Archive for the ‘Bathroom’ Category

Remodeleze Project: Bath Remodel El Dorado Hills

Friday, January 1st, 2010
Bathroom Remodel

Bathroom Remodel

Project By: DreamBuilders Kitchen and Bath Inc.

Style: Historical

Budget: $80K-90K

Time Frame: 6-10 weeks

Location: 1408 Sutter Creek Drive
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762

Description: Bath Remodel and Addition. Fabulous 40′s style.

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Stain Removing Solutions for Granite

Monday, December 21st, 2009

While you’re thinking that chemical solutions only exist in Chemistry classes and laboratories, then you better think again. To achieve good maintenance for your granite countertop doesn’t mean you have to be good with chemical mixtures. Since granite countertops are every home’s sophisticated asset, here are some cleaning solutions to help you properly clean and maintain your beautiful granite countertop.

The Oil Spill

Oil stains can be removed by making a paste of flour mixed with hydrogen peroxide. Oil stains include butter, margarine, vegetable oil, olive oil or any type of cooking oil. Apply the mixture of flour and hydrogen peroxide on the stained surface and leave it overnight. Carefully scrape or scratch it with a utensil (preferably wooden) to completely remove the stain.

The Coffee Spill

Coffees or even teas are sometimes called organic stains. Cleaning such stain is definitely easy. Get a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and mix it together with ammonia. Two to four drops of ammonia will do.

The Ink Stain

Just when you thought ink stains would be forever, we offer you one good solution to remove the ink stain that is making your granite countertop look different and not too presentable as a part of your home’s decoration. Why don’t you try removing the stain with acetone? Now you know nail polish removers are not just good for nails, they’re also good for granite countertops. However be aware that nail polish removers have different ingredients. You can also use hydrogen peroxide for more inorganic stains such as dyes or dirt. Application of rubbing alcohol is also highly recommended when it comes to ink stain removal.

Refinishing a Bathtub

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

One of the most common home remodeling projects in the past decade or so to be completed by Americans is to refinish a bathtub. There are plenty of reasons to refinish a bathtub and they include one or more of the following:

* Bathtub is old and shows years of use and wear
* Bathtub does not match rest of décor in the bathroom
* Bathtub is in a home purchased by a new resident

More often than not, refinishing a bathtub is not a do-it-yourself type of project unless the person doing it himself or herself is a licensed contractor with experience in refinishing bathtubs. This is not a do-it-yourself job because there is so much involved in the process that includes the following items:

* High-volume, low-pressure spray gun
* Respirator or face mask
* Palm sander and sandpaper
* Masking tape
* Paper
* Epoxy paint or primer
* EP-acrylic top coat
* Chemical cleaners
* Bonding agent for porcelain and tile

If you plan on refinishing your bathtub, you should clean the entire tub prior to beginning the job so that you get the most out of the project. Clean the area of the tub you are going to refinish with the chemical cleaners you have purchased. Once you are finished cleaning dry off the area thoroughly so you can begin to sand the tub. Once the sanding is complete, you can add the chemical adhesive, especially if you are working with a porcelain or tile tub. The final step is to paint the bathtub.

The Pros and Cons of Bathroom Remodeling

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

On each flip project a decision must be made as to whether or not the bathroom(s) need to be remodeled. The decision to remodel the bathroom of an investment property is one of the biggest you’ll make as it will also result in one of the largest costs in terms of time and money. The net financial result is what should concern you. Will the remodeling yield a profit on it’s own, or at least contribute proportionately to the overall profit.

The Pros of Remodeling the Bathroom of an Investment House:

Give it the WOW factor! The Wow factor is probably the major reason you would renovate the bathroom. There are three rooms that you want to be impressive; and the bathroom is arguably number one. Mr. and Ms. Buyer will often make their decision based on the condition of the bathroom.

Whether you choose to remodel the whole thing or just replace certain components should be based partly on the criticality of the bathroom in the buy-decision. Done properly a bathroom renovation could well be the deciding factor between getting your price and not selling your house.

An ugly, poorly maintained bathroom will have the potential buyers lowering their pricing expectations disproportionate to the amount it would cost to renovate it. A buyer purchasing a renovated house has expectations that certain things are in good shape thats why theyre buying a house thats already been renovated.

Whether its a facelift or a total gut, that one room can make or break the deal.

If youre working with a very limited budget you can decide which particular parts of your bathroom that you would like remodeled, such as the tub or the toilet or the sink.

If money is not an issue, you may make the decision to remodel your whole bathroom. In addition to deciding what parts of your bathroom you would like remodeled, you will also have complete control over the products and materials used.

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Fun and Simple Bathroom Remodel Tips

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

What do you think is the most important room in the house? How about the room you start and end each day in-the bathroom. After all, you do some of the day’s most important activities in there!

The fact is that a drab, dull bathroom can make you feel like you’re dragging your morning along. It’s not the place you want to see right before you hit the sack. It’s the place we run to when we want to hide; it should be the perfect place to spend time!

Bathroom remodeling doesn’t have to be a major undertaking. A few simple touches can turn your boring room into a potty paradise. You’ll want to lock yourself in and never come out. Here are some great remodeling ideas.

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Green Bathroom Remodel Ideas

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

When remodeling your bathroom, consider “Green” options that will help your bathroom become more energy efficient, less harmful to the environment, and preserve natural resource materials.

One of the biggest wastes in a bathroom is water. Select fixtures that help minimize water use. A dual-flush toilet saves water usage by having one flush for water waste and another flush for solid waste. It takes less water to flush down liquid waste than it does for solids. Use faucets and shower heads that conserve water as well. Replace your old faucet with a faucet that has a self-closing tap that shuts off the water when you release the button. This conserves water while you are shaving or brushing your teeth, as well as prevents leaks. Use a low-flow shower head in your shower. It drastically cuts back on the amount of water per minute used compared to an ordinary shower head. To save even more water use an air shower device. It is attached to your existing shower head and can save water usage by an additional 30%. It pumps each water droplet full of air, which makes each water droplet bigger yet still feels just as strong and wet as typical water spray from a regular shower head.

Consider a tank-less or a solar water heater. They may be a bit more expensive to install initially, but in the long run they save you a bundle on utility bills, as well as conserve power and water.

Use energy-efficient lighting in your bathroom. Fluorescent lighting uses a lot less energy than incandescent lighting. You can soften or brighten the light by using dimmer switches, adjusting the level of brightness for your comport level.

When choosing tiles for you bathroom make-over, envision recycled ceramic, glass, or porcelain tiles for your walls, counter tops, and flooring. They come in a wide array of styles and colors, and you have the satisfaction of knowing that you will be helping the environment and saving energy. Every glass bottle that is recycled actually saves enough energy to operate a 100-watt light bulb for approximately four hours.

Going green in your bathroom gratifies your conscience, saves money and the environment, and offers a splendid re-sale advantage to boot.

Modern Bathroom Remodels

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

The interesting thing about modern bathrooms is that no two are alike. Because of the varying sub-styles under the “modern” umbrella, you can take pieces from one style and mix it with another and never clash. Urban, Asian, Zen and futuristic are all inspired by a basic theme – they must be highly functional and efficient with a sleek minimalistic design. That usually includes cutting-edge fixtures and components. The layout, design and elements that go into a modern bathroom will vary by lifestyle, home décor, needs and personal taste. So what does it take to create a modern bathroom?

There are basic aspects of a successful modern bathroom remodel. Once you understand these key elements, you can shape and mold your bathroom to suit your lifestyle. Let’s get started.

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5 Remodeling Headaches to Avoid

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Avoid a Remodel Headache

Avoid a Remodel Headache

According to a consumer reports poll, the most popular remodeling projects for homeowners are kitchens (19 percent) and bathrooms (17 percent). In another survey, Consumer Reports asked 6,000 readers to reveal what went wrong when they remodeled their kitchens and baths and how much those mistakes added to the overall cost of their projects. Here’s how to avoid their mistakes and save:

1. Don’t rush in. Changing plans is the most common, but costliest remodeling gaffe, adding $1,500 to kitchen projects and $650 to bath remodels. Be sure to leave time for research and create a comprehensive plan, listing every product.

2. Prepare for the unexpected. There’s a lot going on behind the walls. Unexpected water damage was an issue with 17 percent of bathroom remodels, while structural problems caused headaches for 10 percent of kitchen projects. A good contractor will be able to anticipate, allowing the homeowner to budget accordingly.

3. Don’t chase the low ball. Contractors are lowering their profit margins due to the tight market, but they often make up their costs in labor or other areas. Readers who went for the lowball ended up spending a median of $1,500 extra for labor on their kitchens and $1,000 extra on their bathrooms. Don’t sign a contract with a lot of open-ended amounts for products and materials – these are called “allowances,” in contractor speak.

4. Get the paperwork in order. Have the contractor attach copies of his up-to-date license, insurance, and workers’ compensation policies to the written contract. He should also get permits and provide a lien waiver when the job is done; this will keep suppliers from contacting the homeowner for unpaid bills.

5. Focus on the boring bits. Specifying lighting and placement of trash cans are not much fun, but are critical to the process. For example, the proper exhaust fan will prevent mildew in baths and vent odors in kitchens.

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Bathroom Paint Color Tips

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Choosing a Paint Color for Your Bathroom

Choosing a Paint Color for Your Bathroom

Painting your bathroom is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to give it a new look. But, choosing a paint color can be a real conundrum if you have no idea how to go about it. Following are three things to consider that will help make selecting a color easier.

Size Matters: The size of your bathroom matters when it comes to choosing a paint color. Most interior decorators will advise you to choose colors that make your space appear larger, for this is what many want. However, if your bathroom is large (lucky you!), you may want to make it appear smaller and/or more intimate.

So use this rule of thumb: Lighter colors make a space appear larger, while darker colors shrink a space.

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