Learn how to improve your bathroom to add both pleasure and value to your home. Tips and articles about bathrooms and bathroom design ideas.
Kitchens and baths are the most important, the most expensive and the most complicated rooms to remodel in a home. These rooms where families spend so much of their time merit attention because they have to be functional and pleasant. Remodeling an outdated kitchen or bathroom is not only a smart investment, but will also bring your family more comfort than most any other home improvement.
Comfortable molded plastic spas in soft hues that accommodate any climate and decor have replaced the old wooden hot tubs of the 1960s. Hot tubs, which require adequate support and access to electrical power, now have bubbles, lounge chairs, cup holders, jets galore and more.
Sooner or later, we all have to call a plumber and plumbers can be expensive. There's just no way around that. However, there are a variety of ways to improve the value you get for your money. Many people make the mistake of shopping for plumbing primarily based on the plumber's hourly rate. This can be misleading. It's better to look at overall customer satisfaction, even if rates are higher than average.
Tankless water heaters use 20% less energy than conventional water heaters and only heat the water when you need it. Controls allow the water temperature to be changed instantly, as desired by the user. While tankless water heaters cost more up front than conventional tank water heaters, they will cost less to run than conventional water heaters in the long term. As well as using energy more efficiently, they can often last two times the life of a conventional tank.
Refinishing old, damaged or out-of-date bathtubs and other plumbing fixtures, tile and plastic laminate counter tops is the most economical and efficient way to revitalize your kitchen or bathroom, at a mere fraction of the cost of replacement. Replacement involves not only the cost of the new fixture, but also the time and money spent replacing the wall, tile, wallboard, tile floor and subfloor, plus pipes and hardware which are damaged during the removal of the tub.
Q: Who do I call about fixing water damage in my bathroom?
Fashionable designers have been incorporating stainless steel in rest rooms and kitchens for years. If you live in an apartment or loft, this sleek, modern look could be the solution for a bath in need of updating.
Installing a shower door will require as much attention to placing and attaching the tracks correctly as the handling of the glass doors themselves. A service professional can handle the job properly and efficiently.
Q: We would like to remodel our two bathrooms upstairs. Do the walls have to come down to get the old tubs out? Ideally, we would have the toilet moved about 3 to 6 inches sideways, but I heard that this could be an expensive process.
Q: I have a small and a medium size bathroom with ceramic tile that I want to replace. Is it possible to lay ceramic tile on top of old ceramic tile?
A small affordable project is a redesign of your master bathroom. Any changes you make are guaranteed to make a difference in your daily routine.
Q: I have a small bathroom floor 5'x 8' with good plywood. On the subfloor screwed down every 6" there is a wide dip or valley in the floor about 1/8" deep by 2 1/2' wide. Can I do anything to level the floor for ceramic tiles?
Q: I am remodeling a bathroom and would like to put in a flush mount radio or CD player. I only have found ones that have intercoms. Are there some that are just radio/CD?
Q: My bathroom is very small. I have no place to store anything. The toilet is too close to the vanity. The tub takes up most of the space. Is there any way to expand the bathroom?
This information can clarify and help answer some questions about bathroom plumbing fixtures.
Q: The bathtub in our front bathroom seems to have a leak somewhere. The caulking continues to crack at the head of the tub no matter how dry and completely we re-caulk it. I have also noticed that a water stain has started and is spreading at the top of the tub between the wall and tub. I have tried putting in shower guards, to insure no leakage from the shower at the head of the shower onto the floor.
I am afraid there is a leak somewhere behind the tub and do not even know what or who to ask about this. I would like to replace the floor, but am sure the leak would only ruin the new floor as well.
One of the most enjoyable experiences resulting from remodeling your bathroom comes from soaking in the tub when the work is finally completed! And one of the most enjoyable aspects of soaking in the tub is experiencing the natural light and warmth of the sun streaming in from a well placed and creatively designed window system.
Here are answers to some common questions about bathroom remodeling.
Start your bathroom remodeling project right with the following tips.
An exhaust fan is desirable in any bathroom, and it is required in bathrooms that have no windows or windows that can't be opened. Bathroom fans should exchange the air in a bathroom completely every 5 minutes. In addition to keeping the air fresh, they also help inhibit the growth of mildew and other fungi that easily breed in a bathroom. If possible, listen to a fan of the model you are buying; some are pretty noisy.
Any new construction or remodeling project involves a logical planning process. This is especially true of bathroom design. Designing your bathroom defines how we live and reflects our personality and lifestyle.
Bathroom remodeling is one of the most popular home improvement projects. Whether adding a new bath or remodeling an old one, here are some things to keep in mind to make sure you get the most out of the project.
Q: I am renting an older mobile home that has an ugly green bathtub and bathroom sink in it. They are made out of metal and I would like to repaint them if possible. What paint should I use and how do I do it?