Monthly Archives: January 2010

Always be on the Alert for Signs of a Possible Leak

Posted on by Scott
Americas Home Improvement Coach

Always Be On the Alert For Signs of a Possible Leak

 

A leak in your home can be something that goes unnoticed for a long time until signs begin to show through the paint, the rotting the wood, or when it’s time for the bucket brigade. Slow leaks or leaks that occur unnoticed for long periods can also cause mold to grow, adding to the problem by causing an environmental problem and costing you even more in aggravation, time, and money. Always be on the alert for warnings signs of a possible leak. Follow these guidelines and check for signals that will keep your kitchen and bathroom in check and free from leaks.

 

1.      Fix and Change Worn Parts

Damaged parts are a major cause of leaks and wasted water in a bathroom or kitchen. Look over the following parts regularly, and repair or replace them if they are worn.

·        Inspect the washers in the shower head- Check for water dripping or spraying out from the threaded area of the head.

·        Tub diverters can waste a lot of water. If it is leaking into the tub, it may be time to replace it with a new one.

·        Toilet tanks – Check for any leaks between the tank and bowl. If there is water leaking, tighten the bolts that hold the two together, being careful not to tighten them too much. Also, make sure there is no water leaking between the bowl and floor. You can usually tell this by a wet spot on the floor around the bowl and/or a dark mildew on the floor around the bottom of the bowl usually in the grouted tile joints.

·        Toilet flapper valve – A faulty flapper can waste hundreds of gallons of water. Flappers are simple to replace and can be purchased at your local home improvement store or plumbing supply. Make sure to turn the water supply off and remove the flapper. Put it in a plastic bag and take it with you to match up its’ shape with a new one.

·        Rotted washers and bolts around toilet tanks and an insufficient wax seal can result in a rotted floor. This can go unnoticed for a longtime until one day the floor begins to look a little crooked or uneven. Don’t let this go without further inspection. It’s time to call a professional.

·        Faucet washers – can result in a high water bill and can also ruin and de-laminate mica counter and vanity tops if they go unnoticed. Replacing countertops can run well into a few thousand dollars.

·        Check for leaks at supply lines to toilet bowls, sinks, dishwashers, hot water dispensers and refrigerators. Supply line valves may not be used for some time and once there are turned a seal can be broken and a leak may begin.

·        Check for sediment build-up in faucets and showerheads. These can stifle water pressure. Periodically remove the strainers on you faucets and remove any sediment that may be collecting. In most cases this will drastically improve your water pressure. In areas with hard-water it may be necessary to do this more frequently.

           

2.      Inspect the Caulking and Grouting

Caulking is very important in preventing a leak and keeping water from infiltrating vulnerable places. Caulking should be somewhat flexible, and not be cracked or blackened with mildew—if it is, don’t just use any caulk, replace it with a tub and tile type silicone based waterproof caulking.

Check the following areas for cracked or missed caulking in need of repair.

·        Around the bottom of the toilet

·        Along wall at the edge of the tub or shower

·        At the inside corners of the tub or shower

·        Between the countertop and backsplash

·        Where the tub meets the shower

·        At the base of the tub or shower along the floor

·        Where the shower door meets the wall and tub or shower base.

·         

           

3.      Knowing When to Call in the Professionals

There are some things that need to be fixed by professionals in order to avoid future or even more damage. Call a plumber if you find the following problems and feel as though you are in over your head,

·        Leaky or stuck water supply lines and valves

·        Leaking shower heads, or other leaks that you can’t fix

·        Leaks present in the shower pan

·        Trouble with mold or mildew on the walls.

 

To get your copy of Hector’s book,

 

What Your Parent’s Never Told You About Owning a Home

 

Visit www.americashomeimprovementcoach.com and with

 

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Greg

Bathroom Renovation for an Aesthetic Home in Sydney

Posted on by Scott
Sam Decausta

Are you sick and tired of the look of your bathroom and feel that it already needs a total facelift? If so, you are not alone and you are one among the many who wants a total overhaul of how their bathroom layout looks. The bathroom is perhaps the most neglected room in any home since a lot of households don’t think that the amount of time they spend there commands the investment of time and money on venturing into a renovation project.

The fact is, bathroom improvement is likely the ideal spot to start your renovation work for your home as you can achieve a new look with just a little creativity, a touch of elegenace and some basic construction skills. In case you are keen in renovating your bathroom, but don’t have any idea where to begin, you can do some research to learn the different options that are available.

If you are a newbie when it comes to renovation work, it may be wise to hire a professional builder to handle the job. There are a number of companies in Sydney who specialize in bathroom renovations so you can capture a modern design with a splash of technical innovation. Make sure you engage a reputable contractor with years of experience in the business. Weed out contractors with poor records or with vague and dubious feedback by looking up “bathroom renovation Sydney” or “home improvement Sydney” in the web which is probably the best archive of contacts with a good bathroom renovation company waiting at the end.

Once you have chosen your would-be contractor, it is important to check the validity of their licenses, insurance, and other essential credentials. Make sure who the references are and inquire about completed projects that are similar to your current one. You may contact previous clients and find out what they have to say about the work of your contractor.

Bathroom renovation can add a flair of contemporary home decor to your interiors and likewise add to its market value. A professional bathroom renovator can provide you a lieftime experience of sophistication and elegance. Most of these companies offer an in house design team who can help you design and customize your bathroom to accommodate your needs. Their services should not be limited and a good bathroom renovator in Sydney typically offers a wide range of professional services which include plumbing, electrical, carpentry, tiling, waterproofing, floor heating, brick laying, rendering, windows installation, etc. They can also provide great basins, tiles, lights, tap wares, vanities, sanitary wares, glass blocks, spas and all other bathroom fixtures and accessories.

Before you finally embark on your bathroom renovation venture, consider your budget and the time it would take to finish the entire project. You may dream of having gold taps in your bathroom but a quick reality check will tell you that the price tag is well beyond your budget. Moreover, if you are considering a total make over, the standard timeframe for a bathroom renovation is one month

Gwyneth

Drugs in Tap Water – Why You Have Reason for Concern

Posted on by Scott
Robert Tell

You may well have drugs in your tap water.

If you drink bottled water, don’t be reassured. Forty percent of bottled water is just bottled tap water — and the rest is largely unregulated for quality.

The evidence that we have prescription drugs in tap water from public water supplies has been around for years, but got a lot of attention just this year when the Associated Press published the results of a five-month investigation.

The AP reported:

– Traces of epilepsy drugs, birth control pills and other hormones, painkillers, psychiatric drugs, asthma drugs, and many others have been found in public water supplies.

– Besides pharmaceuticals in drinking water, many over-the-counter drugs and compounds from shampoos, detergents and deodorants were found in drinking water, too. The substances have been found almost everywhere researchers have looked for them.

The amount of drugs in tap water is almost always very small — but often there are many combinations of drugs in any given water sample.

Danger from drugs in tap water: an unanswered question

There’s no proof that drugs in our tap water are harmful. The problem is, nobody knows. Benjamin H. Grumbles, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assistant administrator for water, said, “We recognize it is a growing concern and we’re taking it very seriously.”

There are many sources of pharmaceuticals in drinking water, experts believe. Hospitals, pharmacies, clinics and people like you and I often dispose of drugs that are no longer wanted or needed by flushing them down the sink or toilet. Some 40 percent of the antibiotics manufactured in the US are used as growth stimulants for livestock, and their manure might well be a source of drugs in tap water. Leaking septic tanks are another possible source.

Increasing numbers of communities across the country are setting up ways for consumers to return pharmaceuticals for disposal, often by incineration. It’s still not clear if incineration is better for the environment than the slow seepage from a landfill, cautions the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

But as an imperfect, compromise solution, it’s believed that wrapping up unneeded drugs and placing them in the garbage is much better than flushing them.

So early in 2009, Fish and Wildlife will team with the American Pharmacists Association for a drug disposal campaign. The plan is to advise us all to mix unwanted drugs with used cat litter, then put the mixture in the garbage. That’s to discourage dumpster digging by drug addicts.

What we can do about drugs in tap water

Since nobody knows what the danger is from drugs in tap water, it makes sense to be cautious, but not extreme. The long-known hazards to drinking water — pollution from insecticides and weed killers, lead and PCBs — are at least as important a concern. So here are some practical things you can do:

1. Skip the bottled water. At a cost ranging from just under a dollar (for cheap gallon jugs at the supermarket, guaranteed to be just tap water anyway) up to $10 a gallon, it’s the world’s worst and most expensive answer to drugs in tap water. More than 80 percent of the bottles end up in landfills; chemicals leach from the plastic bottle into the water and may affect our health; and the petroleum used to make bottles in the US would fuel about 100,000 cars each year.

2. Don’t flush unneeded drugs down the toilet. If you can, turn them in to a local collection center to be disposed of, often by incineration. Or dump them into used kitty litter before disposing of it. If you don’t have a cat, just do the best you can by wrapping the drugs and disposing of them with the rest of your garbage, in this case, the yuckier the garbage, the better.

3. Don’t use deodorants or other personal care items containing the antibiotic triclosan.

4. If you can afford it, consider organic meats, raised without a diet of antibiotics.

5. Consider a quality home water filter. Then bottle your own water if you wish. Use a glass container or one of a few water bottles on the market that aren’t plastic. Water from the best home filters will typically cost a few pennies a gallon.

Dan

Clawfoot Bathtub Repair and Bathtub Refinishing

Posted on by Scott
Debra Atkins

If you have a bathtub or have found an antique clawfoot bathtub and the enamel is in bad shape or the tub is cracked, it can now be made to look like brand new. The process of bathtub refinishing will allow even the color the tub to be changed. The process of bathtub repair will allow for the chips and cracks to be repaired to an almost new look also.

After using the tubs for a period of fifteen to twenty years the enamel can become dull and porous making it hard to clean and even still looking like it needs cleaning after you just cleaned. Also the style several years ago was to have the colored bathtub and sinks in the bathroom. If you are thinking or removing and replacing the sinks and tubs for either reason, consider the process of bathtub refinishing. The color of the bathtubs can be changed to almost any color scheme you may need. One of the good points of the refinishing is the fact it can usually be done in one day. Also with the fact the sink and tub do not have to be removed from the bathroom. This not only will save time but a large amount of money. No need to purchase the new sink or tub, hire a plumber, carpenter or a painter just to name a few of the expanses that you would not have to now pay for.

If you have found one of the antique clawfoot bathtubs the refinishing can be done but the process is a little bit different. The outside of the tubs really are made out of cast iron. Even if the cast iron clawfoot bathtub has been abused or left outside for years, chances are it can still be saved and refinished to look better then a new tub. After years of neglect, the outside of the tub will probably need to be sandblasted. This will remove any rust, dirt, grim or whatever from the outside. This will leave it pitted so it will be filled in and sanded to a very smooth surface. Then your choice or color will be applied. The enamel on the inside of the tub will be refinished also. This can be done to either match or contrast with the outside color. So no need to worry about your colors, almost anything is possible.

Do not forget the actual claw feet. They can also be refinished to complete the fresh, new look. Even if you do not need the whole tub refinished, the process of bathtub repair can fix the chips or a crack . The amazing thing is the way the professionals can match almost any color to repair the tub in a way most people will not even be able to spot the repair.

Jenny

You Can Learn How To Tile A Shower That Won’t Leak

Posted on by Scott
Alan Bullington

You can learn how to tile a shower like many others have done.  The shower is usually done first in a bathroom since it involves the most cuts.  The real key to getting a tile shower right is the shower floor.  But there are some basics that must be right on the other surfaces too.

The shower floor is more than meets the eye.  That’s because water seeps right through the tile and grout on the floor.  That’s why some kind of waterproof layer must be in the pan.  Many times a tile ready shower pan is used that is designed for tile to be installed right over it.  Now this isn’t an acrylic pan like you see at a building supply house.  It’s a special pan.

Now the traditional shower pan is built on the job using layers of masonry and a special drain.  It’s a special drain because it has two levels of drain holes.  The lower level catches water from a waterproof vinyl layers that’s built in to the masonry pan.  That’s the trick to a pan that doesn’t leak, the waterproof vinyl layer and the special drain.

Once the tile floor is done, working lines are marked on the back wall and the sides.  Spread adhesive on the walls and then apply tile.  Install tile from back to front so cut tiles are in the front and hidden in the corners.

If you want to tile the ceiling this is usually done before the walls.  The ceiling tiles will usually stick without support.  If not, support each course with a piece of plywood supported by 2×4′s.

Building the curb is another project.  The curb can be formed with wood or brick.  The curb is then trimmed out as part of the finish trim out work.  Grout work is done after the tile adhesive is dried.  Then some careful caulking is completed.  Especially important is caulking in corners and between the pan and the walls.

You can learn how to tile a shower.  The shower pan construction is the most challenging part and it’s often left to the pros.  That’s partly because the shower pan is something of a mystery.  That special drain and the waterproof membrane properly installed is the key to getting it right.  The best way to really learn how to do this is to watch a shower pan being built.

You can get access to video tutorials showing how to tile a shower the professional way including how to tile shower walls and put in accessories too.

Al Bullington invites you to visit http://InstallingCeramicTile.net for answers to your tile questions.

Charlene

Acrylic Bathtubs for Kids

Posted on by Scott
Jane Worthington

Are you looking for a new bathtub? Many people are upgrading their older homes rather than moving right now, because the housing market is rather dismal for sellers. So why not upgrade the older house so it feels like new! If you have kids, your best bet would be acrylic bathtubs, because they are less expensive than whirlpool or cast iron tubs, and they are great for safety. With whirlpool tubs, there are more things that can break, and these tubs really aren’t made for children. Acrylic or fiberglass bath tubs are better if you are installing a new fixture in their bathroom, for a couple of reasons.

Acrylic bathtubs are easier to install than their heavier cast iron counterparts or models with whirlpool jets. Although beautiful, cast iron tubs are extremely heavy, and you have to make sure that your bathroom can support their weight before you bring one home. If you are putting your tub in a second story bathroom, you don’t want one this heavy to lug upstairs either. If your kids are going to be using the bathtub and it’s made of light acrylic or fiberglass, it’s much easier to get up the stairs and you won’t have the sharper edges of a cast iron model.

Whirlpool tubs tend to be much heavier than standard bathtubs made of acrylic as well, and when you have kids, you don’t need all the massage jets, headrest pillows, etc. that come with a whirlpool bathtub. Kids may enjoy spending time in a whirlpool tub on occasion for fun, but a daily session isn’t something they’ll appreciate. Kids don’t really care about a fancy bathtub, they usually just plop down in the bathtub and start playing with their toys or the bubbles. Whirlpool bathtubs are also harder to install than acrylic tubs with all their bells and whistles, which just isn’t necessary when it’s a bathing space for your kids. If you want a bathtub that’s easy to clean, safe, and inexpensive, then acrylic or fiberglass is the material you need.

So if you want to upgrade your kids’ bathroom but don’t want to spend a fortune, then acrylic bathtubs are the way to go. You’ll save money and hassle, and your new tub will make your bathroom look great!

Jennifer

Finding the Right Bathtub for Your Unique Bathroom

Posted on by Scott
Jane Worthington

There are so many types of bathtubs out there, the choices can be overwhelming. If you are looking for a new tub for your bathroom, then here are few ideas about how to find the right one for you. There are bathtubs for every function and interior design, so you can narrow down what you’re looking for and not find yourself with too many choices and no idea about what will work for you. It’s so much easier to shop if you know exactly what you’re looking for! Here are the bathtub basics for you:

1. Freestanding bathtubs – This style of bathtub is one that stands independently in your bathroom, and is not built into any of the walls. These bathtubs tend to take up the most floor space, so you usually need to have a fairly large bathroom to accommodate the size of these bathtubs. Because of their size, they often tend to be the focal point of a bathroom, and if you pick a beautiful freestanding bathtub, you can design the whole bathroom around it. Contrary to popular belief, there are free standing tubs in modern styles as well as old fashioned ones. You may only think of clawfoot tubs and antique styles with the free standing style, but there are contemporary designs for this style of bathtub as well for you to choose from.

2. Built in bathtubs – These tubs are usually built into the side of a wall or into a corner to maximize space in a bathroom. If you have a smaller bathroom, then this type of bathtub would be a good choice for you, and depending on your floor plan, you can pick the built-in model that will work in your bathroom. You can find built in tubs in many different styles and in almost every color you can imagine. Built in bathtubs are very popular in modern homes, but remember that they will require more of an installation process than freestanding bathtubs.

3. Whirlpool bathtubs –You can find whirlpool tubs in built in or freestanding designs because manufacturers know that these tubs are in demand. Adding massage jets is a very popular and luxurious trend in the bath world, and many homeowners who upgrade their old bathrooms want to add this feature to their new bath tub. If you are going to the trouble of remodeling your bathroom, don’t be shy about asking for this upgrade, because a whirlpool tub will make bathing a luxurious experience for you everyday.

Jason

What you should Know About Bathroom Renovation

Posted on by Scott
Cornelius Russo

Bathroom Renovation

If you Are feeling like you are prepared for a new bathroom or you need to update what you have there are many concepts that you should run through. Any concepts are good but it also a smart idea to out them all down on paper that way your contractor will know what your are thinking about. Many things can be done to your bathroom to spruce it up from adding a mirror to changing the color of the paint.

If you happen to be changing the door a pocket door doesn’t require a wide arc to be opened. This will give you some added room in you bathroom. If it is added space you are looking for you need to get rid of your loo closets, all you toilet should need are shelves hanging on the walls and perhaps a few hooks to hang whatever you might need to hang.

When changing the paint color you should go with a lighter color like whites or cream colors. By doing this it’ll appear as the toilet had opened up. These lighter colors are better then dark colors because dark colors give a closed in cavern like feeling. If you hang heaps of mirrors in your bathroom it gives an illusion as thought the loo is larger then it is. The more mirrors that you hang the more space it would appear that you have.

If you are looking into having an entire toilet restoration the you should look into putting in a stand up shower. Stand up showers that sit in the corner are the best choice because they are going to give you some extra floor space.

Whatever it is that you choose to do to for your bog renovation if it is going to be a bigger refurbishment plan in advance and write in down on paper. Another good thing to do is to hire a professional to do the confusing work.

.

Tina

Locating and Fixing Leaks

Posted on by Scott
Jo Harris

Leaking joints or leaking pipes are the common plumbing problems which you can solve yourself.

Locating the Leak

Before you start to look out for solution, first locate the leak – the source of problem. It is always the leak where you see a puddle of water or dripping off water. It may be somewhere high in the plumbing configuration. For instance leak may be present in the drainpipe of the overhead sink and you get a puddle in the basement. To locate the leak, try to hear the sound of water to reach the source. A listen device may help you here as it amplifies the sound. If the water is dripping from the ceiling or staining it, the source of leakage is above it. If you see a stained wall, then leakage is there in the section of the pipe. Sometimes it becomes difficult to trace the leak if there is no stain or dripping of water.

Fixing the Leak

After you have located the leak, turn off the water supply immediately, which is most important in case of major leakage. You can do it either at the main shut-off valve or the fixture shut-off valve. Now you may need to replace the damaged portion of the pipe. The chance is you may not be that experienced at plumbing job, so in that case, you need to call a plumber to do this. But until the pipe gets replaced, you can use temporary solution to stop small leaks. Remember, these solutions are for small leaks only.

Tighten the joint if the leak is at a joint. To temporarily stop the leakage, you can go for a pipe patch. You may purchase a patch kit for plumbing leaks from a hardware store. You can also make one at home using a piece of heavy rubber and hose clamp. You can also use a rubber pad and two plates which can be bolt together. Just place the piece of rubber over the leak in the pipe and tighten it placing metal plates over it. These metal plates compress the rubber. If the pipe is otherwise sound, this method can solve this leakage problem for long.

Another efficient but temporary solution is wrapping the waterproof tape over the leaking spot or you can close the leaking hole by rubbing the special compound. Other alternatives are inserting a self-tapping plug or applying epoxy tape. Before applying all these methods to fix the leaks, just make sure that pipe is dry.

For major leaks, only replacement of a pipe is the right solution. And it would be better if you don’t try to do it yourself.

Leigh

Shower repair

Posted on by Scott
Linda Greey

A faulty shower may not always be concerned with bad washers or worn out seals. It is sometimes a problem that is deep seated and must be attended by a professional shower repair service.

When you encounter a case of a bad shower faucet, you may like to take a planned course of action. The following tips and warnings may help.

When trying to stop the leak using gasket or seal, it is better to replace all the seals and gaskets at that time.
You must use the help of a hardware store when you are not very well-versed with the replacement parts for shower repairs, more specifically your shower type.
If you are not confident about plumbing your shower leak yourself, it is advisable to seek the help of a professional service to get the repairs done.

Attending to shower repairs in time is important because it may lead to a lot of water wastage. Water wastage must be a matter of concern to you because it means you may have to face one or more of the following aftermaths:

You may face an increase in your water bill.
The leaking shower would result in water seeping into the walls. In certain cases, it may result in water absorbed into the wood work and/or come in contact with the carpet in the bathroom.
The wastage of water is not earth-friendly, especially in view of the imposing global warming warnings.

Look for a professional help immediately as and when you come across a leak in your shower. You can visit http://www.affordableshowerrepairs.com.au

to find a professional shower repair service that gives you quality services for an affordable price.

Pam