posted by admin on Jul 23

So i would greatly appriciate it if ye could let me know of any sites where i could get some tips and some sites with reasonable priced bathroom furniture…….. cheers!!!!
Well, I can relate to you needing to have some inexpensive ideas that will look good. Being a single mom of 5 can take alot of your time and most of your money! Here are some tips to help you save: 1. The most inexpensive way to change the look of a room is to paint it. Really change up your color scheme. It’s always a better idea to go with kitchen and bathroom paint to avoid mold and mildew buildup, which could very likely be a problem with a bathroom that sometimes sees 5 baths and/or showers a day! 2. Instead of getting yourself some cheap (read: not well made and sure to fall apart quickly!) furniture, consider rehauling something that’s of better quality and could look quite funky in your bathroom, while still giving you much needed space. A couple of wooden apple crates would look great stacked one upon another in a column and bolted together would make a great storage space for towels rolled up, bathtime toys, magazines or books, bubblebath and whatever. 3. Use a plain transparent plastic shower curtain (they even sell them at the dollar store). Spend more money on your shower hooks than on your curtain. When you come across a really nice curtain on sale (and it can be a curtain for a window too!), use it in front of the clear liner to spice up the whole room. Or splurge on a huge roll of fabric ribbon that you really, really like. Measure and cut 12 or 36 as long as the shower curtain, from hook to floor. Tie the ribbons to the holes of the shower curtain and let them hang down. They’ll give an inexpensive punch of color to your room. 4. When working with a smaller budget, it’s always a good idea to put the most money on a few big items. Buy a really nice laundry hamper or a pretty corner shelf and a really nice soap dispenser and toothbrush holder. If these items are expensive, it won’t matter that your curtains were bought on sale or handmade. As for some sites to decorate on a budget for tricks and stuff, I’ll give it a shot: http://ezinearticles.com/?Nine-Budget-Bathroom-Decorating-Ideas&id=462811 http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_bathroom/article/0,,hgtv_3365_1370051,00.html http://www.allthingsfrugal.com/bathroom.htm http://bathroom-decor.suite101.com/article.cfm/budget_bathroom_decorating http://www.gardenandhearth.com/LowCostDecorating/Bathroom.htm http://www.rentaldecorating.com/Recipes/bathroomacces.htm http://www.myhomeideas.com/myhome/decorating/da/browse/0,29700,aolhomeOnt:SolutionsClass_aolhomeTax:BudgetDecoratingSolution____18_ROOMS,00.html As for inexpensive bathroom furniture, you may want to try IKEA… they get my vote: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/rooms/bathroom/

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posted by admin on Jul 22

And isn’t overly harmful when slightly breathed in (accidentally, that is)? My bathroom location has little to no ventilation, and Fantastik or bleach sprays are simply intolerable during cleaning, and they leave a horrible gaseous smell for two hours afterward. I’ve tried Comet in a bucket with a rag or sponge, but it takes too long to clean a toilet with that, it seems; I’d rather have a (germicide) spray. Thanks for the answers.
Lysol makes an un-scented. Its in a white/blue can. Pretty good.

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posted by admin on Jul 8

Bathrooms

The bathroom is a challenging room when it comes to maintaining Feng Shui in your home. The ba gua, the optimal map for a home’s layout according to Feng Shui principles, doesn’t leave room for a bathroom—indeed, it was developed before indoor plumbing, when the bathroom area would not have been inside the home.
According to Feng Shui, the bathroom has a draining effect wherever it’s placed—so it will diminish the positive effects of optimal placement for the bedroom, living room, and other important areas of the house. The effect it has depends on where it’s placed in your home. However, there are a few things you can do to prevent chi drainage and ensure your home’s Feng Shui integrity.
If your bathroom is in an important area of the home, for example in the marriage, family or abundance area, it could have a draining or dampening effect on the benefits proper Feng Shui in those areas provides. To prevent this, place a full-length mirror on the outside of the bathroom door—or hang one above it. This will help prevent the chi in your home from flowing into the bathroom area. In addition, keep the toilet lid down and keep drains closed or covered when not in use—this will further prevent chi from being drained.
If your bathroom is near or on the second floor above your front door or kitchen, it could direct negative energy into these important areas. Located near the entryway, the bathroom can drain away chi before it has a chance to circulate around the house. Above the front door, it can deposit negative energy in this important area. Above the kitchen, the water energy prevalent in the bathroom can quench the kitchen’s hearth energy and flood the area with negative energy.
To prevent this, there are several steps you can take. One is to place a picture or statue of something uplifting and natural—a bird or a tree or flowers, for example—in the kitchen or area beneath the bathroom. In addition, hang a multifaceted crystal pendant from the bathroom ceiling, as close to center as possible. Hang a mirror above the toilet to prevent energy from draining down the plumbing. Place an object made from natural earth materials (for example a decorative stone statue, clay or terra cotta vase or crystal) in each corner of the bathroom. Materials made from earth will help balance the strong water alignment in the bathroom, which can cause positive chi to flow out of the home
If your bathroom is in the center of the house, this can also be a problem. Locating your bathroom in a central location is one of the worst choices you can make from a Feng Shui perspective, as it can destabilize all the energy in your home. To counteract this, you’ll need to take more drastic action. Paint your walls red; the bright, warm colour will help negate negative energy. Place a full-length mirror outside the door, and put an object made of natural earth materials such as stone or clay in each corner of the room.
No matter where your bathroom is located, there are a few things you should do in the interest of good Feng Shui. Always keep your toilet lid down when not in use; keep the door closed and keep drains closed or covered when you’re not using them. Incorporate growing bamboo plants in your bathroom, particularly in front of mirrors where their image will be reflected. Decorate with items made from earth materials such as clay, terra cotta or stone to balance the water energy that’s prevalent in bathrooms. Open your windows whenever possible, or hang a mirror above the toilet if there are no windows in your bathroom. Decorate with warm colours to counteract the dark yin energies that come with an overbalance of water influence.
Life is hectic—and most of us need all the help we can get to improve the serenity of our homes. Follow these tips, and keep your bathroom clean and well-organized, and your bathroom can be a wellspring of positive energy rather than a drain on the rest of your home. With these tips, you can counteract negative effects and balance the water energy of your bathroom to achieve a harmonious home.

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posted by admin on Jul 3

Hudson Reed

Heated towel rails are the modern equivalent of creating a focal point in a bathroom. They are both practical and stylish, offering a place to store and warm your towels, as well as creating a design feature for your bathroom. Designs derive from sleek polished chrome with sweeping curves, sharp geometric lines or three dimensional models and blend together creativity with exceptional design.
Towel warmers, or radiators, are available in a variety of styles to suit your bathroom styling. Gone are the days where a towel warmer is a standard, boring necessity in your bathroom, and here are a range of modish radiators which will add an element of class to your bathroom. Due to the increased surface area a heated towel rail creates over a conventional radiator, they are also more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Hudson Reed are the leading manufacturer of brassware and have a huge range of high quality items, ensuring that your bathroom products are a real investment for the future and built to last. Plus, there is no reason why if you move house you cannot take your beautiful towel warmers with you, to form a chic addition to your new bathroom. Their broad selection of contemporary heated towel rails unites style and striking modern designs to complement your individual flare and make a unique statement about your bathroom d?r.
The selection of designer towel warmers from Hudson Reed are the epitome of modern elegance. They have innovative styling that creates a statement in its own right, whilst retaining efficiency and functionality. Their designer towel rails come in a variety of sizes and shapes to suit every taste and preference, and will turn your bathroom in to a luxuriously warm environment. Models include tube on tube, circular, grid and flat construction. To fit your designer Hudson Reed towel rail, their minimalist radiator valves offer a discreet solution and are supplied in pairs.
At the other end of the scale, Hudson Reed Traditional Towel Warmers are full of the ambience of yesteryear. Their fabrication will highlight and be sympathetic to other traditional features in your bathroom, creating a habitual haven with undertones of contemporary features. Most towel warmers in their range are available in either chrome or gold, allowing you to match them to other brassware in your bathroom. To fit your traditionally-styled radiator, Hudson Reed have traditional radiator valves, supplied in pairs to tie in with the design elements of the heated rail.
Bathroom radiators’ power is measured in BTU. BTU is the standard means of measuring output powers in a heated towel rail, and stands for British Thermal Units. Radiators are also shown in watts, the conversion of one to another equates to 1 BTU measuring 3.412 watts. For more information on the best BTU for your bathroom, consider the size of the room to heat, a smaller room will require a smaller BTU, or consult your plumber for advice.
When updating the heated towel rail in your bathroom, it is important to replace the valves also, and ensure that they match the design, colour and fitting of your new radiator. Valves, like taps, are available with different designs of handles, which can be chosen to mimic the design of your taps and shower handles. They are also available in either a straight or angled fitting, which will dependant on the style of radiator that you choose. Also, radiator valves are available in wither a traditional on/off mechanism, or a thermostatic one, which allows you to choose the level of heat emitting from them, and can be altered in accordance with your central heating system and seasonal changes.
Heated towel rails can also create a means of securing other radiators in your house from thermostatic inefficiencies and costly surges. If you choose a radiator without a thermostatic valve, if the heating system malfunctions, this can create a means of venting any excess heat created by your boiler, thus preventing other radiators in your house from malfunctioning and generating expensive bills.
A towel warmer or radiator should always be ideally fitted on the coldest wall of your bathroom, often the one with the window on. This will depend on other existing fixtures in your bathroom, but a window or external wall is optimum. By fitting to the coldest wall you will increase the efficiency of the radiator, as heat will emanate equally throughout the room.
When you have chosen your beautiful addition to your bathroom with a new towel warmer, you will desire for it to retain its original appearance. To care for the outer surface of your new radiator, never use any corrosive or hazardous products, such as aerosols on the surface or in close proximity of the radiator. The radiator should only be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft, non-abrasive cloth. This will ensure the longevity of your bathroom radiator.

http://www.victorianbathrooms4u.com/Bathroom+Taps.230/Hudson+Reed+Contemporary+Taps.237/

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posted by admin on Jul 1

Guide To Bathroom Taps

This article explains the key questions that you should consider when purchasing new taps for your bathroom. The information is aimed at consumers in the United Kingdom.

Question 1: Whats the tap made of ?

Taps can be made from a range of materials of varying quality and cost.

A general rule of thumb is that the heavier the tap the better the quality of materials used!

Plastic

Plastic taps are very cheap and very low quality. They are very light and are offered in a variety of colours. Plastic taps cannot be recommended for bathroom use because of their poor performance and short expected operational life.

Standard Brass ABS/Mazac

Standard brass is regularly used to manufacture the bodies of mid-priced, medium quality taps.

Many tap components (such as handles) can be made from ABS (plastic) or an alternative material sometimes referred to as Mazac (Pot Metal). These are cheaper than using brass, and whilst the quality is regularly very good, brass offers a better finish and lasts longer.

Standard brass taps are suitable for bathroom use, with or without ABS or Mazac components.

DZR Brass

Whilst, standard brass has gained complete acceptance in many facets of the water distribution industry, in certain circumstances when exposed to particular combinations of pH and concentrations of chlorides, they can experience a serious form of corrosion known as dezincification.

The answer to this is a dezincification resistant alloy, normally referred to as DZR brass.

This is the Rolls Royce material for taps and the highest quality product will be made from DZR brass without any ABS or Mazac components

Question 2: Will the taps work with your system pressure ?

First the good news, if you have a combi-boiler or un-vented hot water system then you dont need to fret about pressure, both high pressure and low pressure taps will work well with your system.

However, if you have a traditional gravity fed system, with a cold water storage tank in the attic, and a hot water cylinder then you will want to be more cautious.

Firstly you want to work out how much water pressure you have:

Calculate the distance, in meters, from the bottom of the cold water storage tank, to the outlet of the tap and multiply by 0.1 to give you the pressure in bar:

e.g. 1.1 Meters x 0.1 = 0.11 bar
2.5 Meters x 0.1 = 0.25 bar

If you want a bath/shower mixer with a showering handset, then you must determine the distance from the foot of the cold water storage tank to the height at which the handset will be used, not the height of the tap, or the handset when it rests in the support.

You also need to be aware that elongated pipe work runs rapidly use up any pressure inside a system, so if your taps are a long way from the cold storage tank then you will want to lessen the calculated pressure to take account of this.

Once you have a good idea of your water pressure then you need to verify that whatever taps you are looking to buy will work at that pressure.

As a rule of thumb many designer taps come from Europe where the water systems have superior pressure than in the UK and these taps wont work if you have very low pressure.

Designer taps made specifically to work on low pressure systems are normally more expensive and the retailer will highlight the fact that the taps are suitable for low pressure systems. If it doesn’t say specifically that the taps will work with low pressure then assume the worst and don’t buy without asking the retailer to verify the pressure requirements.

Question 3: What is the operating mechanism of the tap ?

Ceramic disc and spindle refer to the two alternative ways that the inner mechanism of a tap can operate.

Ceramic disc technology is usually used on more costly taps, as they function better and last longer. When the lever is turned, two ceramic discs are parted opening the valve and allowing the water to pour.

The traditional spindle design is commonly used on inferior quality, cheaper tap designs. The tap has a spindle through the core, with the valve seat attached via a screw thread. A standard tap washer is fixed to the end of the valve seat. As the knob is turned the spindle rotates and the screw thread moves the valve seat up and down to adjust the flow of water

Ceramic Disc Taps
Benefits
Drip free never change another tap washer again !
Long Life should never need to be replaced under regular use
Simple to Operate only a quarter turn is required to go from full on to off
Variety of styles works with modern lever designs and round handles

Draw Backs
Inferior flow rates – Unsuitable for very low pressure systems

Spindle Taps
Advantages
Superior flow rates suitable for most systems, high or low pressure

Draw Backs
Hard to operate – handle has to be turned many times from off to full on
Higher maintenance – washers will need replacing often
Less choice of style – cannot be used with modern lever designs

There are two key things to consider.

1. Unless you have a very low pressure system or are looking for the lowest feasible price then it is best to go for ceramic disc taps.

2. When comparing tap prices always ensure that both taps use the same mechanism. They may look the same, but if one is ceramic disc and one uses a spindle then the cheapest tap may actually be the worst value!

Question 4: How will the taps connect to your system?

Mono Basin & Bidet mixers are attached to the water supply by connectors, sometimes referred to tap tails. These come in two types, flexible and rigid and the purchaser normally doesn’t get any option within a range of taps.

Both types join directly to normal 15mm copper pipe work.The tap manufacturer usually decides what type of connectors each range of tap he makes will have.

Which kind is most suitable for you depends on where the taps are being installed and who is doing the installation.

Flexible Connectors

Best for DIY Installers: You dont require any plumbing skills, the bendable hose will simply trasnsform into whatever shape is necessary and the connection is made easily by tightening the compression nut with a wrench.

Best for small spaces with difficult access. The flexible hose allows connections in places that would be almost impossible to get into with rigid pipe work.

Rigid Connectors

Best for professional installers: The rigid connectors become part of the sturdy copper pipe run that connects the supply to the tap. The connections are made with capillary fittings, lead free solder and a blow torch. The end product looks neater, lasts longer and is much less prone to leaks.

Best for more open spaces with simple access. Even the most professional installer will want a large enough space to bend and fit the copper pipe run from the supply. If the space is too compact then flexible connectors may be the only viable option.

Question 5: Does the Tap meet the necessary Bylaws and/or Standards ?

British Standards

The first thing that confuses many people is that British Standards for taps are not quality guarantees. They just state certain things that a tap meeting with the standard should do. There is also no requirement that any product is tested by a third party to verify it actually meets the standard, so an assertion that a product meets BS5412 is only as reliable as the business making the claim !

The British Standards signify the minimum that a tap should meet to perform a particular application.

The key British Standards applied to taps are:

BS5412
The specification for low-resistance single taps and combination tap assemblies.

BS1010
The Specification for draw-off taps and stop-valves for water services

There is no British Standard at all for Ceramic Disc taps. So the very fact that somebody quotes that the tap complies with BS5412 or BS1010 lets you know that it is an inferior design spindle tap!

Water Bylaws

All products attached to the UK drinking water supply must be compliant to the UK Water Bylaws. There are independent testing and certification schemes in place to establish conformity, however these are not mandatory in the UK.

The expense of outside certification is high and many top brand tap manufacturers decide not to pay for certification. Any taps that have KIWA or WRAS approval have been tested for compliance and should be of a good quality, but all taps installed in the UK, must by law comply with the Water Bylaws.

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