Hard water is causing mineral build-up in showerhead to reduce the flow, what can I do to fix it?

Q: Hello Shell, we live in an area where hard water is a real problem, especially in the showerhead. It once had a great spray but now it is reduced to a trickle. I have tried numerous cleaners; however nothing has worked thus far. Are you aware of anything that could actually clean the build up out of my showerhead and do you have any suggestions as to what I might do to maintain it?

Frank

 
A: Well Frank, minerals in water cause mineral deposits to build up on things that have constant water moving through them, such as showerheads, bathtubs, basins, faucets, furnace humidifiers and even coffee pots. High levels of lime seem to be the worst because of the residual left behind.
First, try removing the head and soaking overnight in a bath of white vinegar. After soaking use a brush and a needle to remove the now loose mineral deposit.
Rinse and replace, now the spray should be back to normal. Coffee pots and humidifiers can also be cleaned in the same way.
If the time comes when you want to change your showerhead, or install a filtration system for your whole house, simply call Kinetico Canada – Clear Water Solutions in BC call 604-910-0306 or visit them at www.clearwaternow.ca

Attention Vancouver! New Home Discovery Program Day and Time

Due to the high volume of requests from Vancouver listeners, Shell Busey’s Home Discovery Show will return Sunday mornings to its original time slot 8:30-10AM on CKNW AM980, they will no longer carry the program between 6-8AM Saturdays.

This change is FOR VANCOUVER ONLY. All other programming dates, and times will remain the same.

The new schedule takes effect this upcoming weekend: Saturday April 12th and Sunday April 13th.

Please contact us if you have any questions or comments!
feedback@housesmartcentre.com

For the show time nearest your area, have a look at
http://www.housesmartcentre.com/radio.

Click Here to Watch Shell on HGTVs Handyman Superstar Challenge

Shell joined celebrity judges Mike Holmes (Holmes on Homes) and Jim Caruk (Real Renos) in the search for Canada’s best handyman or woman on the popular HGTV series Handyman Superstar Challenge III.

Handyman Superstar Challenge III premiered Thursday, April 3rd as part of HGTV’s ‘Renovation Thursdays’ and can be viewed online at www.hgtv.ca/handymansuperstar.

Shell appeared as the celebrity guest judge on the episode that features trash-to-treasured inspired challenge, where the remaining nine handymen, must build something functional from a pile of frumpy furniture. Handyman Superstar Challenge airs on the Home & Garden Television Network (HGTV) every Thursday at 7PM and 11PM PST. Be sure to check your local listings.

This year features a new batch of contestants who must showcase their abilities under the watchful eyes of judges Mike Holmes, Jim Caruk and a new guest judge each episode to avoid elimination. All 10 of these contestants have proven they’ve got what it takes, but only one will walk away with the coveted title of ‘Canada’s Handyman Superstar.’

Know How to Turn Off Gas Supply

Gas Safety an Important Part of Emergency Preparedness: Emergencies – such as earthquakes, gas leaks and fires – can happen at any time. So, are you prepared?

In an emergency, can you shut off your gas supply at the meter? If it is necessary to turn off your gas supply before the gas utility or Fire Department arrives, you should know the proper procedure. Give the valve a quarter turn in either direction so that the lever is crosswise to the pipe.

Gas Supply Safety Valve – ASSI Safe-T-Valve:

Consider installing a Gas Supply Safety Valve to protect your home and family in the event of an earthquake or other gas emergency. Manufactured by Affordable Safety Solutions, the ASSI Safe-T-Valve is a CSA-certified seismic gas safety valve that automatically shuts off gas service to your home when an earthquake occurs.

On average, 1,500 minor earthquakes occur in Canada each year. An increasing number of municipalities across Canada are requiring that new homes and public buildings have seismic gas safety valves installed as protection in event of an emergency. Seismic safety valves automatically shut off gas to a building in the event of an earthquake, preventing gas leaks and fires.

Since the valve can easily be shut off and reset, it also provides safety during home repairs, while you are away on holidays, or in any other gas emergency, such as leaks, fires and floods.

“Emergency preparedness means more than having an emergency kit with food and water,” said Chris McConachie, president of Canadian Home Safety Products, the exclusive Canadian distributor of ASSI Safe-T-Valve, the only gas safety valve certified by the Canadian Standards Association. “For $300 you can get a seismic gas safety valve installed by a licensed contractor.”

Why install a seismic gas safety valve?

• Prevents fires and explosions. Natural gas contributes to many earthquake-related fire ignitions and can severely damage or destroy your home.
• Earthquake injuries usually related to fire. Since houses generally stay intact during earthquakes, the biggest danger is usually fire. In recent years, most of the damage from major North American earthquakes was due to fires caused by gas explosions.
• Protection against other emergencies. A gas safety valve will also protect your family in other emergencies that potentially involve gas, including leaks, fires and floods.
• Easy to install. A licensed contractor can install most seismic gas safety valves in about an hour. The contractor will obtain the new appliance installation permit.
• Easy to reset. Homeowners can easily reset their gas safety valve themselves, restoring the flow of natural gas. This is convenient in any emergency, if you’re doing home repairs or going away on holidays.

The Terasen Gas website advises: “Properly installed and maintained, a seismic or gas detector system can automatically turn your gas off at the meter. This can be especially advantageous if you are not at home when an earthquake occurs.”

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation suggests, ”If your home is heated by natural gas, use flexible pipe connections for gas appliances. Install a seismic-activated gas valve, which shuts off the gas during severe earthquakes.”

GAS METER TIPS:
__ Know where your meter is
__ Keep it clear for emergency responses
__ Know how to shut off your gas at the meter
__ Do not enclose your meter
__ Do not tie pets or other objects to the meter or
outside gas pipes

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG: If you are making an addition, doing major landscaping, or installing fence posts always call your utility provider to identify the location of underground pipes.

For more information on the ASSI Safe-T-Valve and emergency preparedness, call Canadian Home Safety Products at 1-888-635-0365 or visit www.safehomeproducts.ca.

Or for more information on Emergency Preparedness, visit www.getprepared.ca.