DIY Home Improvement Tips » Bathroom

Bathroom Remodeling Tips on a Budget

James Halpert — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:19:27 +0000

DIY bathroom remodeling projects can be a great way to add value to your home, with the struggling economy people are less likely to move and more likely to remodel and repair the house they currently own. The first thing you need to do is determine a step by step process you are going to take in fixing up your bathroom. If you have a second bathroom you can gut the bathroom you are remodeling without having to worry about not having a place to shower or use the restroom.

After gutting your bathroom, look around for any mold or mildew. For small spots you can usually kill it with a bleach/water solution. If it is a large amount the drywall should be removed, and if it is on the wood it should be scraped off (while wearing proper safety equipment) and cleaned with the bleach/water solution. Read more about black mold removal.

Plan for all the material needed for phase one of the re-build. Make a small scaled diagram and go to your local home improvement store and pick out and purchase all required materials.

After this, you are ready to start the construction on the space . Once everything is back together you can then pick out your bathroom design items such as paint colors, shelves, fixtures and bathroom furniture. This also includes bathroom area rugs, toilet skirts and tank covers.

You can save a significant amount of money if you buy your bathroom accessories and fixtures online, there are endless amounts of choices and you can get some great deals. I bought everything except my elongated toilet online, the toilet was an important piece in my bathroom and I wanted to ensure everything was perfect with it so I bought it locally.

After you project is finished you should evaluate the project and make notes of where you may have went wrong so the next time you remodel you don’t make the same mistakes.

You should also take pictures for insurance reasons in the event of fire or natural disaster. That way you have records of the bathroom remodel and the associated costs for replacement value.

Bathroom Flooring: What Not to Do

James Halpert — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:58:21 +0000

Bathrooms are one of the most difficult places to buy flooring for as well as one of the most difficult places to install flooring with all the intricate cutting required around fittings and plumbing. Here are three essentials to avoid when it comes to bathroom flooring:

1. Avoid Carpet

The bathroom is a place where you are often in bare feet but it is better to avoid carpet. Although carpet would be the most comfortable flooring it is not resistant to water damage and it will quickly get dirty. If you have carpet around a toilet it is likely that hygiene is not up to scratch because carpet is impossible to keep as clean as hard flooring. If you do choose to have carpet be sure to use a rug around the base of the toilet which can be frequently washed and a bath rug for mopping up excess water when you get out of the bath or shower.

2. Avoid Slippery Surfaces

The bathroom floor can get very wet and this means that you can easily slip and hurt yourself. This matters however old you are but be particularly careful if the bathroom will be used by young children or the elderly especially those who are infirm or unsteady on their feet. The easiest way to combat this problem is to use non-slip or slip-resistant floor tiles or vinyl. You will find tiles which are made especially for bathrooms and you can also buy non-slip rubber mats if you already have a floor where this is an issue.

3. Avoid Hardwood

Although hardwood flooring looks beautiful it should not be used in a bathroom as it is a natural material which can be damaged by water. If you like the look of a solid hardwood floor your only alternative would be to install quality laminate to get that look. Some laminates are made for bathroom use but you need to check the label to make sure before buying as a lot of cheap laminate flooring is not resistant to water damage.

Improving Your Bathroom Lighting

James Halpert — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:21:42 +0000

Although most of use the bathroom strictly for certain needs, a quick visit in a specialized store or a simple search on the Internet can easily turn it into an extended time of relaxation of course, if the room has a welcoming design. Bathroom light fixtures are as important as they are in any room. Besides the ceiling lamp, use spotlights or wall lamps to illuminate important areas. You can give the bathroom mirror an elegant look by placing wall lamps on both sides of it.

If you want to give your bathroom a modern look, try looking for a modern bathroom vanity light! The Amazon site offers you hundred of products. My eyes were stolen by a lamp with 2 bulbs spaces, made of opal beige glass. If your bathroom is decorated in warm colors, I recommend it to you! It costs $77. I know you may think it is a little bit too much, but it will be looking great on your bathroom’s wall or ceiling. If you decide to buy one, you will see that is made from a solid material and its simple construction will help to be easily installed.

Do you have a spacious bathroom and you want to give it a special air? Then choose a ceiling lamp which also has 5 blades to add freshness to the air. It has 4 spaces for bulbs made of mat glass. The advantage is that if you want, you can use this product only for refreshing the air or only for lightning. At first sight, it seems complicated to install such a lamp, but you will realize how easy and how simple a lamp like this can be mounted on your bathroom ceiling. The air in this room will be always fresh because those 5 blades are doing their job properly. Don’t worry! When those blades are spinning, you don’t hear any noise. You’ll see that once you mount this product in the bathroom, you will want to install this type of lamp in your entire house!

What do you do when you want to have a shower but you also need a powerful light to illuminate your bath tub? Technology has advanced so, with $23.99 you can buy a mirror with 2 spotlights and a clock to mount it on the wall where your bath tub is fixed. But you can also mount it above your bathroom sink. Spots have a big power, so they can cover up to 60% of the room area. One of its most important advantages is that you will never see fog on it. Be careful with its installation system because the suction cups may not be very strong and if they are not strong, the mirror can fall and break. You must fit it on a surface covered with tile and not with plastic, because on plastic does not stick.

Amounts can be fabulous for some lightning products. They can go up to thousands of dollars, but considering that a man spends a minimum of 250 hours per year in the bathroom, the comfort is most important, isn’t it?

Replacing a Kitchen or Bathroom Sink

James Halpert — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:30:36 +0000

Replacement of a kitchen or bathroom sink basically boils down to shopping for a new one that will fit without much alteration. Modern kitchen and bathroom sinks offer unique or more elegant installations. Unless you want to replace an entire countertop or vanity, stick to shopping for basic styles of sinks that offer traditional installations. Replacing a old sink with a new one of the same size and installation is quite simple. Begin by shutting down the water and disconnecting all of the plumbing. Removal of an old sink may take some prying and even scraping in order to get it out. Once the old sink is out of the way, the area will need to be cleaned of all debris including any adhesive or sealant that was left behind. Allow the area to dry well before you begin to install the new sink. Also, do a test fit of the new sink prior to beginning the installation.

Installing a new sink that fits is easy as long as you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Some sinks are ready to be fitted with the plumbing while others require that you create holes for the type of plumbing you currently have. Install the faucets before you seal the sink. Once the sealant is applied, you will only have enough time to set it in place before it starts the drying process. The sealant should be applied to the bottom edge of the new sink. Place the sink in its designated position and press down. Allow the seal to completely dry before you begin to fasten the sink from below and never install the drains until the sink is securely in place.

Finally, once everything is secure in place and all of the plumbing has been installed you can then turn the water back on to check for leaks. Kitchen sinks are likely to spring a leak when the plumbing is moved around so check closely and make adjustments to remedy the leaks. Fill the kitchen sink with water to make sure the drains are functioning properly. A leaky drain is easily fixed by replacing the seal. Seals are fairly inexpensive and worth changing out once in a while anyway. If you are having trouble taking care of leak you, turn off the water and contact a professional plumber. Seals, washers, and caulking wear away with time. Many times the movement alone of the plumbing can cause problems so it is definitely wise to contact a professional who can fix and check for any other problems in the area. As much as we try to do on our own, some things are simply better left to the professionals especially if you want to avoid spending more time and money repairing a problem that could have been prevented.

Low Flow Shower Head Benefits

James Halpert — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:18:35 +0000

A low flow shower head can reduce your shower water consumption by almost half. Clean water is a resource that many Americans simply take for granted. Very little thought is placed to the processes by which water must go before it arrives in each of out homes. Low flow rain shower head systems are considered the most efficient because they distribute the water in a slow fashion while still offering plenty of coverage. Low flow double shower head systems also work well because they provide water flow from multiple directions. Most states have already changed their new construction requirements to include low flow faucets, shower heads, and toilets. If you live in an older home, switching out old plumbing is not that difficult to do and the investment is well worth the amount of money it can save you each month and the benefits that water conservation has on our planet.

Water that flows through your shower head is measured in GPM or gallons per minute. Manufacturers of plumbing products are required by law to indicate the GPM or flow rate of water directly on the packing of a product. Look for products that specifically state a flow rate that is somewhere between 1.00 and 2.00 GPMs. For example, a hand held shower head that has a 1.59 GPM rating is an excellent investment because not only is the flow midrange, the shower head is moveable so you can pinpoint the flow directly where it is needed. Another great way to cut down on water consumption is to purchase a showerhead that contains a water release valve. The valve can be turned off while you are soaping and then turned back on when you are ready to rinse.

Low flow plumbing does have its downfalls. For instance, you don’t want to take a shower when water is being used someplace else in the house. The small amount of water flow will greatly decrease if someone flushes the toilet or turns on the dishwasher. Be very careful not to get scolded when the water pressure drops even more. When shopping for low flow plumbing fixtures, only purchase toilets, faucets, and showerheads that contain a water saving rating. The market is full of choices in size, style, materials, and finishes. Finding one that will fit in well with other plumbing or decorative features should not be a problem. Look online for more information about low flow products and water saving tips that can put more money in your pocket while also reducing your family’s impact on the environment.

Upgrading Bathroom Vanities, Sinks, and Cabinetry

James Halpert — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:51:21 +0000

Bathroom vanities come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, materials, colors, and installations. Vessels sinks are probably the most modern and popular style around which requires that you install the sinks above the vanity counter. If you plan to keep your existing bathroom vanity cabinets then all you really need to look for is a more modern sink that can fit the existing counter. Sinks can be installed from above or underneath the counter depending on which type of sink you prefer. If you want to change the number of sinks or mount style of your existing bathroom vanity all you really need to do is switch out the countertop. Extra sinks will however, require additional plumbing but the extra convenience and functionality is well worth the investment. Another alternative is to change out the entire bathroom vanity unit including sinks, cabinetry, faucets, mirror, and many times the light fixtures too.

Changing out entire bathroom vanity units is probably the most ambitious of all bathroom remodels but the overall impact will be quite dramatic. Modern bathroom vanities are smaller but way more elegant in design. The sinks are beautifully crafted in materials that are incredibly attractive like granite, glass, stainless steel, copper, and ceramic. Natural stone seems to be a popular choice because no two sinks are identical and the natural tones allow homeowners to bring in other earth tones into the wall color, linens, and floor treatments.

The home improvement market is full of choices when it comes to sinks and bathroom vanity cabinet styles so deciding which one works best for your bathroom will take some thought about the style and function that will best fit your vanity needs. Many times the decision will come down to budget restrictions which is not a problem but you will have to do a little more searching to get the vanity you want at the price you need. There are many online sites selling sinks and vanities. Compare pricing, materials, and styles between the various vendors in order to determine how much your money can really get you toward getting the new bathroom look and function you have always dreamed of.

Maintaining a Hot Tub to Protect Your Investment

James Halpert — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:57:04 +0000

Having a hot tub in your home is many times a dream come true but with it comes a whole new set of responsibilities which most people just aren’t ready to tackle. In many ways, the maintenance is similar to that of a fish tank. If left unattended for too long, things start to grow inside and it causes unhealthy water conditions, filter blockage, and even damage to the mechanics. The most important thing you can do to ensure the longevity of your indoor or outdoor spa or tub is to keep it completely covered year round unless it is being used. Hot tub covers typically come with your purchase but can be purchased separately if needed. Covered hot tubs are less likely to break because debris is the number one cause of maintenance related issues. If you do need to purchase a hot tub cover, the expensive is well worth the savings of hundreds of dollars on maintenance that could have easily been prevented.

Portable hot tub units are more likely to be damaged than permanent ones so if you are trying to decide between the two, it is highly recommended that you choose a permanent unit even if it costs more to purchase. Permanent tubs are made of materials that are more durable and they stay put once they are installed which reduced damage that can be caused from moving the unit around to different areas of the home or property. Maintenance of tubs and outdoor spas are costly because of the labor involved in fixing them. The spa and hot tub parts are not necessarily expensive but the expertise and labor involved in fixing even minor problems can be quite costly.

There are many things you need to constantly upkeep when you own a tub or spa including testing the water periodically for things like chlorine, bromine, alkalinity, and pH levels. Test strips are cheap to buy and knowing the level of these chemicals is highly important. Tubs also need shock treatments similar to pools which maintain the correct chemical levels in the water. Chemicals are needed to kill bacteria and fungus which cause sickness in people. Filters need to be checked and emptied according to the manufacturer’s specific instructions. If you have any questions, contact the company or check their website for more information.

Installing Proper Bathroom Light Fixtures

James Halpert — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:08:44 +0000

In many homes one single light fixture is responsible for illuminating an entire bathroom. Proper bathroom light fixtures are needed to conduct daily bathroom tasks quickly and efficiently. For instance, applying on makeup or brushing your hair requires enough lighting so you can see small details. There should be at least one bathroom light fixture providing illumination in the vanity or sink area. There are many different types of bathroom vanity light fixtures to choose from but not all will necessarily increase productivity. For example, a strip bathroom vanity light fixture is what most bathrooms contain but many times that fixture casts shadows in the space below. The market is full of fixtures that can fix this problem once and for all. Prior to shopping you will need to know what fixture to purchase and how it should be installed.

Modern bathroom design requires multiple fixtures that serve specific functions while also enhancing the beauty of the decor. The vanity, tub, and shower should each have lighting that can be adjusted to meet the specific function of each area. Light fixtures can also be used to bring out some of the most attractive areas of the bathroom including decorative items like art work and plants. Accent lighting offers the most versatility when it comes to adding illumination that will enhance the beauty of a bathroom design. There are many different types of accent light fixtures to choose from including small spot, recessed, hanging, and track lighting. Track lighting is probably the most versatile because each small light bulb can be directed to a different location thus maximizing the effectiveness of the fixture.

Most bathroom lighting fixtures should be operated with a dimmer so you can easily adjust the light according to the mood or function you are trying to accomplish. Some do not need the special feature. For instance, a bathroom vanity light fixture simply needs to function separately from all other fixtures so you can turn it on and off according to the task you are trying to complete.

Choosing Glass Bathroom Sinks to Fit Your Design Plan

James Halpert — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:08:30 +0000

Shopping for glass bathroom sinks can get a little overwhelming because there are so many unique sizes, styles, colors, and materials to choose from. Most glass sinks are called vessel sinks which means they are typically vessel mounted or installed to look as if they are floating on top of a vanity. There are however, many other types of glass sinks including vessels, under mounted, or over mounted. Typical shapes of a glass bathroom sink are round, oval, or square. Square is considered the most modern and unique thus it is also the most expensive to purchase. Most glass bathroom sinks are in fact hand-blown, fused, or mosaic which means they are made by expert craftsman and very unique in appearance. The choice does not have to difficult especially if you have already decided on the type of mount you prefer.

When changing out your existing sinks for one that is made of glass, you will need to measure the opening to ensure that you only look at the sizes that will fit your existing vanity or mount. Many times you will also have to switch out your bathroom sink faucets because most glass sinks are made to fit a unique type of faucet. If you want to keep your existing faucets you will definitely need to look for a glass sink that is designed specifically for that type of bathroom sink faucet. Ask for help at the store because some sinks can be quite versatile when it comes to the type of faucet installation they require. Small bathroom sinks can easily be switched out for glass because the opening is smaller thus it can fit many different sizes of glass bowl sinks as long as the installation is intended to look like floating bowls over the vanity.

The best and most unique types of sinks are typically made of glass because each will have unique characteristics depending on the manufacturing technique. For example, cold glass is creating under room temperature. Other methods use fire or a kiln to expand and shape the glass into a shape that is perfect for a sink.