One truism in real estate holds: the resale value of one of the most important rooms in a home, is that of the bathroom. A bathroom can be a deal breaker for many sales. These days, with the housing market on rocky grounds, and with home sellers reluctant to dish out thousands into up-scale, expensive renovations, there's a fresh eye looking to the cheaper and less time consuming option of refurbishment.
Refurbishing involves making use of what you already have in a bathroom. Beginning first with the walls. A great way to spruce up and liven up any space, including the bathroom, is with a fresh coast of paint. You'll want to choose a color that ties in the new look and feel of your bathroom- something that'll keep the space light and bright and welcoming.
If you have older bathroom cupboards that are looking somewhat down trodden you might consider re-surfacing them. If they are wood, you might also re-stain them. Another consideration is to paint over the existing surface. In this case, you'll want to make sure you use the appropriate base of paint, and that you've properly treated, or sanded the cupboards before hand. You can then add new hardware to your re-surfaced cupboards. This punctuation will help update the look and feel of your bathroom.
Replacing the existing counter-top can be a great way to modernize your bathroom, and usually as there's little counter space in a bathroom this will not set you back that much. Granite, or granite looking countertops are universally popular, appealing and are easy to fit into many different decorating schemes.
If you can't seem to fit your existing lavender sink, bathtub and toilet ( circa 1965) into your modern refurbishment, you might want to consider replacing these fixtures. Otherwise, you can try to work around these retro elements and tie everything else back into them. The later, will of course be the cheaper way to go, although it may present more of a design challenge. But, set a budget and see how creative you can be with your financial limitations.
Some other important details to attend to are the vanity, the lighting fixtures and the floor. You might consider re-placing all of these, or if you're on a tighter budget think about re-vitalizing them.
Accessorizing once you've re-established the bones of your bathroom, can be great fun. Here, you can really tie everything into your "new" bathroom. Think about adding some color coordinated plush towels and designer soaps. You might also find some nice photographs to have framed and then carefully hang them. Also new window treatments and a shower curtain can work wonders to pull everything together.
There's truly so much possible with any space, and within any budget. So don't hesitate to put your creative energies into a bathroom refurbishment that'll surely boost the resale value of your home.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
What Causes Lights to Dim
There are many reasons why lights dim. The first reason could be that the lights are on a circuit with a larger appliance such as a refrigerator or air conditioner. When the appliance kicks in, the lights may dim because the appliance took a lot of power to start. You should have a dedicated circuit breaker for such appliances that require more power to start. If your wiring is not equipped to handle the load of electricity your home needs it could result in dimming lights. This is because the existing wiring has a large current need and the voltage can drop if the wiring has too much resistance.
If the lights get brighter and dimmer, you might have a corroded, broken or loose neutral wire. If this happens, you could be pushing 240 into the 120 outlets for a second. This is a more serious problem and should be corrected immediately by an experienced electrician. If your lights dim or flicker, you need to check for frayed wiring or loose connections. Another reason that lights dim is if there is something wired on the same circuit that is faulty. For instance, if your lights dim when you start the vacuum cleaner, it may be drawing too much power because of a faulty or wearing motor.
If you notice your lights are dimming, you need to find the source of the problem. It could be the light bulb itself or it could be something more serious. Inspect wiring and observe appliances while turning on and running. If you have not found the problem yourself you should have an electrician or an electrical contractor come and inspect the wiring and appliances. Electricians do have more ways of searching for electrical problems. An electrician will troubleshoot the wiring and circuitry before suggesting what the problem is as well as what has to be done to correct it.
If the lights get brighter and dimmer, you might have a corroded, broken or loose neutral wire. If this happens, you could be pushing 240 into the 120 outlets for a second. This is a more serious problem and should be corrected immediately by an experienced electrician. If your lights dim or flicker, you need to check for frayed wiring or loose connections. Another reason that lights dim is if there is something wired on the same circuit that is faulty. For instance, if your lights dim when you start the vacuum cleaner, it may be drawing too much power because of a faulty or wearing motor.
If you notice your lights are dimming, you need to find the source of the problem. It could be the light bulb itself or it could be something more serious. Inspect wiring and observe appliances while turning on and running. If you have not found the problem yourself you should have an electrician or an electrical contractor come and inspect the wiring and appliances. Electricians do have more ways of searching for electrical problems. An electrician will troubleshoot the wiring and circuitry before suggesting what the problem is as well as what has to be done to correct it.
Environmentally Friendly & Affordable Home Improvements
The environmentally friendly and affordable way to change to the look of your living room with made to measure sofa and chair covers.
It is a fact that the success of recycling is of utmost importance to our society and to make it really work, everyone needs to participate and do their bit. With kerbside recycling schemes being rolled-out across the UK, we are all becoming more aware of the need to partake in the three 'R's: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
When buying new living room furniture, whether it is cheap or expensive, the wood needs to come from somewhere and more likely than not it has to be shipped. Which not only increases our carbon footprint through transportation and declining trees to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen but also contributes to environmental problems caused by the effects of deforestation.
So then what do we do with the old furniture? We throw it out of course!
Mountains of waste are being dumped in landfills every year. Though we are all pretty well educated in the processes of recycling small items like aluminium, glass, and paper, how many of us realise just how easy it is to recycle larger items - like a sofa or armchair.
Of course not everyone is wholly concerned with environmental issues, cost can also be a contributing factor.
Many of us would like to change our homes the same way we change our seasonal wardrobes, but few of us can actually afford to. A recent survey (Carried out by Koan Ltd) to cast light on people's interior tastes revealed that 60% of people could only afford to redecorate their homes every 2-5 years, even though the same percentage said that their tastes actually changed from year to year.
Luckily now, not only is there a more affordable, stylish and easy solution to instantly change the look of your home, but there is an environmentally friendly one too, enabling you to 'reduce, reuse and recycle'. Rather than spending a fortune on this season's fleetingly fashionable designs, or putting up with a shameful suite, you can give your piece of furniture a stunning new look using a unique service: Made-to-Measure Furniture Covers.
What also came out in the survey was peoples perceptions of loose covers. Many still think that ill-fitting floral stretchy fabric only your Gran used to own is all you can achieve. Made to Measure Loose Covers have come along way since the mid-fifties, there are now many modern and contemporary designs in beautiful chenille and cotton fabrics to update any style of interior decor.
There are even now covers for leather furniture that can mimic the new leather and luxury chenille combination designs coming from all the major furniture retailers, so your tired leather furniture can be transformed into the cutting edge looks of today.
It is a fact that the success of recycling is of utmost importance to our society and to make it really work, everyone needs to participate and do their bit. With kerbside recycling schemes being rolled-out across the UK, we are all becoming more aware of the need to partake in the three 'R's: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
When buying new living room furniture, whether it is cheap or expensive, the wood needs to come from somewhere and more likely than not it has to be shipped. Which not only increases our carbon footprint through transportation and declining trees to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen but also contributes to environmental problems caused by the effects of deforestation.
So then what do we do with the old furniture? We throw it out of course!
Mountains of waste are being dumped in landfills every year. Though we are all pretty well educated in the processes of recycling small items like aluminium, glass, and paper, how many of us realise just how easy it is to recycle larger items - like a sofa or armchair.
Of course not everyone is wholly concerned with environmental issues, cost can also be a contributing factor.
Many of us would like to change our homes the same way we change our seasonal wardrobes, but few of us can actually afford to. A recent survey (Carried out by Koan Ltd) to cast light on people's interior tastes revealed that 60% of people could only afford to redecorate their homes every 2-5 years, even though the same percentage said that their tastes actually changed from year to year.
Luckily now, not only is there a more affordable, stylish and easy solution to instantly change the look of your home, but there is an environmentally friendly one too, enabling you to 'reduce, reuse and recycle'. Rather than spending a fortune on this season's fleetingly fashionable designs, or putting up with a shameful suite, you can give your piece of furniture a stunning new look using a unique service: Made-to-Measure Furniture Covers.
What also came out in the survey was peoples perceptions of loose covers. Many still think that ill-fitting floral stretchy fabric only your Gran used to own is all you can achieve. Made to Measure Loose Covers have come along way since the mid-fifties, there are now many modern and contemporary designs in beautiful chenille and cotton fabrics to update any style of interior decor.
There are even now covers for leather furniture that can mimic the new leather and luxury chenille combination designs coming from all the major furniture retailers, so your tired leather furniture can be transformed into the cutting edge looks of today.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Mobile Home Care
Renovating manufactured homes or mobile homes often presents new challenges not found in other types of homes. Here are some tips for you to consider when it is time to fix yours.
One of the advantages to living in a manufactured or mobile home is that there are no support beams to worry about. There are no load-bearing walls inside the structure. The roof of a manufactured home is generally supported by the outer walls. So if you need space in your manufactured home, simply removing an interior wall can work wonders. Please note that you may have to renovate other walls so they can provide additional support for the outer walls but this fix should be easily accomplished.
If you do remove the wall, be careful with the surrounding floors and ceilings. Floors in manufactured homes are not thick and may have been weakened from exposure to the outdoors. If you remove an interior wall, you may find wildlife investigating your digs as well. So be sure to fill in any small holes to prevent animals or insects from moving in. This includes nail holes, screw holes and any tiny holes that resulted from taking out the wall. You will need to keep an eye out for critters that may have wandered in.
Another great way to add space is to add a porch. This is an easy project but you must remember to build it as a free-standing unit. Do not try to incorporate it into your manufactured home's structure. Your home was not designed to support an additional porch and it may not be able to bear the additional weight.
If you need additional storage space, consider adding a shed. These are quite durable and can be used for indoor and outdoor seasonal items. Check to make sure the shed is allowed where you live.
Because the space under the flooring is subjected to the elements, it is always a good idea to inspect that space from time to time. Make sure everything is in good repair and be sure to make necessary repairs in a timely manner. Also be sure your home is ready for sudden storms and keep the names of reputable contractors on hand in case disaster strikes your area.
Be sure to plan ahead for any renovation project. Make sure you have the money, the time and the ability to finish it. If you don't have the money, wait until you do. If you don't have the time, ask a friend to help. If you don't have the ability, hire a professional who is familiar with working on manufactured homes. This is your home we're talking about. You want a job that is done right.
Manufactured homes are wonderfully affordable housing that will you will enjoy for years, if you take the time and effort to keep them up.
Greg Hansward regularly edits news on areas dealing with kitchen center islands. You can have a look at his comments on pictures of kitchen islands and kitchen island designs at http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_K._Hansward
One of the advantages to living in a manufactured or mobile home is that there are no support beams to worry about. There are no load-bearing walls inside the structure. The roof of a manufactured home is generally supported by the outer walls. So if you need space in your manufactured home, simply removing an interior wall can work wonders. Please note that you may have to renovate other walls so they can provide additional support for the outer walls but this fix should be easily accomplished.
If you do remove the wall, be careful with the surrounding floors and ceilings. Floors in manufactured homes are not thick and may have been weakened from exposure to the outdoors. If you remove an interior wall, you may find wildlife investigating your digs as well. So be sure to fill in any small holes to prevent animals or insects from moving in. This includes nail holes, screw holes and any tiny holes that resulted from taking out the wall. You will need to keep an eye out for critters that may have wandered in.
Another great way to add space is to add a porch. This is an easy project but you must remember to build it as a free-standing unit. Do not try to incorporate it into your manufactured home's structure. Your home was not designed to support an additional porch and it may not be able to bear the additional weight.
If you need additional storage space, consider adding a shed. These are quite durable and can be used for indoor and outdoor seasonal items. Check to make sure the shed is allowed where you live.
Because the space under the flooring is subjected to the elements, it is always a good idea to inspect that space from time to time. Make sure everything is in good repair and be sure to make necessary repairs in a timely manner. Also be sure your home is ready for sudden storms and keep the names of reputable contractors on hand in case disaster strikes your area.
Be sure to plan ahead for any renovation project. Make sure you have the money, the time and the ability to finish it. If you don't have the money, wait until you do. If you don't have the time, ask a friend to help. If you don't have the ability, hire a professional who is familiar with working on manufactured homes. This is your home we're talking about. You want a job that is done right.
Manufactured homes are wonderfully affordable housing that will you will enjoy for years, if you take the time and effort to keep them up.
Greg Hansward regularly edits news on areas dealing with kitchen center islands. You can have a look at his comments on pictures of kitchen islands and kitchen island designs at http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_K._Hansward
Mowing To Success!
Remember that Spring & Summer are Grass Cutting seasons so you want to have your Mower in "Tip Top" Shape. Follow these simple steps:
- Always empty out old gas and put in New with a Gas Additive
- Check or Change your Oil, always put in Fresh.
- Change your Spark Plug(it's a $2.00 Cheap Fix)
- Check you Blade to make sure it's not worn or bent,if so get a New One.
Follow these steps to Mowing Success!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Replacing Door Hinges
Hinges, thank goodness, are relatively simple items. With a few handyman's tools, you could be replacing them before you know it. The existing hinge just has to be unscrewed and taken off to leave the way clear for the new hinge to be screwed on. Then take your door, window, lid or whatever and connect it back to where it came from.
Having said this, and to avoid grief and misery (like having to get back in the car, drive back to the store, dig out the receipt and start over), you do need to know an important fact. You need to know if the hinge that you require is left-handed or right-handed. Without this important information, you are doomed to a guessing game with a 50% chance of losing or winning, but really, more of losing.
So how, on a practical level, do you find out if you need to buy left-handed or right-handed hinges? Listen up. Go to the door, window or lid and grab the handle. Open the door (or window, or lid). If you grabbed the handle with your left hand and the door opened, either towards you or away from you, then you are dealing with a left-handed hinge. Note this down carefully; left-handed hinge.
However, if you grabbed the handle with your right hand and still managed to open the door, window or lid, then you are face to face with a right-handed hinge. In this case, put a line through left-handed hinge. Write "right-handed hinge".
You are now ahead of the hinge game. If you want to learn even more about these items, you can use Internet search engines to dig up fascinating and little known facts on hinges. An example of such facts concerns the butt hinge. Not only does the butt hinge exist (really), but it is also available in two different varieties, the fixed pin version and the loose pin version. Beware of the trap that is so innocently being sprung before you. The fixed pin butt hinge means that you cannot remove the pin. The loose pin butt hinge means that you can remove the pin.
So if your idea of a good time is to repeatedly take a door off of its hinges before putting it back in place, then the loose pin butt hinge may be the ideal companion for you.
Other types of hinges include the knuckle hinge. Its advantages are that it is both strong and decorative. It makes a good hinge for an outside door which is typically heavier than an inside door. In addition to this it gives your outside door pizzazz and makes the neighbors gawk.
Spring-loaded ones will keep your doors (windows, lids, etc.) shut. This will give your doors a mind of their own and keep next door's cat out of your kitchen. Remember that some of them have almost become fashion accessories, at least within a house. Select each hinge with care, so as to match color, material and function with doors and decoration.
Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of a wide variety of online specialty shops that offer both products and information on how you can easily furnish and decorate your space. Whether it's your living, bedroom, or even your deck or patio, there are many tips you can use to make your space both functional and beautiful. Today, she offers advice on how to create a fabulous indoor area by charming cabinet hinges, handsome door hinges and strong hinges
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Akre
Having said this, and to avoid grief and misery (like having to get back in the car, drive back to the store, dig out the receipt and start over), you do need to know an important fact. You need to know if the hinge that you require is left-handed or right-handed. Without this important information, you are doomed to a guessing game with a 50% chance of losing or winning, but really, more of losing.
So how, on a practical level, do you find out if you need to buy left-handed or right-handed hinges? Listen up. Go to the door, window or lid and grab the handle. Open the door (or window, or lid). If you grabbed the handle with your left hand and the door opened, either towards you or away from you, then you are dealing with a left-handed hinge. Note this down carefully; left-handed hinge.
However, if you grabbed the handle with your right hand and still managed to open the door, window or lid, then you are face to face with a right-handed hinge. In this case, put a line through left-handed hinge. Write "right-handed hinge".
You are now ahead of the hinge game. If you want to learn even more about these items, you can use Internet search engines to dig up fascinating and little known facts on hinges. An example of such facts concerns the butt hinge. Not only does the butt hinge exist (really), but it is also available in two different varieties, the fixed pin version and the loose pin version. Beware of the trap that is so innocently being sprung before you. The fixed pin butt hinge means that you cannot remove the pin. The loose pin butt hinge means that you can remove the pin.
So if your idea of a good time is to repeatedly take a door off of its hinges before putting it back in place, then the loose pin butt hinge may be the ideal companion for you.
Other types of hinges include the knuckle hinge. Its advantages are that it is both strong and decorative. It makes a good hinge for an outside door which is typically heavier than an inside door. In addition to this it gives your outside door pizzazz and makes the neighbors gawk.
Spring-loaded ones will keep your doors (windows, lids, etc.) shut. This will give your doors a mind of their own and keep next door's cat out of your kitchen. Remember that some of them have almost become fashion accessories, at least within a house. Select each hinge with care, so as to match color, material and function with doors and decoration.
Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of a wide variety of online specialty shops that offer both products and information on how you can easily furnish and decorate your space. Whether it's your living, bedroom, or even your deck or patio, there are many tips you can use to make your space both functional and beautiful. Today, she offers advice on how to create a fabulous indoor area by charming cabinet hinges, handsome door hinges and strong hinges
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Akre
7 Common Plumbing Problems
7 Common Plumbing Problems and Fixes:
Many homes, even brand new homes, can have plumbing problems. However, instead of getting a plumber involved, it is possible to fix many of these plumbing problems without professional help. Here are seven common plumbing problems, as well as how to fix them:
Lack of hot water Plumbing problems related to water temperature always lead to your water heater. You might be able to turn up the thermostat on your water heater. However, your water heater may be clogged with calcium deposits, which limits the amount of hot water it can produce. In this event, it is possible to remove these deposits from most water heaters. Replacing the heating elements is can also restore hot water to your home. Another possibility is that the water heater is beyond repair and must be replaced.
Leaky faucet A leaky faucet is one of the easiest plumbing problems to fix. The source of the leak is usually a bad seal in the faucet handle. Simply disassemble the faucet, replace the worn out part (usually a rubber gasket), and put it back together.
Clogged Toilet A clogged toilet is among the list of common but easily solved, plumbing problems. Most clogged toilets can be fixed by plunging. However, if plunging the toilet does not alleviate the clog, serious plumbing problems could be the cause.
Toilet Does Not Flush Everything If your toilet is not clogged, but does not flush everything, there may not be enough water to carry everything away. In the tank behind the toilet bowl, there is a float that controls how much water is used. Making the float sit higher so that more water is used should cure plumbing problems related to a weak flush.
Slow Draining Sinks Most home remedies for slow draining sinks involve pouring some kind of solution down the drain to loosen deposits that slow the flow of water. Remedies for these plumbing problems include solutions from store bought drain cleaners to bleach or hot vinegar. Another way to solve and prevent these types of plumbing problems is to fill all the sinks with water and drain them all at once. The pressure caused by this volume of water can help push deposits out of your pipes.
Pipes under the Sink Leak Before you tackle these plumbing problems, make sure the fixture with the leak is not clogged. If there is no clog, find the source of the leak. In the event that the leak is coming from the juncture of two pipes, try to tighten it. If this does not work, take the leaky section apart and check for stripped or damaged threads. Replacing a damaged part may be necessary, but wrapping the threads with Teflon tape will eliminate most leaky joints. However, if there is a crack in a pipe or appliance component, replacement is usually the only option.
Toilet Leaks from the Base A toilet leak, if it is in fact coming from the base, can usually be fixed by replacing the wax ring that fits between the toilet and the floor. This can be relatively simply to do, unless the floor is uneven or something else prevents solid contact between the toilet and the wax ring.
Dealing with Common Plumbing Problems Although fixing plumbing problems is not usually fun, you can save yourself a lot of money by not calling a plumber. Even if you do decide to get a plumber involved, diagnosing the problem can shorten the process and ensure that a plumber does not try to fix anything that is not broken.
Written by Henry James. For information on finding a licensed and experienced Melbourne plumber, please visit http://www.melbourneplumber.com.au/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Henry_James
Many homes, even brand new homes, can have plumbing problems. However, instead of getting a plumber involved, it is possible to fix many of these plumbing problems without professional help. Here are seven common plumbing problems, as well as how to fix them:
Lack of hot water Plumbing problems related to water temperature always lead to your water heater. You might be able to turn up the thermostat on your water heater. However, your water heater may be clogged with calcium deposits, which limits the amount of hot water it can produce. In this event, it is possible to remove these deposits from most water heaters. Replacing the heating elements is can also restore hot water to your home. Another possibility is that the water heater is beyond repair and must be replaced.
Leaky faucet A leaky faucet is one of the easiest plumbing problems to fix. The source of the leak is usually a bad seal in the faucet handle. Simply disassemble the faucet, replace the worn out part (usually a rubber gasket), and put it back together.
Clogged Toilet A clogged toilet is among the list of common but easily solved, plumbing problems. Most clogged toilets can be fixed by plunging. However, if plunging the toilet does not alleviate the clog, serious plumbing problems could be the cause.
Toilet Does Not Flush Everything If your toilet is not clogged, but does not flush everything, there may not be enough water to carry everything away. In the tank behind the toilet bowl, there is a float that controls how much water is used. Making the float sit higher so that more water is used should cure plumbing problems related to a weak flush.
Slow Draining Sinks Most home remedies for slow draining sinks involve pouring some kind of solution down the drain to loosen deposits that slow the flow of water. Remedies for these plumbing problems include solutions from store bought drain cleaners to bleach or hot vinegar. Another way to solve and prevent these types of plumbing problems is to fill all the sinks with water and drain them all at once. The pressure caused by this volume of water can help push deposits out of your pipes.
Pipes under the Sink Leak Before you tackle these plumbing problems, make sure the fixture with the leak is not clogged. If there is no clog, find the source of the leak. In the event that the leak is coming from the juncture of two pipes, try to tighten it. If this does not work, take the leaky section apart and check for stripped or damaged threads. Replacing a damaged part may be necessary, but wrapping the threads with Teflon tape will eliminate most leaky joints. However, if there is a crack in a pipe or appliance component, replacement is usually the only option.
Toilet Leaks from the Base A toilet leak, if it is in fact coming from the base, can usually be fixed by replacing the wax ring that fits between the toilet and the floor. This can be relatively simply to do, unless the floor is uneven or something else prevents solid contact between the toilet and the wax ring.
Dealing with Common Plumbing Problems Although fixing plumbing problems is not usually fun, you can save yourself a lot of money by not calling a plumber. Even if you do decide to get a plumber involved, diagnosing the problem can shorten the process and ensure that a plumber does not try to fix anything that is not broken.
Written by Henry James. For information on finding a licensed and experienced Melbourne plumber, please visit http://www.melbourneplumber.com.au/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Henry_James
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