Tools for Unblocking

There are several useful tools if you have a blocked toilet. The first is a plunger, which is usually enough to shift whatever is blocking the pipe, allowing the water to flow away as it should. Stay hygienic and wear rubber gloves, and have old cloths handy for cleaning up any spillages. If the obstruction proves too stubborn for a plunger, you can always buy a plumber’s tool called an auger, a flexible metal rod that can be pushed round the U-bend to dislodge whatever is stuck there. In the unlikely event that neither of these methods work you could try a chemical solution, but read the instructions carefully and ventilate the area well.

Leaking taps can disturb your peace, especially if you are trying to rest, but they also create health problems.  Excess damp can cause lime scale and mould in areas of your bathroom suite around the edges of the bath or sink, as well as along window bases.  A dripping tap may waste up to 5,000 litres of water per year, so simply by the timely replacement of a washer, or by tightening up the tap’s gland nut, you can ensure a good night’s sleep, and maintain a healthy environment in your bathroom.

Dilemma Two

Another thief in the night that can rob you of your hard-earned rest is a noisy radiator.  Juddering and thumping can emanate from your radiators, because they have filled up with trapped air.  This can also stop heat rising into the radiator, and it may be lukewarm at the top, even when it is hot at the base.  The simple solution is to ‘bleed’ your radiators, with a special bleeding key, which inserts into the side of the radiator, at the top.  By a quick turn of the key, you can release trapped air and instantly regain heat, energy and precious silence.

Dilemma Three

In the winter, when it is freezing outside, it can be devastating when your water is also cold inside.  If pipes freeze up, it can seriously interfere with the efficiency of your heating system.  Insulate your pipes to be sure you stay warm and cosy and have a constant supply of hot water.

To start, homeowners should use plumb-line and a spirit level to locate the mid-point of the wall and mark the horizon with a pencil. They should make and use a tiling gauge – a straight piece of wood cut to size – to check the tile count to the corner. An adhesive spreader should be used to apply the correct amount of adhesive to the wall or floor.

However, when tiling near obstacles, homeowners will need to cut tiles to shape. A chinagraph pencil is the best marker for tiles. Marker pens can get into the glaze and pencil marks can easily be wiped off.

The cutting of tiles to the correct shape and size is a difficult job and an excess of tiles is always required to cover breakages. Homeowners should use a tile saw to cut tiles into complex shapes. Tile corers with hardened tips are good for creating simple, unidirectional snaps while a platform tile cutter is ideal for use when working with thick, hard tiles. Finer adjustments can be made with a tile nibbler or a tile file.

For a neat finish, homeowners may wish to use little plastic X-shaped tile spacers to achieve neat, regular spacing, and a sponge for final grout application and cleaning up upon completion.

As a functioning part of the bathroom suite, an electric shower will need to be connected directly to the rising main using a supply pipe of 15mm diameter. It will also have to be supplied with its own 30A electrical circuit that has an on-off switch mounted in the ceiling. This type of shower can of course be fitted directly into a shower enclosure because its casing will be waterproof.

There is a temperature stabiliser fitted into this type of shower that ensures that if there is a fluctuation in the mains pressure the temperature of the water coming out of the shower will remain constant. If the pressure drops below a certain level, there is a sensor in the shower unit that will cut off the powerful heating elements and prevent scalding water from coming out of the showerhead.

Switch off the water and electricity supplies before starting on this and then remove the shower unit’s cover. After screwing the shower unit into position on the wall of the shower cubicle, connect a feed pipe from the rising main to the shower inlet, and be sure to fit a stop valve to the supply pipe so that it can be isolated whenever necessary. Then connect a flexible shower hose with the water outlet.

On the electrical side, link a six sq mm two-core, earth cable to the unit’s terminals, and lead the other end to a 30A cord switch. Then, replace the unit cover, reinstate the water and electric supplies and check that it works.

There are many UK DIY TV programmes that reveal that one of the first rooms inspected by house buyers is the bathroom and, with a little bit of tender loving care, imagination and flair, most homeowners will be able to upgrade the functional family bathroom into an area of style and sophistication.

If someone is unsure about the mechanics of plumbing it is a good idea to consult a local reliable plumber. However, a cosmetic upgrade, including bathroom suite and accessories, can be carried out, and at a far lower cost than having a bathroom redesigned by a professional interior designer.

A quick search in a local trade directory will list the number of shops that cater for bathroom refurbishment.  It is always important to compare prices of baths, sinks and taps since prices can vary considerably.

When remodelling a bathroom it is important to take an overview and establish what type of room needs to be created and how to achieve the finished look with a minimum of cost and inconvenience.  A quick Google search will soon highlight the range of bathroom cabinets currently on sale.  From slick stainless steel to a more traditional wooden and glass cabinet the DIY shops can offer products to suit all tastes and requirements.  Installation can be relatively easy and one does not need to have sophisticated carpentry skills in order to mount a cupboard to a wall. 

Some cabinets do come with additional lighting or motion sensor lighting; others have very sophisticated mirror lighting.  It is important to note that any appliances that involve electricity do need to be fitted by a qualified electrician to ensure safety.

Security is vital with a bathroom cabinet as these objects often serve as the family medicine cabinet.  Always check that the doors fit well and that the cabinet is fixed in a place that is safe from curious children.

As well as the traditional wooden cabinet that is fixed to the wall, many DIY shops also offer freestanding cabinets that can be used for additional storage.  As long as these floor-standing cabinets fit in with the rest of the bathroom design, they can be incorporated as an essential part of the room’s functionality.

Should you pick a bathroom bin that matches your bath panel or the bathroom cabinet?  You will need somewhere unobtrusive yet attractive to dispose of cotton wool and tissues.  Do you need a shaving mirror?  If so, a vintage-style chrome surround can add a flash of style to your bathroom.  Would you prefer a bright splash of colour on your mirror frames?  Light pulls can add pretty touches to your bathroom space, blending in with other pieces, such as a bathroom suite with a matching wood finish, or they could have a novelty look to introduce some bath time fun, especially if you have children.

From toilet brushes to toilet roll holders, bathroom seats to grab rails, safety and functionality may take primary consideration in your choice of accessories, however with a large range of styles and materials available, these smaller bathroom fittings can really add to the whole look of your bathroom.

At its best, your bathroom is a retreat, a place to relax in the bath, to play together with your children as they bathe, to get ready for going out, either for leisure or to rush to work in the mornings.  A well-appointed bathroom, well stocked with appealing and functional accessories can mean the difference between feeling stressed each day and feeling calm and relaxed in your bathroom.

Part of the skill of bathroom design is in fitting an appropriately sized and appointed bathroom suite into anything from a tiny cloakroom space to a large and spacious area.  You may wish to make a huge statement with your luxurious bathroom fittings, but if they overpower a smaller space, you need to reconsider what will best fit in to create the best look for your bathroom.

With all of the luxurious as well as durable materials available nowadays to create your perfect bathroom, you can fit the bathroom furniture of your dreams.  You can also select from many exciting bathroom accessories, which can turn a mediocre room into a luxury retreat, a place to revive in the evening or to freshen up each morning all ready to face a new day.

Equally with external corners, walls cannot be assumed to be perfectly square but here, there is another rather trickier problem to be addressed: the cut tile’s unglazed edge has to be hidden. To achieve this, one wall is finished with tiles that have been cut to fit in the usual way and those on the other wall are placed in such a manner that they overlap those on the first wall. The job is then completed by using grout on the exposed cut edges.

An even neater finish can be achieved by starting the second wall with complete edging tiles, although in this case the walls would have to be perfectly vertical.

Tiling can be a tricky job but with adequate care and attention, the tiling of corners can be successfully overcome.

You can create a luxury bathroom not only by adding a stylish bathroom suite or accessories but also by selecting the right lighting.  Choosing the correct lighting will enable you to create a luxurious atmosphere and will leave your bathroom looking stylish and impressive.  Spotlights, stylish ceiling lights and mirror lights will help to add luxury to your bathroom.  You can even opt for bath or spa lights to create a cosier, intimate feel.

If you are willing to spend a little extra for more luxury, then you can consider adding luxury items such as spa baths, elegant glass walk-in Triton showers or whirlpools to your bathroom to create the perfect retreat.  Spa baths look particularly impressive with extra lighting installed and you can easily add accessories such as towels and spa products for extra luxury.

Underfloor heating is also an ideal choice for those wishing to add extra luxury and comfort to their bathroom.  There are many underfloor heating systems available that are easy to install and suitable for different types of floors such as wood.  Underfloor heating will keep your bathroom warm and cosy, providing you, your family and your guests with extra luxury.