How to Update Your Bathroom
One of the things that says you like to take care of guests in your home is the quality of your bathrooms. Not only do people want privacy and cleanliness, but they appreciate an ambiance and at atmosphere that suggests you've thought of everything around your home. For the do-it-yourselfer, the bathroom also presents some interesting challenges in and of itself.
For one, you have to work with plumbing when you're updating a bathroom. This is in addition to the rest of the work, including cabinets, floors, and walls. But if you follow a detailed plan, follow through with it, and are willing to adapt to obstacles, you might just be able to update your bathroom efficiently. Here are some steps for doing just that.
1. If you don't have experience, don't start with the bathroom. The bathroom is not exactly do-it-yourselfer rookie territory. As has been mentioned, issues like plumbing are combined with electricity and upholstery in order to make a perfect storm of difficulty for the first-time homeowner. If you want a new bathroom, you simply might think about hiring a contractor. At the very least, don't make updating your bathroom your first project. Start with your basement - where you can at least start from scratch - and build up your experience. You'll be glad you did.
2. Seek out some professional advice. One of the most important things you can do when updating a bathroom is not to treat it like it's your own personal pet project. Make it a community effort - listen to your spouse's take on the look of the bathroom and be willing to get some consultation from a contractor, or even outsource some of the work that you can't handle, like the plumbing. Remember that there's no shame in not doing it all yourself - if someone asks how you did it, you can be perfectly honest. Don't get caught up in your own ideas so much that you forget why you're doing this in the first place.
3. Measure twice, cut once. The old adage "measure twice, cut once" also applies to bathrooms: make sure that your preparations are clear and definitive. You'll want to be as thorough as possible. But don't let exhaustive preparations become a reason for you to forget actually following through on your blueprints. Get to work after you've "measured twice," and set a schedule for yourself. If you get behind, at least be willing to work on it a little bit every day so that you can keep your momentum going.
Photo Credits: brooklyn
Originally posted 2009-07-28 08:00:10.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 18, 2010 in
Bathroom, Handyman, How to Fix
Get Rid of Rust
When it comes to the bathroom, there's nothing we want to see in there except anything that's brightly-colored. Yellows, greens, rusts, and especially browns are often strictly forbidden in many peoples' bathrooms. So when a rust color starts appearing in your toilet and you can't simply clean it off with a quick swipe of the toilet brush, you know you've got a rust problem - and it needs to go away quickly. So how exactly do you do that? Well, luckily, you've come to the right place: here you'll find out how to get rid of those pesky stains once and for all.
First, you'll have to check your own home for rust remover. If you live by yourself and don't remember buying any, you'll probably want to head to the local hardware store or appropriate retail outlet to buy a rust remover. Don't assume that your ordinary, around-the-kitchen cleaners will work in removing this rust. Instead, make sure that you know you have something that works.
What works? Well, you can start with a dedicated product like Shaw's Pads. What are these pads? They're simple cleaning devices made specifically for eliminating the kinds of stains you're facing in your toilet or bathtub. The web site may not look like much, but hey - if it works, it works.
There are other products available that can help remove the stains in your toilet. Look for a "Pumice stick" at your hardware store. All you do is take the stick and rub it against the stain, working up a "paste" that will help you clean off the stain, which you can then simply flush down the toilet.
Perhaps what's important in addressing toilet stains is what you don't do. The solutions to a toilet stain are relatively simple once you know them; but if you don't know how to fix them, you'll want to do your research first! Since this article has started you off in the right direction, you should have a better idea of how to eliminate those pesky toilet rust stains. Feel free to eliminate rust stains on similar bathroom fixtures like sinks and bath tubs, as well.
Remember, home improvement doesn't necessarily start with the tools; it starts with your knowledge. The more you know about what works and what doesn't, the quicker and safer your repairs will be.
Photo Credits: Fermion
Originally posted 2009-10-02 03:45:03.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 15, 2010 in
Bathroom, home repair, toilet
Cold showers?
If you're like me, you don't particularly like that first few minutes of taking a shower when the water is running and you're waiting for it to warm up. You'd rather simply jump right in, not waste any water, and get the shower over with so you can move on with your day. If you're sick of wasting water and wasting time - even if it's just a few minutes, a quick fix on your cold shower head can improve the quality of your life. Even if it's just those few minutes each day!
Here are a few tips to fixing that cold shower head and getting your next shower to be warm in an instant.
- Take a shower after you use water elsewhere. If you're really short on ideas but need to take a quick, warm shower, try this: shower in "batches." That is, take a shower right after someone else in the morning. Their usage of the water will ensure that it's warm for you right away, and you'll be able to climb right in without missing a beat. Just make sure that you don't wait at the door until they're finished! (One note: You don't only have to wait until someone else takes a shower. If someone is using hot water from the same water heater your shower uses, keep in mind that it could be a great time to take a shower if you need it.
- Install a tankless water heater. If you want to spend a few bucks so you don't have to wait until someone else has used hot water, but you don't want to break your bank account, either, try and install a tankless water heater. What is a tankless water heater? Quite simply, they are water heaters that work locally to cover some of your bathrooms - in other words, it's a water heater that doesn't heat up your whole house. This can be great for bathrooms if you have a family that needs hot water in the mornings but at different times. It's also less expensive than simply purchasing an entirely new water heater.
Like so many aspects of home improvement, fixing your cold shower head starts by looking at your problem from its cause. You really can enjoy hotter showers if you use a little imagination and get proactive with your home improvement.
Photo Credits: sburke2478
Originally posted 2009-10-06 03:04:02.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 3, 2010 in
Bathroom, Shower, home repair
Basement Upgrading FAQs
If you've ever dreamt about owning that "dream basement" in which you have your buddies over to watch the game on an expensive high-definition TV while they drink and partake of snacks at the bar, then you've probably looked at your crusty old basement and imagined what you could do with it. Chances are that if you're reading this article, you've finally decided that it's time to take action and turn those dreams into a reality. That's why this article will address some basic basement upgrading FAQs (frequently asked questions) to help you get started.
- Should I get a contractor?
Depends on what you want to do. If you want to do a lot to your basement, then you're going to want a contractor. At some point, there will probably be a part of the job that you simply aren't able to handle. Some people will even install new bathrooms in their basement, and since they don't have plumbing experience, they'll have to outsource that part of the work. Don't worry about outsourcing - it's part of any new project, and it's how most businesses work. It will help improve the quality of your basement in the end.
- Will I need a permit for anything?
I can't speak as to the local laws in your area, but there's a good chance that any major upgrades you make will have to fall under "permit" status or at least be in line with city or town codes. Make sure that before you try anything, you're aware of the kind of laws on the books. You can have a contractor give you an estimate for the basement job, and they'll be able to clue you in on the types of permits or permissions you might have to obtain in order to upgrade your basement. This doesn't always mean that it will be a long process, but the sooner you can get it out of the way, the better.
- What about basement moisture?
While you're dreaming of the bar you can install and the TV you'll be watching, one of the largest issues you'll have to address in your basement upgrade is actually basement moisture. You have to make sure that you have the systems in place to keep the basement dry as it needs to be - this will help keep wood in great status and prevent people who have allergies from having a reaction. This will definitely help you improve the quality of life in your basement, so make sure to consult a contractor on drainage and moisture removal.
Originally posted 2009-07-17 03:30:54.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on June 26, 2010 in
Basement, Handyman, How to Fix
How to Save Space In Your Bathroom
Let's face it: when most people build houses, having a luxurious, gigantic bathroom or series of bathrooms isn't always the highest priority. For most people, building a house is about efficiency: and setting aside square footage simply to have more tiles near the toilet isn't the way to achieve that. Others might disagree and say that a good bathroom is worth the expense, but if you want to have an open bathroom and efficiency, you'll probably want to learn how to save space.
Bathrooms can be a bit clumsy and small - if you want to squeeze as much ambiance in them as you can, it's time to learn how to save space where you can. That's why this article will tell you exactly how to achieve that.
- Install over-the-door towel bars.
Making room for the towel bar (or even a towel cabinet, in some cases) can be a little difficult. If your walls are close together, you might want to look elsewhere to hang your towels: on the door itself. Hanging your towels on the door will potentially put a little distance between your towels and your shower, but that doesn't mean you can't simply pick up a towel on your towel bar and place it near the shower. These towel bars can be easy to mount; just make sure that your floors aren't slippery when you walk from door to shower!
- Think vertically.
When we think about space, we usually think in two-dimensional terms: the floor goes north, south, east, and west. But what about up and down? You can create more efficiency by looking at the different things you can stack in your bathroom. Do you have too many appliances scattered on your counter? Buy a mini-cabinet that stores them upward, creating more available countertop space. A combination bath/shower is also efficient, which is why many people love to have those installed in their bathrooms, as well.
- What can you remove?
Sometimes, efficiency isn't about adding more; it's about cutting the fat. If you've been putting up with a bathroom that has cabinets way out in space, you might simply consider removing them and replacing them with more efficient, space-saving cabinets. Look around your bathroom and ask yourself what else you can remove: towel bars, shelves, and unnecessary decorations come to mind.
Remember that saving space in your bathroom isn't always about physics; it's about what you can imagine. Try to keep your mind open, see new perspectives, and ask yourself what you would do to save space if someone forced you to do it. You might find that the new efficiency helps you in the long run.
Originally posted 2009-08-05 03:30:56.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 28, 2010 in
Bathroom, Handyman, How to Fix
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