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Archive for December, 2009

Nassau Plumbers Help Find the Perfect Bath

December 31st, 2009

Ever asked Nassau Plumbers for help searching through the maze of tubs and baths available?  People might not but who would be a better source?  Many people decide to purchase a new bathtub for their home for various reasons. You may be remodeling or changing a bathroom in a new home you are buying. Whatever the reason the search for that perfect tub can be a tough one. Bathtubs come in so many shapes, sizes, colors, and types that you are sure to find what you are looking for. By following some of these tips you are sure to find a great tub. A good place to begin your search is by looking in the phonebook, shopping in home improvement stores and searching online. Compare the different options and prices to find the best fit for your family and your bathroom.

Since there are so many different bathtub options the search for the perfect tub can be kind of confusing. When doing your research on the different tubs available it is important to have a game plan. Take into account is the size of the tub you want. Make sure to take measurements of the bathroom area where you want the tub and decide on a size you would like before you start shopping. This will save you some time when searching. Looking at the types of materials that are often used and choosing one that will be a comfortable fit for your bathroom is another thing to consider. Color and style are also things you should consider when shopping for a bathtub, make sure they will look good with the rest of the bathroom.

Bathtubs are classified by the material they are made of. They come in many different types of materials like acrylic, marble, cast iron, porcelain, wood, and fiberglass. The type of material you choose for your tub should depend on your lifestyle. How often will you use the bathtub? What type of bathtub do you want? Do you want one with jets or without? Is it easy to clean? Is it comfortable? These are all questions that you should ask yourself. Fiberglass tubs are often used because they are inexpensive, but they may not be as durable as the other types. Marble, wood, and cast iron bathtubs all last a long time but can be costly and are harder to maintain.

When shopping for a new bathtub color and style are also important to consider. Make sure the color of the tub will match the rest of the bathroom. Pastels and natural colors are popular because of there calming effect. Style and shape of the tub are also important. Take a good look at the different style types and choose a good fit for your bathroom. Commonly seen bathtub types include rectangle, square, round, oval, heart shaped, or corner style. If you are shopping for a certain style or color though, it may be necessary to pre-order ahead of time.

Most homeowners at some point will decide to design or remodel their outdated bathrooms. Since bathtubs come in so many different shapes, sizes, textures, and colors it can make the process of finding that right tub overwhelming. Research is essential when shopping for a bathtub that’s a main element of a bathroom. It is important to compare prices, manufacturers, and quality of the different options and then decide. Don’t just choose the first and cheapest tub you come across because you may miss out on finding a really good bathtub for your money.

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Long Island Plumbers 5 Step Laying Ceramic Tiles Tutorial

December 31st, 2009

For most Long Islanders, laying tile can be a daunting task.  But following this 5 step program you can do it yourself.  If laying ceramic tiles is totally new to you, “5 Steps to complete a successful ceramic tile installation” is a set of basic but important tips that you will help you avoid making costly mistakes on your next bathroom or ceramic tile installation.

“    Plan which Tile
“    Shop around if you want to save
“    Prepare the surface for a long lasting job
“    Lay the tiles
“    Finishing touches

Plan which Tile

This step is often underestimated and sometimes even forgotten (can you believe it?). Planning your ceramic tile installation from A to Z is probably one of the most important steps for a smooth, easy going and problem free bathroom tile installation.

Some things to take in account are;

“    Suitability of the tile
“    Pattern /colour of the tile
“    Size of the tile
“    Size of the area to be tiled. (This is important data that will be vital to know how much tile, grout, etc, you have to buy)
“    Adhesive, mortar or grout to suit your needs

Not all ceramic tile installations are the same, different tiling installations may require different mortar or grout. DO NOT feel shy about asking the suppliers for advice or help in calculating how much you need. They will gladly help you, as they are likely to make a sale.

Shop around if you want to save

This isn’t as difficult as the first step, however when the budget is tight it can be tricky to find the right tile for the ceramic tile installation you want. You are going to have to make some compromises and so don’t get carried away by the beauty of some of the ceramic tiles. Prices can vary a lot between different tiles, so some end up rather expensive for only a few square metres.
Always shop around, it has never been easier. Just sit in front of the computer and use the Internet. Use local directories to find the suppliers close to you and pay them a visit.

Before making your final decision always check the chosen tile under different lights as the results can be surprisingly different.

Prepare the surface for a long lasting job before laying the ceramic tiles
The surface to be tiled (floor, wall or any other) will often need to be prepared, this can include work like filling, levelling, smoothing, priming and sometimes water proofing.

The right preparation will be directly affect the lifespan of the ceramic tile installation. Unless you want to be tiling again soon, you want to get this right from the start.

This is probably the most important point to ensure a long lasting tiling job. Don’t rush it.

Laying the ceramic tiles safely

The technique of laying ceramic tiles is not especially difficult. It only takes a little bit of practice before anyone can easily master it. Clearing the room to be tiled before starting will help you to do the job safer and easier. Don’t forget to wear your safety goggles when cutting or chipping tiles.
Laying ceramic tiles can also be a bit messy, if you don’t want dust all over the house we suggest sealing the room you want to tile whenever possible. A large piece of plastic tacked to the door frame will do the job quite well.
Try not to allow any adhesive to get on your skin and never forget to read the manufacturers directions before even opening the tin. If some ends up on you, just clean it with water as soon as possible. Even though tile adhesives aren’t usually abrasive, if you leave it for some time it may cause an allergic reaction.

Use a spirit level to help you with the depth & level of the tiles and spacers to maintain an even distance between them.

The finishing touches

Once the tile adhesive or mortar has cured (dried) and the tiles are firm and even, you can start with the finishing touches.

You’ll have to fill the spaces between tiles with grout making sure you don’t leave any gaps as these cause damp problems, in a shower for example.

The technique is very simple, use a rubber faced trowel to spread the grout and a cotton cloth to clean the excess grout from the tiles afterwards.

There are many different types of grouts; you’ll have to choose the right one depending on the surface and chosen tile.

Now that you have your ceramic tiles laid down, you only need to take care of them, usually manufacturers provide information on taking care of their tiles and only minimal effort is required. Most household cleaning products will do the job well, if some particular stain is stubborn, there are many commercial stain removers, just make sure you use the right product for the right tile.

You are now closer to discovering how satisfying it can be handling a tile installation yourself; just follow these 5 steps to get the best result.

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