The A-Z of housing terms from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

​Keeping your feet warm is the key to comfort, which is one reason why homeowners are increasingly turning to hydronic radiant heating systems over conventional methods. 

​​Ontarians deserve access to clean, safe water. This means keeping water free of pollutants and contaminants that could harm the environment and human health.

Polybutyline (aka Poly-B or PB) water piping was used in many homes built from 1970 to the mid-1990s. Polybutylene water piping is no longer accepted by building codes and has been the subject of class action lawsuits due to problems with broken pipes and water damage.

​Technological advances in recent years now allow most modern basements to be made into comfortable living space. However, all basements are vulnerable to some water penetration during their lifespan.

​​Ordinary sump pumps need electricity to operate, but water-powered sump pumps work without electricity – so they can pump water out of your foundation drains during a black-out, or if your primary sump pump fails.

​Water-jet sump pumps or "sump-jets" as they are sometimes called, can be a reliable back-up to your standard sump pump in the event of a power outage or pump failure during extreme weather conditions.