wood shakes, trusses, fascia, soffits and gutters. The shock of the impact was felt throughout the residence. An inspection and observations of the attic made by an independent third party attest to the assumed damage in the attic. The tree then bounced, striking the roof over the living room area and landing on the east fence. The lower portion of the trunk damaged the southern fence line as the tree fell. Continue reading Timber →

CASE STUDY – from the files of Integral…………

When we arrived on site, we found water running out of the light fixture in the Family Room in the Basement into a pail that the insured had put in place. The textured ceiling had wet spots showing through and the seams opening. The carpet was wet and the globe of the light fixture lay in pieces. There was a heavy moisture reading to the center beam dividing the Family Room and the Billiard Room. The drywall on the beam was starting to buckle from the water. Continue reading Things Aren’t Always What They Seem to Be →

CASE STUDY – from the files of Integral…………

It was a warm, sunny, still, quiet, early summer morning in a small Northern Alberta village that eventful day as the neighbours rustled out of bed having their morning coffee to take to task their daily chores. As the morning progressed into mid-day, the hot sun beat down on them, until there was a rustle of a breeze descending upon them. Continue reading The Steeple →