Installing your toilet bowl

Turn bowl upside down. Fit the wax gasket with plastic sleeve around the opening in bottom of bowl with plastic sleeve pointed up.

Install bowl over wastepipe with the plastic sleeve portion of gasket inside the floor flange and twist lightly to seat gasket. Tighten flange bolts. (Do not overtighten).

Clothes Dryer Maintenance & Duct Cleaning

Once a year, disconnect the moisture exhaust duct from the dryer and clean it out. It should be free of lint, dust and pet hair and should be completely round (not kinked) to ensure that products of combustion (if it is a natural gas dryer) and warm moist air are effectively exhausted to the outside.

Go outside and check that the duct opening is clear and that your flapper is moving freely. Birds and small animals have been known to live in them. Placing wood or equipment in front of the duct can block the vent causing the moveable shutters to be plugged with lint.

If you have an electric dryer, replace the old vent with a vent that has a floating shuttle which will allow warm moist air and lint from the dryer to escape while preventing cold, heat and insects from entering. This product is available at Home Hardware.

Lets Keep it on the Level !!
Shell Busey

Note: On our referral network
Michael A Smith Duct Cleaning Service cleans heating ducts as well as dryer vents.

Soundproofing and Insulating ceilings

Dear Shell,

I have a question regarding insulation for a basement ceiling. The house is new, there is a silent floor system installed and it is now time to drywall the basement. As I plan to have two B&B units down there I’d like to create as soundproof an environment as possible. What do you suggest I use for insulation in the ceiling?

-Ian
Dear Ian,

If the home is heated with a forced air furnace I would suggest that the best result would be to remove the ceiling ducts and provide heat to the basement by an alternate means i.e.: Convectair Base Convection Electric (110 or 220 volt) heaters. For information on Convectair heaters check the House Smart website at www.housesmartcentre.com and click on referral network or call Convectair at 1 800 463 6478. Install R-20 Batt insulation flush with the underside of the silent floor system, then apply one half-inch Donacona board (4×8 sheets), then metal acoustical channel and finally a layer of 5/8’ drywall board. Apply filler, tape and then paint to finish the job.

It’s Just That Easy!

Shell

Energy Conservation in the Home

Dear Shell,

Do you turn down your thermostat at night in order to save energy while the household is sleeping?

- Jessica

Dear Jessica,

It’s a great idea and its also one of the best energy savers; however, please think twice before you defeat its purpose by leaving your bedroom window wide open. When you leave the window wide open it cools the whole house down. You will then put more demand on your furnace when you turn the thermostat up in the morning thereby raising your energy costs.

It’s Just That Easy!

Shell

Water Pressure and Flow

Dear Shell,

When the hot water tap in my kitchen is turned on just a bit, it sputters and pulses the water out of the faucet. From the off position, I can give it a slight turn on and it completely stops coming out, but when I give it another slight turn in the same direction, it comes on very full. Is this a problem with the faucet itself or a problem with the water pressure?

-Michael

Dear Michael,

The problem you describe is the result of a loose washer on the spindle of the faucet valve. When the washer is loose the faucet valve partially opens causing a water siphon to draw the washer down stopping the water flow. To repair, shut the water off, remove the spindle valve and replace the washer. Make sure that you have the proper size and type of replacement washer. I suggest that you take the spindle with you to the plumbing store to ensure that you get the correct fit.

It’s Just That Easy!

Shell

Protecting Outdoor Railings Over the Winter

Dear Shell,

Is there any way we can protect our wood railings over the winter so we do not have to repaint every spring?

-Jordan

Dear Jordan,

The tops of wood railings are always a difficult place to keep stain or paint in good condition. Applying a coat of liquid or clear wood hard floor wax will keep the frost and ice from entering the finish hence stopping the peeling and flaking of paint and stain. Give it a try; I’m sure you’ll be happy with the outcome.

It’s Just That Easy!

Shell

Mold Removal from walls

Dear Shell,

We plan to install the Humidex system in our home as you have suggested to get rid of excess moisture. Once we have the unit installed can you tell us how to get rid of the mold and mildew that has formed on some of our walls from the moisture, or will we have to replace entire portions of the wall?

- Robert

Dear Robert:

Thanks for the question. No, you do not have to go to the work of replacing sections of the wall. Make a mixture of ½ bleach to ½ water and spray entirely over the moldy area. Then scrub with the Shell Busey Home Cleaning formula, heavy-duty mix. Rinse well and allow the area to dry. You can then repaint the area as needed.

It’s Just That Easy!

Shell

Musty Odors in an RV

Dear Shell,

My husband and I recently purchased a travel trailer that had been sitting on a recreational lot for some time. We thought that with some thorough cleaning and airing out, we’d be able to get rid of the musty smell that permeates through the trailer. Unfortunately none of that has worked!! Do you have any suggestions?
- Mary

Dear Mary:
Installing an RV Humidex system can rectify the odour problem. You can install the system yourself, as the instructions are very simple to follow. The model you would require is the RV Model. Please make provision for make up air while in operation. Do not run the unit while you are using propane appliances. The best time to run it would be when the trailer is empty or unoccupied.

It’s Just That Easy!

Shell

Sink Replacement

Dear Shell,

I want to change the size of my sink, to something smaller. How do I go about making that change over an existing counter top?

- Dorothy

Dear Dorothy,

Cut the hole from the existing sink to a rectangular size. Measure and cut plywood to the required size and thickness and set into the prepared hole and screw bridge pieces underside to hold in place. Now you can cut a new hole the size to fit your new sink. Finish with the ceramic tile.

It’s Just That Easy!

Shell

Ceramic Tile on top of Laminate countertops

Dear Shell:

I want to replace my arborite counter tops with ceramic tile. Is there any special preparation that needs to be done or can the tile be laid directly on top of the old countertop?

-Jenny

Dear Jenny,

You can put the tiles directly over the counter top as long as you properly prepare the surface. Wash the laminate (arborite) with T.S.P. using a pot scrubber pad and rinse well. If any shiny areas appear after washing and rinsing, sand them off with 150 grit sandpaper. Wipe down the area with a damp cloth to remove any dust from the sanding. Remove the sink and faucets. Install the ceramic tiles using ceramic tile mastic and grout with epoxy grout.

It’s Just That Easy!

Shell