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Three Ways to Treat and Prevent a Slippery Deck

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The early months of the year can be a messy time of ice, slush, rain, and with it, slippery surfaces. Many outdoor surfaces can become hazardous in these conditions, from sidewalks and driveways to your decks and stairs.

Slippery decks can be a common occurrence, especially if you’re up in cottage country, where snow and ice may be more prevalent. Being located near water and lack of sunlight can also be contributing factors. And while the natural landscapes and lakes may be a beautiful sight to wake up to, like these cottages for sale in Bracebridge, you will want to keep your deck clear and safe.

Here are three ways to treat and prevent a slippery deck.

Keep the Deck Clear

This is an obvious one; keeping your deck clear will help prevent slipping hazards. During winter, if you do not plan to use your deck regularly, consider storing away furniture like chairs and tables. Removing the items from your deck that you won’t be using makes for easier shovelling and maintenance. During the year, keeping debris like branches, leaves, and dirt off your deck surface will help remove tripping hazards but also prevent the buildup of algae. Additionally, if your deck connects to a dock on the water, you are more likely to have algae form, so being aware of that and staying on top of that can help keep your decks safer. Using a stiff bristle broom will help keep the debris clear or hosing down the deck on a clear and sunny day will help to dry off the deck before moisture can settle.

Remove Existing Mold and Algae

If mould, mildew, or algae has already thoroughly formed underneath your deck boards, it is likely to re-emerge on the topside of your deck. Spring and fall specifically are times where these conditions can form. Purchasing a treatment solution or creating your own with bleach, ammonia-free powdered detergent and water can help to remove these conditions. Allow the treatment solution to sit for 15-30 minutes at a time to soak into the deck before scrubbing and rinsing away the growth. When dry, it’s a good idea to re-seal your deck to prevent growth from easily reforming.

Apply Anti-Slip Materials

Now that your deck is clean and clear utilize materials such as anti-slip mats, skid strips, traction tape, or spray-on coatings that can help give traction to your deck during slippery conditions.

These are especially useful on decks that have areas of water, such as pools or hot tubs, and should surround either of these utilities. When not in use, mats should be hung or put away to prevent an accumulation of wetness or mould, which can rot your deck.

Additionally, coating products for your deck are specifically made to seal the wood and prevent it from becoming slippery; usually, these solutions are mixed with sand or aggregate to help give the deck some gritty texture. While useful, these coatings can be a bit difficult to work with and may not create the aesthetic you desire, so it’s best to do your research before using them on your surfaces.

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Greater Toronto home sales jump in October after Bank of Canada rate cuts: board

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TORONTO – The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board says home sales in October surged as buyers continued moving off the sidelines amid lower interest rates.

The board said 6,658 homes changed hands last month in the Greater Toronto Area, up 44.4 per cent compared with 4,611 in the same month last year. Sales were up 14 per cent from September on a seasonally adjusted basis.

The average selling price was up 1.1 per cent compared with a year earlier at $1,135,215. The composite benchmark price, meant to represent the typical home, was down 3.3 per cent year-over-year.

“While we are still early in the Bank of Canada’s rate cutting cycle, it definitely does appear that an increasing number of buyers moved off the sidelines and back into the marketplace in October,” said TRREB president Jennifer Pearce in a news release.

“The positive affordability picture brought about by lower borrowing costs and relatively flat home prices prompted this improvement in market activity.”

The Bank of Canada has slashed its key interest rate four times since June, including a half-percentage point cut on Oct. 23. The rate now stands at 3.75 per cent, down from the high of five per cent that deterred many would-be buyers from the housing market.

New listings last month totalled 15,328, up 4.3 per cent from a year earlier.

In the City of Toronto, there were 2,509 sales last month, a 37.6 per cent jump from October 2023. Throughout the rest of the GTA, home sales rose 48.9 per cent to 4,149.

The sales uptick is encouraging, said Cameron Forbes, general manager and broker for Re/Max Realtron Realty Inc., who added the figures for October were stronger than he anticipated.

“I thought they’d be up for sure, but not necessarily that much,” said Forbes.

“Obviously, the 50 basis points was certainly a great move in the right direction. I just thought it would take more to get things going.”

He said it shows confidence in the market is returning faster than expected, especially among existing homeowners looking for a new property.

“The average consumer who’s employed and may have been able to get some increases in their wages over the last little bit to make up some ground with inflation, I think they’re confident, so they’re looking in the market.

“The conditions are nice because you’ve got a little more time, you’ve got more choice, you’ve got fewer other buyers to compete against.”

All property types saw more sales in October compared with a year ago throughout the GTA.

Townhouses led the surge with 56.8 per cent more sales, followed by detached homes at 46.6 per cent and semi-detached homes at 44 per cent. There were 33.4 per cent more condos that changed hands year-over-year.

“Market conditions did tighten in October, but there is still a lot of inventory and therefore choice for homebuyers,” said TRREB chief market analyst Jason Mercer.

“This choice will keep home price growth moderate over the next few months. However, as inventory is absorbed and home construction continues to lag population growth, selling price growth will accelerate, likely as we move through the spring of 2025.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Homelessness: Tiny home village to open next week in Halifax suburb

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HALIFAX – A village of tiny homes is set to open next month in a Halifax suburb, the latest project by the provincial government to address homelessness.

Located in Lower Sackville, N.S., the tiny home community will house up to 34 people when the first 26 units open Nov. 4.

Another 35 people are scheduled to move in when construction on another 29 units should be complete in December, under a partnership between the province, the Halifax Regional Municipality, United Way Halifax, The Shaw Group and Dexter Construction.

The province invested $9.4 million to build the village and will contribute $935,000 annually for operating costs.

Residents have been chosen from a list of people experiencing homelessness maintained by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia.

They will pay rent that is tied to their income for a unit that is fully furnished with a private bathroom, shower and a kitchen equipped with a cooktop, small fridge and microwave.

The Atlantic Community Shelters Society will also provide support to residents, ranging from counselling and mental health supports to employment and educational services.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2024.

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Here are some facts about British Columbia’s housing market

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Housing affordability is a key issue in the provincial election campaign in British Columbia, particularly in major centres.

Here are some statistics about housing in B.C. from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s 2024 Rental Market Report, issued in January, and the B.C. Real Estate Association’s August 2024 report.

Average residential home price in B.C.: $938,500

Average price in greater Vancouver (2024 year to date): $1,304,438

Average price in greater Victoria (2024 year to date): $979,103

Average price in the Okanagan (2024 year to date): $748,015

Average two-bedroom purpose-built rental in Vancouver: $2,181

Average two-bedroom purpose-built rental in Victoria: $1,839

Average two-bedroom purpose-built rental in Canada: $1,359

Rental vacancy rate in Vancouver: 0.9 per cent

How much more do new renters in Vancouver pay compared with renters who have occupied their home for at least a year: 27 per cent

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2024.

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