Development BlogHome Improvement
Toilet Seats
Most of us don’t give a lot of thought to toilet seats, at least until we need to find one in a hurry. They come in several common shapes from the normal round and oval to the opened-front seat usually seen in public restrooms. Obviously this is determined by the shape of the bowl on which they will sit. In prison they are built into the stainless steel units themselves and do not lift so that prisoners cannot remove them for modification into weapons or digging tools. Toilet seats for the home can be constructed of plastic, highly varnished polyurethaned woods, like oak or walnut, or a variety of composite materials. The decoration available seems to be unlimited. Toilet seats can be found in every colour of the rainbow as may be needed to match the décor of the bathroom. There are styles being sold ranging from Victorian to Hawaiian, from floral to newspaper headlines, or with themes from favourite sports teams to characters from children’s books. There are even toilet seats made from acrylic imbedded with almost anything you might imagine from barbed wire to sea shells to gold coins. Some more luxurious units are available with an automatic lowering feature to avoid domestic disturbances. Others have built in washing equipment and some have built in warmers for sitting comfort in colder climates. There are toilet seats that are cushioned both on the seat and on the lid for those who enjoy spending a little extra time reading or as an added seat in the bathroom.
Wet Rooms
Wet rooms are a fantastic way to join together multiple unattractive small spaces and provide a modern and attractive small bathroom with a luxurious shower. Instead of setting aside some space in the existing bathroom for a shower enclosure, making the room cramped and uncomfortable, the whole room becomes a shower. To further maximize the available usable space, wall mounted sinks and toilets can be used in wet rooms which will also allow for easier cleaning and maintenance. And because the walls, floors and sometimes the ceiling, are completely covered with non-porous tiles and properly sealed, waterproofing is inbuilt so they will endure longer than standard painted bathrooms. Converting small second bathrooms into wet rooms can significantly increase the market value of your home by making them very stylish with beautiful tiles and opulent fittings. This renovation does require the services of a professional craftsman since proper cambering of the floor to ensure efficient drainage is crucial. In wet rooms, special outdoor quality plywood manufactured with high tech waterproofing glue must be used for the underflooring which is slanted towards the drain. This is treated with a waterproof gel that creates an impermeable membrane, sealing the floor before the tile can be laid over it. A luxurious touch that will enhance all wet rooms is under floor heating. This not only warms the tiles before you even turn on the shower, it also promotes the rapid drying of the walls, floor and ceiling almost immediately after the shower is used.
Boilers
Boilers are the foundation of almost every home heating system. They burn fuel oil to heat water to its boiling point which generates steam. The steam evaporates and is circulated throughout the house by means of radiators. The production of steam in boilers is a continuous process. When you boil water for tea, as soon as the water is ready, you turn off the heat. In home heating systems, it can take considerable time for the steam to stop being generated. As the water evaporates into steam, more water is automatically fed into the boilers. As more water is boiled it becomes concentrated with salts and other materials. If you look inside an old tea kettle, it is very likely you will see the white build-up. The new water piped into the boilers to replace what is lost through evaporation is not pure or free from salts so scales and deposits form which are usually calcium or magnesium. They are very bad for the efficiency of the equipment because they reduce heat transference and can eventually lead to overheating or even a burst tank. Softened water contains very little of these elements but is very acidic so can corrode the boilers . By treating them with chemicals, the acidity can be controlled and the scales and deposits eliminated protecting this very critical element of the home heating system. The water will keep on becoming more and more concentrated as the water to steam cycle continues so should be replenished with fresh, softened water.
Radiators
Regardless of whether your home is heated with a steam or hot water system, it is vital to have all of your radiators examined and serviced by a qualified professional at least once every year. This will not only give you peace of mind but keep your family safe and healthy. Just as important is the realisation that ensuring that everything is performing at peak capability will significantly reduce your utility bills. Properly maintained radiators use considerably less power so heat your home much more economically. Between professional visits, there are some things you need to do to guarantee that minor problems do not become major disasters. One, check that all radiators are slightly tilted towards the steam inlet pipes which come up from the floor or out of the wall. Two, make certain that there is no corrosion, rust or paint blocking the air from escaping from the vents. Any air that gets trapped in the radiators will prevent steam from circulating and so keep them from heating up properly. Three, you will want to check that your inlet valves are either all the way open or all the way shut so verify their positions to avoid knocking or banging sounds. Four, look for water dripping from the inlet valves of the radiators. Normally it is the cap nuts that are leaking, not the valve itself. These are the big nuts located where the vertical and horizontal connections meet, and can usually be fixed simply by retightening the nuts.
Romantic Bathrooms
When it comes to selling your home you must make sure your bathroom is at the very least clean and tidy when showing buyers around. It amazes me just how many people do not take the time to clean their homes when they know a perspective buyer is coming to view. You don’t need lots of money to make bathroom appealing all it takes is a bit of time and effort. Make sure you clean bathrooms thoroughly from ceiling to floor. What type of person do you think wants to buy your home when there is mold on the bathroom ceiling. Even if they do offer to buy your home they will be looking for a reduced price to cover the cost of cleaning the house themselves.
When it comes to cleaning your taps and drains use a good quality cleaning product which you spray on and leave for 10 minutes. These cleaning products can make short work of suborn stains on taps and a lot less elbow grease. Get some good toilet cleaner and leave it sitting in your pan for a good half an hour before your visitors arrive. If you have really bad stains on your toilet you can buy some really strong cleaner that will remove nearly all stains but be careful when using it as it is highly toxic.
The final touches before your guests arrive are to add some fresh flowers or scented candles this gives bathrooms a fragrance of outside and not of a dirty mouldy bathroom.