Monday, May 11, 2009

Choosing Bathroom Toilet


It is a known fact that we make many trips to the bathroom each day. Therefore, it is important to many people to have their bathrooms safe, comfortable and attractive; which plays into the reason behind many bathroom remodels each year.


It is a known fact that we make many trips to the bathroom each day. Therefore, it is important to many people to have their bathrooms safe, comfortable and attractive; which plays into the reason behind many bathroom remodels each year.

When it comes to remodeling their bathrooms, many homeowners also consider replacing their toilet as part of the project. There are several factors to consider when shopping for a new toilet. The other remodeling that needs to be done in your bathroom is one of the factors when choosing your toilet. When remodeling your bathroom, be sure that you choose a toilet that will compliment the rest of the remodeled room s decor. One of the ways to create an attractive bathroom is to have everything matching; from the tiles to the toilet and walls.

The majority of bathrooms in homes usually consist of a standard aka traditional style toilet that is usually white in color and comes in two pieces. Standard bathroom toilets are also the most affordable style of toilet and can be found in most home improvement stores. However, if you are in the market for something different for your bathroom, you may want to do a little more research. Some toilet choices include a one or two piece toilet, a standard or comfort height, a gravity, power/pressure flush or flush valve, a round front and an elongated bowl.

One piece toilets are more expensive than their two piece counterparts and has a lower profile of 22 to 27 inches in height.

Two piece toilets are more affordable and are 27 to 30 inches in height.

Comfort height toilets, aka ADA compliant toilets, provide for easier sitting because it is the same height as a standard chair. Even though the tank is the same height as a standard height toilet, the bowl of a comfort height toilet is 1 1/2 to 2 inches taller than the standard height toilet.

A gravity flush system is a system that uses nothing more than water weight to generate flushing pressure. It is not only simple and quiet, it also requires less maintenance than more complex flushing systems.

A power/pressure flush system is a system that uses a pressurized air tank. This tank aids in the toilet’s flushing process. Power pressure flush systems are often noisy and more expensive than the gravity flush system toilet.

Flush valves are located at the center of the tank and is activated by the toilet’s flush handle. This releases the water that is held in the tank. The larger the flush valve is the more water flows through the toilet.

Round front bowls are suitable for smaller bathrooms and are more affordable than the elongated bowls.

Elongated bowls are toilet bowls that are 2 3 inches longer than the round front bowls. Elongated bowls are roomier, more comfortable and are suitable for bathrooms with additional space.

Even though you should be concerned with the appearance of your new toilet, you should also consider the cost of it as well. Bathroom toilets are very heavy and you may need assistance getting in inside your home. Some home improvement places offer free delivery while others charge a small fee. Be sure that you also keep in mind installation when installing the new toilet. You can have a professional install the toilet for a fee or you can install it yourself for less money.

There are many choices then it comes to your bathroom toilet. Not only do you have different styles than shapes, you even have your choice of colors as well. Even though many toilets do not come with a toilet seat, there are also many choices of seats available in every style and color. With a little time and research, you will have the perfect toilet for your bathroom that you can be happy with.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Here are a Few Steps You Can Take to Make Your Bathroom Accident Proof


The bathroom is the room in the house where most accidents occur. If you take the necessary steps to make your bathroom accident proof than you can make it less likely that accidents will occur



Most of the household accidents occur in the bathroom. You should take precautions and by upgrading your bathroom with a few things and make it much safer for everyone that uses it. Making your bathroom safe is easy to do and it may prevent a major accident from happening in it.

Here are a few steps you can take to make your bathroom accident proof.

∗ You can prevent slipping and falling in your bathroom with rugs that have rubber backing. You can also prevent these occurrences by using bathmats with adhesive decals. You should also attach grab handles to your bathroom walls, which can make it easier to get into and out of your bathtub. In case an accident were to occur in your bathroom you should always use glass that is shatterproof for your shower doors.

∗ The bathroom is an area that can have a lot of moisture and because of this you should avoid electrical hazards. Electronic appliances should be used with care in the bathroom. Never operate electrical appliances in the bathroom if your hands are wet and make sure you unplug the appliances right when you are finished using them. It is also a good idea avoid using radios and stereos while you are in the bathroom. These can be dangerous since they are electrical appliances but the moisture in your bathroom can also damage these items.

∗ If you do not already have them in your bathroom you should install grounded outlets. If you have children in your house make sure to have plastic safety plugs in the outlets when they are not in use.

∗ Many bathrooms are locked from the inside but you should have a way to get inside if an accident were to happen.

∗ Keep medication out of children's reach. Do not leave medication for adults in a bathroom that is accessible to children.

∗ Do not keep cleaning supplies in the bathroom. Small children can get into cleaning supplies, which can be dangerous. Keep the cleaning supplies in other areas of the home, such as your garage or the kitchen.

∗ Avoid people getting scalded in the shower by installing a mixing valve that has a both a temperature and pressure regulator. This type of valve will keep scalding hot water from getting on you when a toilet is flushed in your home or there is water being used somewhere else in your house.

∗ If the mirrors in your bathroom have sharp edges you should look into covering them with rubber strips.

TIP: When there are children that will be using the bathroom, whether they are yours or not, you have to be even more careful since bathrooms can be very dangerous for children. Take the necessary precautions to accident proof your bathroom so you can lessen the chance of something bad happening.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Add Value to Your Home through Home Remodeling


Nothing adds value to your home more quickly than updating or remodeling your kitchen or bathroom. These two rooms in your home receive daily use and usually suffer wear and tear sooner than any other rooms. An update of fixtures, appliances, and accessories can make an immediate and dramatic difference in either of these rooms. A complete remodel of your bath or kitchen can increase the value of your home immediately and significantly! Kitchen Remodeling ...


Nothing adds value to your home more quickly than updating or remodeling your kitchen or bathroom. These two rooms in your home receive daily use and usually suffer wear and tear sooner than any other rooms. An update of fixtures, appliances, and accessories can make an immediate and dramatic difference in either of these rooms. A complete remodel of your bath or kitchen can increase the value of your home immediately and significantly!

Kitchen Remodeling
If remodeling your kitchen is your next home remodeling project, replacing the cabinets is a great starting point. Beautiful kitchen cabinets are the focal point of a stunning kitchen design. You can choose a formal, casual or contemporary style. Whatever suits your taste and sense of fashion, you can begin by choosing beautiful new kitchen cabinets; then add eye-catching fixtures, appliances and other accessories that will complement and accentuate your new kitchen design. After kitchen cabinets, other great ways to make a big impact on the total kitchen design are to consider adding:

New Appliances
Stainless Steel Sinks
New Counter Tops
New Tiles or Backsplashes
Hardwood or Laminate Flooring
To complete your kitchen remodeling project in style, you can add new furniture such as breakfast nook tables and chairs, island carts, or barstools.

Bathroom Remodeling
Bathroom remodeling is another great way to update your home, which also increases the value of your home tremendously. We shouldn’t minimize the importance of this room in our homes and in our lives. Important time is spent here as our days begin and end, and making this room a relaxing, enjoyable experience is well worth the time and money. Updating your bathroom will certainly bring pleasure not only to you and your family, but also to your guests.

Principal considerations to make your bathroom more efficient and more beautiful include:

Cabinets
Counter Tops and Vanities
Sinks
Flooring and Tile
Tubs and Showers
Claim Your Home Remodeling Expenses on Your Taxes If You Sell Your Home
When, or if, you sell your home, you might be charged capital gains taxes. However, according to IRS Publication 523, Selling Your Home, any major improvements or remodeling you do to your home such as kitchen remodeling or bath remodeling can be exempt from these taxes. This can also include items such as:

Additions including bedrooms, bathrooms, decks, garages, porches or patios.

New plumbing or wiring.
Any new heating and/or air conditioning units.
Interior upgrades such as built-in appliances and wall-to-wall carpeting
Exterior upgrades such as paving the driveway
Any tax-acceptable improvements are identified by the IRS as those that add value to your home and prolong your home’s useful life. It is wise to check with your accountant who knows IRS tax law to make sure any home remodeling you do will be covered. Be sure to keep all receipts on any purchases you make for remodeling purposes.

Bathroom and Kitchen Remodeling Products and Services
Some people are fortunate enough to do remodeling projects on their own; others need help in getting the best quality work done. Regardless of the method, there are ways to receive tremendous savings on your products and materials through discount clubs or buying direct from the manufacturer. Research your options to make sure you get the most for your money.

A well-done renovation project will increase the value of your home and, just as important, it will increase the pleasure of the time you, your family, and friends spend there. If you’ve been thinking of updating your kitchen or bathroom, now is the time to explore your options to complete a great home improvement project.