Holmes on Homes Podcast Mike Holmes

There are governing bodies that develop building codes to dictate how a house is built and what is installed to ensure the safety of homeowners. In addition, the National Electrical Code (US) and the Canadian Electrical Code focus on the safety of electrical installations. Always hire a licensed electrical contractor for any electrical work you’re doing in the house. Why? Because they are the experts and can help make sure everything is done safely, to code, and know to pull the needed permits. Do you know where in your house you should have GFCIs? Do you need to replace your knob and tube wiring? An electrician will have the answers.



In this podcast episode, I’m joined by Erik Drost, Loyalty Manager, Eaton USA as we talk about Electric Codes vs. building codes, the difference in codes between the US and Canada, and doing electrical work safely. We also talk about how to find a Licensed Electrical Contractor and what the ECCN is. Plus, we have a few shocks and laughs looking at the electrical fails that you’ve sent in. Tune in to find out all about it.

Sherry Holmes was 21 years old when she first joined the trades, and was one of the few women involved in construction. She loves that she gets to call herself a woman in construction and that she has the chance to constantly learn new skills! From flooring to tiling and design she's been able to wear a lot of hats, but it was not an easy journey. In fact, she says she never saw any women on sites. It was a daunting experience at first, but over the years she has seen a change in the trades with more and more women getting into construction.

Hosting this episode of the Holmes On Homes Podcast, Sherry, joined by co-host and daughter Oaklyn, talks with Ellie Cobb, Lead Marketing Analyst (Loyalty Programs) and Helen Veldhuis, Director of Manufacturing Operations from Eaton Electric about what it means to be a woman in the trades. They share our stories of how they made it to where they are today, some of the challenges faced, and advice to younger girls considering the same path. This is one empowering episode you don’t want to miss.

I get a lot of questions about electrical all the time. If I bought an older house how do I know if I have bad electrical? Can I do electrical work myself? How do I know if I need a panel upgrade? Do I need a permit to do electrical work? A lot of these questions can easily be answered by hiring the right professional. In this case, it’s a Licensed Electrical Contractor. They’ll be able to assess your current electric infrastructure, advise you on the electrical work that needs to be done to meet your needs and your home’s, and do the work safely. Electric work is not something you want to take a risk with, because if DIY electrical work is done incorrectly it can result in electric fires or fatal electric shocks. This can not only damage your property but it can endanger you and your loved ones as well. 

In this podcast episode, I sit down with Electrical Safety Authority’s (ESA) Emily Larose, Vice President of Regulatory and General Counsel and Trevor Tremblay, Technical Advisor. We discuss everything from electric permits, to the importance of hiring a Licensed Electrical Contractor and what to do if you fall victim to an unlicensed contractor. We also answer your questions that you’ve sent in and share a few electric fails along the way showing you what NOT to do. Don’t miss this episode.



For more behind-the-scenes content head to MakeItRight.ca/podcast-s3-ep4-diy-electrical/

If you know me you know how much I loved my dog Charlie. He was a big part of our family and without him, life wouldn't have been the same. It was very hard when we lost him but right then Meow Meow (our new cat) appeared out of nowhere in our life and everything changed once again —even though I was never the cat person. But both these experiences have taught me a lot about nurturing healthy pets and renovating with your pets in mind. 

In this podcast episode, I had the chance to sit down with Dr. Evan Freeman, Veterinary, Dino Fragaglia, President of Global Pet Foods, and Doug Poyntz, Owner of Global Pet Foods Woodstock and let me tell you I learnt a lot. We talk about how to build a healthy diet for your pets and what that looks like, pet allergies, healthy pet products and building healthy, accessible homes for our pets. For all pet owners out there, this episode is a must-listen.

*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the views or endorsement of the Holmes Group.



For more behind-the-scenes content head to MakeItRight.ca/podcast-s3-ep3-mike-holmes-on-healthy-pets/

We've all heard of landscaping, but pondscaping takes it to a whole other level.  It's not just about making your backyard look nice; it's about creating a balanced ecosystem that supports living organisms and animals while keeping your pond healthy. When I found myself battling a weed infestation in my pond, I called in the experts, and Nick and Joe DeMarco from WeedsBGone came to my rescue. They educated me on the hazards of overgrown weeds and algae, which may disrupt the delicate balance of the pond's environment. We investigated the negative consequences on wildlife populations, and believe me, it's not something we want to see happen.

In this podcast episode, I take a deep dive into the world of pondscaping with Nick and Joe. Let’s just say I learnt a lot from them about the importance of maintaining a healthy pond and effective weed removal methods to combat those stubborn weeds and restore life to your pond. They also shared some valuable tips to keep your own pond in top shape and the importance of pondscaping for public ponds and lakes and how it can directly impact you. This episode is a must-listen.

With over 40 years of experience as a contractor, I've seen the devastating consequences of bad electrical work, from fatal shocks to devastating electric fires. You may be tempted to do electrical work yourself especially if you’re a seasoned handyperson, but one wrong connection can lead to fatal results. Electrical safety is a non-negotiable when it comes to your home and it’s important you always hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor to do the work safely and correctly.

In this podcast episode, I speak with Will Barrett, General Manager for Operations, Planning, and Support at the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) as we break down everything you need to know to do Electrical Right! From who you should hire, to electrical upgrades, EV Chargers, tamper-resistant receptacles and avoiding electrical fires. This episode is a must-listen.