home sectionhome sectionA dormer can change the outward appearance of a house, but it also can be a major improvement for the interior. A dormer window in a bathroom will open that room to additional outside light. A dormer also can be used to extend the space for a bathroom, by changing a section of the roof from a slope to a framed room with walls. Framing for either of two possible styles is similar, but may require the services of an architect because it involves changing the roof structure. It also will require a building permit.
The escutcheon plate is the metal plate that covers the hole in the bathtub of a shower where the faucets extend from the home's plumbing. It's decorative and enhances the appearance of the faucets that it serves as a base for and prevents water from flowing back into the cavity where the faucets extend from. Replacing the plate is a simple repair procedure that requires you to remove the old plate with a few household tools, and then attach the new plate in its place. The entire procedure can be completed in under an hour and requires no previous plumbing…
Manufacturers make escutcheon plates as ornamentation. Escutcheon plates fit around keyholes, faucets and over drain holes to provide a smooth transition between the substrate and the protruding or recessed device. An escutcheon plate hides rough edges, plumbing pipes and provides protection to the substrate from key scratches and other objects. Detaching an escutcheon plate is necessary to change plumbing fixtures or if the plate incurs damage. Escutcheon plate removal techniques vary depending on the substrate and installation method.
A tile floor is exposed to a multitude of dirt, debris and other substances that can cause a lingering odor. Odors from cigarette smoke, pets, mildew or even dirty shoes and feet can waft through the air, making the entire house smell dirty even when it's clean. Keeping tile surfaces clean with the use of proper cleaning supplies and techniques will remove odor-causing substances and keep the surface smelling fresh. Odor left to linger without being tended to, especially on natural stone tiles, can end up being absorbed into the tile, making it harder to remove.
With every cycle, your dryer is exposed to mildew-causing moisture, which can lead to odors. Between mildew and other smelly substances with which the dryer comes into contact, odor can build up inside. If an unpleasant smell greets you every time you open the dryer door, the odor likely permeates your clean clothes as well. By removing odor-causing substances and deodorizing the inner surface, you can successfully get odors out of your dryer.
Escutcheon caps are the decorative trim found behind a bathtub faucet handle. These caps are used for both decorative purposes, and also to prevent any water from seeping into the wall behind the handle. Some plumbing repairs may require the removal of an escutcheon cap. Removing these caps is a relatively simple task that can be done with the right tools and a little time.
Masonite is a type of hardboard invented by William H. Mason in 1924. It is created by steaming wood chips and stretching the chips into long fibers. It is then formed into finished boards by heating and pressing the fibers. Masonite is a common choice due to its versatility, flexibility and durability. It is also produced by natural means, making it an environmentally friendly building material.
The functionality of bathrooms often means a lack of aesthetic imagination when it comes to décor. Functionality should be foremost, and several little tricks exist can help improve efficiency. But you can also find many nuggets of information to make it a more comfortable and inviting room.
Unpleasant odors in the bathroom area have many causes. Whether the odor is a temporary or an ongoing problem determines the method useful in getting rid of the smell. Keep your bathroom clean and fresh smelling by giving it a thorough cleaning each week with the appropriate cleaning products. Large families or a household with many guests may need to clean more often to control any lingering offensive odors.
Caulking is an essential step in bathroom maintenance because it prevents water from seeping into cracks throughout the bathroom. Areas that typically require caulk include the seams between the bathtub and tile, the sink and countertop and the backsplash and vanity. Over time, caulk naturally begins to deteriorate, so chances are you will eventually have to tackle a caulking project in your bathroom. If you are facing such a task, keep these basic tips in mind, and you will finish with a tightly sealed bathroom once again.
Adding a light or outlet to the outside of your vinyl siding-covered house is easiest if you tie the electrical lines into an existing outdoor fixture. Each outdoor electrical fixture is mounted in a plastic box called a siding block. These boxes appear solid on the inside. Upon closer inspection, you will find faint circular marks in the rear of the siding block. These easily removed discs are the knockouts. Pop one free to run a new cable.
Wood veneer can be glued onto wood to give the appearance of solid wood. This makes it good for flooring but not constructing homes. Thus, stronger building materials used for the construction of buildings are called commonly called hardboard. Masonite sheets are a type of hardboard or high-density fiberboard.
Faucet handles for the bathroom can pair the decorative and the functional. Scratch-resistant finishes are available to extend the life of your investment.
Hard water contains many minerals. If you have hard water, you will likely get white stains on your shower and faucet fixtures. You can avoid this by installing a water softener in your home. In the meantime, clean water deposits from chrome shower fixtures as soon as you notice them before they have a chance to build up.
Bathtubs, sinks and sometimes toilets are made of porcelain or similar materials that are glazed to create the pearly and clean appearance. When the glaze starts to wear down, which occurs over time and is most common in older tubs and sinks, the appearance is consistently dirty and unappealing.
Sealing your bathroom fixtures prevents water damage, and it's easy to do yourself. Caulk your fixtures like a professional with advice from a residential construction consultant in this free video on how to seal your bathroom fixtures.
Bathroom tap handles come in many different styles. But they all basically attach to the faucet with a single screw. Once the screw is taken out, the tap handles can be removed. The water supply must be turned off to avoid the possibility of water spraying out of the faucet once the handles are off. The entire task of removing the tap handles in a bathroom is accomplished in only minutes.
Caulking around bathroom fixtures prevents water from penetrating the wall space through any gaps around the fixtures. Proper preparation of the surface and application of the caulk eases the task of applying the caulk and results in a longer-lasting job. Caulking a bathroom is certainly a task even basic do-it-yourselfers can accomplish.
Reddish stains on bathroom fixtures occur from the iron in the water. Hard water contains minerals that do not dissolve when water evaporates on faucets or shower doors. As the water dissipates, the iron clings to surfaces, making it hard to remove. The iron stains require an acid cleaning agent to soften the mineral for an effortless removal. Vinegar or lemon juice provides enough acidic properties to loosen the iron from bathroom fixtures.
Chrome-coated bathroom fixtures have gained tremendous popularity over the last few years and its bright, metallic surface makes the bathroom look clean and attractive. Proper care is required to maintain its appearance and prevent oxidation caused by the minerals contained in hard water. If your water is hard, lime and other mineral deposits can build up on the chrome surfaces. Soaps and other residue also can deposit on them, making them unsightly and difficult to clean. Fortunately, there are several simple cleaning techniques for keeping chrome fixtures gleaming.
There are many different types of electrical boxes. Some are used as outlets, while others are used to hang light fixtures. One thing they all have in common is they are used to house and connect wires. The knockout is a part of an electrical box that is designed to be punched out. The small round hole that is left is used to run electrical wires in and out of the box.
Bathroom renovations can add value to your home. Browse color palettes for bathroom fixtures based on the function of the item you want to replace. "If you're planning to stay in your home for a long time, you can indulge your personal preferences, but if there's a chance you'll be moving in a few years, think twice," warns Mark Wynn Ryan of The Learning Channel. Choose bolder colors for fixtures that are easily replaced, leaving conservative colors for items that are difficult to install.
Chrome bathroom fixtures are supposed to sparkle and glisten but water spots that accumulate over time can dull their luster. Some cleaning supplies are fairly expensive and many contain harsh chemicals that could potentially damage the chrome. You can remedy this situation with inexpensive, mild substances that you can find in any grocery store.
Bathroom renovations necessitate choosing fixtures such as tubs, sinks, toilets, faucets, lighting, shower heads and towel bars. Consider color, design, quality and comfort when selecting primary fixtures for a bathroom renovation.
You use your bathroom to wash your face and take showers. It is hard to look forward to getting clean when there is fungus growing in your bathroom.
Formica is often installed in kitchens and bathrooms as a backsplash. Removing the Formica, a type of laminate, from the wall can get tricky because the Formica was most likely installed using contact cement. Contact cement is extremely sticky and will require some elbow grease to dislodge. There will naturally be some minor damage to your wall after you remove the Formica wallboard. Proceed slowly and be prepared to patch the walls when you are done.
Bathrooms are one of the most renovated spaces in a home. New design ideas and materials help spark a wave of new bathroom styles. During a renovation, usually everything is removed to create a blank slate. Changing the light fixtures and other amenities can breathe new life into a bathroom. Removal of the light fixtures is one of the first parts of a renovation.
Masonite, or hardened pressboard paneling, has been often used to panel walls in bathrooms. It is a relatively cheap, water-resistant material, and can be purchased in many styles and colors. When Masonite is installed incorrectly, however (such as glued directly to a wall with construction adhesives), or when it becomes damp from the back side, it can become unsightly and produce mold. When this occurs, the Masonite must be removed and replaced.
Applying a finish to raw, unpainted, chrome bathroom plumbing and lighting fixtures can be a difficult process for the typical do-it-yourselfer. Because chrome is hard and nonporous, an etching primer must be applied to abrade the surface before any paint will stick. Fortunately, if you need to refinish chrome bathroom fixtures, it means that an old coat of paint has already been applied at some point. This makes the process much easier because the old coat acts as a great bonding agent for the fresh coat of paint.
Whether you're remodeling or doing new construction, high-quality bathroom fixtures add style and are a good investment. Beauty combined with practicality are signs of the best bathroom fixtures. Whether retro or modern, high-end bathroom fixtures turn the ordinary bathroom into a place of relaxation and comfort. The best bathroom fixtures have water-saving features that help with conservation.
Bathroom mirrors, securely attached to the wall, are usually glued on with construction-grade adhesive. If you are remodeling your bathroom or the mirror becomes damaged, you may want to remove it. Removing the mirror, without ruining the drywall behind it, can be a challenge as the mirror can crack and shards of glass can fly across the room and injure someone.
It's a stressed-out world and people often visit spas or convert their own bath spaces into private spas to relieve that stress. The cost for such a conversion varies; but the National Kitchen and Bath Association reports bathroom remodeling jobs generally average between $6,500 and $11,600. However, turning a bathroom into a spa need not require an expensive replacement of tub and shower, the addition of elegant fixtures or enclosures or the installation of high-end flooring. Simple, inexpensive changes can be quite effective in creating an inviting personal oasis.
Replacing your bathroom fixtures can be costly, but you can bring new life to old fixtures with metal paint especially formulated for chrome, brass, copper and stainless steel. You can find metal paint in both a spray and a brush-on application in your local home improvement store or from online retailers. This type of refinishing job will not last forever, but will last for years with daily use.
Bathroom sealants are used to protect tiles from moisture. If you want to remove the sealant, perhaps in favor of upgrading to a different product, you need to use a solvent made specifically for your sealant.
When bathroom fixtures begin to look old and worn, lots of homeowners opt to throw them out in favor of brand new ones. However, many do-it-yourselfers know that they can breath new life into their bathroom faucet and lighting fixtures by refinishing them with a fresh coat of paint. However, before you jump headfirst into a project like this, you need to first understand the proper preparation and application techniques or you may ruin the very bathroom fixtures you are trying to rejuvenate.
The sealant silicone is around your bathtub or the sink will wear out over time and needs to be replaced. Sometimes it’s a matter that you have to replace the items that the sealant is surrounding. This silicone or sealant must be replaced and you cannot apply fresh sealant until all of the old material has been removed.
Often in remodeling a bathroom, one of the things that gets changed is the lighting fixtures. Changing the fixtures can give a bathroom a face-lift. In many instances, the old lighting fixtures are still in working condition. Instead of tossing them out in the trash to become part of a landfill, consider recycling them.
When a bathtub begins to drain slower than normal, you most likely have a clogged drain. When draining liquids don't work, it is time to manually unstick the drain using the trip lever, the toggle you flip to stop and unstop the tub.
Mirror clips are used to hold mirrors to a wall. They are used alone, or sometimes with mirror adhesive to ensure that the mirror cannot fall off of the wall. Removing the clips is a very easy thing to do. The only reason that it can be confusing is if you do not know where the screws are located. Plastic and metal clips are most often used in bathrooms.
Water spots are a common problem on bathroom fixtures, as hard water deposits dry onto the fixtures, causing unattractive dried water spots. Removing water spots is a fairly easy procedure, requiring minimal elbow grease and just a few simple household ingredients. These spots are also easily preventable by adding a few extra steps into your daily routine.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs use a lot less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. Cutting energy use in your home, they help you save money and conserve electricity, helping your budget and the environment. These bulbs provide the same light output as incandescent bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer. However, they contain mercury and potentially harmful gases. Extra care must be taken when installing and uninstalling these bulbs.
There are two reasons to caulk fixtures in bathrooms. The first reason is to keep them secured in a visually pleasing fashion. The other is to prevent leaks. Caulk is an integral part of installing fixtures in a bathroom and is quite simple to do once the fixtures have been put in place.
When you're planning to remodel your bathroom, one of the most important steps is properly measuring for fixtures. Sinks, toilets, faucets, and showers come in an enormous variety of shapes and sizes, and purchasing a fixture that is too large or small could potentially create a disaster when you're trying to install it.
Home owners that are enthusiastic about a do-it-yourself plumbing project may find that enthusiasm waning when they come upon a stuck fixture that brings the project to a grinding halt. When this happens, use the techniques that the pros use to get that fixture off and move ahead with the job.
Whether a bathtub utilizes a single, dual or three-handle faucet design, all designs use an escutcheon plate. The escutcheon plate rests behind each faucet's handle and attaches to the wall. Escutcheon plates are generally thought of as nothing more than chrome decorative pieces. However, other than aesthetics, the primary purpose of the escutcheon plate is to prevent water from entering the interior of the wall. Removing an escutcheon plate is necessary to install a new plate or to repair or replace the faucets. Thankfully, removing the plate is a relatively simple task that does not require the structure's main water…
It is very disturbing to walk into your bathroom and have your nose assaulted by the smell an offensive bathroom odor. Some of the causes of the odor are often overlooked like clogged drains, mold and mildew, a poorly sealed toilet, or just a plain dirty bathroom. Here are some suggestions and tips that will have your bathroom shining and smelling nice.
Bathroom fixtures can underscore the style of your home or serve as a neutral backdrop that can be changed based on the accompanying accessories. Here are some tips.
