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Roman bathtubs are equated with luxury bathing. Resembling ancient bathtubs created for royalty, modern Roman bathtubs exhibit some luxurious qualities previously incorporated into antique tubs. An oversized, deep, elegant bathtub is designed for a spa-like soaking experience that often features massaging jets of soothing, warm water. Roman bathtubs are free-standing or built-in and come in a variety of styles to accommodate almost any home decor and personal preferences.
Replacing an unattractive bathtub is an expensive way to get rid of an eyesore in your bathroom. Rather than spending money on a new tub, you can reglaze an existing bathtub to give an entirely new look. To reglaze a bathtub with a cut hole for the drain you must protect the drain area during the reglazing process. You can use this less expensive alternative to change the appearance of your bathtub and save you the work and money involved in installing a new bathtub.
While many modern bathtubs have drains set at one end of the tub basin, old-fashioned tubs like cast iron units can have their drains in the center of the basin. If you are installing an old-style tub with a center drain and the main waste stack in your bathroom is off to the right, you need to run the tub’s drain from the center to the right to hook up your tub to the sewer system.
An old-fashioned claw-foot bathtub makes a beautiful focal point in a bathroom, but what it offers in style it lacks in convenience. You can remedy this problem by having a plumber install a shower head above the tub, but you also will need to install a converter shower curtain rod. Fashion yourself a rod using copper piping to convert your tub into a modern shower with a classic look.
A towel bar needs to be hung in the proper way to support the weight of both dry and wet towels. Hang a towel bar with help from a home improvement expert in this free video clip.
When replacing your standard bathtub with a new unit, sometimes it is necessary to relocate the tub drain pipes. Many bathtubs now come with a drain in the right corner of the bathtub instead of in the middle. Moving a bathtub drain from the center to the right side requires accessing the plumbing pipes under the sub-floor. The old tub must be removed before the drain is moved.
When you cut the drain hole in the floor where you are installing a new tub, you might discover that a floor joist is in the way, keeping you from assembling the tub drain line. It is necessary to avoid cutting a floor joist that a tub is installed over because of the weight of the tub when it's filled with water and a human. Installing a bathtub drain when a joist is in the way requires boring through the joist.
If your bathtub drain is making a gurgling sound whenever the air conditioning comes on, then the condensate drain on the air conditioner may be blocked or improperly vented. Plumbing systems need air in the line so water can flow smoothly down the drain. The gurgling sound occurs when the draining water has to pause to allow more air in.
When laying tile, it's wise to pick a pattern and a color palette that are neutral enough to adapt to changes in decor over time. Black and white tile can be dressed up for a swanky, cosmopolitan feel or pop out with some bright color for a more casual look. If you've picked a black and white retro tile combo for your bathroom, focus on the wall color to further personalize your design.
For anyone who loves the beach, a sea-themed bathroom can be a reminder of that favorite place. Beach and ocean items such as shells and coral will enhance the decor. Bringing nature indoors also helps to create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. A sea theme works well for bathrooms in vacation homes or beach houses.
Zenith shower curtains are designed with Twist-Tight technology so that they fit securely against both sides of your shower, preventing stray drops of water from getting between the rod and the tile. These shower rods come with a decorative end cap that covers the screws, thus giving your shower setup a clean look. Hanging a Zenith shower curtain rod is fairly easy, because it fits into the same spot as your previous shower curtain rod and screws right into the existing tile.
Due to the weight of a porcelain towel bar, grout or adhesive alone is not enough to hold it up -- it must be drilled into place. Once the bar is attached, grout is necessary to seal off the connection between the porcelain and the tile. The sealing process prevents moisture from getting in between the porcelain and the tile. If you don't seal the space, a breeding ground for mold and bacteria is created.
The position of your Kohler bathtub stopper controls the flow of water into the drain. The open stopper allows water to drain from the tub, while the closed stopper prevents any water from entering the drain. From waste blockage to poor adjustment, multiple factors affect the performance of your Kohler stopper. Periodically servicing the stopper and its lift rod contributes to the efficient operation of your bathtub drain.
Leaning over a tub and scrubbing your drain cover is work. Instead, pinpoint the stain’s source and identify the best cleaning solution for the job. Once you have the right tools for the job, you can cut down on your scrubbing time and clean more effectively.
Vertical sliding windows are found in many older homes, particularly in bathrooms where there isn't a lot of room for larger windows. These windows can get jammed or off track as they age or if they get jarred. You can fix these yourself instead of calling in a repairman by examining the window to determine the problem. Once you determine the exact issue and correct it, the window should slide smoothly up and down without catching.
Black and white tones are almost always synonymous with elegance, sophistication and an overall sleek look. Use black and white subway tiles to create designs for a modern bathroom, whether you incorporate specific shapes or install random patterns. Subway tiles come in basic rectangles as well as squares and octagons.
Recessed porcelain soap dishes and toilet paper holders look more subtle and customized. The holders seamlessly integrate into the wall, and look like built-ins rather than afterthoughts. Toilet paper holders typically only require a cut in the drywall, although some homeowners do have tiled bathroom walls. Soap dishes will often require a cut into hard tile. The latter requires different tools and adhesive than those used with drywall.
Give your bathroom a do-it-yourself touch by creating your own wooden toilet paper holder. Reuse items such as wooden disks from other craft projects, as well as fallen tree branches of appropriate thickness. Create wooden toilet tissue holders as housewarming gifts or for vacation cabins. While you can also create toilet tissue holders that attach to the wall, standing holders add something extra to the space, and the use of tree branches makes for conservation pieces.
If you can't find the toilet tissue holder of your dreams in a store, try making one on your own. This simple DIY project can take different forms, including those that are capable of storing multiple rolls at once. When you store multiple rolls on the same dispenser, you save yourself the hassle of finding room in a cramped bathroom cabinet or on the shelf, all while ensuring that a fresh roll is never out of reach.
If you have a room with gray-black furniture and red walls, you have a bold and sophisticated pairing, one that stands out and draws attention. Look to the cultural meanings of color to help you express yourself in the decor of the room. Red can represent happiness or passion. Black is the color of authority and power, but also represents mystery and restful emptiness.
Lanterns are a novel wedding decoration that can fulfill myriad roles at the reception from the purely decorative to symbolic. Positioning lanterns so that they look well-placed and appropriate in photographs is a wise choice since photographers roam the event documenting each moment. The contrast of a venue with dim lighting and lanterns provides a visual quality that is striking even in black-and-white photographs and using black lanterns only intensifies the contrast. You can employ black lanterns to dramatic heights with various arrangements.
The shock and disgust that follows when you find cockroaches in the bathroom may feel overwhelming. When sharing your home with insects is unacceptable, take fast action to kill a cockroach in the bathtub drain. Although there are many different varieties of cockroaches, the bugs you find in the drain may either be Oriental cockroaches or American cockroaches. With effort, effective techniques can eliminate these bugs from your dwelling.
Although it may seem bland at first, using a color combination of blue, white and black creates a simple yet elegant look for your bathroom. Contrary to popular belief, painting the bathroom walls black or dark blue will not make the room look smaller. Instead, by keeping the eye moving, it creates interest and the illusion of space. Scattering white accents around the room will break up the monotony and add depth.
The best way to overcome the limitations of a small bathroom is with a large imagination. Fitting all of the essential elements needed for comfort, functionality and proper storage doesn't need to be a challenge to your wallet, either. Whether you are redecorating alongside existing fixtures or remodeling entirely, arranging the setup in a small new bathroom requires just a few simple decisions that will maximize the little space you have to work with regardless of the size of your budget.
A towel bar or rack is best installed into the wall studs next to your shower or at the end of your bathtub. This ensures the towel bar can hold those heavy, wet towels after a shower. When you need to install a towel rack or bar into recessed drywall, this is not possible, as most recesses are created between one or more wall studs. Toggle anchors are the answer for DIYers who don't want to change their design plan. The anchors can withstand up to 40 pounds of pull when properly installed.
A bathtub stopper forms a plug at the entrance to your bathtub drain. When functioning, the stopper opens and closes sufficiently to control the flow of water from the tub. Replacing a stopper entails more than just swapping one stopper for another; a stopper adjusted to the proper height forms an effective seal against the base of the tub. An adjustable stopper includes a locknut beneath the head that allows for adjustment of the stopper height. A non-adjustable stopper requires adjustment at the lift rod assembly.
Ceiling-mounted corner shower rods may be less common than wall-mounted or tension shower rods, but they're not any more difficult to install. Styles among ceiling-mounted shower rods vary significantly, but each style adheres to the ceiling in a similar manner. Because the installation work can be challenging because of its overhead nature, it's helpful to recruit the assistance of a family member or friend who can pass you tools and hardware while you're up on the ladder.
While there are some standard placements for bathtub drains in acrylic tubs, the reality is that many different types of bathtubs exist, and not all of them have the same layout and drain placement. As long as they can serve their primary function – that is, draining water away from the tub to the drainpipes – drains can be placed anywhere in the tub according to the design specifications of the manufacturer.
With proper planning, bathrooms can be the relaxing spa-like retreat you envision. Ceramic and glass tile, mosaic patterns, separated showers and tubs, double sinks and open showers can add to the luxurious feeling of the bath. Before buying material and starting the project, think about electrical outlets, energy and water conservation, maintenance and plumbing systems. And check with your local building department to ensure that your renovations conform to the building codes and specifications.
Soaking away troubles in a warm bath is a luxury that became available to the common people with the development of indoor plumbing. As more people gained running water in their homes, disposing of it became as important as providing it. Drains soon became standardized so plumbers could complete a home safely, quickly and inexpensively.
There are many types of bathtub drain stoppers on the market. From those with interconnected mechanical systems to those that require little more than a touch to change position, drain stoppers work in myriad ways. Understanding how a specific type of drain stopper works can help you decide whether it suits your purposes. This knowledge can also help when it comes to cleaning drains and dealing with clogs
If the area surrounding your bathtub’s drain is starting to show wear and has stains you cannot remove, you might want to consider bathtub drain reglazing. With this project, you only apply refinishing glaze to the drain area. It’s not as extensive a project as reglazing the bathtub in its entirety. There are special kits available that contain all the components you need to complete the project. Before you begin reglazing a bathtub's drain, remove the drain from the bathtub to allow you access to the entire surface of the drain area.
Vanities feature a cabinet base that provides extra storage and a top that firmly holds a sink in place. The main differences in the countertop design depends on the shape and the materials used.
The Crescent Rod is a curved shower curtain rod created by Shower Solutions, Inc. (showersolutions.com). Though frequently used by hotels and motels, Crescent Rods are available to the public through numerous catalogs, online and brick-and-mortar retailers. Originally designed for use with showers in curved bathtubs, the curved rods also work with rectangular tubs.
Whether you have a bathroom with navy fixtures or the local paint shop is running a sale on navy paint, you can give your bathroom walls and ceiling a makeover with a little paint. Stencils, paint rollers and paint brushes can all be used to give your walls character. When you give the bathroom a new design, you are not limited to just painting the walls. You can actually paint the ceiling as well to help enhance navy fixtures or as a blue contrast to paler fixtures.
Swing-out shower curtain rods work like any other curtain rods, but instead of being straight, they sport a curved shape that swings out and away from the bathtub. For some, the extra standing room in the shower that this type of curtain rod affords is a boon, especially in smaller tubs and showers. It isn't for everyone, though, and if you're tired of the effect it has on your bathroom's ambiance, you need another solution for keeping water inside the tub. Fortunately, you have different options for solving the swing-out curtain rod problem -- it all comes down to a…
Neo Angle curtain rods extend out from the wall for non-standard-shaped showers or on a standard shower to keep the curtain from billowing inward. The rods are effective and easy to find at retail stores. However, the problem with buying a Neo Angle curtain rod is the cost. As of 2011, these rods cost up to a couple hundred dollars depending on the look you want. If you want the benefits of a Neo Angle curtain rod without the price tag, make your own.
While cornice boards are often used to create a formal window treatment, they are becoming increasingly popular as architectural bath details. The cornice board is essentially a wooden box that is attached to the walls on opposite ends of the bathtub to conceal the shower rod. The box is open on the bottom where the curtain hangs and at the back where it faces the inside of the shower. The cornice board is typically installed at ceiling height and used in conjunction with long curtains to create a plush and elegant bathing area. The wooden case may be simple or…
If you’re adding a bathroom or remodeling an existing one, you’ll have to install drainpipes and water supply lines to all the new fixtures. The location of the plumbing lines depends upon the proximity of the various bathroom fixtures to one another and to the existing house drainage system. In most cases, you’ll want the drain and the water supply on the same side.
Designing electrical outlets in bathrooms requires understanding basic electrical wiring for safety and accessibility. Along with preparing outlet receptacles for safety, usability and style should be considered. While designing the electrical outlets in bathrooms, take notes and make a detailed list to take along to the store when purchasing the outlets.
A sunken tub is a bathroom luxury that lets you soak your aches and pains away at the end of a long day. You can create a ritual out of your daily bath and create a private oasis in your bathroom filled with little touches that make you feel pampered. Decorate the area around your sunken tub to heighten the experience.
The threaded stopper earns its name from the threaded plug at its center. This feature allows the stopper to screw in and out of the drain flange inside the drain entrance. In time, organic matter and calcium deposits accumulate along the underside of the stopper. In severe cases, the buildup prevents normal removal of the stopper from the drain. Fixing the stopper, and taking a moment to clean it, contributes to the efficient operation of your drain.
As long as it is working properly, you probably don’t give the drain assembly attached to your bathtub a second thought. When there is a problem with it, you need to know about the parts that make up a standard bathtub drain and how they work together to funnel water out of your tub.
The curbstone in a bathroom refers to the piece surrounding the base of the shower to keep water inside the stall. At the threshold of the shower, the curb is lower to allow safe entry and exit. Wood or concrete supports the edges of the shower pan and the curb, but you will want to cover this support with your own waterproof, decorative touch. When it comes to home decor, the little touches can make a significant impact on how your whole bathroom looks.
A surround tub is one where the tub is surrounded by fiberglass or acrylic paneling, or tiling on each side of the tub. This type of tub is very common in homes today because it takes up a moderate amount of space. The tub sits up against one wall, and typically is situated between two more walls on either side.
Plumbing standards are set by the industry and are the same across the board. This includes dimensions for bathtub drains. This is true, however, for only the width of the pipes, drains and other fixtures. The length will vary, depending on what type of stopper you wish to use.
Give your plain white enamelware a second life as decorative accents in your home. Enamelware adds a simple, utilitarian touch to a room. Unadorned with bright colors or patterns, white enamelware can be appreciated for the line of each piece. Pull out those old enamelware pieces from the cabinets and put them on display in your home to add a country casual ambiance.
Sinks and bathtubs alike contain drains to allow for the disposal of wastewater. When filling the sink or bathtub, your Kohler drain stopper prevents water from escaping. Opening the stopper offers water a passage into the drain. In time, mold and soap scum clinging to the bottom of the stopper prevent water from flowing effectively. Taking the proper steps when removing your Kohler stopper -- for cleaning or other maintenance -- avoids potential damage to the stopper or its lift assembly.
There are two main considerations when you're thinking of building a modern bathroom – the space available, and your budget. If you're dealing with a limited budget and a small area, include only the essentials. On the other hand, a large space and a hefty budget can set the stage for a spa-like retreat with upscale amenities including whirlpool tubs, granite countertops, mosaic tiles and glass sinks. Selecting elements with minimalistic elegance in a neutral color palette will enhance the modern look of the bathroom.
Bathroom decor is just as important as the rest of the home. Whether you're creating a glamorous mood for guests or you want a private, luxurious space to relax in your steaming jacuzzi, give the bathroom some attention, too. Work within your budget but look for great bargains in materials as well as contractors who can also visualize your dream. Remember -- it all boils down to your own interpretation of the concept known as "glam."
