Japanese Culture

Having a new bathroom tiled?

The following article is in response to all the people that are actually considering having new tiling for for the first time round and for those of you that want a decent job done.

Read on and you can spare yourself lots of anguish and desperation (and some money too).

It is now quite often when I go to price a tiling job that I have to advise people on some problem on carrying out the work. The typical hotspots are:

• bath out of level
• fitted showers
• shower trays and baths with excessive gap between these and the walls
• lipped shower trays not set in
• shower unit/controls at the wrong height
• radiators, towel rail, basin already fitted, toilet pan height and servicing
• old tiles still in place after having a new suite installed

How can the above hotspots interfere with the tiling you may ask. Well, it goes like this:

"Bath out of level"

One of the first things that I do when starting a bathroom wall tile installation, is to put my long spirit level on and along the perimeter of the bath. What I found often is that the bath is badly out of level, sometimes dropping towards the plug hole and on fewer occasions dropping opposite to the plug hole. Of all of the baths I have seen to date I have not yet seen a bath that has not got a natural internal fall in order to drain the water, so I cannot see a valid reason for not having the top of the bath level. It must be said though, that occasionally, some baths are simply badly built. No much thought has been given for accommodating the tiles

If the tiles to be installed are a medium to large size and have no strong pattern, then is not a problem for the tiler. He/she would just need to trim the tiles accordingly to the fall but if the level is too much out you can have problem when installing a bath/shower screen onto the bath edge.

if on the other hand you are installing mosaic or tiles with lines or strong patterns, the tiling will look awful as even the smallest level difference along the bath length will be very noticeable. When dealing with mosaic, doing cuts means more time and money.

"Fitted shower"

I is important to have the tiles to go behind the unit as this can avoid water penetration in the wall/s. Some showers have the hot and cold pipes covered with a plate. On these type of shower units tiling must be done before the unit is fitted as the tile can be drilled neatly to accommodate the pipe work; if not, the tiles will need to be cut in a way that will have to show an unsightly finish. If the plumber is fitting a new shower unit ask him/her to allow for the pipe work to protrude from the wall more than it is needed, then to wait for the tiling to be done before final installation. I have had situations where the shower has been fitted, without even allowing for the tile thickness between the cover plates and the wall.

"Shower trays and baths with excessive gap"

When installing baths or trays make sure to have very little gap from them to the walls otherwise you might end up using either too much silicone or having to install a bath trim. I am not in favour of these bath/shower trims or tile beads as I have found the baths and trays can move downwards causing the trim to separate and capillary action allowing water to draw into the walls. If you find that the bath or tray is not fitting tight to the walls it is likely that it is due to the right angled wall not being square to the other or that the wall is bulging. It is standard practice to slightly bed in the bath/tray into the wall; just enough for the gap to close. This also helps "hold" the bath/tray in place. Many times you would only need to channel one wall only. This is when the internal corner of the wall is not square. Again, only set the tray into the wall until the gap closes. Care must be taken not to inset the bath too much as you might have problem with the taps distance to the wall, hence preventing clear access on opening and closing them. Also, pay attention to the shower tray as if you inset this too much, you might have problems later fitting the shower screen.

"Lipped shower trays not set in"

Lipped showers are those trays that have an upstand along 2 or more sides.

These trays are supposed to be containing the water within the tray and avoiding water leakage into the adjoining walls. In theory this is great but I have carried out a number of tiling repairs due to this type of tray. The reason why there has been some problem with this type of tray is because of poor plumbing installation. On a few occasions the tray was placed against the walls (not inset into the wall). On other occasions the fitter did not inset the tray enough into the walls. I have noticed that there usually is a considerable lateral movement once I step on the tray during tile installation. This causes the tray's upright lip to move (from inside outwards) towards the tile and doing so, de-bonding the first row of tiles and in turn allowing water to penetrate in the wall, causing problems. The only way not to have any problem with this type of tray is to make sure that the tray is set in the wall more than the lateral movement allows. Care must be taken not to go too deep in the wall as the shower screen might not fit inside the tray.

"Shower unit/controls at the wrong height"

A common problem that can be avoided is the placing of the shower controls height onto the walls. As it is important for the user to have the controls at the right height one overlooked situation is the height of the tile border. If there is no border then it's not a problem but if you are considering installing a tile border, then get the tiler to relay with the plumber as you don't want to spoil the border being interrupted by the controls. If the border is thicker than the main tiles then you can have more problems with the control's cover plates not seating flush, also if the border is thicker than the tiles the tiler will need to know where the shower/bath screen will be going exactly as that part of the border where the screen will cover must not be tiled or the screen won't seat flush.

"Radiators, towel rail, basin already fitted, toilet pan height and servicing"

On situations where basin, towel rail radiators and toilet are fitted, this is where a lot of time will need to be spent as it (unless removed) will require to cut around these items (if possible). Here if planned in advance the tiling would need to be carried out BEFORE the final plumbing installation. Reality is that many plumbers want to get in and out as soon as possible not worrying about the tiling (after all, they are not doing it, are they!). If you are going to have the floor tiled then you MUST have the basin (pedestal), toilet pan and any surface mounted radiator OFF the floor and the plumbing already prepared for the new floor height. If the existing floor is made of wood, then there is a big chance that the floor will go up around 1" - about 25 mm bu5AAt can only be assessed during the estimate or quote.

"Old tiles still in place after having a new suite installed"

This is another thing overlooked.

You have planned your project for a long time, the workers get in to replace the old bathroom suite with the one you really wanted for a long time. They remove the first row of tiles abutting the old suite and install the new one. Job done.

It is beyond belief that some people can do this. "The tiler can take the tiles off".

It must be appreciated that removing tiles after a new bathroom suite has been installed is no easy task and the risk of damage to it can be considerable. Also, at times, some sections of walls may need to be replaced or repaired according to the surface type and adhesive strength. Make sure that the tiles ARE removed prior to the new installation.

The same applies to kitchen installations.

Tile Master 2008

http://www.tile-master.co.uk/html/tiling_help.html

Choosing a builder or tradesman who is not qualified, insured or comes customer recommended can result in project delays, cost overruns and an altogether forgettable customer experience.

Should you ever be approached by a tradesmen to do work on your home, often called cold calling, refuse any offers. Such people are likely to be uninsured, unqualified , unregistered and a risk to the security of your property and funds.

If your home improvement project is done by unregistered or unqualified contractor and without the necessary permissions you could well be made liable to dismantle the works and effectively lose all monies spent.

If your unqualified builder does not hold current insurances which is likely in this situation there will be no public liability or employers liability insurance to protect the public, yourself or indeed all the project workers. You could ultimately be liable if things go badly wrong.

It is unlikely too that reputable or good subcontractors will be working for the uninsured or unqualified builder. Resulting in a reduction in the overall project workmanship. High quality professional builders and tradesmen rely on and use other similarly reputable sub contractor tradesmen and visa - versa.

Sadly there are man16A4y stories of disreputable builders and tradesmen tarnishing the good reputation of the many thousands of great home improvement builders operating in the marketplace. Always make sure that you hire recommended, insured and qualified contractors. Using an online 'word of mouth' service like www.homepromatch.com matches you with qualified, insured and vetted builders and tradesmen together with customer ratings Your project risk is minimized and the customer - builder experience is likely to be more satisfactory.

An experienced trade professional, Nigel Beswick writes home improvement and maintenance articles for http://www.homepromatch.com an online resource connecting homeowners with vetted and customer recommended home improvement tradesmen and builders throughout the UK. Find home improvement articles to save you time and money, get helpful tips and advice, and design inspiration at http://www.homepromatch.com/Articles/List.aspx

Whether you are planning to put your home on the market or make it more comfortable to live in, there is a lot to be gained from making home improvements.

Improvements in your home could involve:

- Repairs of already existing structures,
- Remodeling certain parts of the home to give them a facelift,
- Making additions to your home to improve quality of life,
- Home improvement projects in order to make a house more energy efficient or environment-friendly.

To decide on a home improvement project can seem pretty daunting. But armed with a few handy home improvement tips, you could be well on your way to the ideal home of your dreams. Most of these tips are easy to follow and will make deciding on home improvement projects a breeze for you.

- Before deciding on a home improvement project, you have to decide exactly why you think your home needs it, how much you should be spending on it, and what is the result you would be satisfied with.

- The first home improvements you should consider are repair moves. Attend to any ceiling repair problems, the plumbing job you have been putting off or that attic insulation that has become necessary. This holds true whether you are planning to live in the home yourself, put it on rent, or put the home on sale.

- Remodeling your kitchen or bathroom is a smart home improvement move if you are planning to put your home on sale. This increases the value of the home immediately, and if researched properly, can be done with very little investment.

- Home improvement projects that involve remodeling need to be well thought out, so that they do not look out of place in the house. They are usually done to improve lighting, provide more space or glamorize the home. Remodeling a home can also mean an improvement in the atmosphere. For instance, if a kitchen wall is broken down to create an open kitchen, it immediately makes the home more friendly and sociable.

- Making additions to a home like adding a deck, a pool, or an outdoor Storage area are usually the result of what the family needs, but could also be excellent selling points if the home goes up for sale some day. Additions to the home should be considered as home improvement projects if there is extra outdoor space which by itself does not improve the value of the home. A good tip for an improvement in the exterior spaces of the home is also to consider the neighborhood and only make changes and additions that would blend in.

- Helping a home improve its energy efficiency is also a great idea for a householder, because not only does it cut down on the electricity and gas bills, it is a great thing to do for the environment. Improvement in the insulation of the home can be a long-term blessing. Investing on a home so that it at least partially harvests Solar Energy could be another way of improving the home for posterity.

It is obvious that home improvement projects should not be carried out on a whim. It is essential to evaluate why a specific home improvement project is required, and what would be gained from the investment. While home improvements that involve repair increase the comfort in the home and its longevity and are therefore essential, all other sorts of home improvement need to be carefully evaluated before embarking on them.

Get more FREE information written by Joseph Then at his website at Home Improvement Tip Website

When homeowners decide to do home improvement, they think the bathroom. This is the place where one can get away from all the stresses in life. By redesigning your bathroom cabinets, sinks, bath tubs or even the floor, you can turn your bathroom into a newly designed retreat where relaxation and unwinding is the ultimate experience.

The bathroom is the most used room in the house so it should seem that it is the most remodeled room. After a certain period of time owning a home, the bathroom becomes the most boring even if nothing has been done since you moved in. Most likely your bathroom is the standard white sink, white tub, and white toilet. Now there are many bathroom renovations ideas to choose from such as a spa bath, fog free mirrors, a warming bathroom floor to name a few. Install a new shower faucet with an anti-scald pressure regulator - remove the scenario where someone flushes the toilet and out comes scalding water from your shower faucet.

Replace crumbling tile in the shower stall with a maintenance free shower surround. Grab bars in the shower, new water-saver toilet and/or a new whirlpool tub. You can go from a small bathroom remodeling design project to a major bathroom renovation. The size of the project will depend on the size of your budget and the amount of inconvenience you want to have. Remodeling a bathroom can be expensive. The average cost of a full renovation of a bathroom when hiring a contractor is about the same as the cost of a small car. By doing part or all of the remodeling work yourself, you can save thousands of dollars. While making a decision about bathroom remodeling, remember that in most recent years homeowners were able to recoup approximately 85% of their costs upon sale of their home. This recovery is when a professional remodels the bathroom.

Some professionals consider small projects consisting of replacing the tub with a new tub or a shower unit. If this is what you are considering for your bathroom, you will need to include the flooring in your plans. Most new tubs or shower units will not cover where the old flooring conformed to the old tub. This work will involve removing fixtures (toilet, etc.) which will cause labor costs to rise. A project like this is okay but most homeowners usually consider a medium to large remodeling project for the bathroom. For these projects you want to plan very carefully so you will be happy with what you end up with after the project is completed. You will want to make sure that you have extra facilities to use while the remodeling is in progress.

Your plans should include the fixture placement, i.e. do you keep the old layout or create a new one? What type of lighting do you want? Do you want task lighting at every functional area or general lighting throughout the bathroom? Do you want a bathroom heating system to keep you warm when you get out of the shower (i.e. floor warming system)? Do you want greenery or how about a HiFi television for your bathroom? Fog free mirrors? No more waiting for steam to clear before you can see yourself! Plan carefully and within your budget! When the project is completed, enjoy the new room you designed for you and your family!

K Hoyng is the web master and operator of http://www.quickcash2u.com which is a good source of information for remodeling and much more information. Visit this site at http://www.quickcash2u.com/BathroomRemodeling.html

Coming up with basement finishing ideas is the first step to utilizing the space in your home. Whether you are thinking about finishing your basement on your own or you want to hire a professional you have to decide how you want to use the space before you can get started. There are many different aspects you have to look at when you are coming up with basement finishing ideas. Not only do you have to decide how you are going to use the space and what rooms will make the best edition to your home, you also have to decide on the dcor.

When you are finishing your basement you need to make sure there aren't any moisture problems. Sealing the walls and floor so that you have no seepage before you put up your walls is important, if this step is forgotten you will not only have more work to repair the problems, but you will have the huge expense of replacing the materials that were ruined as well as starting the project over.

One great basement finishing idea is to use the space as an office or workspace. Basement offices are great for starting your own business or keeping up with your work at home. A basement library is also a great idea when you are looking into finishing your basement. If there is space that you can place book shelves, add good lighting, and keep warm and quiet you have a perfect home library. Families with teens and preteens can use a library for a study area before important tests.

Basements are also a good place for an entertainment room. When you are coming up with basement finishing ideas you need to look at costs. If you decide to make an entertainment room you not only have to look at the cost of building materials and the construction crew (if you hire professionals) as well as remembering the cost of the furnishings for the entertainment room. It is not very entertaining to have a large empty room. Keeping your ideas within your budget is important.

When finishing the basement you will want to think about the floor coverings. Carpeting is an effective way to cover the floor and keep the room looking nice while adding warmth and personality. If you choose to carpet the area you may want to double pad the carpet. Unlike the other levels in your home the basement is on a concrete floor. If you don't add to the padding then standing on the basement floor for long periods of time can cause leg and back pain.

While you are coming up with your basement finishing ideas there are several things to think about. Keeping in mind what your budget is and what you want to use the space for will help you to be able to meet your goals. Once you have come up with the basement finishing ideas that you find appealing you can then move forward with your remodeling plans.

If you're looking for more basement refinishing ideas or some really creative basement ceiling ideas then visit us to learn more about the Owens Corning Basement System