All houses have stories to tell and heritage homes speak volumes. It takes a certain insight to see into the past. It is written in the structure, carved in the beams and displayed in the architecture of the home.
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HERITAGE HOME 2-DAY TRAINING SEMINAR
To take place in Kingston and Perth in September/October - exact dates to be announced

This course was developed by Cam Allen for use as a training seminar for the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI). It was conducted at a number of venues from the period of 2005-2010. At the request of a number of interested parties, Cam is resurrecting the course, which will be updated to become applicable in today's building and inspection environment.

To date, we wish to express our appreciation for the endorsement by the Frontenac Heritage Foundation for this seminar. NHICC (National Home Inspection Certification Council) has recognized this course for education credits for home inspectors. We are anticipating further such credits from other home inspection associations and the real estate boards, as applicable, for annual education credits. 

TRAINERS: 
Cam Allen L.I.W. NHI ACI will be teaching the history of heritage homes, heritage construction, types of wood assembly and all aspects of log, timber frame, post and beam, balloon frame and platform frame and roof assembly. He will be teaching foundation assessment and related methods of preservation and repair.

Paul Zammit, Cam's partner, will be assisting during the presentation. Paul has over 20 years of heritage home experience and his last major project before joining All-Tech nearly 2 years ago was the renovation/restoration of the 10,000 sq ft Heritage designated former Perth Courier building on the main street of Perth. Paul will be discussing heritage plumbing as part of this 2-day seminar.
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We are in discussion with a heritage mason to attend and teach a section on heritage homes, brick and stone assembly, deficiencies and methods of restoration and renovation in regard to preservation.  A master electrician with extensive heritage experience will discuss and explain the issue of knob and tube wiring, ungrounded circuitry and wiring issues that relate to a heritage home. A certified air quality specialist will teach a section on asbestos, lead, mold and related indoor air quality issues, methods of remediation and the costs involved. The instructors names and background will be provided, likely in May when applications will be available.
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There are no degrees in heritage home inspections. There are some courses available and Cam has taught hundreds of home inspectors who took his Heritage Home Inspection Training Course, accredited by NHICC. We recognize that actual hands on experience, like Paul and Cam come with, is invaluable. Cam has inspected well over a thousand heritage homes in his 20 year career as a home inspector. Understanding the different methods of assembly is critical in conducting an inspection on a heritage residence.

Inspection of older wiring, heating and plumbing can only be understood if the inspector has years of hands on experience. Renovations and upgrades can sometimes present a particular challenge, as they are often not done professionally. While many issues are usually obvious and have been reflected in the price of the home, understanding the dimensions of the issue is important.

Repair costs of a heritage home are usually higher than a more modern home. As an experienced heritage inspector who "packs" a wealth of knowledge, Cam can usually prioritize the issues and explain them to you.
  • Maintenance problems: Walk around the house and examine it - you are looking for peeling paint, foundation cracks and any other damage that should be dealt with now to avoid more serious problems in the future.

  • Minor structural problems: Typical in old homes, it can cover everything from cracked plaster to small movements in the foundation. While they are not likely to cause the house to fall down, they should be corrected before they become more serious.

  • Drainage and grading problems: Probably the most common problem found. Installation of new roof gutters and down spouts, digging up the weeping tiles or simply re-grading the surrounding lawn, to re-direct the surface water away from the house, can reduce water invasion.

  • Insufficient electrical system: Common in older homes - undersized services, aluminum wiring and knob-and-tube wiring or inadequate/poorly-renovated distribution systems. These may be unsafe, and could be an insurance issue.

  • Poorly installed plumbing: It is also very common to find creative plumbing in older homes. Galvanized and cast lines can become an insurance issue. Repairs can range from simple to expensive replacements.

  • Older/leaking roof: Metal shingles are common and are known to have a very long life span compared to asphalt shingles. On average, an asphalt-shingled roof lasts 15 to 20 years. Multiple layers should be established as this reduces life span.

  • Older heating/cooling system: Some older heating/cooling systems are inefficient. While replacement may seem expensive, the newer, more efficient, systems do reduce heating and cooling costs substantially and with the prices of fuel today, you would recoup the cost in a very short time.

  • Poor ventilation: Excessive moisture from un-vented bathrooms and cooking areas can damage plaster, deteriorate windows and cause allergic reactions. These conditions need to be corrected before the deterioration becomes excessive.
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For years, Cam has been writing a weekly column for the Kingston Whig Standard and other Sun Media papers. Throughout this time he has addressed a number of issues pertaining to heritage homes.

See the heritage section in "Ask The Inspector" to read some of the articles written in the past few years. As well, for the past eight years he has written Green-Tech; the series. This column is based upon new and advancing technology for today's environmentally responsible, energy efficient homes. On a personal note, Cam and his life partner, Donna, have turned a rural church, circa 1894, into a sustainable residence. Read Cam's column in the Kingston Whig and/or check in at http://www.alltechgreenchurch.ca a web-site developed to detail the adventure.
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A heritage home inspection often takes longer to complete. You should plan on attending and allow up to 4 hours of your time. Bring along your notebook and camera.

Time is taken with the client so that they understand the dynamics of the building, the options available and the best method to arrive at the necessary repairs and maintenance that are always found in a heritage home. Special attention to the wiring, heating and plumbing is necessary for you to meet the ever-changing insurance requirements. Understanding insulation, ventilation and roof coverings of yesteryear, take a particular expertise. Heritage buildings are truly individual when it comes to the life span of a roof covering. Metal roof coverings can be deceiving, the "tin shingles" can have widely varied life expectancies and a knowledgeable heritage inspector will evaluate the condition and maintenance required.

The skills of our forefathers were as varied as the designs of the homes. As a former professional heritage renovator, Cam brings personal insight into the individuality that every heritage home represents.
"We appreciate the very thorough informative inspection you did on the property, and I would have no hesitation in recommending you." - Susan O.