Sunday 18 January 2015

How to prevent bathroom mould forming

Once established, mould around a bath or shower can be hard to get rid of, but using these techniques for eliminating bathroom moisture can help keep it at bay.

No matter where you live, a high moisture level in your bathroom makes mold almost impossible to get rid of, no matter how much you clean. Eliminating bathroom dampness is the key to keeping mold from growing. To do that, follow these steps:
  • After a bath or a shower, squeegee water off the shower walls. That eliminates at least 75% of the moisture that supports mould and mildew growth.
  • Run your bathroom fan during your bath or shower and for 15-30 minutes after to flush out moisture. Or add a timer switch to make this step automatic.
  • If you have tiled walls or floor, seal the grout lines annually with a standard grout sealer to waterproof them.
To get rid of the current mold, scrub with detergent and water, then let the surface dry completely. Or use a solution of 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water (a stronger bleach solution will not give better results). Spray or brush on the solution, let it sit 10 minutes, then rinse it off and let dry.

If the fans aren’t clearing out most of the moisture in your bathrooms after five to 10 minutes, your fans may not be moving enough air. Fans are certified by the volume (m3/h, or litres per second) of air “extracted” from the room. To find the recommended fan capacity for your bathroom, simply multiply the bathroom square metreage by 1.1 (assuming an 2.4m ceiling; 3m high ceiling, multiply by 1.7).

Fan rating, type and location together ensuring adequate air flow can make it into the room all play a part in effective moisture control. Fans with an overrun timer that continue to operate for a set period, even after the lights are turned off are highly recommended.

Fan location is critical…  You can install the most powerful fan and find it’s ineffective in moisture elimination if the location of the fan doesn’t promote a circulation of air within the overal space of the room. Fans should be located in most cases furthest point from the door, to eliminate a ‘short-circuit’ of air flow between the fan and the door.

Tight fitting doors can prevent sufficient flow of air into the room, thus restricting the required amount of air to be exhausted from the room. A good test of this is to run the fan with the bathroom door closed, then open the door and see if the pitch of the noise of the fan changes. If it does, you may need to trim the door to incease the flow of inbound air.

Required Materials for this Project:
  • Detergent
  • Bleach
  • Grout sealer
For further information please visit – http://www.pembrokebathrooms.com

Sunday 11 January 2015

Pipe burst - Plumbing DIY


This guide will not only save you stress, money and time without one of the most basic resources we need, but it will also provide you with a permanent and professional fix that far outweighs the use and expense of temporary tapes and pastes.

Fix time: 10 minutes
Fix cost: est. £12

Steps:
  1. Isolate the water at the mains stopcock inside the property (usually under the kitchen sink).
  2. Open the taps (one upstairs and one on the ground floor) to fully drain residual water from the pipe work.
  3. Cut the required section out of the pipework that has burst, ensuring that you have taken out enough for the slip coupling to fit into.
  4. Compress the slip coupling and push fit onto one end of the cut pipework.
  5. Extend the slip coupling and fit onto the opposite end of the pipework.
  6. Give a sharp and sturdy push to each end to ensure the coupling has fully seated onto the pipes.
  7. Close the taps that you opened.
  8. Turn the mains water back on. It is best to have a second person to keep an eye on the coupling whilst the pipework comes under pressure. Initially turn the stopcock on about 1/4 of a turn, leave for 15 seconds, then if no leaks occur turn the stopcock on fully, then back a 1/4 of a turn.
Tools and materials required:
 15mm or 22mm John Guest slip coupling
 Pipe cutter(s) 15mm or 22mm


Tips:
Remember to go to each tap and slowly turn them on to release any trapped air... This will save people getting splashed when the air is unknowingly released!

I also keep to hand babies nappies or incontinence sheets... they are the perfect solution for soaking up a reasonable quantity of water without using good towels or numerous rolls of kitchen/toilet paper.

Always keep a slip coupling to hand, if you use one then you will know it's value and hopefully you will replace it to hold as a spare!

Installing Floor Tiles - DIY

Installing floor tiles in the home is a great home improvement project, and one that can offer a significant value to the home. Quality made porcelain and ceramic floor tiles are very attractive, and are nearly impossible to wear out when properly cared for. As an additional bonus, homeowners can perform the job of installing the tiles themselves. Any specialty tools require for the job can be rented at the local home improvement store, with the only additional tools required will be a lot of labour and patience.

Getting Started
To begin with, the homeowner needs to remove the existing flooring which might be carpeting, old tile, linoleum, or hardwood. This begins with removing the baseboards that surround the room that will be tile, along with transition strips. The substrate, (the floor below the floor covering) needs to be stable and in good shape. The floor tiles are extremely hard and durable, but are extremely brittle they can break easily, if there’s avoid in the substrate below. If you’re installing the new flooring tile on a wood floor, it needs to be stabilized. This might include the need to nail down the existing plywood, or add glue to the joist below. Once the substrate of the floor is stable it is time to take the next step. The easiest way to stabilize a plywood floor is to install cement backer board. The manufacture suggests that the homeowner glue the backer board before placing it into its proper position. Then, the backer board should be nailed to the floor joist below using long 50mm-60mm galvanized nails.

The Layout
The layout of the room is critical for proper installation of flooring tile. Be sure to measure the width and length of the room to determine square metres. With a chalk line, intersect two different lines to indicate the centre of the room. This will determine the width of the room, while the other determines the length. Make sure the lines are square to each other, and that they form an angle of 90°.Begin by dry fitting the floor tile. This means laying out a single row of floor tiling along both lines. Add spacers between each floor tile to allow for grout. With the proper layout you can begin permanently setting the tile into place.

Installation
The installation process is easy. Start by mixing thin set mortar to the consistency of peanut butter. Take your notched trowel and spread the newly mixed thin set evenly on the back of a few flooring tile. Take the right amount of time to set the first futile in place and apply a firm amount of downward pressure without pushing out the mortar. By starting in the middle of the room, and working toward the walls, it will be easier to provide the desired result. You’ll need high quality tile cutters or a rented tile saw to cut pieces to fit along the walls and doorway. After the mortar has set up by the next morning, it can be walked on to apply the grout.

Above all, tiles and tiling materials are expensive... Take your time. Tiling is all about planning and patience! If in doubt, call a professional, as it could save you money in the long run. That said, don't deny yourself too readily the immense satisfaction of being able to say 'I did that'...


Remodelling Your Bathroom On A Budget

Remodelling Your Bathroom On A Budget


The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in your house. If your bathroom is drab, dingy, and outdated then it may be time for a remodel. Remodelling a bathroom can be an expensive proposition, especially if you need a complete renovation. But remodelling your bathroom can be done on a limited budget.

The first thing you will need to do is to make a list of everything that needs to be done in your bathroom. Perhaps you need a new floor, new paint, or maybe the faucet is leaking. Take a look around and take note of everything that needs to be done in the bathroom, don’t worry about how much it will cost right now. List the simple projects, and the more complex renovations that need to be done.

Once you have a list of the projects that you want to do in the bathroom, you need to prioritize the list. What is more important, replacing the leaky faucet, or painting the walls? Obviously, the projects involving the function of the bathroom should take priority over projects that are simply cosmetic. You don’t need to sacrifice looks for function, though. If you need to replace that faucet, you can still upgrade from what you have. You can find a nice looking faucet and improve the appearance of the bathroom as well as the function.

Take a look at your budget. Which projects can you afford, and which ones will have to wait until later. Just because you have a long list of renovation projects for your bathroom doesn’t mean that they have to be done all at once, costing a lot of money. You can start to tackle the small, affordable projects while you start to save your money for the bigger projects.

Recycle when you can. Do you really need to buy a new vanity for your bathroom, or can you simply refinish the old one? In many cases, a new coat of paint or stain can work wonders. If you have more than one bathroom, and you are remodelling both of them, see if you can use fixtures and décor from one bathroom in the other. If you have friends and family that are also working on bathroom renovation projects, see what items you can trade with them.

You don’t need to buy new. If you look around at thrift stores, or salvage stores, you may be able to find fixtures and building supplies at reduced prices. Most major cities will have stores where you can buy used materials and fixtures. Craigslist is another good source for used fixtures and bathroom décor. Just make sure that they are in good working condition, and will fit in with your bathroom.
Remodelling the bathroom can add a lot of value to your home. Renovations can take that outdated dingy bathroom and turn it into a sleek and modern retreat. Just take things a step at a time though. Don’t spend more money than you have. Just fix and update what you can now, and save up for the bigger projects at a later time.

For creative ideas please visit http://www.pembrokebathrooms.com

Big Design Ideas For Small Baths


Big Design Ideas For Small Baths


If you have ever been envious of the high-end bathrooms that are portrayed in your favourite home improvement magazines, you’re probably not alone. If the size of your bathroom leaves something to be desired, then you can feel at a loss as to what to do. The following design ideas seem big by nature, but the can turn your little bathroom into a luxurious room.

Older homes tend to suffer from smaller bathrooms that measure about 5 feet by 8 feet. In order to combat the impending fear of claustrophobia, scale down some of the items in your bathroom. Start by choosing a pedestal sink instead of one that comes with long counter space and cabinets that can limit you. Choose light coloured tiles and paint to create a feeling of space as darker colours can make your bathroom feel even more cramped.

Use an Asian inspired design in your bathroom to enable the play of light and dark colours. A powder room vanity with a Japanese feel to it can enable you to mix modern elements with old world designs.  Meanwhile, an all brown layout can make your bath feel extra cramped, rotate the chocolate and deep brown colours with white and beige.

Take advantage of all the space in your bath, but don’t make it feel too cramped. Incorporate vanity lighting and light wall colours to create a feeling of more space. When necessary, use light oak finish furniture to expand your bath and use storage wisely.

If you prefer a more modern appeal to your bath, use horizontal tiled lines to create an illusion of more space and pair it with a frameless mirror. Use ceiling and wall vanity lighting to complement your space and lead the eye seamlessly around the bathroom. Last but not least, incorporate a low profile shower and pair it with a small toilet to create a larger appeal and a luxurious feel.
Take advantage of the shape of your bathroom by choosing a small yet effective vanity. Use a dark coloured vanity for light walls and a light vanity for dark walls. Maximize the storage space by purchasing a vanity that has drawers under the sink to hide your accessories.

If you have too much wall space, but nothing to cover it with choose a Zen way of decorating by using a long horizontal mirror. It can help you stretch the wall space and create the illusion of a much larger bath. In this case, choose a dark framed mirror with thick framing.

Paint is not always the best way to make a cramped space feel bigger. Choose white marble tiles and frameless mirrors to work together in order to create a feeling of space. Instead of installing a tub, install a glass door shower and pair it with a floor-to-ceiling cabinet system.

There is no reason why a small bath can’t be stylish or luxurious. Most people feel the need to expand their bathrooms for extra added cost, but it really isn’t necessary. Use your bathroom space the right way and incorporate light and dark colours to trick the eye.

For inspirational design ideas please visit our site: http://www.pembrokebathrooms.com