Posts Tagged ‘shower’

These 10 storage ideas not only maximize your space, they also enhance the style of your bathroom. Add form and function on any budget, in any size bathroom.

Cabinet organizers are definitely one of the easiest and least expensive ways to get your bathroom in order. Use extra baskets and tubs you find around the house – even flower pots and vases. You can neatly organize your bottles, linens, perfumes and more with little effort.

Countertop décor can double as an organization tool. Use decorative glass bottles, jars and vases to store little things like mouthwash, cotton swabs and soap.

Over-the-toilet storage works well when space is limited. Try a traditional over-the-toilet shelving unit or a wall-mounted cabinet to keep toiletries, small linens and accessories.

Corner shelving units utilize corner space, making it more functional and less boxy. Display fresh linens and towels, and the shelf doubles as decor.

Woven baskets can store just about anything – use them on shelves, the floor or in your cabinets. Towels can be neatly rolled and placed inside. Baskets are also great for keeping personal items separate. Plus, they add a touch of “spa-ahhhh” to any bathroom.

Wall-mounted shelves help free up counter and cabinet space, plus they provide a more modern, linear style. Glass, free-floating shelves are easy to install and work well in any bathroom. They’re perfect for perfumes and any small, decorative items.

Wall hooks are essential, especially for bath towels, hand towels and robes. Hooks can also be installed inside cabinets to hold hairdryers and other frequently used items. You can get creative by using cabinet hardware and vintage doorknobs instead of traditional wall hooks.

Wire racks and towel racks are often the most cost-effective options for adding storage space on your walls.  Keep in mind that wire shelves may not be the best option for small items, but they’re perfect for storing your towels and clothes and freeing up cabinet space.

Drawer organizers keep drawers and cabinets clutter-free. You can find several options at any home organization store.

Shower caddies can really help keep showers organized, especially when you have multiple family members using the same space. Multiple designs and price ranges give you options for what’s best in your space.

Getting organized will save you time and sanity, especially when space is small. Find what works for you and get started today.

There’s nothing like a hot shower to take the chill off a cold morning. If yours is leaving you cold, these simple maintenance tips can help:

• Drain your water heater twice a year. This will help remove built up minerals and sediment that can potentially harm your heater.
• Wrap an insulated blanket around your water heater so it doesn’t have to work as hard to reheat water. This will also help you cut down on energy costs.
• Replace your showerhead with an energy-efficient, or “low flow” model. These use less water so they make hot water last longer – while also saving energy and money.
• Install a hot water circulating pump if your shower takes too long to heat up. This is ideal for bathrooms far from the water heater as it keeps the hot water close by

Eliminating all possible causes for a sluggish or blocked drain may not be possible, but there are certain things that can

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be done to reduce potential problems. The buildup of soap scum, grease and hair in drains occurs with normal life activities and is almost inevitable; but preventing the introduction of other objects that can contribute to blockage will go a long way toward ensuring your drains flow freely.

Aside from the inconvenience or downright horrors of a blocked or overflowing drain, there is a monetary consideration. Many drain and sewer cleaning companies now have flat minimum rates for cleaning drains regardless of the cause; so whether a blockage is due to a clump of toilet paper or an errant tennis ball, it could cost you a surprising sum.

Some tips and suggestions:

• Keep the strainer or drain stopper in place at all sink, bathtub and shower drains.
• Keep all small objects away from the toilet; toothbrushes, and jewelry can quickly disappear forever – or get stuck in a drain.
• Keep your eye out for small children – a toilet bowl full of water is just one more play object to them. Anything and everything touched can end up in a toilet. And the excitement of seeing it flush away only adds to the danger. The bathroom should be off limits to young children. If the door can’t be locked, at least install a toilet seat lock to prevent toilet access.
• Only flush toilet paper; even if paper towels or baby wipes make their way down the drain, they can potentially get hung up on tree roots or other protrusions further along the drain or sewer. Beware, commercially available wipes may be advertised as flushable, but that doesn’t mean they won’t get stuck somewhere else in the system. It is often best to dispose of these wipes in another manner.
• Personal feminine hygiene products should not be flushed. Once again, while they may be advertised as flushable, they often get hung up downstream and are a major contributing factor in drain blockage.
• If you live in an older neighborhood, chances are many of the buried sewer lines have settled or shifted over the years or have been infiltrated by tree roots. Check with the local authorities on any problems known to exist in your neighborhood.
• Fine roots can infiltrate through even small cracks or gaps in a sewer line, creating an almost impenetrable obstruction. During dry or drought periods, root infiltration only increases as they seek out any source of water.
• If root infiltration or other sewer line problems are known to exist or are suspected, consider pro-active sewer cleaning every few years. It may be costly, but will be a lot less than having to clean up after a sewer backup.
• Video equipment is now available to inspect drain and sewer lines that otherwise are inaccessible without excavation or other invasive work. When problems occur and the cause is unknown and/or a recommendation is made to replace a line or section of a line, consider video imaging before attempting more expensive work.
• Clean out strainers and drains periodically. Remove mechanical drain stoppers to clean out down below. If using commercially available cleaners, carefully read all package instructions and warnings. Many of these products can be harmful to your fixtures or plumbing system, or you. Consider environmentally safer alternatives. Even a plunger can produce good results when there is a minor drain blockage.

Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue.