Guides - House Reno Tips

How to Solder Copper Pipe with Water In It

Tried, Tested and Truly Versatile Plumbing Material

Many first time home renovators are intimidated with copper plumbing because of its unforgiving nature. While it is true that copper can sometimes be a little tricky to work with, it is also a very stable, resilient, and versatile plumbing material.

Unlike plastic pipes, copper pipe takes special tools and practiced skills to get it right. Just be aware that you will be using a red hot soldering torch with equally hot solder in order to sweat the joints probably in a tight or enclosed cupboard space.

Read more: How Much Space Do You Need?

But it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. Once you learn to respect the medium, soldering copper tubing will just be another skill you can use in your arsenal of tools when remodelling or renovating your bathroom.

The tools you will need when working with copper pipe are:
1) Copper tubing and fittings
2) Wheel cutter for cutting copper pipe
3) Soldering torch and solder
4) Gloves and protective welder goggles
5) Cleaning tools (wire brush or soap free abrasive scrubbing pad and rag)
6) Flux and brush

If you need to cut your copper pipe to size you can use a wheel cutter or a miniature hacksaw to get the job done. Before you can use the copper pipes you first must to utilize your wire brush to clean the copper tube ends called hubs.

It is required that you clean at least an inch at each end, both inside and outside the copper tube until each pipe end is shiny. Next generously spread on flux onto the copper pipes end as well as the inside of the fitting using a small brush. Be sure to wipe off any excess flux using your rag.

The Proper Application of Solder

On this plumbing project, before you solder, it is easier to hold the material if you unravel about thirty inches of solder from the spool and wrap it around your palm so it is easily accessible and offers you better control when applying the solder.

As a precautionary measure, it is important that you remove any plastic or rubber parts from the shutoff valve because you don’t want the heat to damage them.

Using your soldering torch, heat both sides of the lowest hub on the pipe fitting until it is hot. Gently press the solder to the fitting and continue to heat the fitting until the heat causes the solder to melt.

Continue around the pipe until it is surrounded by solder. It is important to note here that before the solder solidifies, you should wipe away any excess solder from each joint before it hardens. And make sure you wipe away from yourself because you don’t want hot solder getting on you.

While some copper plumbing jobs may involve some tricky soldering and the thought of working with a solder torch in a confined space may not be appealing or even wise for some people, it is still a learnable skill that will provide you with the satisfaction that you did the job your self and in the process saved some money on your bathroom renovation project.

Unclogging Drains in Your Bathroom

houserenotips on

Choked Drain Pipes Leaving You Breathless?

Arrgh, my drain is backed up in my toilet again! So what are some easy home remedies for opening clogged drains in your bathroom? Well, the quickest and easiest thing to do is grab your typical plunger. The process is pretty straightforward, you know the drill. What you don’t want to do however, is to vigorously plunge up and down like a jack hammer.

The most effective way to clear your drain is to cover the drain opening completely with the bell-shaped head of the plunger and push down firmly but gently, then come up quickly and forcefully creating suction.

Normally the suction of the upwards movement will pull what ever is stuck in your drain back up into the bathroom toilet, tub or sink. It should be noted here that some tubs and sinks have overflow outlets that must be plugged with a sponge or wet towel before you can use your plunger effectively.

plumber unclogs sink with plunger and a rag

The other alternative to using your plunger is to purchase a commercial product that uses chemicals to loosen the blockage, such as liquid plumber. While this method is not as environmentally friendly, it may be your only solution for stubborn blockages. This is usually done only after you have attempted many times to unplug your drain using your plunger.

The chemicals must sit for a while in your drain (anywhere from 30 min to several hours) as it eats away at the blockage, slowly dissolving the gunk, then you must run hot water down the drain to flush it out. Its always a good idea to wear clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty or being stained by corrosive chemicals.

And as an extra precautionary measure, eye protection is not a bad idea either if you plan on plunging again.You really don’t want to be splashed in the face by any residual back splash of chemical laden water. In any case, read the directions carefully and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid any unnecessary problems.

Also if you do have a mild clog in your sink or bathtub a homemade concoction of vinegar and baking soda poured down your drain and left for several hours might be all that you need to get that water flowing again.

The next thing you can attempt to use if your plunger is ineffective, is to loosen the nuts holding the P-trap in place with pliers or a pipe wrench. Now this is going to get messy so be prepared with a towel and bucket to clean up the mess.

Removing Solid Waste Obstructions

Here is a helpful tip: if you don’t want to damage the chrome finish of your pipes and also to get a better grip on your pipe, you can wrap the jaws of your wrench with electrical tape (this is good to know if you have to remove your drain pipes during your next bathroom renovation).

Once the P-trap is removed, check the trap for any solid waste materials obstructing the pipe’s opening. Hopefully this will solve the problem but if it doesn’t and you can’t find anything, the problem probably runs a lot deeper in your drain system and could be anywhere between the trap and the soil stack, in which case you may actually have to call in a plumber.

If you are trying to unclog your toilet you can use a toilet auger. If on the other hand you are attempting to unclog your tub or sink you may need to use a drain snake. Drain snakes are designed to reach deep down into the far reaches of your narrow pipes to access your plumbing’s design.

By twisting the adjustable handle you are actually drilling into the clog. With the clog now broken apart, you then pull the obstruction up and out of your drain.

Once the obstruction is out, reconnect the P-trap and steadily run hot water through the drain to make sure that all is clear. To finish up, make sure that everything is tight and sealed properly and test the P-trap for any leaks.

Unfortunately if all these above methods fail then you need to call in a professional plumber. Some common problems that are beyond the capabilities of the regular DIY homeowner, are blockages in the soil stack or the sewer service.

This is normally caused by the roots of trees or even a collapsed pipe which could be the result of old age, deterioration of the pipes, or the ground sinking or shifting due to excessive moisture or possibly even an earth tremor.

Read more: How Much Space Do You Need?

Troubleshooting Toilet Flush Problems 101

houserenotips on

Getting to the Bottom of the Malfunction

We have all flushed our toilet and without a second thought, left the bathroom to the sound of the toilet bowl refilling with water and went about our daily business fully expecting the bowl to fill then miraculously shut itself off, only to find ten, fifteen or even twenty minutes later that there is still a sound coming from our bathroom when all should be silent.

So you trod back to your lavatory with a quizzical look on your face only to find the tank is filled but the water is still running.

This is not only annoying but could also turn out to be costly with all the water you are wasting. If this happens first check the handle and trip lever to make sure the assembly that is connected to the flush ball is not malfunctioning.

Make certain the flush ball is properly seated on the ball seat. The two things that could cause this leak are: the ball seat being corroded or the float ball may be punctured and may have excessive water inside, hindering it to rise up to the correct level.

If you ever opened a conventional toilet after it has been flushed you will have witnessed that as the water rises in the tank, so does the float ball and when it reaches a point just below the overflow tube, the float shuts off the inlet valve because the tank is full and ready for the next flush.

Read more: How Much Space Do You Need?

So what if this doesn’t happen, what are some simple solutions for troubleshooting your toilet?

Homeowners tend to get a little nervous when it comes to their bathrooms plumbing design. Well if your toilet won’t flush properly the first thing you should do is check your tank. The water level may be too low in the tank.

If that is the case you can simply bend the float ball arm up to permit enough water to flow into your toilet bowl. If on the other hand you have a cylindrical float, you can pinch the clamp on the side of the float to raise it up.

Dealing With Water Flow Issues

Another problem you may encounter is when the water runs constantly even after the tank is filled. Since water level is a result of the float ball, the first thing you should do is adjust the float downward.

Examine the float ball to make sure it has no holes causing it to retain water and as a result not float properly. Another thing you can check is the inlet valve washer which could possibly be leaking and needs to be replaced. And lastly check the flush ball and ball seat for deterioration which could cause the seal to fail.

Read more: Sewing a Shower Curtain

If your toilet won’t flush at all check the lever assembly. This includes in functional order, the handle, next the trip lever, the guide arm and float arm.

Just make sure the connections between the parts are not corroded and nothing is hindering the free movement of the assembly. With the toilet handle, make certain it is neither too loose nor too tight. Check the trip lever to ensure it is not bent, if so straighten it out.

Next the connection between the trip lever and the guide arm may also be out-of-wack or even broken from corrosion. If out of alignment, this must be corrected or else the flush ball may not be raised up high enough to let the tank water out.

Toilet drain problems however can become more involved. If using a plunger or snake does not resolve the toilet being backed up, you may be required to remove your toilet from its foundation to get at your drains to unclog any blockage material, which unfortunately may require you to involve a plumber.

As you can see with conventional toilets, the everyday laymen/woman can troubleshoot and repair their toilet flush problems without the aid of a plumbing professional. Most of the flush problems in your toilet arise from the water level being either too high or too low.

Read more: Bathroom Wall Lights

The Crazy Things That Get Stuck in Your Toilet and What to do About it!

houserenotips on

If it can fit, it Will be Flushed

I was recently talking to a plumber friend, who just happens to be dating my daughter. I was curious about the interesting and weird things that plumbers find when unclogging home toilets so I asked Matthew.

He started out by saying, “If it can fit, it can be flushed down your toilet, there-in lies the problem. You get your usual things like kid’s toys, car keys and wads of paper towels.

What people don’t realize is that paper towels were never meant to be flushed down toilets because they don’t break down like toilet paper when wadded up and flushed down the drain and when combined with solid waste, can lead to blockage and possible overflowing.

Read more: Bathroom Wall Lights

Some of the more weird things myself and other plumbers have found include light bulbs, massage balls, drug needles and believe it or not a dead bat that somehow got in there. It’s amazing some of the crazy things that you will find. “

So if your toilet keeps getting clogged or backed up, the most likely cause is that there is something that doesn’t belong down there that got flushed and is now stuck in your plumbing.

Now, your first response is usually to grab a plunger and thrust like a mad man in hopes of forcing the thing down the drain. We have all been there. But according to Terry Love of (Love Plumbing & Remodel), there’s a right way to plunge a toilet.

“Put the plunger in with water in a bowl, and after a series of short, quick strokes, pull up until everything sucks down. Usually, people do big strokes up and down, Terry says. But using that method, some blockages won’t move.”

Read more: Sewing a Shower Curtain

When to Call a Plumber

If you tried plunging to no avail should you just rack up your losses and call a plumber? Well the answer is yes and no.

You can purchase ($600) or more likely rent a hand snake, which looks like a hollowed out cane with a rod in the middle that you push back and forth in hopes of reaching and pushing out the clog. Still if that doesn’t work, the best solution is to use a toilet auger or toilet snake as it is sometimes called to snake your toilet.

You can also rent these units as they cost around $10, 000 dollars or you can do what most people do when they have a persistent clog and call a professional, your friendly neighborhood local plumber.

Read more: How Much Space Do You Need?

The normal duties of a plumber consist of installing, repairing and maintaining toilets, sinks, bathtubs, septic tanks, water heaters, sewers and water piping systems.

A certified plumber can also read blueprints, drawings and schematic specifications to determine the best layout of your plumbing systems, venting systems, water supply set-up, waste and your home’s drainage system.

It’s important to consult a plumber in the early stages of your bathroom design plans because if your plan calls for some major bathroom renovations, your plumber will be responsible for planning, measuring, bending, cutting, threading pipes and installing fixtures used to transport all the water, waste and sewage safely throughout your home.

Another important job of your plumber is to make certain your home meets safety standards that match local building municipal codes and regulations.

The Top 5 Bath Sink Materials and their Pros and Cons

houserenotips on

Which Material is Right For You

Bathroom sinks like humanity has evolved over time. Leaving the undermount sunken confines of the vanity, they now sit proudly on top of the counter in plain view heralding their beauty for all to see.

But not only has their place on the vanity changed, the materials which they were once limited to have also diversified. The top five rated bathroom sink materials according to Consumer Reports are: Enamel, Stainless Steel, Glass, Vitreous China, Acrylic and Solid Surfacing.

All of these materials are used widely throughout the industry and each has its pros and cons depending upon your individual bathroom needs.

Enamel – Enamel Cast Iron and Enameled Steel sinks get the highest marks for bathroom sinks. They range in price from (100-400) dollars for Enamel Cast Iron and about (40-60) dollars for Enameled Steel.

These types of bathroom sinks hold the highest score when it comes to temperament and resistance against stains, scratches, dents or shattering, dings or chips and heat.

Glass – Tempered glass sinks rate very high for resistance to heat, staining, and dents or shattering and have an above average ability to cope with scratches. The only downside of glass is its below average ability to defy dings or chips.

The upside to Glass over Vitreous China was that if a glass sink broke it left larger less threatening pieces than the jagged shards from vitreous china. The average Glass sink cost about (300-700) dollars.

Read more: Sewing a Shower Curtain

Vitreous China – Or Porcelain sinks, range in price from (75-500) dollars, Vitreous China gets very high marks for resistance to stains and heat. Above average, for scratches but is only fair when it comes to dents or shattering and dings or chips.

Most Popular New Styles

Stainless Steel – These sinks are probably your best buy when it comes to bathroom fixtures. They are above average in every aspect against stains, scratches, dents or shattering, dings or chips and get very high marks when it comes to overcoming heat.

They are priced slightly above the rest (300-750) dollars but offer the most bang for your buck. One of the things that we found was that manufacturers usually charge more for thicker, 18-gauge stainless sinks than for thinner, 23-gauge kinds.

Read more: Bathroom Wall Lights

It has been shown that both types fended off dents and heat similarly, and silenced noise just as well. So thicker does not necessarily mean better.

Acrylic – Range in price from (40-80) dollars. While these acrylic sinks get very high marks when it comes to resisting dents or shattering and dings or chips, they have below average resistance to scratches and an even more dismal score when it comes to resisting heat. Just remember you get what you pay for.

Solid Surfacing – Is the least impressive material for bathroom sinks due to the below average resistance to scratches and average score when it comes to dents, stains, scratches, chips or heat. The only saving grace of this material is the midrange price of (125-225) dollars.

We at BathroomGuru Review feel that Glass and stainless steel sinks are among the two best new materials that are making inroads into the style and shape of the bathroom sink landscape.

Read more: Freestanding Storage Units

How Much Space Do You Need?

houserenotips on

Plan the installation of your bathroom vanity countertop with care. Measuring your countertop for replacement allows you to estimate not only how much space you have but will also help you determine the cost of your replacement materials. Because the top side of your counter is such a large prominent work surface and the fact that a fair amount of activity in the washroom takes place here. There its presence normally dictates it as being the centerpiece of your overall bath design.

If your surfaces are looking a bit dated or is damaged and needs replacing, there are many solutions on the market that are affordable and durable. In many respects, planning and measuring your countertop for replacement is easier than planning for any other room in your home because bathrooms are normally the smallest room in your house.

Although space restrictions may limit the size of the work surface of your vanity as well as whether or not you have purchased a stock vanity base, there are still options you can incorporate into your design to overhang and increase the usable surface area of your vanity countertop.

The Center Piece of Your Design

Just remember when designing and measuring a lavatory countertop for replacement that it should not overwhelm the vanity or the room but fit comfortably into the space to balance the rest of your fixtures in your lavatory.

Your countertop is one of the first things that you notice as you enter the room, an off kilter work surface will create an unbalanced look and possibly unsightly tapered edges where the top surface meets the backsplash.

You can purchase building materials by the foot or by square footage, either way, before installing a new tabletop for your old vanity; it is paramount that you make sure the cabinet frame is level.

Calculating The Square Footage

The tools you will need when measuring your surfaces for replacement are: a carpenter’s level, measuring tape, ruler, pencil, and some graph paper to record the dimensions of your countertop. To calculate the length, width, and square footage of your bathroom vanity top you must first begin by measuring and recording the top side of the back flat working surface of the fixture.

This is important when remodeling your bath because even if your counter is not in a straight line, this measurement will help gauge the amount of material you will need to obtain when evaluating your countertop for replacement. When measuring, a good rule of thumb followed by most renovation professionals is to measure three times for accuracy.

Also to get an accurate account of the width, try to measure at the side edge so that the width of the backsplash does not interfere with your measurement. A typical bath countertop measures about thirty-four and a half inches long.

Will Your New Counter be Larger or Smaller?

An important consideration before you measure your vanity counter for replacement is whether you will be using the same area occupied by your current countertop or whether your remodeling plans incorporate an expansion of your existing counter space.

If you find that you can squeeze more surface space out of your layout by extending your countertop ledge past the vanity and along an unused wall then you must realize you will have to purchase a much larger slab of surfacing material in order to build your custom extended wall-hugging countertop. Of course, the only stipulation with a customized countertop is to make sure there is enough room to move around without bumping into other fixtures in the room.

Read more: Sewing a Shower Curtain

There are many choices in affordable surface materials that are heat and stain-resistant to be used for the countertop in your grooming station. So keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to make an expensive investment in granite when there are numerous prefabricated resources available.

Another thing to remember when measuring a lavatory counter for replacement is that you should measure the distance from the ground and also take into consideration the floor area occupied by the countertop and vanity unit, not just the designated top of the counter.

Getting The Most Out of Your Countertop Materials

So in order to calculate the square footage of your surface area, you need to take the measurement of the widest width and multiply that number by the total length of the back of your planned grooming area. With this figure in hand you can accurately compare prices of different materials to get the most bang for your buck.

Before cutting into the countertop material you need to take your graph paper and make a life-size mock-up of your intended design. This diagram should include the accurate placement of your bath sink and faucets so when you place the graph paper on your building material, you will have a precise sketch of where to cut out your fixtures, thereby eliminating any wastage of expensive construction materials.

Besides, who wants to have to buy, measure, and cut your countertop again, so measure, measure and measure once again, just to be on the safe side when evaluating your vanity top to replace the one you already have.

Read more: Bathroom Wall Lights

Custom Designs

As a side note, make sure when designing a custom countertop that you take into consideration getting the material into the chamber and also that you will actually have enough space around the countertop to put it in.

A flat level working surface designed to fit or be used on a bathroom cabinet or vanity is the definition of a countertop, but this grooming surface is far more than that. It is a communal area where we can groom ourselves, store our precious trinkets, or put on display our sense of taste and wealth with our choice of exotic natural surface materials.

It can make your powder room look tacky or become the centerpiece of your room’s design, either way accurately measuring your bathroom countertop for replacement will ensure it will make a major contribution to both the design and usability of your lavatory, so do it right the first time.

Read more: Freestanding Storage Units

Sewing a Shower Curtain

houserenotips on

Bath Accessories Make the Difference

Sewing a shower curtain for your bath can be a fun weekend project and the new curtain can completely change the look of your bathing space. While there are numerous curtain designs on the market, you may not be able to find one that matches your particular décor for your bathroom.

In which case, creating your own decorative curtain design may be your only option to get the treatment that you want. Stitching a shower curtain for your washroom is also a good idea if you want your window treatments and shower curtains to match or even coordinate with the fabrics in the other rooms of your home.

When hemming a shower curtain for your tub, don’t forget about your support rod and accompanying hardware. These accessories may seem insignificant but your hardware is also important to bring together and enhance the look of your faucets and other washroom fixtures.

Read more: Freestanding Storage Units

So the plus side of creating your own drapery for your enclosure instead of purchasing a commercial one is that you have greater flexibility of design and of course you have a much greater fabric selection as well.

Where to start when stitching a basic version for your lavatory all depends upon the fullness you want when your curtain is open and the type of curtain fabric material you would like to use.

Layering Your Fabrics

Most curtain designs are based upon a two layer system. The waterproof liner is made from plastic and separates the outer layer made of fabric from the shower’s water. Normally when sewing a shower curtain for your bath, the liner and curtain are hung on the same rod.

But don’t let this limit you, many interesting and innovative designs can be created by hanging your curtain and liner on two separate support rods or shower bars.

A separate valance (which is a small skirt) can also be used above your shower curtain to conceal your support hardware to create a contemporary looking shower display or it can be attached on the same rod as your shower curtain.

Going the Extra Mile With the Details

Button holes or grommets at the top of your shower curtain are used to hold up the curtain that is typically hung from rings made of metal, wood, plastic or even fabric covered rings if you want to go the extra mile.

Ok, so you have thought about what fabric pattern you should use. Before you begin hemming your shower curtain for your bathtub you must also decide how much fabric you are actually going to need and that would depend upon the size of your shower enclosure.

For your project, a basic shower curtain measurement is approximately seventy-two inches long and seventy-two inches wide.

Determining the Width of the Materials

Try to keep the shower curtain and liner the same width so they can hang together properly but you can increase the length of your curtain for visual effect, just try to hang the curtain about two inches off your bath floor to keep it clean.

Also when hemming a fabric barrier for your stall, try to choose a curtain material that can be easily washed in your washer because sooner or later the cloth is going to get dirty and will need to be cleaned.

It’s also a good common practice to pre-wash and dry the material before sewing the textile as a preventative measure so it won’t shrink when you do eventually have to clean it.

The bath accessory materials you will need when sewing a shower curtain for your tub are: shower curtain liner, a shower bar with twelve rings (or twelve grommets and a tool to attach them) and about 4.5m (5yds) of fabric.

Don’t forget you will have hems, fabric pattern repeats, and hopefully not too many mistakes, it’s always good planning to buy a bit more shower curtain cloth than you think you’ll actually need.

Get More Fabric Than You Actually Need

An extra yard or about three feet is a good over compensation just in case. You may actually need more fabric if you intend to match other areas of your bathroom such as your window curtains so take this into account when measuring your fabric for your bathroom.

It is important when creating a curtain for your tub, you determine the length of your shower area, and then add for the header, plus the hem.

Another way you could find out your required measurements for would be to measure the dimensions of your old curtain, taking into account some additional material for your seams, add approximately five to six inches to the top and about two inches on all sides.

Next you need to iron out the fabric flat to ensure nice crisp edges. Once that is done proceed by using a sewing machine to stitch along the seams to make sure they are secured.

Reinforcing the Ring Holes

You can use your old shower curtain as a guide (approximately six or seven inches between rungs) to cut out the holes for your shower rings and either stitch around the holes to reinforce the cut or use a grommet which is a ring inserted into a hole through a thin material such as fabric so it won’t tear from supporting the weight of the pierced fabric.

Once this is done all you have to do is hang up your newly sewn shower curtain to the curtain hardware using your rod and support rings. Cut or purchase a liner and you and your family are ready to use your brand new custom-designed shower curtain.

Because these accessories have such a resounding visual impact in the space, sewing a shower curtain for your bathroom is a quick and easy way to spruce up your lavatory without the hassle of a total makeover.

Bathroom Wall Lights

houserenotips on

Proper Mounting Height

Bathroom wall lights can be mounted either vertically or horizontally and come in single, double and even triptych arranged models and while most wall lamps in your home are mounted approximately six feet off the floor, some interesting decorative effects can be created without compromising the luminance of your lavatory when you mount your bath lights below or above the standard height for wall lighting.

It should also be noted that mounting your fixtures too high will create down cast shadows when freshening up, while installing your illumination at eye level on either side of your mirror is best for grooming purposes, however the scones cannot be too bright to avoid unnecessary glare.

Picking illumination is not easy because of the vast array of choices. Many people have already experienced this dilemma first hand and have realized just how much thought and preparation needs to be put into purchasing just the right fixture to fit their decor and add better visibility to their enviromnemt.

Two Popular Models

To help you out, we’ve decided to take a look at two popular models available on Amazon, to examine exactly what makes them so fashionable and if one is better than the other. Both lighting fixtures mentioned below are also available as ceiling lamps, if you’re not looking to put them on your walls.

Where you put the bulbs on your wall space is much an art as it is for practical purposes. Decorative illumination can add ambiance and a creative flair to your bath décor if done correctly. The Hardware House 544478 Brushed Nickel Bath Fixture and the Hardware House 543793 Berkshire Bath Wall lamps are the two products we’re going to be taking a look at.

These models are popular and practical because they are elegant enough to be used both in a classical and modern home environment and provide a good source of room radiance. And the best thing about these consumer goods is that neither of them costs over $40, making them both “real world” applicable and affordable!

Both of these up-lights have glowing reviews from users more than pleased with the nice price/performance average reached. If you’re looking to add lustre to your home and effectively brighten up your washroom walls, then you need to know that choosing either one of the accessories mentioned above would be an excellent choice.

Read more: Freestanding Storage Units

Comparing Features

The Hardware House 544478 Brushed Nickel Bath costs almost twice as much as the other model, but users feel that the extra price is worth it. It comes with two lighting filaments as opposed to the single light source of the Hardware House 543793 Berkshire Bath is offering.

When selling your home, double lights are a selling feature for lamps and accent lighting for your residential decor mainly because double lamps tend to add a more upscale feel to your home and provide added effulgence for your buck, so to speak.

Both manufactured goods accept bulbs as powerful as 60 watts, for each fixture, and naturally the Hardware House 544478 Brushed Nickel Bath offers twice the illumination power. However, if you want to optimize your options by getting a matching set of ceiling and vanity wall lights then you need to take a look at the many different types of lamps for your bath are available in the Hardware House 543793 Berkshire Bathroom series. There are numerous ceiling models and styles as well, so you’re bound to find one you like to fit in with your interior decoration.

It’s all About Luminance

The last difference between the two bath accessories is the projected illumination size. While the first fixture offers a projection size of 8 1/2”, the second bath-ware only offers a 7” projection. However, elegant restroom lighting can be achieved with either version of these products, as both of them offer the homeowner just enough finesse to add interest to their rooms brightness level but not enough pizazz to overpower the decor.

The color of the lamp shades needs to be considered though, as one is white and the other is an off-white leaning toward tan, so they certainly won’t suit all bathing environments. The other consideration would be the finish of the base, silver or bronze would all depend on whether you want your lighting fixtures to subtly blend in or add a color accent to your rooms ornamentation.

So how do how you decorate your house using these bathroom wall lights? For those interested in purchasing any of the merchandise mentioned above, we have some good news. No trip to the hardware store will be required, as both of these insightful solutions come with an easy-to-install mount and include all the required hardware fittings.

Installation couldn’t be any easier than this, and even those with no technical inclinations can easily and quickly complete the process. It’s amazing how easy it is to transform the look of your powder room with the simple flick of a switch.

A Successful Well-Lit Plan

Some users have asked where to put bulbs on your wall space to create a successful well-lighted scheme. Wall lamps can be used as the main source of illumination (ambient lighting) or for accent luminescence in your bath. When setting up the layout for the lamps in your restroom, accent lighting in particular needs to be understood because here you can use your light fixtures as a decorative element to add sparkle to the room.

Essentially accent lighting is used to highlight objects around the room and can add perceived depth and shade to your lavatory. Some other examples of retail fixtures that can be used for accent lighting include: uplight cans, picture frame lights and lighted toe kicks to name a few.

Purchasing Online

While some people have their doubts about purchasing consumer goods online, there is nothing to worry about if ordered from a company based in North America where stringent credit card security is in place.

In case the product doesn’t match the description or it is defective, it can easily be replaced. Shipping is fast and in some cases free, so money can actually be saved if purchasing online instead of from a hardware store.

Keeping it Simple

A simple looking light source is often better suited for a modern bathing space than an overtly fancy one that stands out too much or needs a lot of maintenance and cleaning such as the tiny pieces on a chandelier. This is something that most interior decorators agree on, and all reviews we have examined mention just how good both products looked, even though their designs are quite simple.

With such a low price and such a nice design, it’s easy to see why these two consumer goods are liked and endorsed by the homeowners that have bought them. One thing that we should mention though, when purchasing the Hardware House 544478 Brushed Nickel Bath Fixture or the Hardware House 543793 Berkshire Bath Wall lamps, some users also recommend removing the bulbs that come with the lamps and installing some less powerful bulbs or bulbs that are frosted.

Glare vs Lustre

The artificial light produced is softer and users like it more, claiming it reduces eyesore. Before purchasing any of the bath-ware mentioned above, users are encouraged to check them out to see the exact amount of glow produced, their design, and their overall size.

They may not be available in all bathroom wall lights stores, but some should have them in stock for easy comparison. Then you only need to decide if it’s better to order them online or get them directly from their local home improvement store.

Freestanding Storage Units

houserenotips on

Trendy and Efficient Spaces

The move towards luxurious and trendy bathroom spaces has created dramatic changes in the way we perceive and use storage and furnishing being used today in our homes. Hiding behind a façade of elegant finishes, these hard-working furnishings have evolved from the mundane to resemble high-quality components that are chock full of convenience, comfort, and storage capacity. Adding to this trend of custom fittings is the increasing use of freestanding storage components in our baths.

Good organization begins with having ample space for your belongings. There is nothing more frustrating than having to dig through a pile of things you don’t want in search of something that you desperately need, especially if you are in a rush in the wee hours of the morning.

When Over Capacity is an Issue

While most modern homes do provide standard cabinets to file away your essentials, as your family or needs grow you may soon find that your accumulation of accessories and devices has outgrown your designated space to store them.

Free standing furniture as opposed to built-in units gives you the flexibility and growth potential to accommodate your ever expanding need to keep things neat, organized and tidy in your home. These component pieces not only allow you to fill your bath with color, shape and textural diversity but you can also rotate these components in and out of your bathing space as the seasons change or the mood strikes your fancy.

Storing Things Where you Need Them

Another plus with moveable furnishings is their portability, so you can invest in expensive and luxurious components that you can take with you when you move to a new dwelling. Another plus is that you can take advantage of unused space above toilets and in the corners by purchasing customized units to fit specific areas that are more useful for your needs by keeping essentials where you need them.

A small cabinet unit fitted with casters can be rolled into place next to the tub laden with towels and accessories for use and then tucked out of the way under a pedestal sink until needed again. This way you can display attractive pieces and keep less appealing but necessary items out of sight but within reach.

Creating Order from Chaos

Clutter is the enemy. Not only does it potentially make your bathroom unsafe, it just plain looks bad. With so many toiletries and devices competing for space in the everyday bathroom, you need to take control of cosmetics and cleaning supplies before they take over your bath. A good solution is a combination of open shelves, close drawers, and cabinet units.

In order to make things work you need to take inventory of what your requirements are to accomplish your everyday tasks and categorize them into the type of storage needed, then and only then can you start looking for the best components to furnish the space with the best conveniences.

Ease of Maintenance

The ergonomic experts tell us that the best height for storage units is between hip and shoulder height. Tall matching chests with deep drawers offer exceptional storage for towels, linens, and bathware. Despite the multitude of furnishing available on the market all bathroom furniture has to be able to withstand the humid atmosphere of the room. Whether fabricated from wood, metal, or synthetics they must be made of high-quality materials with durable and moisture resistant finishes that are easily maintained by the homeowner.

Another element that makes freestanding furniture so appealing is that these pieces can be chosen as much for their looks as for their ability to be rearranged. Change the style of the room on a whim by making a bold statement that is as fundamental to space as is the convenient stowing capabilities the units offer. And if you are renting you can take your style wherever you go.

Combine and Rearrange as You Please

Here you can experiment with various models that can be easily moved or replaced if they don’t quite work out. In large baths, these components can be used to fill empty areas or in smaller powder rooms they can combine function with high style. You now have the ability to pool various influences from around the globe to create an interesting and eclectic mix that can be stacked and rearranged to your heart’s content.

Whether for display or storage, free standing furniture in the washroom is a trend that is here to stay. You can even go the extra mile and get custom component furniture built by a professional craftsman to meet your needs even further. But with so many manufactures offering furnishings that are specifically designed for moist warm conditions it should not be an issue finding a unit that will adequately expand your storage requirements.

The Joy of Television in Your Bathroom

houserenotips on

Enhancing the Washroom User Experience

Watching TV from or in the bathroom isn’t a totally new innovation; people have been positioning their TV’s outside their bathroom doors or even dragging their sets on to their bathroom countertops or toilet seats for some time, just so they can get their TV fix while performing their daily bathroom activities.

But alas eventually they just got tired of lugging those big heavytelevisions all over the place and sooner or later the novelty wore off and the inconvenience set in, so instead they just blasted the volume from the other room and listened to the commentary instead of actually watching it. Sounds familiar?

Now picture this: you come home from work stressed out as usual, you dump your sticky irritating work clothes onto your bed on your way to your sanctuary, your bathroom, immediately you turn on the bath, draw the curtains and step into the bubbles as the water gently engulfs your naked body.

You reach down to something floating in the bubbles, your remote, and point it towards the wall, and almost as if by magic your favorite TV show that was programmed to prerecord while you were at work appears on a flat-screen TV embedded flush in your bathroom wall.

You smile to yourself as you begin to relax; this is the life, as the dancing pictures on the plasma takes you away to Never, Never Land.

Maybe you have never experienced this phenomena, but at most high end luxury hotels; this is rapidly becoming the norm.

Starting and Ending the Day on a Positive Note

And why not bring this experience home? After all, the bathroom is the place that we spend a fair amount of time at the beginning and end of each day. In today’s world where time is weighted so heavily, it kind of makes sense to make the most of it, even while we are in the bathroom.

And with a TV in the bathroom we can keep ourselves abreast of the happenings around the world while taking a shower, a bath, or putting on your makeup. Whoever said brushing your teeth can’t be a learning experience never had a television in their bathroom!

And the best part is you have so many different models to choose from, from cozy counter top models up to fifty-five inch wide screen divas. They range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars to fit within everyone’s budget.

So bring in that multimedia bathroom luxury hotel experience into your home bathroom. Get that heated towel rack, purchase that steam shower, install underfloor heating, and most importantly install that multimedia system with surround sound in your bathroom.

Turn your bathroom into your very own spa with all the luxuries of a big name resort right there in your home. And remember luxury is also about the finer things in life like relaxing in your bathtub while you soak with your favorite chick flick or simply catching up on the latest new gadget on TLC.

Read more: Delta Sink Faucets: A Comparison Guidef bathroom smart tv