Monday, June 7, 2010
How to Fix a Leaky Bathtub Faucet : Installing the Stem Seat for a Leaky Bathtub Faucet
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Soap Dispenser Pumps
To start with what is a soap dispenser pump? The answer is it is a machine mostly used in bathrooms to spray liquid soap on the dirty hands of people to wash them and make them clean and hygienic. These pumps generally have two components; one is a pump and the other is a storage area where the liquid soap is stored.
These dispenser pumps are generally present in nearly every public bathroom nowadays and as well in most of the homes. Now the question arises why? The answer is, simply because we all live in an age where good sanitary measures seem to be growing increasingly important day by day due to the growing outbreaks of different types of viruses.
These different types of germs, dirt, and other bacteria's can cause harm to our bodies, and any preventive measures that people can take will go a long way toward curbing the potential damage.
As it is a well known fact that Liquid and foam soaps are more effective at cleaning than bar soaps, and the idea of using soap that hasn't been used by any other person is far more sanitary in people's mind. The soaps with pleasant smell provide a soothing satisfaction on the users mind.
It is also possible that a person could be looking for a kitchen soap dispenser which can make the job of washing dishes easier, and can also help the ladies of the house to smile for a right reason.
A chrome dispenser pump gives off a luminous shine that has the sleek and ultra modern feel that may complement the room where as a stainless steel soap pump will do the same thing, and looks great in kitchens with modern sinks and a ceramic soap dispenser will perfectly complement the rustic look.
Regardless of what a person is looking for, one can find it with a little effort, as a soap dispenser is far nicer than the ordinary plastic container that a bottle of soap may come in.
This is also very cost effective also as soap refills cost considerably less than soap straight out of the bottle and when bought in bulk, these refills can save a considerable chunk of change over the long haul. This gives a person yet another reason to buy a soap dispenser pump.
So it is recommended to visit websites which offer all types of required assistance to find the best available soap dispenser pumps in the market.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
DIY Network's House Crashers
Friday, June 4, 2010
The Art of Relaxing in an Ofuro Tub
Many Eastern cultures consider relaxation a type of art, and the Japanese ofuro soaking tub is no exception. These specialized bathtubs are filled with water and salts and fired up to warm temperatures. A person does not use an ofuro soaking tub to bathe, but rather to relax. The combination of the salted water and heat help the body relax and soothe pain in the muscles. It is also used by Eastern cultures to help relax the spirit as well as body. They are a unique form of relaxation method that have been gathering popularity in many Western cultures.
Many ofuro soaking tubs are located indoors, used for relaxation, and are traditionally made of wood.Some types of ofuro tubs are made to be used outdoors with a great view, but others are used indoors. The indoor ofuro soaking tubs are usually set by windows and are fired by coals to keep the salted water warm. When used, the tub is filled with water and salts that when combined help soothe the body. The coals are fired up to warm up the water, yet do not burn the wood in the ofuro tub.
Traditionally, the Japanese, who invented the ofuro tub, do not bathe to clean. They bathe to relax instead, and the ofuro soaking tub was made for this purpose. Relaxation is a big part of oriental culture, and it is considered a type of art form. The indoor ofuro tubs are primarily used in the case of bad weather outside or when somebody just wants to relax while inside the comfort of his or her own home.An interesting thing about many ofuro tubs is that they are traditionally homemade with wood. The wood is usually hinoki, which is a type of tree that is unique to Japan. Wooden ofuro tubs have been used by the Japanese for centuries.
It is traditional to make ofuro soaking tubs out of wood instead of plastic.Relaxation is a very important part of Eastern cultures. The wooden ofuro tubs used by many oriental cultures help show that. They use warm salted water to help soothe the body and calm the mind. The water in indoors ofuro tubs is heated by coals. Because ofuro tubs help people relax, they are becoming more popular in Western cultures.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
How to fix a arctic faucet
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Enhancing Your Bathroom
The kitchen, of course, has long been recognized as being the most often used room in the whole house; and this is absolutely true. However, there is another area that is needed just as much. Naturally, I am referring to the second most important place; the bathroom. The entire family might really enjoy cooking a meal on the barbeque grill that is located in the picnic area in the backyard. But, not many of us are ready to give up the comfort and convenience of our inside restrooms. Consequently, embarking on an enhancement of the bathroom project seems to be a very worthwhile endeavor.
The first thing that you might want to consider is the color scheme that grabs your attention the most. Studies have shown that is it much better to choose a light or neutral tone for the walls. Splashes of color can easily be added through the use of a variety of diverse accessories. Things like soap containers, hand towels, shower curtains and throw rugs are a few of the items that can aid in this endeavor. As an added benefit, these smaller colorful bits and pieces can easily be swapped out for a completely different color scheme whenever the desire enters the mind of the homeowner.
The accumulation of moisture is a very serious problem in most bathrooms. Therefore, the type wall covering that you choose is a very important part of the whole enhancement project. Try to make sure that your favorite material will be able to withstand the very high humidity that is so prevalent in the typical residential restroom; it will be well worth any time that it takes to do this. Needless to say, this space also requires the installation of the best ceiling exhaust fan that you can find.
There are many ways to improve the appearance of this room, but the practicality of the space deserves just as much consideration. Today, the height of the toilet or lavatory may seem like too trivial a matter to be concerned with. However, time waits for no one. Before long, the progression of age affects all of us. The development of some form of arthritis, a leg injury or even a simple sprained ankle very often points out the vast disadvantages of having an old time low lavatory in the home. So, as long as you are remodeling the room anyway, why not install a higher version; just in case you or someone in your family might need it sometime in the future. They really are not that expensive. Always keep this in mind; you may not get another chance to do it.
Monday, May 31, 2010
For Those Who Want to Fix Dripping Faucet
Since we all believe that one must not tinker with plumbing fixtures in and around the house, 'fix dripping faucet' sounds like a preposterous proposal. This is one of those inherently cerebral tasks that must be left to the likes of astronomically priced plumbing professionals, even if our sleep is punctuated by that galling sound, or even if our conversations are tangentially about that dripping faucet.
It's time to set aside staid conventional wisdom, and deal with this feeble contention without seeking salvation from different sources.
It's time to repair a dripping faucet using a few household tools and dollops of unique, rare ingenuity.
Don't Blame Your Tools
'A bad workman always blames his tools'. Now since you aren't planning to see a practical demonstration of that proverb, you better ensure that you are armed with the right WMD, meaning weapons meant for drips. Pliers, an adjustable wrench, flathead and Philips screwdriver form the bedrock of your armament cache.
Sounds like we're going to war? Well, think it's anything less. Just don't let your morale fold up like a tent.
End That Constant Gripe
Just follow these simple steps and your home will exude that Zen-like calm all over again:
You cannot proceed further if you haven't done your homework well. I mean, you must know the brand name of the faucet that graces your bathroom interiors. Every brand boasts of a different plumbing mechanism, a slightly different rubber cap and spring.
Pay a visit to the local hardware store, and get two sets of washers and springs to replace the worn-out parts in the leaky faucet.
It's time to get down on your knees, only this time the purpose has no romantic orientations. Find the shut-off valve under the sink and turn it clockwise. This is necessary to turn off the water supply to the fixture.
Using a flathead screwdriver, take off the cap that's sitting pretty on top of the faucet handle. Once the cap is off, you'll notice a screw. Unscrew it, and the knob comes out with consummate ease.
With an adjustable wrench, unscrew the nut that points in the direction of the faucet handle.
Bravo! You have now reached a queer-looking piece, the washer. Replace the spring and the rubber cap. Follow this by putting back all the pieces that you have removed in the correct order.
Conduct a test check. Your efforts will surely make every plumbing veteran proud.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Glass Bath Tub Enclosure, the Better Choice
Glass Bathtub Enclosure, is it the right choice for you?
Your bathroom is probably the most expensive room in your home; it is the best for adding value to your home and due to the fact that you will more than likely only buy a new bathroom for your home once you need to make sure that you make the most out of it.
Your bathtub is a major structure that can be expensive to replace, it is due to this fact that there are a few simple things that you can do to your bathtub without breaking the bank; an example of this is to replace accessories within your bathroom. You will be pleasantly surprised at how much of an impact simply replacing your shower curtain with a glass door will have on the overall look of your bathroom.
Shower curtains are old news! If you want to make the best out of your bathroom you need a glass bathtub door. I highly recommend investing in a glass bathtub door as they will last you a lifetime, not just in their durability but also for the fact that these bathtub doors won't age. You can get these glass bathtub doors to suit your bathroom regardless of how you have decorated; modern or outdated these glass bathtub doors can turn any bathroom into a deliciously luxurious space where you can pamper yourself.
Glass bathtub doors demonstrate that it does not take much to turn your bathroom into a space where you will want to spend more time and let's face it with the amount of time that we spend in our bathrooms we may as well spend it in there in style; with a glass bathtub door you are doing just that as it helps to make your bathroom a retreat of relaxation and comfortable solitude where you can wash away the stresses of the day and leave feeling soothed, refreshed and energized.
So why should you choose glass enclosures instead of shower curtains? Well believe it or not your shower curtain is most likely hiding some not-so-microscopic bacteria! Shower curtains are really unhygienic and can easily turn moldy; not exactly the look that you want for your bathtub but never fear you will never have this problem with a glass bathtub door!
As well as being more hygienic for your bathroom a glass bathtub door is also available in many finishes as well as many designs such as clear, frosted, patterned and stained glass. This helps the concept that for some people the bathroom is the showplace for their home, making an attractive bathtub door a must.
Your glass bathtub door is made from tempered safety glass that usually comes framed, with frames such as silver (chrome), gold (brass), and nickel as well as white or white sand.
The properties that a glass bathtub door can bring to your bathroom are countless. They improve the look and feel of your bathroom as well as making it more user friendly. Glass bathtub doors really can transform your bathroom so what are you waiting for? Get your glass bathtub door today.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Tub and Tile Reglazing Advice
With the current strain on the economy and the housing market , it is becoming more and more common to "make do with what we have" which means instead of remodeling we are restoring.
The question lies here, is it cost effective? Is it going to last? What is the maintenance involved? Why are you going to charge me $450 to re-glaze my tub when I can buy a new one for $200? These are all quality questions which deserve quality answers.
Let's start with cost. First of all, the average cost of a tub install is anywhere between $1,400 and $2,500 and that does not factor in the tub surround. When your old tub is removed the tile at the base of the tub must be demolished. It is possible that a "good" installer can demo in such a way that you only have to repair the first row or two of tile. The reality is if it is older than 10 years finding a match for the tile will probably be impossible and will lead to a complete re-tile. Now, you are looking at about $4,000 to $8,000 just to replace the tub and is this cost effective for you? Be prepared from the moment you decide to dress up that tub to make this decision.
Now, a good re-glaze can last better than 10 years if done properly and there is a process which will ensure this. Preparation, product and technique are the key to a long lasting finish. If this technique is not followed your re-glaze will last anywhere from 1 day to 2 years. Two years may sound like a lot but when another company has to go in and strip the old finish off add another $500 to the re-glaze for a total of $950 to have it re-glazed again. This is not cost effective. If you're going to do it, do it right the first time and you will pat yourself on the back 5 years later when your tub still has a shine and is not peeling. Now let's get down to process.
The re-glazing process can be six to seven steps.
Removal of any caulking materials. Silicone is a contaminant and will cause the finish to fish eye. It is important to remove all traces of this by means of a silicone digester
Next, the old porcelain needs to be etched by means of an acid paste. This process will prepare the surface for the primer
When the acid etch is complete the surface must be wiped down with a solvent de-greaser to ensure that there are no more contaminants left behind
Primer - The surface must be primed with an epoxy primer to ensure proper cross hatching of compounds (i.e.-porcelain to primer, primer to finish, finish to clear coat)
Finish - The surface is then sprayed with an acrylic-urethane resin which can be tinted to any color you desire. It comes in two types, 24hr cure and 72hr cure. The 72hr cure is best if you don't mind waiting the extra time but the 24hr cure is good too.
Clear coat - The surface is then sprayed with an acrylic urethane clear coat which will kick up the gloss a bit and provide protection from common household chemicals
If you are refinishing from a previous re-glaze, the finish must be stripped. If this is the case, add this step before the first.
When these steps are followed, you can be sure your re-glaze is going to last for years. A good refinisher will give you at least a 10 year warranty "in writing", now that is cost effective! You will be happy and have just saved at least 70% of the cost of replacement.
MAINTENANCE
With the process you have just done, maintenance will be a breeze. You may also use rubber mats which many re-glazers will not recommend simply because they know it will peel. You will be able to use soft scrub and a white 3M cleaning pad without harming the surface. You will also be able to safely dye your hair without the fear of staining your finish providing the clear coat was used. With this in mind, re-glazing is not only practical but a very cost effective solution to replacement.
Your project when complete will look as though it was installed yesterday saving you $1000s on an install.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Hoselink - How to Fit Hoselink to your Garden Tap
Thursday, May 27, 2010
How to Remodel a Bathroom
Statistical data from Remodeling Magazine, reveals that the remodelling cost for a bathroom costs around $16,000 and this in turn results in the increasing the cost of the home by $15,000. Thus more homeowners prefer to remodel their home with more comfortable designs.
Some of the important fixtures that are used for remodeling a bathroom are:
Lighting:
Most of the bathrooms will have dim light which will not be good to use. So increasing the lighting will help to maximize the light exposure to the bathroom which in turn will give a distinctive look.
Bathtubs:
Now a days bathtubs has become a new comfort in bathrooms. Bathtubs have more features that makes it very good to use it in a modern bathroom. Nowadays you cannot find a bathroom without a bathtub.
Steam Showers:
Steam showers are another fixture that could be added in a bathroom which will gives a real spa experience in the bathroom. Getting back from tired work, getting a steam bath immediately refreshes the body with good spa experience.
Bathroom Sinks:
Every day new and innovative, elegant stylish sinks are designed from big companies. These sinks have a stunning and design feel which will increase the look and feel of the bathroom. There are many types of sinks available like small bathroom sinks, corner bathroom sinks, wall mount sinks etc.
Enclosures for Glass shower:
If you provide with a frame less glass shower door, it will make your bathroom into a very high end room and give more area for using the bathroom.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Popeye - Floor Flusher 1954
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Kitchen Faucet Fix
Monday, May 24, 2010
Delta Roman Tub Faucets
Delta Roman tub faucets are designed for Roman style tubs. The Romans throughout their European empire first introduced these particular tubs. The style is that the spout rises off the deck and not from the wall of the tub or the bathroom wall itself. These types of tubs are deeper than the traditional style, which makes them perfect for soaking. There are no shower heads or jets in them at all.
There is a variety of Delta Roman tub faucets offered by the manufacturer. These varying styles and finishes match many different bathroom suites. Many homeowners are involved in bathroom renovations as it is one of the most popular rooms in the home to re-do.
Bathroom fixtures such as Delta Roman tub faucets are very popular and add an important component to the overall design of the bathroom. There are many different styles and designs of bathroom fixtures on the market today. You could spend countless hours researching all the available products to enhance the overall look and appeal of your bathroom.
Start your search on the internet by entering key terms in your favorite search engine. You will find many options to choose from including Delta Roman tub faucets. There are also many options available in your local area as well. Take a drive to your local big box home renovation center, hardware store or plumbing supply center. You will also find that faucets come in a variety of different materials as well. Learn about the different styles and materials before making a purchase. It is important to be a well-informed consumer before shopping for any home improvement project.
It is possible to choose your bathroom fixtures first, build the tub, and sink around them. Although, if you purchase a Delta Roman tub faucet then your options are a little more limited for a tub than a standard faucet purchase.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Mighty Putty
Saturday, May 22, 2010
A Bathroom Countertop Can Change The Look Of A Bathroom
When it comes to renovating a home, the smallest changes can ultimately make the biggest difference. For many homeowners, this means changes to the bathroom where affordable renovations to existing design can visually impact the room and increase the value of the overall home. In an effort to maximize design dollars, changing the bathroom countertop can often make the most dramatic difference in the appearance of the overall room.
A bathroom countertop may be small in size, but it's third in line behind floors and walls when it comes to covering space in this room. Because of the space that it covers, it stands to reason that this material can easily set the tone for the bathroom - providing you with a traditional, country, contemporary, or even vintage palette on which to build the rest of your décor.
Just as with kitchen countertops, the bathroom countertop comes in a variety of materials and in a full range of prices. Some of the more popular materials used for this space include stone, granite, and ceramic. However, choosing material for a bathroom means taking the environment into mind.
Some materials are not suited to a bathroom because of the humidity and water to which it is exposed. For instance, natural wood would not hold up well under these conditions. It is far wiser to stick with solid or synthetic materials that will maintain their integrity in this very particular environment.
Choosing a bathroom countertop depends on a number of factors including furthering your design, functionality, and budget. Clearly, it is important to choose that material that complements and fosters the overall tone of the bathroom.
Most materials come in a variety of color palettes and patterns that will offset whatever design you have chosen for the bathroom. Cultured marble is very popular material that is used in bathroom countertops, primarily because it is elegant as well as functional and is also available in many colors and styles. Cultured marble and cultured onyx is beautiful and also easily cleaned and polished.
Functionality is important in this space because it is generally a small room that does well with as much counter space as possible. Finding the bathroom countertop that not only looks great but meets your daily needs in a functional way is the challenge for all bathroom renovators. Countertops can be cut to fit any shape and size and therefore custom fit to your particular bathroom.
Work with your local home improvement store or bathroom retailer to find the bathroom countertop that will work best in your space at a price that is comfortable for you. And be sure to bring all pertinent information to the table when making your decision - including material of the existing bathroom suite, color on the walls, flooring, etc.
In this way you can be sure that you choose a countertop that will blend seamlessly with all other elements in the room as well as work to meet all of your needs on a functional level.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Easy 2 Minute Dripping Tap/Faucet Fix
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Bathroom Vessel Sink Ideas - Choosing Glass, Ceramic Or Stone Vessel Sinks
If you want to change the design of your existing bathroom, a simple way to transform the look is by adding a new vanity. Installing a vessel sink vanity can instantly change the look from traditional to contemporary.
The two most important decisions to make when installing a vessel sink are the material and the faucet type.
Vessel sinks are made from many materials, including natural stone (granite, travertine, onyx, etc), glass, ceramic, metal and even wood. Here are a few things to consider:
Stone
Natural stone can include travertine, onyx, granite, and marble. Stone vessels are considered more traditional, and are very heavy in weight. They are the most expensive of the material choices. Natural stone does require more care than the other choices, as it is a porous material and can require routine sealing to prevent water stains. The benefit of stone is that nature's beauty is difficult to reproduce. If you like a natural look, this is the best alternative.
Glass
Tempered glass is moderate in both price and weight. There are many color and sizes to choose from. Glass is considered a contemporary look. And glass is virtually maintenance free - you can use a standard glass cleaner or mild soap and water.
Porcelain
Porcelain sinks are the lowest cost and maintenance of all the material choices. Porcelain is considered a more traditional look. Porcelain has a high resistance to heat, and comes in many unique colors and patterns.
Metals
Vessel sinks can be made from copper, bronze, nickel or brass. They tend to be higher in price due to the higher cost of metal. Metal is not easily maintained and may result in a corroded finish depending on the use and the quality. This is generally considered a better alternative for a decorative feature in a bar rather than a highly utilized vanity in a bathroom.
The next decision is the faucet. You can have a top mount faucet, where the faucet comes up out of the cabinet (like a traditional sink) but the stem is longer to allow the spout to reach over the top of the vessel. This is needed if you choose to mount your vessel on the top of the counter. Another alternative is to have the faucet mounted to the wall. This does require special plumbing though and may only be an alternative if you will have open walls during your remodel. If you are not completely gutting the project, a top mounted faucet is the cheaper alternative.
Another option is to mount your vessel partly recessed, so a portion of the bowl is under mount, and a portion is above the counter top. In this case, you need to make sure your faucet stem will be tall enough to pour into the bowl, but not too tall that the water splashes all over. The advantage to this is that there are standard faucets that can be used with this application, but it also requires a precisely cut hole in the counter top to ensure a proper fit of the countersunk vessel.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Install a Kitchen Faucet
Monday, May 17, 2010
Adventures in Bathroom Tiling
I recently took a look at my bathroom layout and decided that I needed a change. I figured that it was about time for a change of style as some of the fixtures were starting to show their age. The way I saw it was that at this moment in time it is unlikely that I would be able to sell my house even if I wanted to. By making simple changes to my bathroom layout I could make it a nicer place to bathe and increase the value of my property for the future.
Looking at my bathroom I thought there were a few different options I could go for that would not take much effort but would give the bathroom a fresh look. The first things that caught my attention were the bath, toilet and sink as they had started to look dated and past their prime. However I soon changed my mind about getting a new fitted bathroom as these were out of my price range and I could always spend time just cleaning them up. I then looked at the tiles around the shower and bath and realised that I could easily re-tile the walls. I then thought that I could probably do the same with the floor to create a stylised effect for the whole bathroom layout.
The bathroom tiles on the wall had been there for a while so I headed out to my local home improvement shop in search of inspiration. I decided on going for some ceramic floor tiles in black and white so I could create a checked effect on the floor. I then decided to combine this with black and white marble tiles for the wall. Instead of going for a checked effect I decided to go for blocks of black marble tiles amongst the white marble tiles.
The assistant at the bathroom tile section of the store was very helpful and provided me with some useful advice as how to best lay my floor tiles and bathroom wall tiles without damaging the surface underneath. He also recommended the best tile adhesive for both of these jobs and gave me a few hints and tips for using it.
Two long weekends later and my bathroom has been reinvigorated with life, giving my bathroom a lighter and more contemporary look without having to hire in tiling contractors. I've been so happy with how my bathroom now looks that I have already started looking into taking on my kitchen with my trusty trowel and some ceramic tiles.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Chino Plumber
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Adding Affordable Luxury to Your Bathroom
The modern bathroom in the American home is quickly becoming something almost analogous to an in-home mini day spa with all of the luxurious and pampering bathroom fixtures and features available on the market. It is not uncommon to find in newly built homes a master bathroom that is as large as a high-end kitchen or living room, and the most opulent room in the house. One of the most popular features of a newly built or recently remodeled luxury bathroom is the aquatic tub.
An aquatic tub is the next generation of the jetted bathtub that became so popular over the last decade. There are two major divisions of aquatic bathtubs; those for indoor, bathroom use, and those for outdoor use, such as hot-tubs. Due to the expense and time involved in running, maintaining and cleaning an outdoor hot-tub style aquatic tub, the indoor bathroom variety tend to be more popular.
However, intended for bathroom use can be pricey to run as well, and since most people don't want to pay day spa prices to use their own bathrooms, taking the energy efficiency of any model of aquatic tub into consideration is an important part to purchase. There are many features that can affect the overall energy efficiency of an aquatic bathtub, such as the quality of insulation, the placement of the tub within the bathroom, and whether the tub is designed to recycle water through the jets or heat fresh water.
The best way to determine the energy efficiency, and therefore the real cost of owning an aquatic tub, is to look for the Energy Star symbol on any tub you may be considering. If the symbol is not featured prominently anywhere on the tub display, consider looking into alternative tubs.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Small Bathroom Remodeling Designs and Ideas
Generally bathrooms consist of cabinets beneath the sink, medicine cabinets and if you are lucky maybe linen closet. Cabinets are little rooms which make your bathroom more systematized. But not all bathrooms have these things, and this can clearly create a big problem. Don't fret there are numerous economical ways to make the needed space for the countless bathroom items both big and small.
Currently, you will find different bathroom shelving outlines and dimensions. There is certainly shelving item for just about everything. There is no basis to set up a new sink with a cabinet, because this can truly be costly and bigger undertakings than you are certainly capable of.
If what you are looking for is a patterned shelve to set up in your bathroom it is necessary that you spend much time searching for various patterns that will fit with your bathroom style. Certainly, you will have no problem attaining the best design for your bathroom including your budget.
Finding the right storage system to install into your bathroom can actually be a fun thing to perform. You can surf the internet for different ideas and units that you can integrate into you bathroom. You can uncover so many marvelous incredible small and large storage systems, from small glass containers that will hold small objects to larger cabinets that you can place on top of the toilet.
A small bathroom with better bathroom shelving will craft a notion of a larger bathroom if it is free and clear of clutter. It would be an excellent initiative to come up with a financial plan that you are able to exhaust before you start exploring. Purchasing a handful of things each week would help you acquire everything that you want if you don't have the cash to buy everything right up front.
There is more to a clutter free bathroom than merely the mess, consider this whenever you need to clean the bathroom. You need to push everything out of the path in order to clean. This can be extremely wearying and a big excuse to continuously push it off until later, but later never appears to take place until a week or two later. To make your life easy, why not use a little penny for some inexpensive stuff that will indisputably benefit you for a clutter-free and systematic bathroom and your home in its entirety.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Some Tricks to Include a Small Double Sink Vanity For Tight Spaces
In the beginning of the design process of remodeling an existing bathroom, one of the first things to consider is the size of the space; what is going to fit and how-if necessary-can I make the space appear larger and more user friendly. For instance, incorporating a double sink vanity, although typically a large piece, it can make a room appear larger. This is because they do come in narrow sizes and when using a double with nice cabinet space, it eliminates the need for other storage units in the room. The majority of the time, there is plenty of space you just need to use a bit of imagination and innovation. Employing a small double sink vanity for tight spaces can be a fun and challenging project to pursue.
First of all, always have a good plan at hand. Tight interior spaces call for very careful planning. For instance, too many furniture/storage items, cleaning products, toiletries and bathroom appliances can make the space feel even smaller. Doing a bit of cleaning and clearing beforehand is about the easiest way to start planning your bathroom design. Take away products from beneath the sink. Jot down items you are using everyday as well as those you find have been sitting around for ages, throw the latter away. If you have items you have yet to use, go through them and discard anything with an expired date or that you haven't used in more than six months.
Now that you have cleared up your existing bathroom a bit, you now have a clearer picture of what you can do with the space. Start by measuring everything, the overall size of the room, the space between the top of the vanity and the ceiling, etc... Keep those numbers with you while you shop. Since you absolutely want a double bathroom vanity, prioritize that. Then move onto other furnishings in your bathroom. You'll find that once you incorporate the new vanity, you really will no longer need that side table, or towel cabinet, or shelving unit. Once you remove items like this, you will find that space becomes much more open and clean feeling. Install wall sconces on each side of the mirror rather than a table lamp to save even more space.
Next you can move on to bath mirrors. Your new vanity will probably have two separate sinks, but you may want to have one very large mirror that can accommodate both you and your spouse while you are using the sink. Mirrors can instantly create the illusion of space, which is why having a large vanity mirror might be advantageous.
As you can see there are many ways to incorporate a double sink vanity for a small bathroom. All it takes is some creativity and ingenuity to rework the space. All will be well worth it if you push through with this interesting bathroom remodeling project.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
How To Choose A Clawfoot Bath Tub
The clawfoot bath tub has come a long way starting 4,000 years ago in the island of Crete. Now it has made a big comeback and is now being sold widely in the market today.
The typical clawfoot bath tub is made of cast iron with porcelain painted over for that glossy touch. Today, though, a variety of designs have been created and there are now clawfoot bath tubs that are made of acrylic and fiberglass for lighter weight and easier installation. During the earlier years of the clawfoot bath tub's comeback, the clawfoot bath tub used to be popular only among collectors. Now it is made so much more affordable for all home owners who wish to have a beautiful antique-style bath tub.
Clawfoot bath tubs come in different styles and designs. There are those with the classic roll rim, where the rims of the tub elegantly slope outwards. Similarly, slipper tubs have that slightly raised end that delicately curves backwards where you are able to rest your back comfortably. Double slipper tubs are those that have two ends that are raised and curved. A tub that is double ended has two sides that are rounded instead of flat. Whether you are looking for that feminine touch, clean modern lines, vintage feel or playful design, the clawfoot bath tub offers you many styles to choose from.
Another thing to consider is the feet. Clawfoot bath tubs usually have iron feet with the shape of a lion's claws. Antique clawfoot bath tubs often have cast iron feet that is coated with porcelain enamel. Some are gilt and bear a resemblance of other animal feet. Clawfoot bath tub feet now come in different colors such as iridescent and two-tone.
Now, let's get more into the technical aspect of buying a new clawfoot bath tub. An important feature to consider is the placement of faucet holes. Wall holes are made so that your faucet and shower is situated from inside the tub. On the other hand, you can have faucet holes on top of the rim if you want more space and water in the bath tub. Another alternative is the absence of faucet holes, where water lines are attached to the bathroom wall instead.
Next step is to select your water supply line, once you've decided on the placement of the faucet holes. Water supply lines come in many designs, too. They can either be silver or have that gold tint. Here are the types of water supply lines you might want to inquire about from your supplier:
- Single offset supply lines. - Double offset supply lines - Pressure balance supply system - Deck mount supply lines - Freestanding water supply - Tub deck mount water supply - Tube wall mount water supply
Choosing a clawfoot bath tub that best suits your taste is all in the matter of getting to know basic styles and designs. You can begin your search with local suppliers or online.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Tracking Down Bathroom Bargains
Buying a new shower, basin or entire bathroom suite can be an expensive business. In this article we examine the best ways to get discount bathrooms and accessories. Our handy hints and tips could help you to make massive savings on a wide range of products.
So you've got your list of what you want to buy and now you're all ready to get out there and make some purchases. What could be easier? Surely it's time to jump in the car! Unfortunately, we'd recommend that you begin by thinking about how much you know about bathrooms.
Do you reckon you know quite a bit? You may be right, but it certainly can't hurt to learn a little more. Knowledge is so useful when it comes to getting better deals. It's absolutely vital that you're aware who the big retailers are, how different products compare and what sort of prices you should be looking at.
Unless you've already considered all of these aspects to making a purchase, it's unlikely that you're really going to be in a position to pick up a bargain. So where should you begin doing your research?
The internet provides an excellent starting point. It offers a number of big advantages, including the fact that it's so convenient. You'll be able to find plenty of information without even leaving the comfort of your own home.
You might begin by looking for a little inspiration. Plenty of people have placed photographs of their own bathrooms online, but you might take further inspiration from hotels and internet style guides.
Take a look at what other people have done in terms of bathroom improvements and note down the things that you like. You can make use of price comparison sites to check out where there are great deals on offer.
But should you simply opt for the cheapest deal? Not necessarily, as you might not end up getting the bargain that you imagine. Make sure that you check out some independent reviews or testimonials before buying from an individual retailer.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
When Designing a Bathroom the Faucet's the Thing
When planning and designing a bathroom remodel or makeover, it's the little things that count. This is certainly true of that humble, but very busy bathroom fixture, the bathroom faucet. And while it's easy to get overwhelmed by the many choices available, it becomes easier once you narrow your choices by category.
Single Lever Faucets: Single lever jobs look great with a vessel sink. As vessel sinks are often set above the vanity counter, single lever faucets often have long profiles, to reach above the surface of the rim. There are a great number of styles of vessel sinks, including those in copper, ceramic, and glass of many types. Once you catch a glimpse of these many (often visually stunning) vessel sink styles, you can let your imagination run wild when coming up with the right sink/faucet combination. A great number of undermount style sinks are ideal for single lever faucets as well. Mix and match to your heart's - and your eyes'-content!
Waterfall Faucets: Gravity meets high design. The waterfall faucet welcomes your hands and face with the soothing sound of cascading water and a pleasant, arched spigot design. These stylish fixtures often feature chrome and glass construction, with water controlled by a single lever. Waterfall faucets are often paired with above the counter glass vessel sinks.
Wall Mounted Faucets: For a sophisticated design appearance, add a wall-mounted faucet for each sink basin. There are a multitude of styles and finishes to choose from, from classic nickel-plated models with valves that hearken back to another era, to modern designs that feature rectangular lines and sleek surfaces. The slightly elongated spigot of these wall-mounted fixtures delightfully draws attention to itself, which is a good thing, when it comes to creating a memorable, relaxing place to bathe or wash up.
Bathtub Faucets: These can be wall mounted or set into the tub's pre-cut holes. Many styles are available, so creating a custom look is easier than you might think. The ever-charming freestanding tub and faucet combo is a beautiful sight to behold, though inset tubs offer many striking design possibilities as well. The tub is perhaps the most masculine element in the bathroom, and the right faucet can make all the difference. Roman style bathtub bathroom faucets are a perennial favorite and compliment a surprising array of styles and designs. A hand shower wand is especially useful for that extra pampering touch.
Shower Faucets: The single valve shower faucet and head combo needs to be unobtrusive yet easily controlled, and for that reason this bath fixture most often features a single valve design. Most designs feature a valve or lever on the head itself to control the texture of the flow, while the shower faucet lever itself rotates to control the water temperature and intensity of the flow. Because the fixture endures constant exposure to water when it is in use, choosing a superior brand will ensure that your shower faucet's finish will withstand years of service. Many shower sets feature a detachable wand for additional pampering.
Centerset and Widespread: These two choices don't apply to single lever models, but virtually every other type of faucet is either centerset or widespread. Basically, centerset faucets feature two valves or levers set with the spigot in a common base. A widespread faucet features three distinct elements - for a clean, designer look.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Corner Shower Enclosures
Corner shower enclosures are among the most common items that people consider buying when they are decorating their bathrooms. But these are not only good as decorations; they can also be an ideal way to utilise space in your bathroom. Because of this, a lot of people are considering to install them.
Thinking of installing shower enclosures, it is easy, but choosing the right one among the many types of available on the market today is a lot harder. These days many designs can be found in different stores. And because of this, it can be very confusing to choose which one you can use for your bathroom.
Aside from going by your taste in terms of design, the first thing you need to consider when choosing from a variety of corner shower enclosures is durability. You certainly don't want to waste a large amount of money just for something that may break after being used for a short time.
Corner shower enclosures that are made of non-corrosive and stain resistant materials should be among your top choices. These types last for a longer period of time and furthermore, they also have low maintenance cost.
The price should also be among the things that you need to consider. Even if you have enough money to buy an expensive one, it is still better if you can cut down on your expenses.
In order to do this, you must perform a shopping comparison. This means that you must compare each of the prices offered by various stores in your area with the other. By doing so, you will be able to save a lot of money.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Replace & Repair Leaky Bathroom & Kitchen Faucets
Everyone dreads having to repair anything in the bathroom, because oftentimes, the solution involves more than a bottle of Liquid Drain-O and a flush of cold water. Also known as "leaky bathtub faucet," this refers to any major clogging problems, a drop in water pressure, or a bathtub faucet leak.
A certified plumbing company should come in and do an inspection and fix any major problems after giving you an estimate of the damage. If left unattended, the problems bathroom faucets can lead to are more than just inside the bathroom. There have been lawsuits and even divorces over the neglected leaky bathtub faucet. Overall, neglecting to fix your bathroom faucet will lead to a higher water bill (with less water pressure!) and further damage to supply pipes and your entire bathroom function ability. This can even sometimes result in pipes inside the walls to leak and cause water spots throughout the walls.
Here are some tips on how to replace and/or repair a bathtub faucet, bath shower faucet and bathroom sink faucet:
o Pry off the cap of the bath faucet if you think there is less water pressure coming from the faucet. Unscrew the handle to get deep inside the faucet to check if there is any blockage you need to remove. Clean the aerator if necessary, which is the small piece at the tip of the spout that can get blocked over time. After cleaning all the parts, put back together and test to see if there is any improvement. This applies to any bath faucet you have in the house, from the kitchen faucet to the single-lever bath faucet.
o If you are having a leaky bathtub faucet, get the bathtub faucets make and model and to a Home Depot or any hardware store to purchase the appropriate bathtub repair kit. Remove the bath faucet's existing ball, packing and springs and replace them with the new ones in the kit.
o If you have tried cleaning the parts and bathtub faucet and it still does not seem to improve the water pressure or the leak, you may need to replace the bathtub faucet entirely. Or the problem may be something more than just the bathtub faucet. Now is the time to call a certified plumbing company. The company can come in to repair your leaking bathtub faucet, changing bathtub faucets or do any necessary bathtub repair.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Bathroom Basins - Time to Replace Yours?
You'll probably that at any one point in time a few of your friends are going to be in the process of updating their bathrooms. Usually this is because groups of friends tend to settle down and buy houses roughly around the same time so they wind up in a kind of weird decorating sync pattern when it comes to their homes.
Some of you might find that you don't need to do a complete remodel. You might just need to change out the bathroom wallpaper and replace it with a nice neutral paint color - I've always had a problem with that contour style of bathroom wallpaper. It just never looks right to me. Having a nice neutral color allows you to change the whole look of the bathroom by just changing the color of the towels and bathroom rugs and maybe one or two other accessories. Sometimes these few simple steps are enough to keep a bathroom in good shape for more years than you'd imagine.
For some of your friends though it might be time for a complete remodel of the bathroom. Décor in any room can get old quickly but bathrooms can age much faster than other rooms in your home. Those light fixtures you once loved could do with a modern touch. The bath tub surround is looking a bit nasty so time to replace that. That carpet in the bathroom (what are you doing putting carpet in a bathroom) that once looked nice and fresh is now just nasty and probably smells a bit too - time to replace that with some clean, fresh bathroom tiles.
One item that has changed a lot over the years is the bathroom basin. The new designs are attracting a lot of attention from home owners - especially the vessel bowl style. These are the large glass/ceramic bowl style of basin you might be used to seeing in more up-market hotels and restaurants. Some people are worried that these are just a fad and the notion will pass - I've seen this type of basin in use for the last 8 years or so now so I'm not sure it's just a passing decorating fad at all. It's going to be down to what you like in your home but these basins do need a bit more space than your standard sink so take that into account before you start into the buying process.
One advantage of redoing your bathroom basins is that it normally gives you a chance to fitting more storage space underneath them in a new or remodeled vanity - especially with the vessel bowl style of basin - they require a large flat surface so you can use the space in their vanity for storing spare towels or just your usually random assortment of bathroom items (old aftershave, empty perfume bottles etc - just kidding).
So maybe the time has come to remodel your bathroom or just give it a swift update with a new vanity and some new basins - maybe those His and Hers types?
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Replacing Your Bathroom Faucet May Not Be As Hard As You Think
There are a few things you can do yourself to improve the look and feel of your bathroom. A new shower curtain, paint the walls and cabinets, install new power outlets and light switches, install new faucets, and if your a DIY contractor, you can attempt to replace the shower or tub. Today we are going to help with something a little harder, the bathroom faucet.
When most people think of installing a new faucet, they are thinking, I have no idea where to start. What tools do I need? If I mess it up, how long will it be before I have running water again? And of course, how much is it going to cost to get a professional in here when I do mess it up. Well if you follow the proper steps in this article, you might find its not as hard as you might think. Alright then, lets begin.
There are actually two parts to installing a faucet. Installing the actual faucet and we also have to install the new drain and flange (tube running from your white PVC pipe). We will start with the drain part first. It is more messy than installing the faucet, and there is not much gratification in installing the drain. So lets try and get this over with and hope it goes smoothly.
Prerequisite
The first thing you need to do before buying a bathroom faucet is to figure out how many holes your sink has in it. In order to make replacing your bathroom faucet relatively easy, make sure you buy a faucet with the same number of wholes as the sink.
Step 1 - Remove the Old Drain
First it is probably a good idea to turn off the water at this point. We are not installing the new faucet yet, but after you remove the drain assembly, you don't want to accidently turn on the water when there is no drain to catch it. Use a pipe wrench (or large vice grip) to loosen up the rubber sink stopper by unscrewing the large nut at the top of the flange (pipe just below the drain.) If you find the drain on top is turning also and you are not getting any where, put a large screwdriver in one of the holes down in the drain to get leverage.
Once the large nut is loosened, you can shimmy the rubber stopper down and the drain will loosen off of the sink hole. With the drain loose, you can now unscrew the top part of the drain with the drain plug from the flange. Put a bucket under the J-Unit pipe, and unscrew the J-Unit pipe from the drain pipe. You might be able to remove the drain pipe from the J-Unit by simply loosening it up and you might not need the bucket, but more times than not you will have to remove the J-Unit also to get the drain pipe out.
Note: The J-Unit is piece of PVC pipe shaped like a "J." It is used to hold out the stink from the sewer system by constantly holding a water barrier between your sink and sewer. You might need to poor this water out momentarily while you're installing the new drain.
There is a plastic washer ring for every section of the homes PVC water pipe to secure the pipes together, so make sure you take note of where these washers are. You will need them when putting in the new drain pipe. Well, that should do it for the worst part of the job. The job gets much more fun from here. Clean up the area by disposing of the J-Unit water, remove the old plumbers putty around the drain whole, and you might want to give it a nice once over with some disinfectant.
Step 2 - Installing the New Drain
The first thing to do here is to either put plumbers putty or silicon sealant around the drain whole in the sink to ensure you won't have a leak. Plumbers putty is fine for this job, but I find that silicon sealant works best and is much easier to apply as it will stick to the porcelain sink as the plumbers putty will slide around to much and might fall off.
Your new drain will most likely come with all its components screwed together. Unscrew all the components from drain assembly and make sure to note there order. The top part of the drain plug will come in on the top where we applied the sealant. Bring the drain pipe up under the sink making sure to have the new large nut, washer, and rubber stopper around the drain pipe, in that order where the rubber stopper is on top. Here we also don't want to forget the washer and nut for the J-Unit pipe. The nut should go on facing down and then the little plastic washer. Put some sealant around the plastic washer for the J-Unit section and also around the rubber stopper to ensure there won't be a leak. Using the sealant will ensure that you won't have to undo the whole thing over again because it keeps leaking.
The large nuts on most new faucet drains are bigger to allow tightening by hand as well as most J-Unit pipes. The large nut needs to be pretty tight, but just as tight as you can get it by hand and not using a pipe wrench, assuming it is large kind with grips for a person's hand. Tighten everything up, turn on the water and watch the drain for a minute or two to make sure it is not leaking somewhere. If you used the sealant, you should not have a problem. If you do see a leak, make sure you used the washers, and that the threads on the large nuts are aligned with the pipe threads.
Step 3 - Removing the Old Faucet
First make sure the water is off by closing the hot and cold valves under the sink. Try to turn the sink on before you proceed. You don't want to loosen the water inlet pipes while the water is on or you could have a small flood on your hands. At this point in the procedure your back might be hurting a little bit from bending under the sink for so long.
The easiest way to do this part is to put a pillow down under cupboard opening and get all up in there by laying on your back with the pillow under you. Using a vice grip or pipe wrench loosen up the nuts at the top of the supply hoses connecting them to the copper piping at the bottom of the actual faucet, by turning them counter clockwise. Sometimes the nuts can become stuck so you can use some penetrating oil to loosen them, or you could try brute force. I normally use a vice grip to loosen the nuts up.
Funny Side Note: While trying to unscrew the nuts one time under a bathroom faucet, I succeeded in getting the nuts loose using brute force. The nuts were turning, but I didn't seem to be getting anywhere. After a lot of turning it finally came off, but to my suprise the nut was not actually turning. I had been turning the old faucets copper piping and it finally broke of after being twisted to its snapping point. Luckily I was throwing that faucet away anyway.
With those nuts loosened up they will fall to the base of the supply hoses connect to the shut-off valves. Just leave them there as they will be used later to reconnect the supply lines to the new faucet. Now unscrew the large nuts securing the faucet to the actual sink. You can use a vice grip for this also, but if you feel you haven't gone to the hardware store in a while, you can get what is called a basin wrench to loosen these up. The faucet should be disconnected now. Remove it from the sink and clean the old plumber's putty and loose dirt from around the sink to get it ready for a nice shiny new faucet.
Step 4 - Installing the New Faucet
This should be the easiest part about replacing your bathroom sink. You should probably follow the instruction which came with the new faucet for this part because they have many different ways of installing them, but here are some general tips for installing the new faucet. Just like the drain assembly, the faucet assembly should have all the nuts and washers assembled already on the new faucet. Just unscrew the nuts and washers from the assembly and not there location. New faucets also should have a plastic washer that fits around its entire base. You can put a little line of sealant around the crevices of this plastic washer. There is not much to leak on the new faucet, but you want to make sure if you get water on the counter it won't leak through the holes at the base of the faucet and get water under the sink. Place the faucet on through the holes and screw on the securing nuts underneath. Connect the water supply lines to the copper piping from the faucet using the nuts we let drop down the supply lines earlier.
Note: It is possible that your supply lines are not long enough to reach the copper piping on your new faucet. Don't fret, you can pick a couple of these up at your local hardware store for about $1.50 each.
Step 4 - Installing the New Drain Plug
If you have purchased the new American Standard faucet with the new gear driven drain plug you don't need to read this part. You have bought a great faucet where the drain plug works very well. For every one else, read on.
The drain plug can be used two ways. One way is to have the metal lever handle going through the whole on the bottom of the drain plug to make sure you have a strong seal when you close the drain. Otherwise you can have the hole at the bottom of the drain plug turned perpendicular where it is only sitting on the metal lever. This makes it easy to remove when need be, but will still stay open when you want it too.
Note: For those people out there annoyed when drains can't drain water fast enough and a pool of water builds up in the sink, be sure to have hole on the bottom of the drain plug facing toward the front of the sink. This gives the drain the most lift to allow for maximum drainability.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Hot Water boiler install with Basement allotment 7
Monday, May 3, 2010
Window Waterfall Family Room-DIY
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Wall-Mount Faucets - A Touch of Elegance For Your Bathroom
Wall mount faucets can add a touch of elegance and class to your bathroom. However, before shopping for wall mount faucets, it is important to take into account the manner in which you plan to use your bathroom and also identify who is going to be using the bathroom. In addition, you should look at your current faucets to see the things you like and dislike and pay special attention to whether they feel comfortable to use.
When it comes to picking the right wall mount faucets you must also look at how functional the faucet will be and also whether you need to install one or a pair of them. In addition, you need to also look at the type of finish that will suit the decor in your bathroom. Popular finishes include brass, antique bronze, nickel, chrome, and stainless steel.
The best candidates for wall mounted faucets are vessel sinks and wall-mounted sinks as well as under-counter sinks. When you attach the faucet to the wall you should ensure that the faucets are easily accessible over the edge of the sink. In any case, faucets that are mounted on the wall will provide superior delivery of water and you can install them at different heights.
Faucets that are mounted on the wall also add a touch of streamlined elegance to the bathroom and will give your counter tops a clean uncluttered look. There are many different styles to pick and choose from and each of them will look minimalistic. You can also choose fixtures that fit well with an antique sink without holes already pre-drilled in the sink.
When it comes to choosing more contemporary styled wall mount faucets you may want to look at those that look like spouts that project out of the wall. These faucets have a small sized single handle control placed to the side of the faucet.
However, before opting for such a faucet you must ensure that the spigot can reach the middle section of the sink and above the drain in the sink. An improperly placed fixture will result in water splashing out and making a big mess on your counter top and floor.
In conclusion, when you look for faucets you can mount to your wall, there are a number of things to consider, including as how it will be used, who will use it, type of functionality and what type of finish. Once you have found, purchased and installed the faucet you want, you will see that your tasteful choice has added simple elegance and class to your bathroom.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Common Bathing Tubs
The point of bathing tubs is to soak. When used for this primary purpose, you can get a deeper than average tub. A bath designed for soaking will not usually have a shower attachment or jet combinations. The most commonly known tubs are the Roman and the Greek tubs. The Roman tub is a sunken bath, although there are different interpretations of what Roman baths really are. A Greek tub is shorter in length, but allows the individual to sink into the water up to the neck. The Greek style tub is convenient for the customer who would like a deeper experience, but is short on bathroom space.
The more popular types of bathing tubs are built-in tubs. These include the Alcove bathtub, the drop-in bathtub, and the corner bath. The Alcove is just as it's name suggests. It is virtually enclosed with an opening in the front to allow access. The drop-in tub is the type where one must step down into it, rather than stepping up and over. A corner tub is a type of drop-in tub, but is set in a corner of the bathroom or perhaps out on a deck. Most drop-ins will not have a shower fixture because they sit alone and are open.
There are also freestanding bathing tubs which include the claw foot or a pedestal tub. Claw foot tubs offer the most comforting bath available. They have been popular since the early 1800's, but were even more popular before the built-in tubs of the 1900's. The claw foot tub has feet to stand on, but the pedestal tub sits on a base. Pedestal tubs are easy to install, and the plumbing is exposed which makes maintenance easier to perform if necessary. A drawback to the pedestal tub is that is it less common so manufacturers do not provide as many options as with other tubs.
Whether you purchase a bathtub to perform the daily ritual of cleanliness, for a relaxing escape, or because you want to add character to your bathroom, the options are vast. There are many brands and various styles no matter the individual needs and desires. Explore all that is available before making a decision.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Plumbing - Leaky Faucet
Though leaky faucets are not as serious a problem as leaky toilets, it can waste a significant amount of water as well as cost you money. Leaky faucets are caused by old gaskets or O-rings and corroded valve seats. If you are planning to conduct a faucet repair, make sure you take along the faucet parts when going to buy the replacements. If you do not know how to fix a leaky faucet, then getting a plumbing specialist to do it for you is a good way to go as they can provide you complete faucet repair services on very affordable prices.
There are several types of faucets from compression ceramic disk faucets, rotary ball faucets and cartridge faucets as well as two handle tub faucets. Services on faucet repairs include fixing leaky pipes, repairs the sinks and installing water lines. Plumbing specialist can correctly identify and diagnose just about any leak on any type of faucets. Sure there are DIY guides on tackling faucet repair, but isn't it better to get the job done by a professional? While sometimes it really is as simple as replacing a worn washer, the problem is frequently more complicated than that. A faucet leak can be because of other reasons and professionals will be able to efficiently identify the cause of the problem and replace the malfunctioning part.
If you bought faucets and bathroom fixtures and plumbing from a certain company or brand, it is best to call the customer support services to get your faucets fixed. If it is still under warranty, you can get your faucets fixed with no cost or minimum payment as possible. Also, the faucets will be fixed with the correct replacement parts from that company itself. If you plan on repairing and replacing by yourself, make sure that you have a little bit of knowledge concerning this area as you do not want your faucet to be leaking again after some time. This will only waste time and energy spent on repairing it yourself.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Cast Iron Soaking Tubs Are Pure Bathing Luxury
For many of us, cast iron soaking tubs are a holdover to Victorian Era luxury. The first enameled cast iron tubs were developed in 1883. Developing the process that allowed enamel to adhere to the cast iron was a big step toward the tubs acceptance. Prior to that, tubs were mainly made from wood or sheet metal.
Cast iron tubs are made in several different configurations. Probably most familiar, especially to those of a certain age, are claw foot tubs. This is a tub that has a leg at each corner. The part of the leg that contacts the floor looks like a clawed foot clutching a ball. It's fairly common for this type of tub to have a rolled rim. Some of them will also have what's referred to as a slipper back. This makes it easier to slightly recline in the tub.
The most contemporary models still tend to be a rectangular type of shape. Even though cast iron is molded, much like an acrylic or fiberglass tub, you rarely see any other type of shape. These tubs are only available as soakers. That means that you can't find them in with air or water jets or with a whirlpool. This is probably due to how hard it would be to mold the holes for the jets or how hard it would be to cut them after the tub is molded.
The enamel that covers cast iron tubs has been one of the things that has made them popular. The enameling process creates a surface that is very low maintenance. It's also a material that doesn't scratch, dent, or crack easily. If it does become scratched or damaged, it's relatively easy to repair. Another attractive quality to cast iron is that it retains heat well. This helps keep the bath water hot. Their low maintenance is also a real plus. The most basic way to clean the tub is a little soap on a rag.
Cast iron tubs do have some disadvantages when compared to other types of tub materials. The first and foremost is that they're extremely heavy. They typically weigh 350-400lbs. In comparison, an acrylic tub of similar size will weigh 80-100 lbs. Because of their weight, it's important to know how much weight the floor where you're going to place the tub can handle. The size of your water heater may be a factor as well. A typical 30 or 40 gallon water heater may not be big enough for a large tub.
After weighing the pros and cons of cast iron soaking tubs, you may find that one of them is your best choice.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Plumber in North Hollywood, Ca 818-341-5804
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
A Brief Look at the New Eco Toilets - Part II
In part I of this 2-part series, I talked about the reason why there was a recent surge of interest on the part of toilet manufacturers in producing so-called "eco toilets". Basically, this was sparked by a 1992 law that stated that a toilet was required to use less than 1.6 gallons of water for flushing.
In the first article, I gave a brief explanation of some of the types of eco toilets that were introduced in response to the law. The toilets mentioned were only the varieties that still use water for flushing. However, there are more radical toilet designs that use little or no water at all.
A compost toilet compacts and dehydrates solid waste, and turns it into compost. This can safely be used as a fertilizer for home gardens.
The urine-separating toilet is a modification of the compost toilet which separates liquid and solid waste. This allows the urine, which is rich in nutrients, to be used directly as fertilizer.
An incinerating toilet allows all waste material to drop into a holding tank, where is it burned up immediately. ( There are safeguards to ensure that the incinerator does not cause any personal injury. ) This process, however, renders the residue useless as a fertilizer.
The biological toilet, or biolet adds a small amount of water to the waste, which is then slowly passed through a bacteria-containing substance. This decomposes the waste matter into non-toxic substances. At the present time, this type of toilet is quite expensive, so it is not very widely used in the United States.
Squat toilets, just as the name suggests, require the user to squat over a hole in the floor. A small amount of water is used to flush the waste out of the hole, using a siphoning effect. This kind of toilet is quite common in third-world countries, and is actually quite sanitary, since no part of your body actually touches the toilet itself.
Although you may be somewhat repelled by some of the features of these waterless toilets, they have been thoroughly tested, and pose no threat to either the user of the machine, or the user of the resulting products. Hopefully, the cost of some of these new eco toilets will go down, as they come into greater use.
For lots more information on these and other green toilets, please check out the author's website, shown in the next paragraph.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Do You Want a Cheap Bathroom Suite?
Finding a cheap bathroom suite is nowhere near as easy to do as most of us would like it to be. Why should this be the case? It should certainly be possible to find bathroom suites and accessories at discount prices, but it's important to take the right approach to making any purchase.
There have been big changes in the way that companies sell bathroom suites. Newer designs have increased the amount of choice available to consumers and there has been increased competition here, with more and more retailers hoping to catch the eye of those interested in home improvements.
In theory, such changes should have led to price drops. If that's not your experience then it may be that you've been looking in the wrong places. Are you, for instance, relying on traditional bathroom showrooms?
It's understandable if you are and such stores certainly do offer some advantages. Low prices, however, may not be among these advantages. That's not because shop owners aren't willing to offer better deals to customers - it's simply that they may be restricted by higher overheads.
Why should they have high overheads? There are a number of reasons for this, including the fact that they tend to maintain premises in central locations. They want to be located in places where plenty of people will be passing, helping them to attract customers.
Maintaining these premises is, unfortunately, not cheap. The combination of high rents and salaries to be paid to sales staff mean that overheads are almost inevitably higher than they might be. What does this mean for customers? In many cases it leads to higher prices.
As you'll see, visitors to such showrooms may not have seen much evidence of bathroom suite prices falling. You can see lower prices by looking online, but it really is a matter of spending a bit of time doing your research.
You need to make use of price comparison sites, independent reviews, discount vouchers and directories listing the latest deals. By making use of all of these tools, there's absolutely no reason why you can't get some better prices.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Bath Caddy Ideas For a Relaxing Bath
Having a long, relaxing soak in the tub is a favorite leisure activity for millions of water loving Americans. It is no wonder that they go to so much trouble to achieve the luxury bathroom of their dreams, with a whirlpool tub, beautiful vanity unit, stylish faucets and blissful shower. That dream may never be realized, but does it really matter? If you are really relaxed in the bath, with your eyes closed or the lights low, does it really matter about the fittings and décor? Even the tub itself can be old and ugly, but if it's comfortable to lie in, why does it matter?
Even a simple thing like a good bath caddy can transform your bath time experience. Once you are in the water, and you have the lighting just right, the only thing left really is to ensure everything you will need while in the tub is within reach. One of the main bath accessories for just that purpose is the bath caddy.
How can a bath caddy contribute to the perfect bathing experience? The primary purpose of the caddy, of course, is to ensure you have the soap and other toiletry needs to hand. After all, you will spoil your bath if you have to stand up every time you want to find soap, or the loofah. But it is not just those most basic of items that you may need while you soak. You may have other needs for your perfect bathe.
Fortunately, manufacturers of bath caddies are very much aware of what some people love to do in the bathtub to relax. Little touches can make all the difference to the depth of relaxation some people can achieve while soaking in the tub. For example, many people love to read while lying in the tub. You can just hold the book or magazine, but for a taste of cheap luxury, you can buy a bath caddy with a book rest on.
Do you enjoy a glass of wine while you are bathing? Many do, and here too there will be a bath caddy to make it convenient for them. You can buy bath caddies that include a wine glass holder; some of these have the book rest as well. Fragrances are also important to some in the bathroom, so aromatherapy candles are popular too. You may be surprised to learn it is also possible to buy caddies with candle holders attached; just perfect for that aromatherapy candle.
These little accessories for caddies can be a touch of luxury at a low cost. So, enjoy your next soak in the tub that much more; but be careful not to drink a glass of wine too many, and set light to the book with the candle!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Types of Jetted Bathtubs
Jetted bathtubs are gaining in popularity. Almost everyone likes the idea of relaxing in a jetted bathtub and allowing the jets to massage out any aches and pains they may have acquired throughout the day. Jetted tubs are usually a bit bigger than your average bathtub and they make a great looking addition to any bathroom. There are a couple of different types of jetted bathtubs. Before purchasing a jetted bathtub you will want to decide which type best suits your needs.
There are two types of jets used in jetted bathtubs, water jets and air jets. Both types create a massaging feeling as the water is moved in the tub but there are pros and cons to each one.
Water Jets
The jetted bathtubs that use water jets force the bath water through the jets. This creates a stronger massage than tubs with the air jets. The bath water is recirculated through the jets, which keeps the water a bit warmer than air being forced in the bath. One downside is that you cannot use bubble bath, bath oil or bath salts in a jetted tub with water jets. This type of tub also requires quite a bit of cleaning. Some of these come with a self cleaning system though, so you will need to check the features when you are making your decision.
Air Jets
The other types of jets are air jets. These jets actually push air into the tub instead of water causing a gentle massaging feeling. You can use bubble bath and bath salts in this type of jetted bathtub. There are often more jets in an air jetted tub than there are in the water jetted tubs. The forced air through the water may make the water cold faster, which can be annoying. The health benefits from increased circulation and such that you get from the water jets you do not get with an air jetted bathtub.
Both types can give a great feeling, relaxing bath. It is really a matter of preference when it comes to the type of jets you want. If you want to add oils, crystals, and/or bubbles to your tub you will want to go with the air jets. If you are wanting a therapeutic invigorating massage then water jets may be your best choice. Jetted tubs can cost between $1500 and $10,000 so there is a huge variety of types, sizes, and models to choose from.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Sprite Shower Filter - A Difference in the Way You Shower
Sprite shower filters offer a clear difference in the water you shower with. This is especially true in areas where the water is very hard. Shower filters purify the water as it comes through the filter, meaning that the water that touches your skin is much cleaner than the water that entered the filter.
There are many contaminants that enter everyday tap water without our knowledge and we pay for those contaminants each time we shower. By using a filtered shower head we're offering ourselves a better less unhealthy way of getting clean.
Chlorine and Your Body
No contaminant is as damaging as chlorine. It causes us to prematurely age and damages the cells of the body through constant exposure. It believed that this common additive may be responsible for heart problems, skin damage and even some cancers. The trouble is that chlorine is commonly added to our water supply and we take it in through breathing, ingestion and absorption of the skin. You may have felt that your hair or skin didn't feel as fresh as you had hoped or that the fresh feeling of a shower lasts for a very short time after you've showered. This is caused by the presence of chlorine.
Sprite Filters Make a Difference
Sprite filters use a non-carbon media to filter several contaminants from your water among them are things like chlorine, sediment, iron, trace metals, hydrogen sulfide, and chlorinated hydrocarbons. These filters also reduce the risk of exposing yourself to substances such as bacteria, E.coli, mold, and other impurities, which are present in the shower. All of these changes allow you to reduce the incidence of dry, flaky skin; oily, lifeless hair and any leftover feelings of buildup. Sprite shower filters offer you a better, cleaner shower thus making you feel more refreshed and healthy.