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Archive for February, 2012


Effectively Lighting Your Bathroom

February 29th, 2012 by steph


Adding a new look or feel to a bathroom may seem difficult at first glance; images of large scale, costly remodelling or restoration projects may be evoked, and put many off the idea of changing the room. This is not necessarily the case however; whilst old units and fixtures will degrade in quality and have to be replaced over the years, you can still add a sense of style and class with some very simple tricks. Strategically placing atmospheric and effective lighting around your bathroom can have numerous effects on the look and feel of it, and if you are looking to create a bathroom that delivers more than just a quick shower, some of these ideas may be perfect for you.

Safety First

First things first, always remember that electrical lighting should be safely and professionally installed; having bathroom lights which are exposed to electrical fitting and wirings is simply a dangerous and potentially fatal mistake to make. Any lighting situated must be purpose-built waterproof and watertight lighting; and approved by a certified electrician.

Dynamic Lighting

Dynamic lights can be hugely effective, especially if you are purchasing them with the intention of regularly relaxing in your bathtub. Dynamic lighting will slowly change the colour and ‘mood’ expressed in your bathroom, casting vibrant and relaxing tones across the walls and fixtures within; taking advantage of these relaxing colours and taking a long soak in your bathtub can be mentally relaxing and stimulating.

Glowing Features

Bathroom features are available with built in lights; these can be aesthetically pleasing as well as hugely practical. Features such as the backlit mirror for example, are great for those close and personal grooming sessions, allowing the user to effectively use the mirror without struggling to see their face and hair; yet the mirrors are also a great decorative item when lit in a darkened or dimmed room. These can also be great additions to a relaxing bathroom session, and even impress visiting friends and family when they see it for themselves.

Smaller Light Sources

Smaller items can be just as effective at creating a relaxing bathing experience; coloured and scented candles are ideal when looking to soak in the tub and let your imagination drift away. The warming glow of a few candles whilst bathing is more than enough to relax even the tensest person, so adding a few of these around the bath and shower area can be an inexpensive and effective way of adding atmospheric lighting to your bathroom.

Posted in Bathroom design, DIY Hints & Tips | Comments Off

Water Pressure Problems

February 8th, 2012 by steph

Having a home that suffers from low water pressure can be a huge inconvenience and ruin what should be an effective and well-structured kitchen or bathroom. Heading upstairs to wash away the stress of a long day should be a relaxing experience which allows you to unwind and freshen up; turning the nozzle only to find a weak pitter-patter of warm water is a sure fire way to not only ruin your shower, but dampen your mood too.

There are several factors that can cause water pressure problems once the flow reaches you, and it may be a little difficult to get your head around to start with. One thing that is worth noting is that DIY plumbing is not recommended to anyone who does not know exactly what they are doing; a wrong move could quite easily floor your home and increase the cost of repair tenfold.

So, let’s have a look at what can cause water pressure problems and how you can expect to isolate them.

What Causes Water Pressure Problems?

The amount of water pressure located in the main line can be completely irrelevant if your plumbing system works against it in some way; commonly this is caused by the size and diameter of the pipes in your home. To put it simply, there are a few issues that affect the amount of water your pipe system can carry, so be sure to look out for:

  • Thin pipes (it stands to reason that pipes with a smaller diameter cannot carry as much water as those with a larger diameter).
  • General Corrosion in the appliances in your home or the pipe system, this can cause loss of water and water pressure along the pipe system.
  • The usage of water in your home at any one time can easily cause water pressure problems; this is common in households with large families or numerous residents as the water flow is being divided between appliances each time they are used. For example, if you are enjoying a nice hot shower and suddenly to are treated to a freezing cold trickle, it is more than likely that someone is using an appliance elsewhere in the house such as the kitchen sink or washing machine. Ensuring you allocate time for extensive water usage is the easy way out of this problem.
  • Leaks are an obvious cause of water pressure problems, yet often overlooked. Taps with a constant leak will consistently detract from the overall water pressure in your home and could cause more problems further down the line.

Posted in DIY Hints & Tips, General Articles | Comments Off

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