Furnace Tune-Up Checklist
[ ] Clock and adjust input to the manufacturer’s rating plate specifications.
[ ] Confirm temperature rise across heat exchanger is within the manufacturer’s rating plate specifications.
[ ] Inspect and clean fan and air filter assembly.
[ ] Inspect filters or electronic air cleaner as applicable.
[ ] Inspect, adjust and clean pilot light and electronic ignition as applicable.
[ ] Visually inspect heat exchanger. (if accessible)
[ ] Inspect, clean and adjust burners.
[ ] Check electrical controls wiring and controls.
[ ] Check proper operation of venting system.
[ ] Inspect thermostat – check heat anticipator at correct setting. (as applicable)
[ ] Check condensate line/pump and secondary heat exchanger. (as applicable)
Shell Dines out for Diabetes Awareness
Shell and his wife Frankie joined the FoodVancouver.com crew at Yaletown’s award winning Blue Water Cafe to kick off Diabetes Awareness month. Executive Chef Frank Pabst created a special menu for the evening while admitting that creating a ‘diabetes-friendly’ dish was no great challenge for his kitchen.
Recent statistics show two million Canadians have diabetes, while another four million like Busey have pre-diabetes, it seemed an ideal time to chew over the benefits of a balanced preventive diet.
Shell was so busy helping others improve their lives, it was not until a visit to his doctor that drew his attention to matters of personal health. A long time fan of the quick snack, Busey was presented with a decision: lose the weight, change your diet or face a lifetime of diabetes.
Busey proved as avid a listener as a teacher and in the space of a single year has shed 50 pounds, changed his relationship with food and never felt better. Along the way, he has become an advocate for both healthier eating and the Canadian Diabetes Association.
For the complete article and more healthy eating “tips” for diabetes check out Shell Dines Out
Quick Hints for Keeping the Heat In
Install a ceiling fan in rooms with high or cathedral ceilings to push warm air down where it’s needed.
Close the drapes as soon as the sun goes down in winter to keep warm air in the room
Use “door socks” – long snake–like pieces of material stuffed with sand or birdseed to repel drafts under exterior or interior doors.
Make sure your weatherstrip is in place around all exterior doors, you don’t want to see daylight through any areas, as this also means heat loss.
Put foam covers on all exterior wall outlets, under the cover plates.
Close the damper in your brick firebox and insert a draftstopper up against the damper. These can be removed, should you want a wood burning fire at Christmas or some other occasion and re-installed the next day when firebox is cool again. About 25% of heat can escape through a chimney and if you use air conditioning in the summer months this will also keep the cool air from escaping out the chimney and save you energy & money at the same time.
For more information on the draftstopper go to www.housesmartcentre.com click on the online store and search for draftstopper or simply call us at 1-888-266-8806
Lets Keep it on the Level !!
Shell Busey
Winterize Your Home
As temperatures dip below freezing, following a few simple steps to protect your home can prevent costly damage and some major inconveniences. Unfortunately, many homeowners wait until snow hits the ground before they take these steps to protect their home.
- Winterize external plumbing systems
Drain exterior water pipes and any pipes that run through unheated areas (such as a garage, crawlspace or unheated porch). If draining these pipes isn’t possible, wrap them with foam insulation or heat tape. - Exterior garden faucets – shut off inside your home and open valve outside to drain faucet valve. Note: this should be done early November through April.
- Remove all garden hoses from outside water valves and store in a dry warm area over the winter months.
- When a water faucet freezes use a hair dryer to heat and the pipes to free the frozen area. Leave faucet set at a trickle to prevent freezing again.
- Roof gutters should be cleaned every fall after leaves have fallen from the trees. This will prevent freezing mass in gutters and opening the seams to leaks.
- Perimeter drains (weeping tile) collector sumps must be cleaned of all debris every fall to prevent backup into crawl spaces or basement.
- All floor drains, basin and sink drains, concealed drainage traps should have water poured into them every two weeks during cold dry months to prevent evaporation allowing sewer gases to escape.
- Pools and Hot Tubs must have heat or circulation pumps running to prevent freezing.
- Toilet tanks against outside walls, which are seldom used, should be shutoff and drained if left for long periods of time of non-usage.
- Remove all freezable products (i.e. Latex paint) from cold areas and store in warm place away from open flame.
- Outside flower pots (unless frost free) should be moved to warm areas to prevent frost cracking.
- Leave room doors open to allow warm air to displaced into cold areas to prevent plaster and drywall cracks.
- Moisture levels (relative humidity) must be controlled within the home to stop flooring from shrinking and squeaking and fine furniture from coming loose at the joints. The following is recommended.
| Outside Air Temperature | Inside Humidity Setting |
| Summer Temperature | 50% |
| 0 to –12C | 40% |
| -12 to –18C | 35% |
| -19 to –24C | 25% |
| -25 to –30C | 20% |
| -31 or below | 15% |
Home at 20C = 68F
Extended vacations
If you are a vacationing snowbird and intend to leave your home for an extended period of time, you will want to ensure you go over these tips before taking off.
Upgrading insulation in an older home
Are you a first-time home buyer and have purchased an older home and would like to upgrade the insulation in the ceiling and walls?
First-time home buyers become very concerned with energy costs especially when they see their first energy bill. Before you purchase your first home, or any home for that matter, you should always make yourself aware of what the cost of energy is going to be or what it has been if it is an older home. Most utility companies make available a prorated energy cost based on previous experience which becomes part of your monthly household budget cost.
Now back to the question! How do you upgrade insulation in the walls and ceiling? First – are the windows double glazed or stormed? If the answer is No then your first consideration should be window upgrades by adding Energy Efficient Smart Glass to existing frames or removing existing windows and installing new energy efficient aluminum windows with thermally broken frames, vinyl framed, or wooden framed windows. Don’t overlook storm windows as an economical way to upgrade existing windows. Upgrading exterior wall insulation can be achieved from inside by adding inside styrofoam Wallmate Rigid Foam Insulation, giving a R-5 increase per inch. Use a horizontal wood strapping application, allowing new drywall to be installed when complete. Attic insulation should be a minimum R-28, if planning on upgrading best to add upto R-40 or R-50. Remember to install insulation stops at the soffit vent areas and another important step is to draft seal all ceiling light fixtures and weatherstrip the attic access door.
For best results, use blow-in insulation.
Blow-In Insulation:
Cellulose Weathershield
Fibreglass Pink or Manville Gold
Roxul Batt Insulation is an excellent choice if you are a do-it yourselfer this insulation is very easy to work with.
Changing the colour of your kitchen (or bathroom) counter top
Would you like to change the colour of your kitchen or bathroom counter top? It can be done!
Plastic laminates known in the industry under name brands such as Arborite, Formica, Nevermar, Wilson Art etc. can be painted to change their colour by using Melamine paint. First wash the countertop with tri-sodi-um phosphate and rinse well with clear water. Rub the sheen off with 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Now you are ready for two coats of melamine paint, using the colour of your choice. Apply with a natural bristle brush and 3″ paint roller allowing 12 hours drying time between coats. The room temperature must be 18 to 20 Celsius with relative humidity not greater than 50% for ideal conditions.
Tri-sodium phosphate wash:
1 tablespoon tri-sodium phosphate in 1 pint warm water. Rinse with clean water.
NOTE: On the Referral Network in the Vancouver area there is a company called Grand Art Coating and they can go right over your existing Arborite or old counter top with a product they have developed and make your counter tops look like Granite, tiles or Marble. This is great way to change things up with out having to rip the kitchen or bathroom apart, especially when you like everything else like back splash and do not need nor want to change it.
Cleaning and painting exterior concrete foundation walls
As the soil settles around the foundation of our home the black tar on the concrete is showing. The area is dry. I would like to paint the concrete, what product will adhere to it?
Tip:
Do not try to remove black tar off of concrete walls with any petroleum solvents as this will liquify the tar allowing it to penetrate deeper into the concrete.
Solution:
First dig a trench along the wall at least 6″ deeper than the grade level, then dampen the wall with a garden hose and then apply my Shell Busey Home Cleaning formula with a low pressure sprayer (garden sprayer), allow to sit a couple of minutes, scrub with brush or broom and hose off.
Before applying the first coat of exterior acrylic based masonry paint, dampen well with water. Wait 24 hours before you apply the second coat of paint.
Removing graffiti from concrete, brick and steel doors
How can we remove graffiti from concrete, brick and steel doors on the outside of a building?
To remove graffiti from any surface will require water pressure and a paint remover. The paint could be oil, alkyd, acrylic, latex or lacquer.
1. Dampen wall with pressure washer approximately 1000 P.S.I (pounds per square inch)
2. Apply a water based stripper ie. BIO-WASH Organic Stripper with a brush. Scrub after 10 minutes with roto brush.
3. Pressure wash graffiti areas to remove Most paint manufacturers make an anti-graffiti paint coating that allows for easier clean-up
NEW PRODUCT 2006
—————-
Shell Busey’s “It’s Just That Easy” Paint & Graffiti Remover
Finally a product that is non-hazardous to human health and the environment, the product is safely being used by consumers and professional users alike.
The product will safely remove all paints including spray car paints, graffiti shadow, leather dyes, marker pens, crayons, fly-posters, chewing gum from all surfaces, including hardwoods, softwoods, metals including aluminum, brass, copper, stone including soft porous stone, brick, marble, concrete, all plastic and fiberglass.
Available at Windsor Plywood as well as a number of Home Hardware Stores across Canada.
Soundproofing walls & Ceilings
What is the proper method to sound proof over a gyproc wall to reduce noise from the neighbours TV?
One option:
In order to soundproof walls you must add a sound barrier to the inside of your walls. You must be prepared to loose some floor space on the walls.
WALL :
1. Add 1/2″ sound board or donnacona board to inside wall.
2. Install acoustical channel from ceiling to floor spacing 16″ apart, screwing into the studs.
3. Screw 1/2″ drywall to acoustical channel. This method will add 1 1/2″ to inside of wall. If there is a severe sound problem between rooms (ie: music rooms, etc.) you should consider adding another 2 x 4 wall on the inside full of R-14 sound insulation such as Roxul Safe & Sound insulation. This should be installed 1/2″ away from existing wall then complete with steps 1 thru 3 the overall wall thickness requires 5 1/2″
Note: NEW PRODUCT ON THE MARKET: made by Dryco is called Quiet Rock which is available across Canada. The is a drywall that can be installed right over the existing and will reduce the sound transfer by roughly 75% a brilliant new product that came out in 2006.
For more information call Dryco directly at 1-866-443-7926
Boil Water Advisory Lifted:
Health officials have lifted the boil water advisory for close to one million people in Vancouver, Burnaby and North Vancouver. Testing has found no bacteria in the water.
The alert was posted after a severe wind and rain storm earlier this month churned up resevoirs and turned some of the tap water murky.
Areas on Vancouver Island are still being advised to boil their water. Turbidity levels for these areas are not at acceptable levels. Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely so residents should listen to local media outlets to find out if their area is effected.
Boil Water Advisories due to water turbidity – All water must be fully boiled for at least 2 minutes and cooled before using for drinking, hygiene (i.e., for brushing teeth, washing hands and face). Alternatively, the water must be passed through a reverse osmosis water treatment system.
Boil Water Advisory – Frequently Asked Questions.
How to use water safely during a boil water advisory
What is the reason for a boil water advisory?
The boil water advisory is a precautionary advisory resulting from unacceptable levels of turbidity (cloudiness) in the water at its originating source. High turbidity can interfere with the disinfection of drinking waster, be a source of microbes and provide a medium for bacterial growth.
I drank some water before the advisory. Am I going to get sick?
Not likely. There has been no evidence of illness linked to the water system. Public Health will monitor for any signs of community illness. If you are concerned about your health, you should contact your family physician.
How do I use water when the boil water advisory has been issued?
The water should NOT be used for drinking, making infant formula and juices, cooking, making ice, washing fruits, vegetables or brushing teeth. For these purposes, boiled water or bottled water should be used.
What is the accepted method for boiling water?
Bring water in pot to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute. If you are using an electric kettle, make sure the cord is not bare or frayed and choose a kettle with an automatic shut-off feature. If there are children in the home, place the pot on the back burner to avoid scalds The flat taste of boiled water can be improved by pouring it back and fourth from one container to another and/or allowing it to stand for a few hours. Boil as much water in a pot as you can comfortably lift without spilling.
Caution should always be exercised when handling boiling water to minimize the risk of burns.
Can I take a bath?
Adults and teens may shower with untreated water as long as no water is swallowed. Older children could also be given a shower with a hand held showerhead, avoiding the face. Younger children should be sponge-bathed instead of bathing in a tub because they are likely to swallow tub water.
Can I use the water for hand washing?
Yes. The boil water advisory has been issued as a precaution and there is no outbreak of human illness. There is no need for additional hand disinfection.
How else can I disinfect my hands?
You can use alcohol-based hand disinfectants, containing more than 60% alcohol. These products are widely used in the health care setting after washing hands or in situations when water is not available. The pre-moistened towlettes used for cleaning babies at a diaper change are not effective for disinfecting hands and should not be used for this purpose.
I have a dishwasher. Is it safe to use?
Yes, you can continue to use it. If your dishwasher has a hot setting (65o c or higher), it safely disinfects dishes. If your dishwasher does not have a hot setting, after finishing the cycle, soak dishes for 1 minute in a solution of 1oz (30 ml) of bleach mixed with 3 gallons of lukewarm water (13.5 litres). Let dishes air dry.
I wash dishes by hand. How do I disinfect them?
You could use boiled water for washing dishes. Dishes washed in soap and hot water can also be rinsed in boiled water or disinfected with the following bleach solution. Mix 1 ounce (about 30 ml) bleach in to three gallons (13.5 litres) of water at room temperature for at least one minute. Let dishes air dry.
Should I change the way I am doing laundry?
No, continue doing laundry the way you usually do. If you have to launder sheets heavily soiled with feces, carefully remove any soil before you place the sheets into the washer, without much agitation of the cloth. Use rubber gloves when handling heavily soiled sheets.
I have a water treatment system in my house. Does this make the water safe for drinking or cooking?
No. Not all water systems are certified to remove bacteria, viruses and protozoa. Some are designed for chemical removal while others are designed for aesthetic improvements. If the manufacturer can not assure safety, it is recommended that the water be brought to a rolling boil for one minute before drinking or using it for cooking.
My doctor told me I am immunocompromised. What should I do?
Always follow your physician’s and dietician’s advice. You might be advised to use bottled water or to boil water for drinking and cooking, even in the absence of a boil water advisory. Drink only bottled water that has been processed in a manner that will remove parasitic cysts i.e. distillation, reverse osmosis or filtered using an “absolute” 1um filter or filter labeled as meeting
NSF standard no. 53 for “cyst removal”.
What should I do after the boil water advisory is lifted?
- Run cold water faucets for one minute before using the water.
- Run drinking fountains for one minute before using the water.
- Flush all garden hoses by running cold water through them for one minute.
- Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
How will I know when the boil water advisory is lifted?
Once it has been determined that the water is safe to drink, the Medical Officer of Health will issue a statement through the media.
Related Links:
Go to the Vancouver Coastal Health website at www.vch.ca for the complete list.
For the latest information:
Greater Vancouver Residents: Go to the GVRD’s website
www.gvrd.bc.ca
Vancouver Island Residents: Go to the Vancouver Island Health Authority’s website: www.viha.ca
