Monthly Archives: September 2009

Bathroom Renovation Must Knows

Posted on by Scott
Avram Gates

If it is time for a new bathroom and you have thought about it for awhile now there are many ideas that can be done in your bathroom renovation. Any ideas are good but it also a good idea to out them all down on paper that way your contractor will know what your are thinking about. There are so many things that can be done to give your bathroom a new look from adding a mirror to changing the shower stall.

If you are planning to change to door, pocket doors do not need a wide arc to be opened. By adding a pocket door you will give your bathroom some added space. If it is added space you are looking for you need to get rid of your bathroom closets, all you bathroom should need are shelves hanging on the walls and maybe a few hooks to hang whatever you may need to hang.

For the walls you should go for a lighter color such as white or cream. Lighter colors make your bathroom look as though it has opened up. These lighter colors are better then dark colors because dark colors give a closed in cave like feeling. Also to add some illusion of extra space in your bathroom you should hang some mirrors on the walls. The more mirrors that you hang the more space it appears that you have.

If you are gong to do a total makeover for your bathroom then you must look into installing a stand up shower. The shower stall that sits in the corner of the bathroom are best because they allow for you to have some extra floor space outside of the shower.

Remember that if you are planning on a major bathroom renovation, write everything that you have in mind down on paper. Also you may want to hire a professional to do the electrical and plumbing.

Jamie

How To MakeThe Bathroom Renovation Budget

Posted on by Scott
Paromita Goswami

Every owner wants his house to be the most excellent looking in the neighborhood. Be it the interiors or the exteriors of the house best look always add more value to your property. As the owner the house maintenance is one of your biggest responsibilities if you want to make good returns on the sale of your house anytime in the near future.

Bathroom is a distinguished part of your home interiors. Just like any other room of your house the bathroom also needs the same appeal from its occupants. The bathroom renovation project can be pretty small project as compared to the other projects in the house but the outcome can always bring in a radical change in its occupants.

The bathroom renovation project generally consists of changing the counter tops, tiles, toilets, painting the bathtub or lighting. Expanding your bathroom to bring in more space can be one of your bigger renovation projects. The whole project of bathroom renovation, be it small or big, always asks for a professional help more or less and it is sensible to have an experienced individual do the job so that it is completed in a shorter duration and also adds to the appeal of the house.

Before you start with the renovation project it is very important for you to choose your budget. This will help you to make a decision upon the type of material that you want to use for your project. You can go in for the cheaper material that will ultimately be lower in quality and demand a high maintenance rate or you can go for branded materials that will be expensive though but will be good quality and demand low maintenance. Thus it is better to budget your renovation project accordingly.

Planning is an essential part of the entire renovation project. Your plan should be the blue print of your entire project. It should consists of all the essential changes that you want to do in your bathroom starting with the repairs, buying accessories, replacing the damaged material, expanding your bathroom space if need be and the designs. Your plan should have all the big and small details of the renovation project.

Employing a professional help for the entire project is always good as it will save your time and energy. It is better to discuss your needs and requirements about the project with him so that he understands it well and execute them accordingly. Your plan will help him understand your requirements and needs.

It is better to purchase the material for renovation project yourself. You can also take the professional with you when you go for purchasing as he will give you better inputs about most effective materials and accessories for your renovation project. Moreover now days, there are lots of online stores available that you can be surfed easily and make your choice accordingly. Also important is re-using the old material as it can lower your renovation costing to a handsome amount. You can discuss in details with your hired professional about the materials that can be reused for the project.

Dave

Custom Shower Pans – My 4 Best Options

Posted on by Scott
Alan Bullington

Whether you are building a new home or renovating your home, custom shower pans are a great choice. You can easily remove a bathtub and replace the tub with a modern tile or marble shower. The usual problem is the standard shower pan liners don’t exactly fit the space you have. Not to fear, you have four fairly easy options. Any of these options can be installed by a pro or even by you. Here are some choices.

Tile Redi Shower Pans.

The company Tile Redi builds a one piece tile ready shower pan that will not leak. It’s a tough “plastic” pan that won’t leak and is quick to install. The Tile Redi pans come in many standard sizes, but you can get custom sizes too. In just about an hour or so an installer can have the leak-proof pan in and ready for tile installing. So these shower pans solve several shower liner problems and let installers finish faster.

Fiberglass Shower Pans.

Several companies will build you a custom size shower pan. Check with most any building supply company. But a regular fiberglass pan will not work as a base for ceramic tile. Custom sizes aren’t cheap at all either. You can easily find a custom fiberglass pan, but you don’t get a tile floor. You get a fiberglass floor.

Schluter KERDI Systems.

Schluter systems build several shower components that together make for a waterproof shower. A polyethylene membrane is the key to the system. The membrane completely covers the sides and floor of the shower and is integrated with a special drain for a complete water and vapor barrier. The system installs over a sloped concrete base or uses a ready made shower pan. The shower pan base is available in standard sizes. Of course using concrete as a base allows for any custom size or layout. These systems are very popular because they work and are fast to install.

Mortar shower pans.

Properly installed a traditional mortar shower pan is a great choice. The key to a trouble free traditional pan is the vinyl waterproof membrane. You see tile floors are not waterproof. Water seeps through the grout especially. The trick to a traditional shower pan is the vinyl membrane that is built into the shower floor and sealed to the drain. A traditional shower pan takes longer to build than some of the other options, but is often cheaper to get done. Custom shower pans in any size are shape can be built with a mortar base. This method of building a shower requires more skill and experience than the other methods. One reason installers like the other methods is that the systems can be installed with less skilled employees.

A custom shower pan can be successfully built using several methods. Check with local installers to see what’s available in your area. For a ceramic tile floor, the Tile Redi system or the Schluter KERDI are both fast and easy installs, but quite a bit more expensive than the traditional mortar shower pan. Maybe you might even decide to tackle building a shower pan yourself using one of these methods.

Paddy

Repair shower

Posted on by Scott
Linda Greey

People tend to take little leaks in the bathroom lightly. It is a common tendency to postpone shower leaks and have them repaired only when they get out of hand. Meanwhile, the trickling drops of water from the leaking shower seeps into the surrounding area, resulting in extra moisture. Gradually, you start observing damp walls, followed by wet carpets and your bathroom taking a bad shape eventually.

Why do leaks happen?

Leaks may take place due to a number of reasons. The prominent ones are wear and tear, aging and poor workmanship.

Why seek professional help for shower maintenance?

A professional service provider has extensive hands-on experience of repairing shower leak and waterproofing it to avoid future leaks.

A professional offers you expert know-how of repairing bathroom fixtures. Professional services are craftsmen of their trade and show repairs and sealing without removing any tiles. They have access to the state-of-the-art utilities, tools and technologies to ensure trouble free and long lasting bathroom repairs. The comprehensive bathroom retiling services by professionals include waterproofing, floor tiling and wall tiling.

What’s more, these services maintain your bathroom with quality finish for the best price.

In short, by hiring professional services for maintaining your bathroom, you can rest assured of proper care of shower maintenance among other aspects. You can simply lie back while they deliver you a sparkling, smooth, leak-free bathroom with a guarantee of quality and affordability.

Visit one such reckoned professional service at http://www.affordableshowerrepairs.com.au. They are running family owned professional service across Ipswich, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Judith

Bathroom Renovation – What You Should Know About Bathroom Renovation

Posted on by Scott
Gerry Rafferty

Bathroom Renovation Must Knows

Can you really design your own bathroom? Why not! Today, the bathroom is much more than just a room for grooming and a place to read. Bathrooms can be a good place for home exercise equipment and a good music system or TV, for example. So start a notebook. When you get a bathroom designs idea, write it down. Soon you’ll have defined the bathroom that’s just right for you.

If it is time for a new bathroom and you have thought about it for awhile now there are many ideas that can be done in your bathroom renovation. There are so many things that can be done to give your bathroom a new look from adding a mirror to changing the shower stall.

If you happen to be changing the door a pocket door does not require a wide arc to be opened. By adding a pocket door you will give your bathroom some added space. If it is added space you are looking for you need to get rid of your bathroom closets, all you bathroom should need are shelves hanging on the walls and maybe a few hooks to hang whatever you may need to hang.

For the walls you should go for a lighter color such as white or cream. By doing this it will appear as the bathroom had opened up. These lighter colors are better then dark colors because dark colors give a closed in cave like feeling. If you hang lots of mirrors in your bathroom it gives an illusion as thought the bathroom is larger then it is. The more mirrors that you hang the more space it appears that you have.

If you are gong to do a total makeover for your bathroom then you must look into installing a stand up shower. Stand up showers that sit in the corner are the best choice because they will give you some extra floor space.

Remember that if you are planning on a major bathroom renovation, write everything that you have in mind down on paper. Another good thing to do is to hire a professional to do the confusing work.

For more information about Bathroom Renovation and other DIY projects click on the following link.

Bathroom Improvement

Allison

Electrical Tips-how to install a shower:cubicle|tray|Tiles|plumbing and waste

Posted on by Scott
handymantips

Handyman tips-how to install a shower

Having a shower is both luxurious and environmentally friendly at the same time because it helps to save water and is good for the environment. Because of the design of most shower cubicles these days, the shower enclosure can be fitted in most small spaces. To begin installing a shower cubicle a basic understanding of plumbing and electrical installation  and  safety is a requisite.

There are five main steps to fitting a shower and you will need a helper to assist you in fitting the shower. The main steps would involve: extending the water supply to feed the shower, extending the waste supply for the new shower enclosure, mounting the shower tray onto a custom made plinth or wooden frame ,installation of the frame and doors.

Some fundamental requirements of fitting a shower also are: the shower head must be at least 1.5 meters below the level of the water tank to provide sufficient water pressure for a descent flow. The shower must also have its own water supply from the cold water cistern.

The pipe work will need to be run under the floorboards or along the walls, in either case the pipes will need to be supported under the floor or along the walls by a series of pipe clips to stop water hammer caused by the pressure of the water against loose pipe fittings.

STEPS

1.The first step would be to extend the water supply to where you want it to fed the shower, this can be achieved by careful measurement. Tap into the cold water cistern and make a connection to supply the shower, the hot water supply is  then taken from an existing supply line, cut into the pipe and insert a T section to make a new supply to the shower. If the connections are made under the floorboards then make sure that all the connections are tightened properly because if there is a leak under the floor latter on it will be undetected until it is too late.

2.Installing the shower tray: Turn the shower tray so that you can fit the trap, the best type to use on a shower tray is a P trap. Screw the trap onto the shower tray and measure the distance between the bottom of the P trap and the top of the shower tray adding about 40mm to the bottom of the P trap where it will sit on the floor so that you have enough clearance from the floor. The plinth or frame of the shower tray can be made from rough cut sawn timber which is treated. Screw the corners of the frame together-allow for a removable panel to gain access to the trap then screw the whole frame onto the floor to make sure that it is steady and rigid. With your helper ,lift the shower tray onto the frame.

3. Extending the waste supply: Use a hole cutter attached to a drill bit  and make a hole through the wall about the same diameter as the plastic waste pipe. Attach the waste pipe to the P trap using compression or push fit connections. Push the waste pipe through the wall and fill any hole or gap  around the pipe with a cement mix. make you connections on the outside of the wall either into an existing drain or a hopper head.

4.Fitting the doors: Drill holes for the metal frames of the shower doors, use a spirit level to make sure that they are level. Screw all the sides together using the parts supplied. to make sure you have a truly watertight cubicle ,apply sealant to all the sides and bottom of the shower cubicle. Tile the inside of the shower cubicle.

5.Connection:drill holes to fit the shower thermostat control onto the wall, connect the water supply pipes to the thermostatic control, tighten all connections and test the shower

Shawn

Tips on How to Install Your New Bathtub

Posted on by Scott
William Boss

Installing a bathtub is heavy work, even if you choose a "lightweight" bathtub. This is not a job you will want to get roped into doing because a neighbor offered you a six-pack and twenty bucks.

There are a of couple ways you can go when installing a bathtub. You can install a free standing (or claw-foot) bathtub or you can install a framed in bathtub. Which type you want to install is usually based on several things, one being space. If you are removing an existing framed in bathtub you will most likely want to put another of the same type back. Whatever your decision is, you need to measure the space you have available and keep that in mind as you purchase your new bathtub. The basic steps to install a bathtub are as follows.

Freestanding/claw-foot bathtub

First you are going to want to put the tub on jacks, as if it were a car and you were going to work under it. There really aren’t bathtub jacks so you will need to use the packaging material or some bricks covered with towels under the edges. This will give you the working space you need to put it together.

Install the feet, making sure you don’t put them in the wrong places. Each foot is made to be in a specific spot and that spot only, these will not fit right in the wrong spots. Have a friend help you with this. The feet that go on the end with the plumbing are the ones you want to start with, then move to the other end of the tub.

Attach the plumbing and test to make sure you haven’t put the hot water on the cold side, it is easy to mix them up and just as easy to fix the mix up before the job is finished.

Remove all of the extra support and allow it to stand in its own. If the tub is not level you can level it out by using space washers on the legs until you have it leveled out. This shouldn’t take many unless your house isn’t level.

Framed in/Standard bathtub

This is easiest if you are removing an old tub and replacing with the same type of new tub. If you are starting from scratch you will need to frame the area. Once you have the area framed you can put in the plumbing. If you are replacing an old tub the plumbing will be there already, otherwise you will need to install plumbing.

Place the tub in position with assistance (these are heavy and awkward, you will want to have help moving your bathtub). Shim the tub and check with a level, continue to use shims until you have it leveled off at the angle you are looking for (the sides of the tub should be level, the inside floor of the tub won’t be). Fit the ledgers so you will be able to sit the tub on them and they will hold up the weight of the tub along the sides.

Install the drainage system including the p-trap and drain pipes attached to the tub. You will want to assemble all of the overflow pipes and drain pipes at this time. Once the pipes are all put together and you have determined they will fit together when the tub is in place you can install the ledgers.

The bathtub is now slid into position on the ledgers. The drainpipe should slide right over and onto the p-trap. Nail down the tub (there will be hardware included with the tub to do this). Attach all plumbing and cover plates. Check the plumbing to make sure it runs correctly without leakage.

With both installations it is important that after you have installed your bathtub you have the installation inspected to make sure it is installed properly. Last minute touches are important. You need to put a bead of caulking around the tub and wait for it to cure for 24 hours. If you do not install your bathtub correctly it can slip off of the ledgers while you or a family member is bathing. Please check and double check your work when you install your bathtub. If you are in doubt hire a professional.

Patricia

Bathroom Remodeling ~ Elegant Bathtubs ~ Classic Accessories

Posted on by Scott
Kinhom

The Internet is a perfectly good resource to do all your shopping, whether you are interested in a simple tub or you want accessories for the bathroom, such as faucets and sinks. By searching the web a little bit, you will definitely find a virtual store that specialized in high-end bathtubs and offers them at attractive prices. You can find and easily purchase a Claw Foot bath tub but also plenty of other bathtubs with a modern design and Asian influences.

There is no better time to start bathroom remodeling than the present. And we all know that the bathtub is one of the most important elements in the room. One can choose between Clawfoot, free standing or deep soak bathtubs. There are also contemporary styles which can offer a very attractive look to your bathroom. Each product is presented in detail, being offered at wholesale prices. After all, what more could you wish for?

If you desire the renovation project of your bathroom to be a success, then you should definitely consider European style bathrooms. These are absolutely splendid and you are also offered elegant faucets as must-have accessories. There are many people who prefer Claw Foot bathtubs, considering them as practical and elegant at the same time. If you are planning to turn your home into a modern residence, then a Clawfoot bath tub can bring the elegance you were looking for in the bathroom. Soaking in such a bathtub will no longer be a dream, but a genuine reality and one that you can indulge yourself in whenever you feel like it.

Bathtubs come with a water overflow and they are often presented with integrated faucets. However, if you only desire to purchase bathroom vanities or plumbing fixtures, you should know that the offer is diverse in this area as well. The prices are cheap and you won’t believe how many great choices you have. Just take your time and browse through all the offers presented in front of your eyes. Return to bathtubs to get a more general idea of the modern concept that a bathtub represents.

No matter how you put it, the Internet offers the greatest shopping experience possible. One can find free standing bathtubs presented at unbelievable prices, not to mention numerous other elegant and modern choices. Accessories are presented as well for prospective customers and new products are being added to the shopping portal on a regular basis. Remodeling takes a lot of courage and this is especially valid whereas bathrooms are concerned. If you can have a wonderful bathroom with a contemporary bathtub and elegant faucets, why go with the obvious choice? Put your style in every room of the house, especially in one of the most important – the bathroom!

David