bathrooms: Articles tagged with “bathrooms”

Tankless water heaters use 20% less energy than conventional water heaters and only heat the water when you need it. Controls allow the water temperature to be changed instantly, as desired by the user. While tankless water heaters cost more up front than conventional tank water heaters, they will cost less to run than conventional water heaters in the long term. As well as using energy more efficiently, they can often last two times the life of a conventional tank.

"Remodeling." For many, the word evokes thoughts of soaring entrance ways, magazine-cover kitchens, and half-acre bathrooms. Unfortunately, it also brings to mind a sense of invasion, dread, and chaos. As our homes age, it makes more and more sense to bring things up to date by remodeling. It's more cost effective than moving and is usually far less disruptive. But make no mistake about it: remodeling can be very stressful. However, most of the horror stories you hear are avoidable.

In the olden days, families yearning for more space hitched up the wagons, gathered their belongings and traveled over vast plains, deep river gorges and snow-capped mountain ranges.

Fortunately, today we can get extra space without the danger and the dusty trails.

Most people remodel their home to make it better fit their needs and desires. They upgrade the kitchen, build a deck, or add a bathroom to make day-to-day living more practical and enjoyable.

This information can clarify and help answer some questions about planning for an addition.

The following information can clarify and help answer questions about some basic needs when planning an addition to your house.

When undertaking large remodeling projects, it is smart to research your local real estate market to find out if your project will return your investment when it is time to sell. Depending on where you live, the right project may return 100% of your investment. That is why research is the smartest way to begin any remodeling project.

Kitchens and baths are the most important, the most expensive and the most complicated rooms to remodel in a home. These rooms where families spend so much of their time merit attention because they have to be functional and pleasant. Remodeling an outdated kitchen or bathroom is not only a smart investment, but will also bring your family more comfort than most any other home improvement.

The sauna is most often identified with Finland, where the hot, steamy and relaxing ritual originated. The bathing practice is believed to be good for the circulation and for opening the pores for a deep cleansing.

From the bone-chilling cold climates of the North and Northeast, to the sun and moderate temperatures of the Southwest and West Coast, the trends of home improvement and interior design are strikingly similar.

Q: I would like to make two bedrooms and a bathroom in my attic. To do this I would have to lift my ceiling. Can you recommend a contractor who would be able to come in and give me a free estimate?

A water heater converts energy to heat and transfers that warmth to water. It's connected to a cold water supply pipe and has an outgoing hot water pipe, or system of pipes, that supplies heated water to one or more taps and appliances.

Sooner or later, we all have to call a plumber and plumbers can be expensive. There's just no way around that. However, there are a variety of ways to improve the value you get for your money. Many people make the mistake of shopping for plumbing primarily based on the plumber's hourly rate. This can be misleading. It's better to look at overall customer satisfaction, even if rates are higher than average.

Q: I have a problem with hot water in the shower. The hot water comes on quickly. It seems the hot water starts to shut itself off after about three minutes. I have changed the faucets from the pipes without any results. Only the shower seems to be affected. What is my problem?

Q: The shower handles in our 24-year-old home are getting harder and harder to pull out to turn the water on! What should we do?

Before replacing a plumbing fixture, use these definitions to help clarify plumbing fixture terminology.

In general, your hot water needs can be measured by the number of bathrooms in your house. The smallest size unit for a one-bathroom house should be 30 or 40 gallons, in either gas or electric. For a 1 1/2-bath house, 40 gallons is minimum. For a 2- to 3 1/2-bath house, choose a 50-gallon gas heater or a 66- to 80-gallon electric one.

Comfortable molded plastic spas in soft hues that accommodate any climate and decor have replaced the old wooden hot tubs of the 1960s. Hot tubs, which require adequate support and access to electrical power, now have bubbles, lounge chairs, cup holders, jets galore and more.

Basic sauna problems: If your sauna's heater unit isn't working at all, test it first, but if it is still malfunctioning, you'll probably need to have it replaced. When the water in your unit is too hot or too cold, it's probably a malfunctioning thermostat.

This information can clarify and help answer some questions about installing tile countertops.