The Significance of World Toilet Day

Can you imagine not having a bathroom? For 2.6 billion people around the world, this is a reality; a world without access to clean sanitation.

In 2011, the World Toilet Organization declared November 19^th as World Toilet Day. Each year, World Toilet Day sheds light on the global sanitation crisis; stimulating dialogue and attempting to break the taboo surrounding the toilet.

Today, World Toilet Day is celebrated in over 19 countries with more than 50 events hosted worldwide.

In celebration of World Toilet Day 2012, Saniflo is holding its second annual Facebook contest for people to have a chance to win a Saniflo system and up to $1,000 towards the installation of the product.

Entering the contest is easy. Simply go to the Saniflo Facebook contest tab and upload a photo of the room you want to transform with a Saniflo system before World Toilet Day 2012 on November 19th. One random winner will be announced on November 21, 2012!

As a bonus, if you upload your photo and subscribe to the blog during the first two weeks of the contest, you will receive a second entry into the draw!

Celebrate World Toilet Day 2012 with us and “Make the World a Better Place - One Toilet at a Time”.  

Getting Your Home Ready For Fall

Autumn is just setting in, and though we love the crisp days and changing colours, fall means winter is right around the corner. In order to ensure your home is bundled up tight, follow these simple fall home tips:


 Clear the yard and driveway:

Take a few minutes to rake up leaves and branches; pick up extension cords, toys and summer equipment; and make sure your driveway is sealed or leveled. This will ensure that your lawn and driveway are ready for next year, and you won’t risk injuring yourself, or your snow removal equipment on any unseen obstacles buried in the drifts. 


 Check your toilet for leaks:

It might be indoors, but checking your toilet for leaks will save you a lot of time and energy before winter sets in. Try using toilet-safe dye tabs from the hardware store to pour down the back of your tank. If your water colours the bowl without flushing, you have a leak and should then check all your seals and flappers to ensure that they are in optimal condition.

Ensure a healthy heating system:

Clean your heating system vents from debris, replace old filters, and check all doors, windows, dryer vents and electrical sockets to ensure there are no air leaks. Seal any leaks you find to ensure that your house remains at a comfortable temperature all winter, and to ensure your money doesn’t go out the window (literally).

Prepare or update your home safety kit:

Having a home safety kit that is stocked and ready-to-go is especially important before the frost of winter sets in. Start with the basics: fresh water, first-aid kit, non-perishable food, blankets, hats, gloves and waterproof footwear. In addition, consider including: a whistle, batteries, a flashlight, radio or cellphone, tool kit, salt or de-icer, books or games, and of course toilet paper!

What other fall checklist tips do you have?

Quick Fix Check List

Do you feel like your home needs a little change but you’ve only got a little budget? We have three easy tips for changing up your home inspired by DIYnetwork.com’s article: 10 Budget Updates and Easy Cosmetic Fixes.

Splash on that colour: colour trends change seasonally, so it is easy to see your friends bathroom all dressed up in the latest colour palette and get a little jealous. How you can change it? Head to the hardware store and grab a can of paint to spruce up your own small space. For the fall, crisp greys and warm oranges will be found on paintbrushes everywhere.

Turn silver into bronze: Your powder room has a brushed silver faucet like everyone else? Why not change it out for a bronze one. This rustic look will give your washroom a completely different feel. You can add a bronze showerhead to complete the rustic look for your whole bathroom.

What’s beneath your feet?: Your laundry room is just as much a part of your home as the kitchen. To make it into a more inviting space, change the flooring up with linoleum. Linoleum is an easy and cost effective way to change or add flooring to an unfinished laundry room or any space that needs a pick-me-up. It will make the laundry experience more pleasant. Linoleum tiles now come in a variety of sizes, shapes and patterns. It can look like tile, hardwood or even stone to fit with the style of your home.

For more quick fix ideas check out DIY Network.com’s article: http://www.diynetwork.com/home-improvement/10-budget-updates-and-easy-cosmetic-fixes/pictures/index.html

Protecting Your Furniture While You Renovate

Renovations are a great way to bring new life or add value to your home, but they can get messy.  Dust, paint and debris often find themselves all over your furniture leaving it scratched, dingy-looking or stained. 

Here are a few ways to protect your furniture from becoming a renovation casualty.

Cover it:

Use drop cloths, plastic sheeting or even an old sheet. This method works great if you are doing work in another room and want to protect furniture throughout the rest of the house from stray particles. It will give some protection against damage in the room as well, but remember its not 100% effective; dust and spills will make their way through to your furniture so be careful.

Move it:

A second option is to move your furniture to another room as long as your renovations are contained to a different area. This will offer a lot more protection, but dust and debris can still travel so consider covering the furniture as an added precaution.

Store it: 

Finally, the safest option for your furniture is to store it. This will ensure it’s out of the way from the dust and debris as well as clearing the space for renovators to move freely without worrying about damaging something.

Remember to ask around for the best storage option for your project based on the furniture you have and how long your renovations will take.

What are your tips for protecting your furniture from damage?

Source: http://www.homeforher.com/2012/06/03/how-to-protect-furniture-while-you-renovate/

Get the water pressure back with this quick DIY cleaning tip

Nothing wakes you up in the morning like a good shower. The perfect temperature and water pressure are key, but as showerheads age, they can become clogged with dirt and mineral build up, leaving you with a dribble instead of a downpour.  Here is a simple, eco-friendly solution to fix your showerhead and leave it working as good as new.

Start by removing the showerhead. Use a pipe wrench to grab the shower neck and a pair of pliers to unscrew the nut counterclockwise until it loosens. Make sure to protect the finishes on the unit with a cloth.

Next, soak the showerhead in vinegar overnight. The vinegar will breakdown and loosen the mineral deposits on the showerhead. Clean out the holes with a toothpick to remove any remaining deposits.

Reinstall the showerhead by reversing the technique used to remove it. Once it is back in place, turn the cold water on high to rinse out any remaining deposits and vinegar smell.

If you find the showerhead impossible to remove, try filling a plastic bag with vinegar and tying it on the showerhead overnight to loosen mineral deposits and remove the grime.   

For more information on how to clean your showerhead, check out the step-by-step guide at http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Indoor-Projects/Bathrooms/Bathroom-Faucets/how-to-clean-showerheads/Step-By-Step#

Upgrade your bathroom with a new toilet this summer

Bad plumbing and old fixtures are not something you have to endure. With a few basic skills and tools, anyone can upgrade their bathroom with a new, more efficient toilet. 

Measure 

Before you go out and buy your toilet, make sure your new model will fit in place of the old one. Make a note of where your old toilet fits by measuring from the wall to the centre of the unit and ensure your new model is the same size or smaller. This is especially true if space is tight.

Out with the old

Be sure to turn off the water and remove any remaining water before you start. Remove the toilet in pieces to save you and your house from damage. Try not to break it because you can potentially sell or donate your older model. Also be sure to place covering down at this time to ensure you don’t get old gasket wax on the rest of the bathroom

In with the new

Make sure to follow the manufacturers’ instructions for your model. Install the new one the same way you remove the old one - in pieces.  First, install the bowl followed with the tank. When you have made sure each piece fits and you are happy with the installation, simply tighten and seal in place. Tighten bolts alternately to ensure it’s even and be sure not to over-tighten.

Finishing up

After everything is in place and the sealant has dried, turn on the water and relax. You’re all done!

For a more cost-effective toilet installation, visit Saniflo Canada at saniflo.ca

Source: http://www.lowes.com/cd_Replace+a+Toilet_123178945_

Turn your Bathroom into a Summer Getaway

With scorching hot and humid days on the rise this summer, nothing is as inviting as a cool space to relax and get away from the heat. A perfect DIY project for the summer is to update your bathroom and turn it into an at-home summer getaway

Start by replacing old tiles with summer-inspired flooring.  Mediterranean inspired blue, sandy beige and bright white tiles will refresh your bathroom feel. Use multiple sizes and different coloured tiles to create a unique mosaic tailored to your style; or try bamboo-styled flooring for a more nature-inspired look.  Make sure you lay your floor right with these tips from Bob Villa; whatever you choose, ask your supplier if the tiles or flooring are non-slip to avoid accidents.

http://www.bobvila.com/articles/282-quick-tip-laying-bathroom-tile/pages/1

Complement the tiles or flooring by updating your other fixtures and walls to match. Brighten your bath and make it look bigger (and cooler) with a fresh pop of colour. Choose a colour from your flooring to complete the look and then accent it with bold pieces in bright orange, yellow or blue.

Add some finishing touches like new cabinet handles, a rattan or bamboo bathmat or an updated bowl-style stone sink to complete your own summer getaway and enjoy!