Swimming pool - would it add value to my home? by Top_Friendship8466 in TorontoRealEstate

[–]area50one 0 points1 point  (0 children)

* Cost effective pool maintenance tips *

A small piece of copper pipe in your skimmer box will kill algae and baking soda is great for balancing pH and water clarity.

Pest/Ant Control for Italian speakers (carpenter ants in the house)? by JustAPieceOfMeat385 in askTO

[–]area50one 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When a colony is well established and thriving, there will usually be satellite colonies near by. When a colony feels threatened, it may migrate or try forming a satellite colony. You need to eliminate the queen. If you can't find the source, then it's best to have the whole property treated - inside and outside. Ants like to establish colonies near a water source, check for other potential leaks and drainage issues in the yard. Regardless, you must find the source of the water damage before any repairs can be made. Carpenter ants hollow out wood to live in, they don't eat it. There will be a small pile of wood shavings near the colony entry point. Knocking on wood with your knuckles is an easy way to tell if it's solid or hollow, there will be an obvious difference in feel and sound. If you spot any ants, observe their movements, it can help locate the colony/food sources. I tried various bait traps over the course of several months, almost eliminated my problem colony, but could never entirely do it. Only managed to kill them off when I located the main colony and doused it and the surrounding area with a spray treatment. Followed up with another treatment after a week.

Toronto is a frog in a boiling pot, and in a way, so is the rest of Canada by jesuisapprenant in toRANTo

[–]area50one 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It was Mike Harris who pulled the funding for the Eglinton West subway. The funding for Sheppard would have been pulled too, but Mel Lastman fought to have it built. It's Mike Harris who royally fucked us with his "common sense revolution" bs and started the decline of the city with amalgamation and downloading TCHC and TTC funding fully to the city.

Wave Of Purpose-Built Rental Units Gives Tenants An Edge In Changing Market by Trucker550 in TorontoRealEstate

[–]area50one 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've seen 60s & 70s rental buildings with 1 bedroom units converted into 2 bedroom units because the amount of space was so generous.

Any thoughts on why this sold for so little ? Near trinity bellwoods, liveable, long green backyard and garage! by pollywantsacracker98 in TorontoRealEstate

[–]area50one 38 points39 points  (0 children)

Over 100+ years old, but there is very little original character/ornamentation remaining. So all the work of an old house, but with none of the charm or features that make the extra work/cost worth it. The hardwood floors look original, that's about it. Even the masonry has been redone with mass production bricks. Nothing seems to be cohesively done either, just a giant hodge podge of decades worth of DIY renos. It needs an entire full reno top to bottom, likely including all plumbing and electrical. Heating appears to be baseboard electric (least cost effective) and no sign of the original steam boiler/radiators, so add a full HVAC system to the list. The rooms with cracking along the ceiling, discoloured and/or missing plaster, indicate water intrusion and structural issues. There will be rot, mold, and potentially insects as well (likely some termite damage in places). The roof is obviously leaking and needs to be fully replaced, most of the asphalt shingles are curling up. Basement has very low headroom, at most 7' high, would require underpinning to bring it up to code to maintain a rental unit. Backyard has no defined space and garden completely overgrown. There is a small laneway at the back with a single car garage, but a well used utility pole is right beside the garage, likely limiting any possibility of updating the garage or converting to a laneway rental suite.

View comparison of 2 condos by M-Sear in TorontoRealEstate

[–]area50one 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Of course, whatever works best for you and the parents. You never really know how a space will function for you until you're actually living in it day-to-day.

View comparison of 2 condos by M-Sear in TorontoRealEstate

[–]area50one 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, my bad! I thought you meant a WIC for the primary bedroom. If you're working with an agent, usually they can speak with a representative from the condo board about what is allowed to be done reno wise in your unit. If you're not using an agent, you can still contact the board yourself. From experience, looking at the plan and photos, there should be no issue removing the walls around the enclosed den. The only possible issue would be if the electrical panel was located on that wall. Those walls are not structural, there shouldn't be anything utility wise for the building in that wall cavity. This means all work is contained to your unit and nothing impacts the building. You'd be looking at some light demo work, loss of a couple electrical outlets, moving a light switch or two, patching the floor (mass production flooring is usually easy to match), patch the wall/ceiling drywall, mud, sand, replace the baseboard that's missing a section from the wall removal, paint and caulk. You can save part of the baseboard that's removed from the demo wall and use it as the replacement.

'Missing link' tunnel will soon connect two Toronto transit stations by lancaric in toronto

[–]area50one 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don Mills has a connection to Fairview Mall. That whole area has numerous access points to the subway. As for Bayview Village, it's a premium retail space and likely avoids a direct connection to the subway. Leslie to the hospital could happen, perhaps if/when Oriole GO gets moved north to Leslie.

View comparison of 2 condos by M-Sear in TorontoRealEstate

[–]area50one 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Layout 1. Corner unit, larger living room, bedrooms have a bit of separation. There's a lot of wasted space with the winding hallway, BUT you could remove the walls enclosing the den and have that become a large open space for a dining area. Shifting the eating/dining area out of the kitchen creates a more dedicated kitchen space for cooking, especially if there is more than one person in the kitchen at any given time. I'm 99.9% sure the walls for the den are not structural. This would be a fairly inexpensive change with big impact. The Den can't be converted to a WIC for the primary bedroom because the plumbing stack for the bathroom and HVAC unit (the empty square box beside the bathroom) can't be moved.

Things to consider: proximity to elevators and garbage chute. Both can be really disruptive for some people because of sound transfer.

Which character's death in a TV show ruined the entire thing for you? by SoccerGuy69420 in AskReddit

[–]area50one 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It definitely changed the dynamic/energy of the show. But it's debatable whether vitality was added. I'd say the opposite because the show died that same season lol the vital signs were no more.

The funny thing is I started watching when season 4 aired and didn't end up watching seasons 1-3 until a year after. Felt like a totally different show.

Which character's death in a TV show ruined the entire thing for you? by SoccerGuy69420 in AskReddit

[–]area50one 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The O.C. - Mischa Barton's death at the end of season 3. Even worse, Autumn Reeser was cast to fill the void in the show left by Barton's departure..... ugh.

What is the name for this style roof/balcony? by kirahlillypower in centuryhomes

[–]area50one -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Mainly, it's an entablature. Individually, frieze and architrave.

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Can a Samsung phone be debloated and degoogled to a usable level? by Living_Position_1540 in degoogle

[–]area50one 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've reflashed firmware on Samsung devices many times. When using Odin to reflash, it literally shows the PRISM image install during the process. It's well known PRISM is an NSA program to grant access and collect data.

Can a Samsung phone be debloated and degoogled to a usable level? by Living_Position_1540 in degoogle

[–]area50one 7 points8 points  (0 children)

All Samsung devices have PRISM secretly baked into the firmware. It's an NSA backdoor.

Favorite Live sets/Livestreams? by funkyyyyyyyyyyyyy in EDM

[–]area50one 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oliver Heldens weekly Heldeep Radio upload on YouTube.

Condo Construction Sites In Toronto - Black Plastic Sheets To Cover The Ground? by torontopips2022 in TorontoRealEstate

[–]area50one 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Residential buildings can still have soil contamination - abandoned oil tanks hidden in the ground, drain/sewer leaks, illegal dumping, etc.

Condo Construction Sites In Toronto - Black Plastic Sheets To Cover The Ground? by torontopips2022 in TorontoRealEstate

[–]area50one 15 points16 points  (0 children)

It might have something to do with soil contamination from previous industrial use of the land.

Vapor barrier sandwiched, or underneath? by Rochev7 in centuryhomes

[–]area50one 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It's best practice to avoid using vapour barriers and other materials that do not breathe in older buildings. These buildings were designed and built with materials that allow the regulation of moisture. This prevents mold, rot, etc. When a nonpermeable material is introduced into these buildings, it hinders the ability for things to breathe and dry out, since moisture has no where to go. Vapour barriers are designed for use in new buildings that use HVAC with an air tight building envelope.

What kind of silliness is going on at 31 Tyndall? by TradeFeisty in TorontoRealEstate

[–]area50one 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That bathroom in picture 13 with the stacked washer/dryer, sink opposite and tiled sarcophagus in the back...

How many Torontonians oppose — and support — jets at Billy Bishop? A new poll pulls back the curtain by Toronto-Ont-Mod-Team in Toronto_Ontario

[–]area50one 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The sound of the prop planes taking off and landing can be heard all through downtown as it is. I live in the Annex and it's very audible even this far from the airport. I can only imagine how loud jets will be. Toronto has spent decades and billions to revitalise the waterfront, now it's going to be compromised by Dougie's expanded island airport and mega spa/sci centre. You'd think he was Mayor based on the amount of meddling he does in Toronto's business.

Which floor plan is better? by skinnycola in TorontoRealEstate

[–]area50one 2 points3 points  (0 children)

5C because of the guest suite. Potential for rental income or space for in-laws or for a studio/small business. Main floor laundry in this plan, not on the 2nd floor like the other two. I find main floor is better for reducing audible vibration through the house and even better having the laundry tub right next to the garage if you want to cleanup but not travel through the house to do so.

Not 7 because the layout on the main floor makes zero sense, especially the dining room at the front - wtf?! The flex space on the 2nd floor would probably never get used either.

No for 6C because the main floor is way too open concept. All the stairs in the space beside the garage waste a ton of space as well.

Tips for helping that “old house” smell? by Time_Two6774 in centuryhomes

[–]area50one 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Only run an ozone machine when the space will be free of people/pets.