DIY Supermarket

The great thing about modern mosaic tiles is that they are attached to a mesh backing, so they are evenly spaced out. This also means that when you come to tiling around tricky shapes such as electrical sockets, you won’t be tile cutting. You may still have to break some mosaics in half, to get right up to the edge, but that is a whole lot easier than shaping larger tiles.

Another advantage is that if you are left with a small space to fill, you can just detach a single tile to use individually. Mosaics are extremely versatile. Another advantage to mosaic tiles is that you don’t need to think about repeating a pattern. Just line up each section of mosaics and any pattern of colours or shapes is effortlessly repeated.

As with any tiling job, you still need to mark a level line on the wall as your starting point and work downwards. If you are covering the entire wall, you still need to establish a true plumb line. You also need to make sure that if the tiles make up a pattern or are of alternating colours, you place them the right way up.

Once the mosaic tiles are in position and the adhesive is set, you can apply the grout. This too is an easier job than with bigger tiles because you can sweep a layer of grout over the whole area. You then just wipe off the excess, revealing the beautiful tiles and uniform, level grout.

Bathroom furniture comes in all shapes, sizes, and finishes.  In much the same way as we fit out our kitchens, our bathrooms are now getting the same treatment.  If you are planning to renovate your bathroom, it is worth investigating the bathroom furniture on offer.  You will find sleek, space saving options and solutions to many of your bathroom headaches.

Installing the right pieces of bathroom furniture is the secret to solving the problem of clutter.  We will always need storage space for toilet rolls, toiletries, and towels, and bathroom furniture gives us exactly that.  Whether it is a bathroom cabinet filled with bath oils, a large drawer unit for towels, or an inbuilt laundry basket, ensuring that you fit your bathroom with furniture that meets your specific needs is essential.

Cleverly designed bathroom furniture can house a wash basin in a vanity unit whilst simultaneously concealing ugly plumbing pipe work.  In the same way, wall mounted toilets with concealed cisterns help to create clean lines and minimalist finishes.  Wall mounted furniture functions well in smaller bathrooms as it creates the illusion of more space and makes floors easier to clean.

When you tile a room, it is likely that you will need to cut tiles to fit around the edges against the walls.  In order to cut the tiles you will need to use either a manual tile cutter or an electric cutter.  If you need to cut an ‘L’ shaped tile you will definitely need to use an electric tile cutter. 

Manual Cutters

Manual cutters tend to differ in the way they are used.   You should read the instructions carefully to ensure you get the best result.

Electric Cutters

Electric cutters tend to give better results and one that has water lubrication will give you the best results. 

Cutting the Tiles

In order to measure the edging tile you should place the tile on top of another full tile.  Now place the tiles against the wall. Use a third tile on top as a measurement for where the middle tile needs to be cut.  Mark the line with a tile marker. 

When cutting you should cut the tile a little bit less than the line you have drawn.  This is because it will then allow room for the grout and sealant. 

Laying the Cut Tiles

When you are ready to lay the cut tiles, apply adhesive to the back of each tile.  Position the tile, making sure it is level and aligned correctly.  You should then leave it for around 24 hours to dry before you stand on it.

A quality fitted bathroom has come to be viewed as one of the most important features of a modern house, whether as a haven to relax in or simply as an efficient and hygienic space to have a quick shower before work.  Working with an experienced bathroom fitter, as well as a reputable plumber, during your remodel can help to ensure the job is done properly, with shower trays that are leak-free and bathroom furniture that is fitted accurately.  Decent bathroom suites need not cost a fortune; however, and can be embellished with upmarket accessories such as taps or shower enclosures.  

Luxury tiles can make bathrooms feel more opulent and special.  Many modern homes now also include a wet room, which is a fully tiled ‘walk-in’ shower area complete with under floor drainage.  In some cases, wet rooms have replaced the traditional bathroom suite altogether.  Proving to be both modern and stylish, this room does away with the need for a separate shower tray, shower cubicle or shower enclosure, and can provide an elegant design solution for a home with limited space. 

An enterprising idea might be to convert an unused cupboard or redundant space under the stairs into a small but effective bathroom, whether it contains a shower cubicle, full bathroom suite, or simply a toilet and sink to provide extra cloakroom facilities.  When it comes to selling a house in today’s competitive market, estate agents often agree that an additional bathroom or shower can make the difference and give your property the edge.

Traditionally, the kitchen has been the focus of the home, and certainly the room that has benefitted most from recent home improvements, but now it seems that the bathroom is ready to overtake the kitchen in terms of luxury and design.  Whether installing a new bathroom, shower room, or additional cloak room with wash sink and toilet, this is one of the rooms most likely to appeal to a new buyer or prospective tenant when selling or renting your home.

With that in mind, it makes sense to ensure that you can get the most stylish bathroom, shower enclosures or even wet room for your money.  There are some things to consider when you are remodelling your bathroom, to help get the best out of your room and budget.

Consider luxury materials, such as marble, to give an elegant touch to even the smallest of showers without being dependant on space.  Take lighting into account; whether an array of tea lights arranged around your bath, or recessed lights above the bathroom cabinet, lighting provides a finishing touch and should not be ignored.  Mirrors are the simplest and potentially cheapest way of incorporating light into your bathroom, and can create the illusion of space in a small room.  A mirrored wall above a sink is the simplest and cheapest way of achieving this effect.  If you have the space, create an area for pampering in your bathroom.  You could even include a plasma screen television for the ultimate bathing experience.  Whatever your budget, be creative with colour, using paint if you do not have the funds for expensive tiles, to set off your bathroom furniture to perfection.

Bathroom cabinets are sometimes one of the most functional pieces of furniture in a home. In any bathroom – regardless of its size – the cabinet acts as storage space for toiletries and medications as well as somewhere for items that should not be on display. Today’s bathrooms are not just about functionality as they also express the personality and tastes of the homeowner.

A bathroom cabinet may not seem as important as the bathroom suite, but it is an integral part of the bathroom and should be chosen carefully in order to fit in with the rest of the bathroom décor.

Bathroom cabinets can be standalone pieces of furniture, but homeowners could save space by choosing a cabinet with a mirror, thereby obviating the need for a separate mirror. Bathroom cabinets do not have to be wall mounted, though. They can form part of special units that fit around a pedestal base and there are also free-standing corner cabinets available which can be useful if space is at a premium.

Bathroom cabinets now come in a wide range of styles to suit every taste whether a homeowner wants a distressed effect, a Victorian finish or a modern smoked glass and metal design.

Bathroom cabinets can come as part of a coordinated set along with other bathroom accessories and fittings such as soap dishes, toilet roll holders and towel rails. Alternatively a homeowner could decide to go for a unique bathroom cabinet which will create a feature in the bathroom.

Vinyl tiles can be used in any room of the house.  They have the advantage of being durable, easily maintained, and, as detailed in this article, easy to install. 

Prior to installation, ready the room by taking out all furniture.  Then clean the floor that the vinyl tiles will be covering.  In addition, check the subfloor to make sure it does not have any damage, such as holes or cracks that need to be repaired before laying the vinyl tiles. 

Next, you will lay down the underlay boarding.  This is usually a thin, plywood or fibre board secured with underlay nails.  This step is vital if the floor is uneven. 

Now start tiling at the room’s centre spot.  As you work out and near the walls and door jambs, you will need to cut the vinyl tile with a utility knife to get them to fit properly.  To do this, you will need to place a whole tile on top of the tile nearest the wall.  Fix the top tile so that its four edges are aligned with the tile that is already below it.  Now set yet another tile on top of this top tile and push it up against the wall.  Trace a pencil on that inner edge of the top tile, in effect marking the middle tile.  Use the middle tile for cutting. 

It may take a little practice at first, but eventually even those who consider themselves home improvement novices, will be expertly cutting vinyl tiles. 

Two common issues cause most cistern problems, namely corrosion and overflows.

Corrosion

If your investigations find signs of rust in the cistern, drain all the water.  Next, using a wire brush to scrub off all traces of rust from inside the cistern.  Use epoxy resin to fill any pit marks that may be present.  Using non-tainting bituminous paint, apply up to three coats.

Overflows

The first thing to check if your cistern overflows is that the float is not leaking.  Carefully, unscrew the float from the arm and give it a shake.  If you hear water inside, it is leaking.  Once water penetrates the float, it causes it to become too heavy and it can’t rise up to the level required to shut off the water supply.  However, if the float is undamaged, it probably just needs adjusting.  At the end of the float arm you’ll find a small screw with which you can adjust the float level.  If the overflow problem persists, the valve may need a new washer.

Replacing the washer involves turning off the water supply, flushing any water from the system, then looking for a split pin under the valve.  Take this out, and with the use of a screwdriver slip the piston from the valve body.  If you now unscrew the end cap off the piston, you will be able to remove the washer.  Insert a replacement washer of the same dimension.  Now put it all back together, reassembling the valve, slipping the piston back in and reconnecting it to the float arm.  The water supply can be be reconnected and then all you need to do is adjust the float arm to the right setting.

There are many ways of maximising space in a small bathroom. Here are just a few ideas that could be considered:

•    Changing the way the bathroom door is hung so that it opens outwards rather than inwards or switching to a sliding or folding door can create extra space which could allow a shower cubicle to be fitted.
•    The bathroom suite can be moved around to maximise space, but remember that if the soil stack pipe work is moved this will generally be a lengthy and possibly expensive job.
•    Heated towel rails can double up as radiators and if they are mounted at eye level they can free up useful floor space.
•    It is important to select products that are in proportion to the size of the bathroom. There are many compact or corner models of baths, toilets and showers on the market and these can help to create a bathroom that feels more spacious.
•    A separate shower need not take up much space if the luxury shower enclosures have a bi-fold or sliding door. If there really is no space for a separate shower then you might like to bear in mind that shower baths with an enlarged shower area at one end are becoming increasingly popular.
•    Wall mounted taps above the sink and the bath will reduce clutter and wall hung furniture will free up valuable floor space, so do remember to utilise wall space.

After repeated use, you may develop staining on your shower doors if they are made of glass.  This is quite normal and there is no reason to panic. 

To help with the prevention of stains, it is important to clean the glass after every shower use.  However, you may still get some staining that will need additional attention.  These hard water stains can usually be easily removed by using simple cleaning methods.

If there is a minor build-up on the glass, use some rubbing alcohol on a rag.  This will help to break through the water stains and clean the glass.

Another way to remove the stains is to use a laundry stain remover, such as Shout or Resolve.  Use the cleaner on a soft cloth and rub the glass in a circular motion.  This should remove the majority of the staining.

Lemon juice will also work well.  Cut a fresh lemon in half and rub it on the shower door.  The acid in the lemon will eat away at the grime and hard water stains, leaving a clean shower door and a bathroom with a pleasant smell.

You can also use vinegar to clean the glass. 

If none of these solutions seem to work, you may need a more powerful cleaner.  Most stores will sell a chemical stain remover that is designed for lime scale and hard water stains.  These are very effective, but it is important to read and follow all directions when using these products.