Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
MIKE HOLMES: Help slow down that runoff storm water
You've probably had flyers in your mailbox about it, but like most people you've ignored them.
Maybe you've heard local government discussing it, but who listens to them anyway?
But every time your family can't swim at the beach on a hot summer day, you are reminded. Or if your drinking water has a funny smell or is cloudy after a big storm, you'll pay attention. And, if you've ever had to boil your tap water, or have had a sewer backup into your home, you'll never forget.
Stormwater is rainfall and melted snow that comes off roofs and driveways and roads and needs to go somewhere. It should seep back into the ground on lawns, gardens and green spaces. Ideally, we want surface water and stormwater to seep down in place to the aquifer or to recharge ground water.
The problem is that as we continue to develop areas for us to live, we are covering the earth -- that great big sponge -- with houses, pavement, sidewalks, parking lots and shopping malls. A huge percentage of the ground in developed areas is now non-permeable. This means rainwater can't seep down.
All the millions of litres of water that come down in precipitation has to go somewhere and, like good urban planners, we divert it. We create culverts and drains and sewers that lead to treatment plants or to our lakes, streams and oceans.
But this water can amount to a lot of excess water pressure on the municipal sewage system. In an intense thunderstorm, or period of extended heavy rainfall, a lot of damage can result -- flooding and sewage backups.
Waste water that you send down the drain is treated before it gets recycled into the lake or streams. Most stormwater runoff is not -- it's not filtered or treated at all. Because we've got to get rid of it quickly, it just gets rushed into our waterways and lakes. On the way it picks up all kinds of pollution: animal waste, automobile oil and grease, pollution, pesticides and herbicides that have a direct impact on local water quality.
So what can individual homeowners do to help take the pressure off municipal storm sewers?
The first thing to do is to make sure your downspouts aren't connected to the municipal sewage system. It used to be standard to do that, and in fact that 'excess' stormwater helped move the sewer system and keep it functioning. But disconnecting is becoming mandatory in many communities across the country, and even if it isn't yet in your area, you should do it. It's better to take the strain off the municipal storm drains.
You want to make sure your downspouts empty onto your own property, and as far away from your home's foundation as possible.
Collecting water in rain barrels or cisterns is helpful in two ways: Not only are you able to re-use that water for irrigation, storing it slows down the runoff. That way, not all the stormwater rushes into lakes and streams at once, with the increased risk of flood damage. Having a dry well or soakaway pit is a good idea too. Basically it's a buried drum filled with stones that rainwater can be fed into and slowly drain from.
Ideally you want to let the water percolate in place, being filtered naturally by plants and soil as it makes its way down to the aquifer. Design your landscape to have grassy swales to slow down and filter the runoff, or have a soakway to absorb the water. Remember ditches? Once every suburban driveway had a ditch and a culvert that slowed rainwater runoff. That was the norm -- now it's all sidewalks, curbs and gutters.
The first inch of rain that falls carries the largest percentage of pollutants in stormwater runoff. So, anything we can do to slow down that rush of water is good.
In the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, we used rain boxes or mini rain gardens at intervals along the sidewalk, next to the storm drains. These were planted with native grasses to slow down and filter run off. Consider planting a rain garden that will temporarily hold that first inch of rainfall and filter out pollutants like pet waste, cigarette butts and car oil.
This isn't just an individual effort -- it's one communities should make with all new developments. Wind Walk -- the first Holmes Community-- is now being planned in Alberta. One of the most important elements in the development plan is stormwater management, along with on-site sewage treatment.
Wind Walk follows natural drainage patterns and allows ground water to be re-charged rather than leveling the ground and creating a blank slate, like many new developments. The goal of Wind Walk is to maintain the amount of water in the community at pre-development levels.
Wind Walk will incorporate large areas of natural landscape, swales, stormwater retention ponds-all of them are doing their part to manage and improve water quality. And at the back of every individual lot is a stormwater conveyance path -- a naturally planted swale -- that provides habitat and manages water onsite. I think it's a great model for every new community.
Catch Mike on Handyman Superstar Challenge airing Thursdays at 8pm ET/10pm PT on HGTV. For more information visitwww.hgtv.ca
For more information on home renovations go to makeitright.ca.
Renovation & Design
CONNIE OLIVER: Put your shopping dollars to work
I recently received a press release from Sico Paints advising that the company will donate a portion of sales of its disappearing-pink Flat for Ceilings paint to support breast cancer research.
As of Sept. 1, Sico will donate $1.25 to the Canadian Cancer Society for each gallon of Flat for Ceilings with pink dye paint sold nationally. The campaign, called Changing Lives, One Coat at a Time, aims to sell a total of 40,000 cans, resulting in a $50,000 donation in support of breast cancer research. Sico's Flat for Ceilings latex paint rolls on pink and dries white, letting users see which sections have already been painted. Therefore they chose this 'pink' product for this fundraising effort in support of cancer research.
This news release got me thinking about how we can support many worthy causes through our decorating choices. Choosing a product or company that supports worthy causes is a great benefit of shopping selectively.
I did a little research on some companies that I am familiar with just to see who's got a giving spirit. I was surprised at just how many companies are involved in local, national and international causes. So, if you have the choice to purchase your decorating supplies, furniture or what-have-you at more than one place, why not choose the store that is giving back?
I'm sure there are many other retailers involved in charities but I don't have space to name them all.
Here are a few home decorating companies that I came across that are involved in various worthy causes:
La-Z-Boy
La-Z-Boy contributes furniture donations to all Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in Canada and the United States, as well as a cash contribution to RMHC. Thousands of pieces of furniture will be donated to these charities over the next few years.
Dufresne
Dufresne supports Habitat for Humanity on a number of levels. Dufresne also supports the United Way through corporate donations and individual employee donations. The United Way is a staple to so many organizations that help the community thrive. Many worthy causes benefit from corporate support.
Palliser
Palliser furniture is also a huge supporter of Habitat for Humanity.
Wicker World
Winnipeg owned and operated Wicker World is a Gold sponsor for:
Ronald McDonald (Ronald McDonald House), Bear Paw Classic Golf Tournament (Children's Hospital), East St. Paul Tournament of Aces (Minor Hockey Assoc.), Winnipeg Humane Society, Keystone Ford Charity Golf Tournament for Breast Cancer Research as well as many smaller, local charities. Way to go!
RONA
RONA has been named Official Home Improvement Partner for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and a national partner of the Canadian Olympic and paralympic teams through to the year 2012. RONA is committed to helping Canadian athletes shine and will support them as they prepare to compete at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and the 2012 Summer Games in London.
Home Depot
The Home Depot Foundation supports several charities including Habitat for Humanity, KaBOOM!, Evergreen and Volunteer Canada.
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Elbow grease beats melted plastic
QUESTION: I accidently melted the plastic handle of a spatula in my oven (don't ask). I noticed a horrible smell in my kitchen and immediately turned off the oven. I have not used it since because I don't know how to remove the burnt plastic. I will appreciate any help you can offer me.
-- Michelle, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Before trying anything else and with the oven turned off, heat the area with a blow dryer to soften the plastic. Use a plastic putty knife to gently scrape. The best methods for removing melted plastic from ovens are all mechanical (not chemical). If plastic remains, scrape the area using a sharp blade. A razor blade scraper held at a low angle is exceptionally good at getting plastic off. Additionally, fine (000) steel wool will finish the job nicely. You may want to apply cooking oil or peanut butter to the area (before scraping) to soften the plastic.
QUESTION: I read your column every week. You have great ideas. Hoping you can help me with my situation. A few months ago, I noticed some "stuff" at my patio door. I thought one of my cats had thrown up so I cleaned it with foam carpet cleaner, but then I noticed white stuff in the wood.
Then in July, while sitting on the deck, I saw a wasp fly into the door frame at the bottom under the wood frame, so looking more closely I saw the door frame has a crack, which I will need to fill. Now I don't know if a nest is inside the frame/wall but it seems to be getting bigger. The area does not smell, but I saw two little bugs on it today. I really don't want to pull the carpet away or do major work. Is it a fungus, wasp stuff, or what? Any ideas would be great.
-- Corrin, Winnipeg
ANSWER: It is difficult to determine what the white "stuff" is. If I were you, I would cover the carpeted area well and clean the area in question with bleach and water. That way it doesn't matter whether it is a nest or mould, you will thoroughly clean and disinfect the substance. Make sure to wear gloves and I agree with you, seal the area A.S.A.P. If bleach and water do not help, you may need to call in an exterminator. Keep me posted!
QUESTION: I am contacting you on behalf of our church. We have built a beautiful new two-year-old church, the flooring of which is laminate.
There was a water spill that was not noticed and left a mark. Is there anything that can be done to remove the water mark?
-- Keith, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Water spots on laminate flooring may be caused by several factors including: too much cleaner, and/or mineral deposits in the water. In some cases, the water dries on the surface and the minerals leave white areas that look like moisture spots. Although I don't know which cleaners you used on your floor, I am assuming you tried: laminate floor cleaner, water and ammonia or water and vinegar and have had disappointing results. Typically, laminate flooring is tough and almost anything can be cleaned with little effort as long as it is done fairly soon after a spill. However, in this case, if you cannot remove the watermark you are best off applying a layer of Turtle Wax to the floor using a soft cloth or taking a trip to your local hardware store. Bring a piece of laminate with you and colour match the floor to a wax stick or touch-up pen. Also, since the floor is only two years old, check to see whether you have a topical water warranty. If all else fails, call in the professionals to take a peek.
QUESTION: I regularly read your column in the Winnipeg Free Press and was wondering if you could tell me if those dryer balls people use instead of dryer sheets actually remove static?
-- Grace, Winnipeg
ANSWER: It really depends on whom you ask! Dryer balls do not seem to cut down on drying time but some people testify they make a big difference with respect to a reduction in static cling. You may want to switch to plain old white vinegar. Your clothes won't smell like vinegar and you will no longer need dryer sheets.
Feedback from Readers:
Hi, Reena;
Regarding your column about gritty residue in cups etc. that have been washed in the dishwasher.
I had the same problem once and was told it was because I was using too much dishwasher detergent. It was after I had bought a new dishwasher. The serviceman told me new dishwashers are so much more efficient they need only about one-third the amount of dishwasher detergent then the old ones needed. And that gritty deposit is the undissolved or unused dishwashing detergent.
Using too much detergent would also likely leave white smear marks, or crazing, on glassware. I now only use about two to three teaspoons of dishwasher detergent, even though the detergent compartment could hold much more. It might be worth her while to use less detergent and see if the problem persists.
-- Martha, Winnipeg
I enjoy your questions and tips. Keep them coming.
Check out my website (www.householdsolutions.org) and come see me at the Winnipeg Autumn Home Show, Sept. 25 and 26 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
Reena Nerbas is the author of the national best-selling series, Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions, Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets and Household Solutions 3 with Green Alternatives available online or by calling: 204-320-2757.
