SANIFLO FEATURE ARTICLE For more information, contact John O’Reilly LNC Communications 815-469-9100 John@LNCmail.com Now Is an Excellent Time for Smaller Residential Remodeling Projects Bathrooms offer real value at low cost — even in the basement! While new home construction has come to a grinding halt in most of the country, smaller home-renovation projects are still a viable option for homeowners. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently reported a “slight increase” in minor remodeling projects in its third-quarter 2008 Remodeling Market Index. What does all this mean for homeowners? It spells opportunity. And for those who want to invest in their homes, it’s tough to beat bathroom additions and remodels, which rank high on NAHB’s list of the most prevalent remodeling jobs. Bathroom upgrades still provide a solid investment return, even in the present tightening economy, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2008-2009 “Cost vs. Value” report. The magazine estimates that a midrange bathroom redo will recoup nearly 75 percent of its cost; a bathroom addition recoups just under 65 percent. Get the most for your money: Thinking about a new or improved bath? If so, avoid the high cost and hassle of creating under-floor plumbing connections — one of the most expensive and time-consuming aspects of any bath project. Instead, use macerating technology, an above-floor plumbing system can be installed right on top of an existing floor in any part of the house in only half a day. With this type of installation, waste and water are pumped away and up from the plumbing fixtures through small-diameter piping into the sewer or septic tank. No more digging to set plumbing drainage lines. “This technology is easier, more convenient and less invasive,” says East Taunton, Mass., plumber Mike Sikorski, who installs Saniflo brand plumbing products. “It saves my customers an average of $1,000, and that’s on the low side.” Mike Coletto, another Saniflo installer and an independent plumbing, HVAC and electrical contractor in Illinois, agrees: “If a bathroom is on your project list, consider above-floor plumbing — especially if you’re planning a basement remodel. Saniflo makes installing a basement bath a snap.” Here are some additional ways to keep your home bathroom remodel low-cost: • Fix up vs. Replace: Instead of buying new cabinets, resurface or paint them; update handles and drawer pulls. Repair damaged walls and redo the caulking around sinks. Tile only halfway up the wall. • Improve vs. Expand: Instead of knocking down walls, gain space by replacing a hinged door with a pocket door. Put in a recessed medicine cabinet. Install a bowed shower curtain to increase the interior shower space. • Lighten and Brighten: Repaint, using neutral colors. Repair damaged flooring, or install tile right over the floor. Place task lighting over the vanity, instead of installing a window. • Think Green: Replace old windows with energy-efficient models and you may qualify for a federal tax rebate. Replace leaky faucets with low-flow models. ABOUT SANIFLO SFA SANIFLO INC. is the only manufacturer of its kind in North America, offering a complete line of macerating toilet systems and gray water pumping systems for residential and commercial applications. Saniflo markets through independent sales agents throughout North America, and the product line is currently available at distributor and dealer locations throughout the United States and Canada. For more information about Saniflo, call toll-free at 1-800-571-8191; visit the Saniflo website at www.saniflo.com; or visit the Saniflo Media Room at www.LNCcommunications.com/mediaroom-sf.html. For editorial assistance, including photography, contact John O’Reilly c/o LNC Communications: 815-469-9100 or John@LNCmail.com For more images of Saniflo products, please visit www.LNCmail.com/pr/sf0819-saniflo.html. # # # SFA Saniflo, Inc | 105 Newfield Avenue, Suite A | Edison, NJ 08837 USA | Toll-Free: 1-800-571-8191 | Fax: 732-225-6072 | www.saniflo.com