Congratulations to HouseSmart Renovations on their recent Georgie Award

HouseSmart Renovations was recently awarded Best Residential Renovation $75,000 – $199,999 for the Morrison project in New Westminster.

If you would like to view pictures of this project, please click here.

Cut down on your hot water consumption!

Here are a few tips that can help

· Fix leaky taps immediately! A hot water tap, dripping once every second, wastes 720 litres (160 gallons) per month! – That’s 16 hot baths!

· Install low-flow showerheads and flow reducer devices on taps.

· Going away? Turn the water heater to the pilot setting.

· Use cold water to rinse hands and dishes. How many times have you turned on the hot water tap, but finished washing your hands before the water goes hot? All you have done is filled the pipe with hot water.

· Run washing machine with full loads, and rinse with cold water.

· Use dishwasher only when it’s fully loaded. Use ‘energy saver’ cycle if it’s available.

· If you have an electric water heater, wrap it up in an insulating jacket designed for this purpose. Insulation kits are available at hardware stores, and are quickly and easily strapped around the outside with tape.

· Insulate long stretches of hot water pipes passing through unheated areas. (Any pipe within one meter of the tank should be wrapped in a preformed pipe insulation like Thermoflex.) Special wrap is available at hardware and building supply stores. Be sure to use heat resistant wrap.

· Add hot to cold rather than cold to hot when you need warm water.

· Rather than rinsing dishes separately under a tap (this can use up to 15 gallons of water per meal), put them in the drainer and pour a bowl of water over them.

· Shampoo you hair in a sink instead of the shower and you’ll use about 1/3 as much hot water.

It’s Just That Easy!

Discoloured Tiles In The Bathroom

Dear Shell,

I have shaded, but mostly white porcelain tile in our ensuite. Where we stand (in front of the sink mostly) it is very discoloured from our bare feet. How do we clean this and then do we need to re-seal it? This tile is over a heat pad if this makes any difference to your answer. Our home is only four years old so this may be an ongoing problem for us.

Mavis

Dear Mavis,

Ceramic tile and grout joints have always been a concern in areas that bare feet come in contact with. The fact that the floor has a heat pad does not make any difference. Body oils will cause a yellowing appearance and if left unattended become very difficult to remove. Coming early this spring under my new label “It’s Just That Easy Cleaning Solutions” there is a ceramic tile cleaner that will work for your problem. Watch for it at your local Building Supply and Hardware stores.

It’s Just That Easy,
-Shell

Concerns With A Humidifier

Dear Shell,

I believe your suggestion not to shut off the main valve is inaccurate, not well researched, and could create a false sense of security for some. Any problem that might be caused by the absence of a humidifier, (In listening to your program for years I have heard far more talk about dehumidification rather than humidification), which is why you would leave the main on, would be far less than the damage that might be caused by a power failure in inclement weather which could conceivably cause some pipes to freeze and burst regardless of what has been shut off in the house.

Rick, Surrey

Dear Rick,

I was not surprised to receive an enquiry such as yours. My concern with a humidifier (i.e. Flow through) is that many homes have major hardwood flooring and also furniture that requires a control on relative humidity. Otherwise shrinking in the winter months may cause floor squeaks and loosening of furniture joints.

It’s Just That Easy,
-Shell

Insulating Crawlspaces & Elevated Subfloors

Dear Shell,

I live in a split level home. The mid level is on a crawl space (approx 3.5′) with a concrete foundation. The floor is Pergo laminate and I find it very cold. I’ve gone into the crawl space and pushed pink insulation between the floor joists, but I still find the floor cold. Note, that there is a furnace outlet dispersing some heat into the crawl space. Have I done myself a disservice with the insulation? Would it be better to leave the insulation on the floor on the concrete foundation? Or do you have a better recommendation?

Paul

Dear Paul,

Insulating crawlspaces and elevated subfloors is best accomplished with the use of Reflective Foil Insulation. Follow these instructions:
Insulate the concrete walls with 1 1/2 inch poly urethane rigid insulation. Remove the glass fibre insulation. Apply Reflectix Foil Insulation between the joists 1 inch away from the underside of the plywood or shiplap floor. Replace the insulation batts up against the Reflectix. Insulate between the joists over top of the concrete wall and seal with 6 mil poly sealing with acoustical caulking.

It’s Just That Easy,

-Shell

Cleaning Vinyl Boat Cushions

Dear Shell,

I have a pink sink and tub that have some chips on the inside surfaces. The largest is about 1/16 of an inch. Where can I get some paint to seal the chips and how do I apply it? Secondly, I have some vinyl boat cushions showing black spots. I used a heavy duty vinyl cleaner which cleaned up the coal dust and dirt but there are still some black spots on the vinyl. Is there a product that will remove the spots? Thank you for the information on drafty windows. I phoned the number you gave me and they are sending me three brochures.

Jim

Dear Jim,

Repairing chips in pink bathroom fixtures would be very difficult today as to the best of my knowledge the Pink Porce A Fix product is no longer available. I would suggest calling Bathfitter for a complete tub and surround installation. To contact Bathfitter call the HouseSmart Referral Network at 604-542-2236. To remove the black marks (spots) on the vinyl apply full strength Pink Solution to the area, add water and scrub with a white cloth. Work with equal quantities of Pink Solution and water until the marks are removed. Rinse well with clear water.
The drafty window brochures this gentleman is referring to are available to all homeowners. They can be obtained by calling 1-800-387-2000 and requesting the brochures on windows, moisture problems and air leakage in the home.

It’s Just That Easy,
-Shell

Hairline Cracks In Laminate Floor

Dear Shell,

Our laminate floor had developed thin hairline cracks in one section of the hallway about a year or so ago. We noticed it, but didn’t make much of it at that time since it was so minute. Now, the cracks are much wider and it has spread to a few other areas as well. Over the past 3 weeks when the temperature has cooled down these cracks have really widened and are quite noticeable. Can you please explain what is going on and how we can fix this problem?

John

Dear John,

Unfortunately your question falls into the comment that I have made on many an open line radio program, that over the next ten years laminate flooring in general is going to be a major headache for many homeowners. This is due to many issues such as grade of material, installation as well as room circumstances etc. Your problem is caused by the impact that relative humidity is presenting in the home. Unless the flooring material is preseasoned in the home for a minimum of 48 hours with the packages opened before the actual installation major changes in the relative humidity will make it susceptible to expansion and contraction. This is one of the most commonly asked questions about laminate flooring. The best equation would be to have a 40% relative humidity in your home with a room temperature of 21 degrees C. when the outside temperature is in the 0 to –12 degrees C. range. You will find a relative humidity indicator handy to monitor the humidity levels in the home. These are available from our HouseSmart Referral office, call 1-888-266-8806 or in the Lower Mainland call 604-542-2236. I would suggest that anyone purchasing laminate flooring ask about the characteristics of product in the event of changes in high and low relative humidity. If you do not receive a satisfactory answer do not deal with that supplier. Please refer to www.pergo.com for further information.

It’s Just That Easy,
-Shell

Installing A Laminate Floor

Dear Shell,

Please help me to level my concrete floor. I would like to install a wood laminate floor. My problem is that some of the floor area is 1/4 inch lower than the other area. Is it okay to install the laminated floor on an uneven floor? If not can you please give me some advice on how to solve this problem?

Aniano

Dear Aniano,

Laminate flooring over concrete must be installed on a level dry surface. First etch the concrete floor with a muriatic acid wash. Rinse well. Apply bonded topping mix to the area that requires levelling. Please follow the instructions on the Target product bag. Allow the topping mix to cure for seven days. When you are ready to install the laminate flooring please be sure that you get the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Most installation instructions will require a sheet of 6 mil poly over the concrete first followed by an underpad material, and then the laminate flooring product. Visit the website www.pergo.com for some helpful information on laminate flooring.

It’s Just That Easy,
-Shell

Renovating A Kitchen

Dear Shell,

I am considering doing some renovations to my 11 year old condo in Vancouver (Citygate), particularly the kitchen. Could you provide me with the name or names of Companies that could advise me on what I might do and who could do it? Things like cupboards, counters, lighting, floors etc.

Peter, Vancouver

Dear Peter,

This service is available to you through out HouseSmart Renovation department. They have professional designers who can offer multiple cabinet choices as well as design ideas for lighting, floors, countertops etc. throughout the rest of the kitchen area. Proper kitchen design is very important in order to get the best yield of space and convenience in the work areas of your kitchen. Call the HouseSmart Referral Network at 604-542-2236 and request a kitchen designer.

It’s Just That Easy,
-Shell

Cleaning, Sealing, & Preserving A Deck

Dear Shell,

I have recently has installed a 16 x 25 foot sun deck at the rear of my house. The deck in constructed with 1 x 6 pressure treated radius lumber. With so many products on the market what is your recommendation for cleaning, sealing and preserving the decking? I want to keep this low maintenance and not an annual make work project. I would also like to keep the natural look of the wood. Secondly what can I use to get the same light green colouring effect on the cut ends of the decking?

Cliff

Dear Cliff,

Cleaning of the deck can be achieved by using the Shell Busey Home Cleaning Formula and then rinsing well. My choice of deck finish would be the Messmers Deck Finish available at a Cloverdale Paint store in your area. Pre-stain the cut end of your deck boards, using end seal treatment available at your local Building Supply stores. This product is made available to seal pressure treated deck lumber.

It’s Just That Easy,

-Shell