News and Events
News & Events
Congratulations to Madame Pauline Dubé, our big winner of the contest! A beautiful $4000.00 travel certificate. Thanks again to our wonderful sponsor Vacances le Faubourg! Have a nice trip, Mrs. Dubé !!
Whether you’re looking to start a home renovation or solve a last-minute do-it-yourself crisis, it’s best to be prepared for both the inevitable and the unavoidable. Being organized and ready will save you money in the long run and will also relieve anxiety attributed to a big change or unforeseen accident.
Follow these three tips to ensure that the
next time you need to do some handywork or
repairs, you’re fully prepared for a stress-free
project from start to finish.
If you’re looking for tools that will last from now until the end of time, consider buying Craftsman — a brand of tools with a long-standing reputation for high-quality products that will get any job done. Now available in-store and online at Lowe’s, Rona, Reno-Depot and Ace, this brand has you covered for everything you need, from hand tools to power tools.
Sure, you can do a DIY project on the whim, but for larger-scale projects, be sure you have a plan, so you have a better sense of what needs to be done and you can avoid unwanted surprises. If you don’t have a blueprint of what you’re looking to renovate, you may end up living in a disaster zone for a lot longer than you need to.
You might think to paint your room yellow because you’re currently feeling tropical, but come a few years – or even months – that may not seem like such a good choice. Consider a universal design and use adaptable features wherever possible. That way, in the future, any change you make to your home doesn’t have to be drastic, which will help you save time and money.

AmeriSpec Laval was proud to have sponsored the pumpkin distribution of Via Capitale Distinction!
Congratulations on this beautiful event!

Thanks to all the brokers who came to visit our booth!
We look forward to working with you for all of your
inspection needs.
We are very proud to announce that we can now perform air quality analysis for mold and asbestos.
Three (3) of our inspectors received training from Dr. Guylaine Tardif from Notreau Laboratory to take these samples.
Our goal is to provide you with all the services you need to complete your transaction in one place:
- • Presale and pre-purchase inspection
- • Analysis of air quality to detect mold or asbestos
- • Thermography
- • Sampling for water analysis
- • Sampling for ferrous ocher
- • Sampling of vermiculite
- • Mushroom sampling
AmeriSpec Laval – North Shore – Montreal East
450-975-7700
from 8am to 9pm, 7 days a week
AmeriSpec would like to thank all the brokers and participants who came to our kiosk during the tournament organized by Re/Max D’Ici. Your donations allowed us to raise $356.00 for OPÉRATION ENFANT SOLEIL.
Congratulations to Mr. Renaud Thibault, Mr. François Granger and his assistant Mrs. Karen Lee for the excellent organization of this event which raised a total of $19,000.00 for sick children!


Congratulations to the entire Re/Max Alliance Ambiance ProCommercial team for organizing this great gala! Especially Claire Audet, Marion Conte, Samer Kilo, Ginette Cholette and Michel Tremblay.
An evening full of emotions with beautiful testimonials. We had the privilege of seeing Martin Deschamps perform with his daughter Lou! A big total of $75,000 has been raised for Opération Enfants Soleil. WOW !!!


The presence of excrement or dead birds will attract vermin into your attic.
When present, these items must be removed. If you decide to undertake this work yourself, precautions are necessary because it is possible to contract illnesses from handling them.
During this melting season, it is normal for the water to flow into your sump pit.
A sump pump is a system that allows you to dry the basement as well as the foundations of a house. This is set up to evacuate water collected from the groundwater and/or the French drain. Rainwater is collected in a basin and transported in a dry well, on the ground or in the municipal system by the sump pump.
Torrential rains often cause power outages. It is therefore essential to set up an emergency pump powered by water from the municipal aqueduct or by a battery.
If your sump pit is dry during melting or heavy rain, this may indicate, in some cases, that your French drain is not working properly. If we add signs of humidity in the basement to this situation, it would be prudent and important to have your French drain checked by a specialist.
Finally, it is also necessary to regularly verify and clean your sump pit to ensure there is no debris.
It is recommended to check your attic space (attic) regularly. Surprises may await you!
You don’t want unwanted visitors taking up residence. Not only do raccoons ransack your attic (destroying the insulation, leaving urine and feces behind), they can also pose a potential danger to the health of the occupants.
Raccoons are carriers of infectious diseases that can spread to humans through the handling of animals, bites or scratches from the wild creature, and even contact with body secretions or feces.
To better prevent infestations, make the attic resistant to raccoons by ensuring that the roofs are not damaged. It is necessary to check the possible access points (chimneys, soffits/fascia, etc.), and to block them.
Avoid making your dream a nightmare!
Before buying your house, have it inspected!
The #1 Extension Cord Mistake You Should Never Make
Extension cords are handy to have around when you have something that can’t reach the wall socket. However, you should be wary of plugging in too many things at once.
Power strips may have a lot of extra sockets, but that doesn’t mean it can actually handle everything you throw at it. There’s a limit to how much juice they can take!
When it gets cold outside, the first thing most people do is turn up the heat. If you don’t have a fireplace or central heating, the next best thing is a space heater. It’s compact, portable, and warms up a small room in a minimal amount of time. Another thing that it heats up is the extension cord. Even if a space heater is the only thing plugged into the power strip, they can overheat or even catch fire due to the added energy flow.
According to the National Safety Fire Administration, half of all heating home fires occur during December, January, and February. From 2009 to 2013, heating equipment accounted for 56,000 home fires. Don’t become one of those statistics!
If you’re thinking of getting a space heater this winter, make sure it’s been third-party tested by an independent lab, like UL. Don’t forget to make sure your smoke detector is working, and regularly check your space heater’s cords to make sure it’s not frayed or damaged. This way, you’ll keep both toasty warm and safe this winter.
source: http://faithtap.com/9180/1-extension-cord-mistake-you-should-never-make-this-winter/
At AmeriSpec Laval we use every possible means, against all odds, to give impeccable service to our customers!
Here is Mr. Stéphane Blanchard, on the morning of December 9th, -1° celcius, accompanied by his client to go inspect a cottage on the island of Carillon !!

AmeriSpec had the pleasure of participating in the Groupe Sutton Synergy year-end party.Congratulations to Yvon Cousineau and his team for a successful evening!We wish happy holidays to all the brokers and employees of this great family!


A lovely evening celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the AIBQ (Association of Building Inspectors of Quebec).Congratulations to Stéphane Blanchard, Certified Inspector and Director at Amerispec Laval Rive-Nord for his honourary plaque for 20 years of service.Thank you to the organizers and especially to Nicole Matte for the minute of silence in honor of the late Yves L’Archevêque, our previous director!
With the arrival of autumn, warm days are rarer and it is time to start preparing your home for the winter.Here are some good tips for you to organize well before the snow settles.
- Remove screens. When left on the inside, they promote surface condensation and can create mold, while those left on the outside, can stain the windows. Moreover, the removal of the screens gives you a better brightness during the shorter, darker days of winter.
- Ensure that opening and projection sealants are in good condition (doors, windows, fireplace, fixtures, electrical outlets, etc.) to prevent damage from water infiltration.
- Check the condition of the air vent of the kitchen range hood and the bathroom fans. This will reduce the risk of harboring rodents over the winter season and will help to keep your heating bill in check by not letting the cold air enter the house!
- Close and drain the outside water valve to prevent freezing water from bursting the pipe. It is not enough to simply close the faucet; you need to shut off the interior water valve, then drain the outside valve to release any water trapped in the line.
- Pick up leaves, branches and debris and avoid piling firewood too close to the house. You will reduce the risk of carpenter ants entering the home, or rodents nesting in the debris.
- Make sure the drainage of your eavestroughs is unrestricted. Clear any debris and leaves. Ensure that the downspouts drain away from the foundation of your home and that the joints are in good condition.
Are you house hunting? It’s key to make a list of wants vs. needs before viewing homes. You can always update it as you go, however, staying on budget will likely be more important than buying a home loaded with extras
When the time comes to begin your search for the perfect home, there’s a good chance you have an idea of what you’d like to find inside it. An open-concept floor plan, hardwood flooring and a large backyard may be at the top of your list. It’s a good idea, however, to establish a solid list of needs and wants in order to avoid purchasing a home with a price tag beyond what your budget allows.
Your needs: These are the must-have features that you can’t live without. For those with children, you will likely need a home with at least three bedrooms. For those who work from home, a home office will be a must-have feature. When it comes to bathrooms, be prepared to settle for a home with two. You will need one for family use and one for guests; a master ensuite is an added bonus.
The kitchen is one space that many house hunters don’t want to compromise on, particularly the person who does the most cooking. When viewing homes, pay close attention to things like counter space, layout and cupboard space. These are factors that will come into play on a daily basis and cannot be changed without major renovation.
Depending on the number of vehicles you own, having ample space for parking is a definite need. If you have children and/or pets, you will also want to consider outdoor space. A backyard doesn’t have to be huge, but many people consider it a necessity for little ones and/or pets.
Your wants: Once the ‘sticker-shock’ sets in, you may find that items you originally thought of as “needs” can actually be categorized as “wants”. It’s more important to stay within your budget than it is to buy a home that is loaded with extras. Granite countertops, an island and a marble backsplash would be lovely to have, but remember that you can always add these features down the road when you can afford it. The same goes for hardwood floors, a finished basement and a pool in the backyard. The best part about buying a home you can improve on is the opportunity to earn a return on your investment.
Congratulations to Re/Max Cartier for their splendid Italian night! Very close to $60,000.00 was raised for the benefit of Operation Enfant Soleil!! AmeriSpec Laval North Shore is proud to have participated in this event.
Congratulations to Re/Max United for the organization of this golf tournament for the benefit of Operation Enfant Soleil!! AmeriSpec is proud to have had the privilege to sponsor this event. Congratulations to all those who braved the rain, the cold, wind and mosquitoes in order to raise money for sick children!!
Congrats to the team of Re/Max 2000 with this lobster-beef dinner for a good cause. The sum of $31,000.00 had been raised in support of Operation Enfant Soleil!! AmeriSpec is proud to have participated in this wide success as a sponsor!!



Here are the important points to check outside your home:
- Verify if there is water accumulation near the foundation. If the answer is yes, you will need to make corrections to the land by adding dirt to the perimeter of the house. This provides a positive slope and diverts the water from the foundation.
- Take this opportunity to ensure that winter has not damaged your gutter system. Make sure it’s not blocked by debris and that an extension (6ft or 2m) is present at the base of each of the descents. This allows water to flow away from the house.
- A careful examination of your roof will allow you to check if damage has been caused by the winter weather. If you notice any anomalies, it would be prudent to consult a roofer to make the necessary corrections.
Here are some points to verify inside your home:
- A rainy day is also a good time to visit your attic and make sure there is no water infiltration.
- Inspect the walls and floors of your basement to see if water is infiltrating, especially if water is accumulated near the house.
- If your home is equipped with a sump and an ejector pump, it’s also a good time to check its operation.
If you need any advice, don’t hesitate to contact our inspectors. Have a good day!
Flooding and water damage are things no homeowner ever wants to deal with. But depending on where you live, your home may be prone to flooding.If you’re buying a home, make sure that you’re aware of any flooding issues in the area and find out if there are prevention tools already in place to avoid flooding.To read the full article click on the following link:http://www.amerispec.ca/basement-flooding-how-to-avoid-standing-in-knee-deep-in-water/
Flooding and water damage are things no homeowner ever wants to deal with. But depending on where you live, your home may be prone to flooding.If you’re buying a home, make sure that you’re aware of any flooding issues in the area and find out if there are prevention tools already in place to avoid flooding.For more information see the following links:http://www.amerispec.ca/basement-flooding-how-to-avoid-standing-in-knee-deep-in-water/

the wall or worse, present a fire hazard.This Health Canada recall involves more than 240,000 Honeywell thermostats sold between 2000 and 2007. It was expanded in 2015 to include Garrison, Home, NOMA, RONA and UPM appliances.
What you need to doDo you think you have a potentially hazardous thermostat? Locate all thermostat reminders on HealthCanada.ca. There were several, spread out over a few years. Check all the rooms in your house to see if your thermostats are part of these lists.
Open the small door and unscrew the screws that hold the thermostat to the wall. If your thermostats are recalled, call an electrician to remove them as soon as possible and contact the retailer from whom you purchased the product, as the importer
is no longer in business, and have it replaced.For more information see the following links:http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2011/11849r-eng.php
http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2015/52863r-eng.php
photo credit: http://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1009412/rappel-de-produits-difficile-de-rejoindre-les-consommateurs


sympathies are with the bereaved families.







AmeriSpec was proud to sponsor the Christmas Cocktail of the GMREB (Greater Montréal Real Estate Board / Laval / North Shore Regional Group). During this evening Monsieur Stéphane Blanchard participated in the silent auction in favour of the guignolée
and managed to get the golden record of John Lennon!!!
An uncluttered house helps to avoid uninspected areas that may concern a future buyer. Here are some tips to make for a smooth home inspection:
- Be sure to clear access to the attic, especially if the access door is in a closet.
- Clear the space around the electrical panel, heating units, water heater, and cabinets below the sink.
- Take vehicles out of the garage if possible, to allow for better examination of the slab.
- Open curtains and blinds to allow inspection of windows.

- Unlock the exterior fences and/or gates.
- Have a copy of the seller’s declaration to be given to the inspector.
Good inspection – good sale!!!

moisture in a house. You will gain in comfort and energy savings, in addition to protecting your windows from harmful condensation.

filters at the time of regular maintenance of your home’s air system. By neglecting this maintenance, you risk breathing a high rate of dust that is harmful to your health, as well as compromising the performance of the heating system.

Lavoie and all of the brokers, for their support in many causes, such as Relay for Life and Down Syndrome foundation. Sincere thanks for this very rewarding morning!

inspection company to support Via Capital and its brokers.







Thanks to Charles Perreault for this beautiful invitation!!