Home-Improvement Articles
Major Repairs Of Bathroom Unit
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 819)
Share this article on: Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp
Bathroom and toilet officially speaking is a bathroom unit. A space it takes makes only 6-8% of the general flat area, but considering its importance it is out of competition. It is possible to imagine an apartment without any room or even without a kitchen (there is no kitchen as such in "studios", it is joined with the living room), but it is quite impossible to imagine an apartment without a bathroom unit. Major repairs of a bathroom unit is technically quite a difficult task, it is not a joke. You should leave this work only for highly skilled specialists.
At first, if a quality of mounting and finishing works can be checked by anyone (for example, a wall is curved, a window or a door does not close, or tiles are put roughly), then a quality of plumbing mounting, sewage and electrical systems you can't check.
And secondly, as a result of bad work your neighbours can be flooded, constantly clogged sewage system, short circuit failure in the electric wiring due to the contact with water and other serious problems.
We have already written a lot about floors, ceilings and walls, therefore I will remind you briefly that all the materials must be water proof, and there must be damp proofing on the floor. It is also very important to observe the geometry of your bathroom; otherwise it will be difficult to put tiles and to place sanitary equipment in a right way.
Electric wiring and electrical equipment.
A bathroom and a toilet impose the special requirements on everything that is related to electricity. An electrical equipment, used in a damp room, must have grounding, wiring must be three-wire (phase, zero, ground). Lamps, wall outlets, switches are used with the degree of protection.
Water supply and sewage system.
Steel, copper, metal-polymeric and polypropylene pipes are used for hot and cold water supply. PVC pipes are used for the sewage system. Water is cut off by ball stop valves. If plumbing specialist uses screw-thread connections, it is important not to brick them up in a wall to have an access to them. The welded connections of steel pipes must be grounded to avoid corrosion. It is necessary to put pre-filters on all water-pipes to avoid damages of expensive sanitary equipment. It is better to set filters with drainage, as it facilitates their service.
While connecting towel dryer "childish" error is the wrong supply of hot water.
If sanitary technician says that it is impossible to supply hot water to a towel dryer, trust him and set an electric towel dryer. Sewage-pipes are mounted with a slope of about 5% and if possible avoid corners of 90 degree. I strongly recommend buying all the pipes and sanitary engineering armature only of the known producers and preferably in the specialized shops.
Revisory access holes for the maintenance of plumbing-sewage system must not be too little, otherwise their purpose is lost and in case of some problems it will be necessary to break the walls.
All of these are basic moments of plumbing and sewage system mounting, and in general all of this must be the business of your sanitary technicians.
Let's discuss ventilation.
It is obligatory to mount drawing ventilation.
What should be considered when buying a ventilator? First of all it is its power, it must correspond to the size of a room, and second it is its noise (measured in decibels). Both descriptions are specified on a ventilator. Sanitary engineering equipment. Here we will discuss mixers, water heaters, ceramic bathroom fittings and etc.
For a shower and a bath pay attention to the models with a thermostat. There are two regulators in them. One regulates a temperature, and another regulates water pressure. To my mind, it is exceptionally convenient.
Pay attention to toilets flushing systems, which are wall mounted, and wall toilet sinks for them.
Electric water heaters. They are divided into running and storage. Running water heaters are smaller, but are more powerful, than storage ones. It can reach 16 kW. Having a lot of other electric devices in an apartment can create heavy load on your electric system.
Whether to have a spa or not - I will not advise anything, because a good bath is a very expensive thing and it's up to you to decide, whether to pay ?1000-?3000 for it.
I will only tell you, that connection of a spa does not differ from ordinary bath connection.
I hope that these information will help you during repair works, when buying materials and dealing with builders.
Central Vacuum Systems The Easy Healthy Solution
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 399)
Share this article on: Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp
According to the American Lung Association (ALA), 42.3 million Americans are affected by asthma and/or hay fever, generally triggered by allergies or airborne allergens such as pet dander, mold, pollen and dust mites. As a result, it is important to do everything possible to improve the air we breathe inside our homes, ventilation and cleanliness being two major factors that affect indoor air quality.
According to the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI), high-performance vacuum cleaners have a significant impact on improved indoor air quality. Vacuum cleaners also play a significant role in the life of your carpet, with certain vacuums removing and containing soil more effectively than others, helping the carpet last longer. CRI recognizes these vacuums with its Green Label Testing Program.
The Green Label Testing Program focuses on three key performance factors. First, vacuums must remove a set quantity of soil from carpet in four passes. Second, and perhaps most important to indoor air quality, is the vacuum's ability to contain dust. Vacuums must not release more than 100 micrograms of dust particles per cubic meter of air, taking into account dust released by the brush rolls and through the filtration bag. Lastly, the CRI tests the carpet appearance retention, as vacuums should minimally affect the appearance of a carpet over the course of a year.
Central vacuum systems capture dust, dirt and allergens without stirring up microscopic particles and re-emitting them into interior spaces. "Central vacuums are up to five times more powerful than normal portable vacuums and do not recirculate any particles back into the home," says Christian Reick-Mitrisin of Nutone.
NuTone Central Vacuum Systems are Green Label-certified and contain High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, meaning dust and bacteria are trapped better than ever before. Two different systems are available-bagged and cyclonic versions. The cyclonic version contains an easy-to-clean filter, which can be easily accessed through the door panel.
The bagged version contains the easy-on/easy-off snap-release bag change mechanism that closes the opening immediately upon removal, so what goes in stays in.
"NuTone Central Vacuum Systems are made of lightweight polymer designed to resist rust and dents," says Reick-Mitrisin. "The vacuum canisters also provide quiet cleaning because the power units contain an internal sound suppression system and are typically located in the garage, basement or utility room and not in the general living area."
How To Choose Curtains Or Blinds For Your Home
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 443)
Share this article on: Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp
The curtains or blinds of a window can make or break the interior design of any place, whether a house, an office or even a restaurant. Curtains and blinds can make homes look sophisticated and feel comfortable. It is thus important that people have an understanding of the importance of choosing the right curtains or blinds for their windows.
A change in the curtains or blinds of a window can make a difference in the total atmosphere of a home. Homeowners who are in a tight budget can fix up their windows and they can already get an instant change in their interiors at lesser cost.
Curtains and blinds are both aesthetic and functional because they keep the privacy of a home while improving its interior. It also keeps dust and prying eyes away from your home.
The type of curtain that should be placed in a window should match the interior design of a home. A classical home design calls for silky window curtains that can add elegance to the home. However, homeowners who prefer country style interiors should opt for curtains with flowery or other designs depicting the outdoors or the countryside.
The choice of curtain should also be influenced by the type of room where such curtains would be placed. A girl's window can be decorated with dainty curtains while a man's bedroom can be decorated with a no nonsense curtain that matches the color preference of the room occupant.
There various curtain designs to choose from depending on the preferences of the homeowner. There are unlined curtains; hourglass curtains and no sew curtains. The homeowner can also choose form a variety of colors and design for the curtains.
However, a homeowner can choose the right curtains but ruin the overall effect if the window is left dusty and unkempt. It is important to keep windows clean and free of dust before adorning them with curtains or blinds. It should be noted that curtains can attract dust and other allergens so better make sure they are regularly replaced and washed,
For those who have allergies, the best way to decorate windows is through the use of vinyl blinds. Vinyl blinds are not as susceptible to keeping dust as long as they are wiped with a clean cloth daily. Like curtains, there are various types of vinyl blinds to choose from. There are vertical blinds and there are horizontal blinds. You can also have your windows fitted for the exact blind size.
Whatever kind of window treatment you choose to install, make sure that it serves its purpose, both functional and artistic.
Designing With Color
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 323)
Share this article on: Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp
The use of color is also something very personal. It stimulates our senses, power our mood, and helps create a particular ambiance. How we respond to an individual color depends on our nature, extroverts tend to feel happy with bold colors, while introverts prefer more passive colors. Through using specific combinations of color, combined with a careful consideration of simple color schemes is often the most effective.
Try not to use more than one or two principal colors in a room, as well as a contrasting or balancing tone. The best way to choose a background color for the room is to trial with a palette of different shades and tones, in combination with the color and textures of the furniture and materials. Remember the general color schemes of a home have to be in agreement. The walls define the space in a room, while the colors, to a large degree, define the mood.
Colored light, furnishing materials, and structural proportions, we can create a home that is welcoming, helpful, and comfortable. Walls are similar to background music: each color tone is like a musical note can create a pleasant-sounding harmony while others grate with each other. The color with which we surround ourselves will without doubt have an effect on us, and so it is important to feel comfortable with our choice. A discussion with a professional color consultant can help to decide individual needs and select appropriate color.
Colors can be divided into three main groups: those that stimulate and uplift, those that relax and calm, and those that provide harmony or balance. So, having taken a number of things into thought when decorating a room, such as the size of the space, the amount of light, the function if the room, and the style and mood we wish to create, we finally, and most importantly, need to consider the needs of the people who use it.
Top Five Crucial Areas Covered In A Home Warranty
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 776)
Share this article on: Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp
Home warranties vary from one company to the next in a variety of aspects. These aspects include rates, deductibles and also what is and is not covered under the warranty. However, the vast majority of home warranties will cover these five crucial areas in your home.
The heating system
Most home warranties will cover the heating system in your home. This includes the furnace and the duct work throughout the home. This coverage is important to have because of the large cost associated with having to replace or repair any of the aspects of the heating system. Just the furnace alone can cost you between $1,200 and $3,500 to replace or repair. If there is something wrong with your duct work, that cost could rise even further.
The cooling system
Most home warranties will cover the air conditioner in your home, whether it is a built in, central air conditioning unit, or one that's been built in to the wall (an outdoor/indoor one). Air conditioning systems can cost anywhere from $700 to $3,275 approximately, depending on the type of air conditioning system installed in the home.
The electrical system
Electrical systems throughout the home always have a tendency to go haywire and require some work to be done. A major electrical problem in your home though could cost thousands of dollars. Of course, before you purchase the home you should have an inspector go through the home and inspect it, including the electrical system, so you can be sure that the electrical wiring is up to code. Failure to have a properly installed electrical system, or for it to be not up to code, could result in your home warranty being invalid.
The plumbing system
Home warranties usually cover the indoor plumbing system including all the pipes and drains. Faucet repairs are not usually covered or included in a home warranty. However, outdoor plumbing, such as the outdoor sprinkler system, outdoor water supplies, spas, pools, and hot tubs are not covered unless you purchase additional coverage to include these items. Be sure to check with the warranty provider if these items are covered, if they are included with the home you are buying or selling.
Major appliances
There are many major appliances that are often covered within a home warranty. Most often it is the stove, range, fridge, and built in dishwasher that are included. However, some home warranties include built in microwaves, garbage disposal, trash compactor and washers and dyers in the warranty. You may also find some home warranties will include ceiling fans that are already installed in the home.
What's not included
It's important to know that permit fees, and costs associated with hauling away old appliances or debris are not covered in home warranties. There are always differences between home warranty plans, so be sure to read all the policy before you agree to it. Don't be afraid to ask the agent to clarify what is and is not included in the home warranty. Be sure that what the agent says and what the policy reads coincide. If the agent says something different than how the policy reads, be sure to get it in writing.
Research and compare
When you begin to look for a home warranty, be sure to do your research. There could be some major differences between different policies from different companies. Most of the differences you will find in the rates that you are charged, the deductibles on claims and the coverage that is offered. Even the smallest of differences can make a big impact on the home warranty and how it meets your needs.
Regardless of the home warranty that you choose, be sure that you understand everything that is covered and what is not covered. You should also talk to the agent about how your policy may be invalid, such as for improper installation or misuse of the item. The agent selling you the home warranty should be able to answer all of your questions about the warranty, its coverage, the deductibles that you will have to pay if you have a claim, and the rate that you will be charged for your warranty. Ensure that all of the major items, as listed above are included as covered in your warranty. You should also ask about renewal, and if your warranty can be renewed at the end of the term. Most often, if it is the buyer who has purchased the home warranty it is renewable, however if it is the seller who has purchased the warranty, it is likely non-renewable at the end of the term.
10 Recommended Value Adding Home Improvements
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 33)
Share this article on: Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp
Results from a survey carried out by 100 estate agents across the UK reveal the 10 most common value adding home improvements.
1) Loft Conversion -
New Construction Windows Or Replacement Windows Which Is Right For You
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 622)
Share this article on: Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp
Hello, my name is John Rocco.I grew up around the window and door business. My father owned a glass shop that dealt in every aspect of residential and commercial glass.Naturally, when it came time to choose a profession, I wound up in the window and door business.I have been in the business for about 27 years, and I have been self employed for 20.
One of the things that separated my company from my competitors was my willingness to show my customers how to replace their windows themselves. Whenever I would encounter a customer with a curiosity or willingness to learn how to install their own windows, I would offer to sell them the labor on one window,using them as my helper. Then, they would install the rest of the windows using the knowledge gained from helping me install one. Most window companies would never do this because there is so much money made on the labor.But I was always so busy,I never felt like it was costing me money.
Eventually, I made an installation video for those homeowners who wanted to do their own windows. While the video is for sale on my website, I decided to take excerpts from the video and write an article once a week covering some part of the window replacement project. This article is going to cover the difference between window frames used in new construction homes, and the window frames that are used to replace existing aluminum or wood windows.
When a new home is being built,the windows are nailed to the wood studs that make up the house frame.In order to accomplish this, new construction windows have a fin around all four sides of the frame that rests against the outside of the stud and nails are driven into the studs through the nailing fin. After that, flashing paper is applied to prevent water leaks, then the exterior material is applied. That material can be stucco, brick, siding, etc.
Now,imagine 10 or 20 years later when you want to replace those windows. If you were going to install your replacement windows the same way the original windows were installed, you would have to remove the exterior material around each window in order to get to those nails holding the frame in there. You can see how this procedure could cause many problems, not to mention all the labor involved. I have seen homes in california with stucco exteriors where the homeowner had the stucco cut out in order to remove the old windows.The problem was they were unable to match the stucco colors after patching. Its just not a very efficient way to replace windows. So the replacement frame was designed.
In most parts of the country it's simply a new construction window frame with the nail fin removed. In the west, where stucco is a common home exterior,a retrofit frame was designed. If you're going to be replacing the exterior material on your home, then you might want to consider going with the new construction window, since the nailing fins will be exposed anyway. Also, chances are that a contractor will be doing your exterior replacement,and it would be wise to let the contractor install the windows as well.Since my installation videos deal with window replacement only, these articles will focus on replacement frames and retrofit frames. Using these two frame styles,a do it yourselfer can replace their old windows without any damage to existing interior and exterior surfaces. And the job can be done using common tools such as a drill,tape measure, and caulking gun.
In next weeks article,we will discuss the replacement of wood sash windows.
Advice On Asbestos Disposal
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 497)
Share this article on: Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp
Did William Daniel have proper advice on asbestos disposal? This resident of Ohio was fined $22,600, ordered to perform 208 hours of community service and was sentenced to 13 months imprisonment on 21 Feb 2002 for violating the Clean Air Act. Daniel had improperly disposed 469 bags of asbestos waste thereby causing a grave danger to public health.
Condition of Asbestos is a Major Factor in its Disposal:
Depending on condition, we can divide asbestos into two major groups.
Friable - that which can crumble by hand pressure such as insulation
Non-friable - that which will not crumble under hand pressure such as asbestos sheets in good condition.
If the asbestos is in a non-friable condition, we can leave it as it is. Safety will further improve by painting the surface and edges with a sealing paint that will not allow fibers to escape. Smoothening the edges or surface will release fibers and is dangerous. Friable asbestos has significant risk of breaking up during handling and needs special care. You should seek adequate advice on asbestos disposal before disposing this dangerous contaminant.
General Advice on Asbestos Disposal:
If you are unsure whether your appliance contains asbestos, it is best to contact the manufacturer directly and ask. Giving the model and year of manufacture would help. Ask for specialist advice on asbestos disposal if your appliances contain asbestos. You can use the yellow pages to locate manufacturers and people offering asbestos disposal services and advice.
Disposing small quantities of household asbestos is straight forward, but if quantities are large then consult professional disposal agents. They will observe all laws and will dispose the asbestos in authorized sites only.
The key element of the disposal process lies in ensuring that fibers do not separate and fly into the air. Towards this end, experts advise that we dispose asbestos on a humid and a calm day and reduce the numbers of people involved to the bare minimum. Any dismantling of structures would provide opportunity for the fiber to separate and fly. While dismantling, keep the asbestos sheet wet with soap water to reduce dust and fiber.
After separating the asbestos, you should pack it in heavy gauge plastic sheets. Smaller pieces can be stored in two layers of polythene bags. Any residual dust or small pieces can be picked up using a wet cloth and stored in double plastic packets. You should use similar disposal method for clothes used in the asbestos removal process.
As we said above, so long as we observe common sense precautions in accordance with advice on asbestos disposal and ensure that fibers do not contaminate surroundings and the quantities involved are small, there is no danger of running foul of the Law. However, it is essential that we are aware of the "Clean Air Act" and similar laws before disposing of large quantities of asbestos. William Daniel may have served out his sentence, but the next judge may well be stricter.
Copper Sinks
(category: Home-Improvement, Word count: 295)
Share this article on: Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp
If you are considering a new sink within your kitchen or bathroom, a copper sink may be the way for you to go. Many people are choosing copper sinks over other traditional styles such as porcelain. The reason the popularity of copper sinks has grown so drastically is because not only does it have a simplistic beauty unmatched by any other style, it is also extremely functional within the kitchen. The great thing about copper sinks is that they are virtually maintenance free, if it needs cleaned water and soap will do the trick.
Chemical cleaners are a thing of the past when it comes to copper sinks, they do not require harsh cleaning and with care its beauty will last a lifetime. Another positive aspect of copper sinks is that unlike many other types of sinks, these tend to grow in beauty over time. With age, the copper sink will change its color, however, if you do not want the color to change, you can simply use a furniture or brass wax to prevent it. Copper sinks makes things a whole lot easier on your life.
Another great aspect of the copper sink is that it is overall cleaner and more sanitary than other material types. Copper is a natural elemental that contains antibacterial benefits, therefore bacteria and other harmful substances cannot hope to survive on copper. In a study performed on, stainless steel and copper, it was shown that copper is extremely sanitary by comparison. Thanks to the antibacterial benefits of copper, a bacterium that is found on the copper will not live any longer than one to two hours.
When purchasing a copper sink you will want to look for a few specific things. Make sure you consider the d
Reload this page to get new content randomly.
More Categories
Time-Management | Loans | Credit | Weather | Finance | Weddings | Trucks-Suvs | Home-Family | Cars | Self-Improvement | Reference-Education | Insurance | Vehicles | Mortgage | Home-Improvement | Gardening | Society | Parenting | Debt-Consolidation | Womens-Issues | Relationships | Acne | Interior-Design | Nutrition | Fashion | Baby | Legal | Religion | Fishing | Clothing | Holidays | Product-Reviews | Personal-Finance | Auctions | Communications | Misc | Supplements | Marriage | Currency-Trading | Politics | Goal-Setting | Taxes | Ecommerce | Movie-Reviews | Recipes | Traffic-Generation | College | Cooking | Computer-Certification | Success | Motivation | Depression | Stress-Management | Site-Promotion | Outdoors | Home-Security | Book-Reviews | History | Entrepreneurs | Hair-Loss | Yoga | Consumer-Electronics | Stock-Market | Email-Marketing | Article-Writing | Ppc-Advertising | Science | K12-Education | Crafts | Environmental | Elderly-Care | Fitness-Equipment | Cruises | Coaching | Domains | Spirituality | Mens-Issues | Happiness | Leadership | Customer-Service | Inspirational | Diabetes | Attraction | Security | Copywriting | Language | Data-Recovery | Muscle-Building | Aviation | Motorcycles | Coffee | Landscaping | Homeschooling | Ebooks | Cardio | Psychology | Celebrities | Pregnancy | Ebay | Mesothelioma | Extreme | Ezine-Marketing | Digital-Products | Fundraising | Martial-Arts | Boating | Divorce | Book-Marketing | Commentary | Current-Events | Credit-Cards | Public-Speaking | Hunting | Debt | Financial | Coin-Collecting | Family-Budget | Meditation | Biking | Rss | Music-Reviews | Organizing | Breast-Cancer | Creativity | Spam | Podcasts | Google-Adsense | Forums | Ethics | Buying-Paintings | Gourmet | Auto-Sound-systems | After-School-Activities | Adsense | Dieting | Education | Dance | Cigars | Astronomy | Cats | Diamonds | Autoresponders | Disneyland | Carpet | Bbqs | Dental | Criminology | Craigslist | Atv | Excavation-Equipment | Buying-A-boat | Auto-Responders | Auto-Navigation-Systems | Autism-Articles | Atkins-Diet | Aspen-Nightlife | Fruit-Trees | Credit-Card-Debt | Creating-An-Online-Business | Breast-Feeding | Contact-Lenses | Computer-Games-systems | Colon-Cleanse | College-Scholarship | Golden-Retriever | Anger-Management | American-History | Bluetooth-Technology | Alternative-Energy | Closet-Organizers | Elliptical-Trainers | Electric-Cars | Black-History | Air-Purifiers | Diesel-Vs-Gasoline-Vehicles | Christmas-Shopping | Choosing-The-Right-Golf-Clubs | Dental-Assistant | Decorating-For-Christmas | Beach-Vacations | Cd-Duplication | Bathroom-Remodeling | Bargain-Hunting | Candle-Making | Backyard-Activities | Auto-Leasing | Skin-Cancer | Recreational-Vehicle | Mutual-Funds | Boats | Leasing | Innovation | Philosophy | Grief | Colon-Cancer | Prostate-Cancer | Dating-Women | Audio-Video-Streaming | Forex | Digital-Camera | Cell-Phone | Car-Stereo | Car-Rental | Running | Sociology | Multiple-Sclerosis | Leukemia | Dogs | Ovarian-Cancer