Archive for September, 2010

How to Replace a Toilet Fixture

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

There may be times when you need to replace a bathroom toilet fixture. Perhaps the existing toilet is broken or cracked, or you may want a different style for a bathroom makeover because the old harvest gold toilet from 1972 clashes with your new garden wall decor or flowers wall decor. While you may need a professional to install a toilet in a new bathroom that was not previously plumbed, replacing an existing toilet is a job that is well within the skill set of an average do-it-yourself homeowner. Generally, the project will require basic tools and about an hour of your time.

Supplies Needed

Of course, you will need to purchase the new toilet and a wax ring with anchor bolts. You will also need a level and an adjustable wrench. When you purchase the toilet, take the time to thoroughly inspect it for cracks or chips and then transport it in a way that won’t damage the bowl or the tank.

Remove the Old Toilet

To remove the old toilet, start by turning off the water supply lines; flush the toilet a few times to remove any excess water. A sponge or old towels can be used to sop up any residual water in the tank or bowl. If there is any caulking around the base of the toilet, loosen it with a utility knife. Disconnect the water lines and unscrew the bolts that mount the toilet to the floor and lift the whole unit, preferably with help. Keep the toilet as level as possible to minimize spillage of water from the inner workings of the toilet and set it in a plastic bag or tub, then remove it from the house.

Install the New Toilet

Scrape away any remaining caulk and any remnants of the previous wax ring to level the floor before installing the new toilet. You’ll be able to see the flange from the old toilet. New flange bolts should be included with the new wax ring: Set the flange bolts in place in the flange so that they are sticking straight up, then set the wax ring in between the two flange bolts, centered on the flange. With help, carefully lower the new toilet down onto the wax ring, making sure that the flange bolts are lined up and come through the openings on the base of the toilet. Gently set the toilet down on the wax ring; to seat the wax ring, gently sit on the toilet to press the toilet into the wax ring. Next, evenly tighten the flange bolts on both sides of the toilet, but do not over-tighten them: Note that the flange bolts do not hold the toilet down, they just keep it from sliding or moving. Check that the toilet is even and level by using a level; if necessary, carefully adjust the level with the flange bolts.

Attach the tank to the toilet: Turn the tank upside down, attach the rubber gasket and then set the tank back on top of the toilet. Next, attach the screws: On the inside of the tank, you’ll find three screw holes. Attach the screws with the rubbers on the inside of the tank. Then on the bottom side of the tank, where the screws come through the toilet, slide the rubber onto the screw, then the washer and then the nut. Tighten everything evenly taking care not to over-tighten.

Finally, reattach the water lines and turn the water on slowly and check for leaks; tighten and adjust the water line bolts as needed. Let the tank refill and flush to check that the wax seal is properly seated and then run a bead of caulk along the perimeter of the toilet where it meets the floor.

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Choosing Carpet for a High Traffic Room

Friday, September 17th, 2010

Certain decorative choices, such as choosing large outdoor wall clocks for the patio or wrought iron wall crosses for the bedroom, depend on personal taste and preference more than anything else. But when it’s time to choose carpet for a high traffic room, such as a family room, you have a bit of a balancing act on your hands. On one hand, you want to choose a high quality carpet so that it will stand up well the rigors of a busy family, but on the other hand, you don’t want to purchase expensive carpeting if you know that it will have to be replaced every few years. A good compromise is to choose high quality carpeting that is specifically designed for high traffic areas. Shop around and compare prices, as well as included services, to get the best possible deal.

Carpet Ratings

Indoor carpet is rated by a number system that indicates how well it stands up to foot traffic. The higher the number, the more durable the carpet. For a busy family room, a rating of 4 to 5 is sufficient; a carpet that’s rated any lower will not wear well and will probably need to be replaced sooner.

Most Durable Fiber Choices

Carpet that is made from polyester, PET polyester or nylon are the most durable, with each having certain advantages in high traffic areas. Nylon carpet retains its color well through repeated steam cleanings and it is very durable, holding up well in high traffic conditions. It also is good at hiding soil and dirt, but has a tendency to hold onto stains and fade easily when exposed to sunlight. Polyester is known for its good ability to resist staining; PET has the same advantage, plus it is an excellent choice for carpeted areas that need to be steam cleaned frequently. While tightly twisted carpet fibers hold up well to foot traffic, fibers with a looser twist look better over time in a high traffic area.

Other Things to Consider

Keep in mind that carpeting will only wear as well as the padding you select. Cheap padding will cause even a high quality carpet to wear prematurely because it doesn’t provide a firm foundation that allows the carpet to wear evenly. Also think carefully about the carpet color that you select for a high traffic area: Dark colors or multi-colored carpets show less dirt than light colored carpets. Stain resistant carpet is a good choice for an active family and newer stain resistant treatments go all the way through the fiber, so the stain repellant is not washed away when the carpet is steam cleaned.

Also consider whether the store offers free installation and removal of the old carpet. Finally, be realistic when planning how long you want the carpet to last. If you have a young family where wear and stains are virtually inevitable, you may be better off choosing a less expensive carpet and plan to replace it in a few years. If your family is more mature, a higher grade of carpet may last eight or more years and be well worth the difference in price.

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When Kids Play in the Bedroom

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

It is not uncommon for a child’s bedroom to also be their playroom, so it goes without saying that your child will be spending a lot of time in their room. Some of the time may be spent playing alone, and other times they may enjoy playing with friends. So it is definitely worthwhile to create an room for your child that is fun for them to hang out and play in while still allowing enough room for them to get a good night’s sleep.

For a Special Child

Since every child is different in what interests them and how they play, think specifically of your child as you are arranging their play area. Undoubtedly your child has interests and hobbies that they enjoy, so try to incorporate these things into the room. For example, if your child enjoys drawing and coloring, then you may include a small art table where they can draw and store all of their art and craft supplies. You may even be able to add a small easel to the corner of their room for them to enjoy. While you might choose decorative crosses or garden wall art to decorate the walls of your own bedroom, in a kid’s room, hanging their own original art is a lot more colorful and fun and it also recognizes the uniqueness of your child.

Add plush floor pillows and a soft area carpet so that your child can enjoy playing with his or her toys on the floor. If your child is a rough and tumble kind of kid, make sure to leave wide open areas with rubber play mats so that they can rough house and tumble and not get hurt. If you have a child that goes crazy over video games, then you may want to add a gaming corner to their room for them to enjoy with their friends.

Keeping Toys Neat

In any toy room, storage is an issue, so make the storage easily accessible if you want your child to pick up their toys. Add shelving along the entire length of a wall, and then line it with storage bins. Store toys in the bins by type, and then when your child wants to play they can easily pull a bin off of the shelf and take it to the floor the play with. When they are done playing, they can simply pile everything back into the bin and put the bin back on the shelf. By keeping the storage system simple, you increase the chance of your child actually using it. Another great storage technique is to add a corner storage net that can hold all of their stuffed animals. The great thing about the net is that it is also quite simple to use, and you can even make a game of putting the toys away by shooting them into the net from across the room. If you need more space than one net offers, you can hang several nets in the corner, just like shelving.

Organizing the Closet

Another very important component of your child’s bedroom is their closet. Make sure that clothing rods and shelves are low enough for your child to reach. You can either devote the entire closet to clothing, or you may prefer to allocate part of the closet to toy storage. If your child has a dresser, then you can store underwear and socks there, otherwise you can place clear plastic bins on shelving in the closet and store underwear and accessories in this fashion. There is no one right or wrong way to configure the closet. Just set it up in a way that works for your child.

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Following Feng Shui to a Peaceful Bedroom

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

Most people spend a good deal of the day working, and working really hard, so by the end of the day they are exhausted. The bedroom, therefore, becomes an important part of your overall well being; it is where you go to recharge your batteries. Turning to the ancient art of Feng Shui you can create a sanctuary that will create positive energy around you and leave you feeling refreshed.

Blocking Energy with Electricity

To create a tranquil space in your bedroom, begin by clearing the room of electronics. Electronics have electromagnetic fields, and this energy can negatively affect your own personal energy. While it may not be practical to remove all electronics from the bedroom, you can certainly eliminate the major players like your television and your computer, which are two main forces inhibiting your chi.  If you have an alarm clock think about replacing it with a wind up or battery powered clock. If that is not practical, at least move the clock across the room, so that it is not in the vicinity of your bed.

Make the Mirrors Go Away

As counter intuitive as it may sound, Feng Shui dictates that avoid including a mirror in your bedroom. According to the tenets of Feng Shui, if you include a mirror in your bedroom, you are inviting infidelity, and if you are single, then you are limiting your chances of finding a mate. Bedroom mirrors also exacerbate health problems like stress and depression. So if you have a mirror in the bedroom, put it to bed at night by covering it with a dark cloth.

Kill the Clutter

In a cluttered home, there is no path for the positive energy to flow, because it is constantly interrupted and redirected by the clutter. By neatly arranging your belongings, you create positive space all around you. Feng Shui is not an ‘out of sight out of mind’ plan, so this includes organizing the insides of your closets as well. Look for a storage system that can neatly house all of your belongings.

It’s also important to use bedding, wall decor and accessories that foster a naturally soothing atmosphere. Bedding made from organic cotton or bamboo in muted colors is a great choice. Keep wall clutter to a minimum by add on large piece that makes a statement: For example, a large outdoor wall art with a Zen-like natural theme or a striking tree branch wall decor can be used by itself on a focal wall.

Where to Put the Bed

One of the most important things that you want to attend to in the bedroom is where you place your bed. Ideally the bed should be in a spot where you can easily see the entrance to your room. Avoid placing the bed on the same wall as the entrance to your bedroom, and make sure to close your door at night to hold the positive energy inside the room.

Keep It Comfortable

Keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature, and each person has different preferences for the optimum room temperature for sleeping. When you are comfortable, you are more likely to receive positive energy. Also keep air flowing through the room by opening a window and bringing fresh air into your room. During winter months when the house is closed up tightly, you might want to use an air purifier in the room. Placing a fan across the room might also help to keep the air circulating in the room.

Personal Sanctuary

Your bedroom is your sanctuary, and you should use it for only two things: sleeping and sex. So avoid the temptation of adding a home office to the corner of your bedroom. If you live in a small space and have to use rooms in your home for dual purposes, divide the room with a screen or room divider to create two distinct areas in the room to keep negative energy from entering your sleeping space.

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