Important Plumbing Tips In The Winter

Important Plumbing Tips in the Winter

With winter just around the corner you are probably starting to think of some of the serious plumbing issues that you will likely have to deal with in due time. Snow will start to pile up near your home and the roads will become icier. Of course, the weather will also become much colder as temperatures drop well below freezing. The good news is you can plan ahead by being proactive. In other words, you can nip the problem in the bud by following some of the important plumbing tips in the winter that we’ve provided below. By planning ahead you will save yourself hundreds, if not thousands of dollars over the winter season, and save yourself a lot of stress while you’re at it.

Common Plumbing Problems

Frozen pipes are a big issue that many Canadians will have to deal with now that winter is around the corner. To prevent your pipes from freezing in the first place there are a few things you can do. For instance, you can leave a steady drip of water running before you head out. Furthermore, your pipes can take advantage of heat ventilation by keeping your cabinet doors open. Your outdoor irrigation systems should also be sheathed with insulated coverings and you should also unhook your water hoses during the winter. Your plumbing also be at risk when the temperature drops to below zero on a consistent basis. Now, you may be asking what you can do in the event that your pipes have already frozen over.

If they have already frozen over then turn off your main water supply as soon as possible. By doing so the pressure on the pipes will be significantly lowered, which will reduce the risk of the pipe bursting. However, the chance of serious internal damage to your pipes is very high after the pipes have frozen, so you will likely need professional plumbing maintenance services in Toronto.

Poor heating is another issue that you may have to deal with during the winter. Furnaces are prone to breakdowns during the winter as they are usually kept inactive all summer long. Then, when winter hits they are set into overdrive, which puts a great strain on them. If your home still feels cold after you turn the thermostat all the way up then check your furnace to make sure it is providing adequate heat. If it is not working properly then it is time to call a skilled plumber or technician.

The Dos and Don’ts of Plumbing

To prevent damage turn the heat up. While it may be tempting to lower the heat and wear a sweater to reduce costs, insufficient heat will lead to problems down the line that will actually increase costs in the form of repairs. Also, make sure that your pipes are properly insulated. Insulated pipes will prevent water from freezing when the temperature drops markedly. Insulated pipes will also reduce heat loss.

You should also keep your cabinet doors as well as your bathroom doors open. This will allow heat to get in. That is, if your home has rooms where the pipes are placed in the cold zones-such as on the outside walls-then keeping doors open around the house will allow heat to enter. You should also not keep your water running. Imagine you leave your water running and then fall asleep. Then, the drain could backup for some unforeseen reason, causing your sink to overflow. You may then wake up to an icy cold flood and severe damage to your floor and appliances.

Winterizing Tips

The winter season is often filled with parties and holidays, which can place great pressure on your drains. The extra wear and tear will quickly clog your pipes will all sort of substances that you definitely don’t want clogging up your pipes. A BioSmart drain cleaner, however, can take care of an icky situation licekty split. The reason why we would recommend this product is because it is not harsh and dangerous like many of the abrasive chemical cleaners being sold today. It should be a part of your plumbing maintenance routine, as it is not only environmentally friendly but also very effective at unclogging drains quickly.

You should also check your sump pump as often as possible. Your sump pump is actually your primary defense against costly damage and a very soggy basement.  As flooding is a serious issue that affects hundreds of thousands of Canadians, such as the flood that hit Calgary in 2013, the spring in particular is a susceptible season to flooding. As such the winter is the ideal time to clean up your sump pump kit so that it is working as it should. Also, keep a lookout for any ice pieces that may block the discharge pipe.

In sum, with winter around the corner it is very important to ensure that your home is secure from potential winter issues that can quickly become a nightmare if left untreated. At the very least, you should call a licensed and bonded plumbing expert to perform a thorough inspection of your home before winter hits.

Guest Contributor, Rebecca Hill

About: Rebecca Hill was community manager at HMS Plumbing and Mechanical, who provide wide range of services including repairs, installations, leak management, and replacements for both residential and commercial customers.

Easy Projects Which Will Upgrade Your Bathroom in an Instant

Easy Projects Which Will Upgrade Your Bathroom in an Instant

Every now and then, we find ourselves looking around our home and wondering out loud what we can do to make it a bit better. When it comes to home upgrades, people tend to put it off because they feel (and fear) that it takes way too much time and money to do properly. Luckily for us, this isn’t necessarily true and today you can find plenty of simple and easy projects which will make every room in your home look amazing. Today, we’re focusing on bathrooms.

Lighting

Replacing light fixtures in your bathroom isn’t too difficult and you don’t have to go bankrupt to make it happen. Light is very important in every room, especially here, as this is where you’ll be brushing your teeth, washing your face, applying your makeup and taking it off. Standard ceiling lights are convenient but also very boring, and you should try experimenting with other options. You could try installing a couple of wall scones next to the mirror, bring in a small chandelier, and even try recessed lighting. Not only do these look different, but they will also help you see better and set the mood when you want to relax.

Storage cabinet

Your bathroom shouldn’t be filled with furniture but a sturdy storage cabinet is a must because there has to be a place where you’ll keep your cleaning supplies, towels, and makeup. Still, it doesn’t mean that it should look bad just because you need it to be functional. You can choose one of those modern freestanding cabinets that come with glass-panel doors. The doors will lighten the visual impact which the piece has and you can keep linen in there. If you have a lot of medicine and makeup products, opt for a solid-door cabinet or the one that has enough drawers.

Faucets

Taps and faucets are very important parts of a bathroom, and if you’ve had yours for a while, it might be a good idea to have them checked and replaced. Even though you might do this yourself, if you’ve never done it before, it might be a good idea to call a reliable Perth plumber to replace them for you. In different parts of Australia there are different types of taps and faucets used, and if you’re not sure whether it’s time to replace them (or if you simply want to switch to something a bit more contemporary), don’t hesitate to call professionals.

Shower curtain

No matter if you have a shower or a bath, there’s something you can’t imagine a bathroom without – a shower curtain. You might not have a curtain but a glass shower doors instead, but you could still find a way to upgrade it. Curtains should be washed regularly while glass doors should be cleaned in order to remove water stains. You can choose to install one of those modern frameless doors if you want a change, or you could always buy new shower curtains. Not only are they easily replaced and easy to maintain, but they can also become a powerful design feature, especially if you pick something funny or colorful.

Details

The rest of the rooms in your home are probably filled with accessories and simple decorative pieces, so why wouldn’t your bathroom be as well? You can start by bringing in potted plants, but you should make sure they’re the kind that can stand heat and humidity well – small ferns, certain types of orchids, and spider plant will thrive for sure. Replace your bath mat with a new one made of real pebbles and living moss and you’ll see how different these look on the floor. You can also try getting your hands on soft new towels in bright colors which will brighten the room up.

Just because you want to upgrade your bathroom and make it look more modern and cozy, it doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune doing so. You don’t even have to replace the bathtub and tiles to achieve this effect, with a few simple projects, you can completely transform your old bathroom into a peaceful oasis you’ll love.

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith 

Pro Tips: Pull Off A Bold Design In A Small Apartment

Pro Tips: Pull off a Bold Design in a Small Apartment 

Although a small apartment does bring certain design limitations, it still offers numerous creative possibilities that will help you give your personal touch to your home. Just because you have limited floor space, it doesn’t mean that you can’t go big and bold with décor. On the contrary, bold design features will help you draw attention to your stylistic expression and away from your small space. As long as you keep it balanced, everything is possible in a small apartment.

Play with a feature wall

A single feature wall can make a world of difference in a small space. You have a range of inspiring ideas, from an exposed brick wall to a textured wallpaper design. If you want to create a bold artsy look, you should opt for a mesmerising gallery wall. It’s surprisingly easy to create and it can be quite affordable. You don’t even have to stick to paintings, but combine them with artistic installations, photographs, vintage dishes and other unique embellishments. However, you need to create a balanced, cohesive look, so make sure to pick a specific theme or go with gallery items that share the same feature.

Accentuate the floors

You should let your floors take the floor and dominate a room. Embellishing your floors with boldly designed area rugs is a great way to refocus the attention from your small space. If you want to try something different and unexpected, you can always paint your floors or create a beautiful stencilled design.

Or emphasise the ceiling

Don’t leave your ceiling behind because it can also help you create a “wow” effect in your tiny apartment. Instead of going with a traditional white ceiling paint, you can go with a different hue that will help you make a statement. It doesn’t have to be dark or overly vibrant, but simply different and surprising. Applying wallpaper onto your ceiling is another stunning option and a popular design trend. Either way, turning your ceiling into a statement feature will definitely help you accentuate the height of your space.

Go bold with colour

Typically, a small apartment can greatly benefit from a bright, open colour scheme. However, you can actually use bold, dark hues without creating an overwhelming look. The key lies in aiming for balance and harmony, contrasting your dark features with bright ones. What’s more, a dark wall can make you feel even cosier in your space since it will create a cocoon-like effect. Whether you want a vibrantly coloured piece of furniture or a dark accent wall, go for it!

Stripe up

A simple feature such as a striped wall can actually create an amazing look in a small apartment. You can go with vertically striped wallpaper and use it as a stunning statement in your tiny home. It will create a bold look while also creating an illusion of height and drawing the gaze upwards rather than to your limited floor space. Similarly, if you want to elongate your space, you should go with horizontal lines.

Choose a functional bed, then make it dramatic

If you have limited space in your bedroom, you can create a dramatic look, as well as an illusion of spaciousness. You should accentuate your bed as the dominant focal point, but make sure to pick a convenient design. Introducing a modern and functional bed with drawers is the perfect solution for a small bedroom. It will help you create an open, airy atmosphere by providing you with more storage and freeing your space from clutter. A clutter-free atmosphere will make your bedroom seem more spacious. Afterwards, you should use your comfy bed as a bold statement by picking authentic sheets or designing a lovely headboard if it doesn’t already have one.

Embellish with stunning mirrors

Mirrors are always welcome to a small home since they can create an illusion of openness and spaciousness. But why not use them to add a touch of drama to your tiny apartment, as well? You can find authentic mirror designs featuring unique shapes, unusual frames and intricate details. Not only will they visually expand your space, but they will also elevate your home décor.

Create a “wow” effect with statement furniture

Furniture is always the most dominant element in every room, so why not use this to your advantage? You can let a single piece of furniture stand out and create a bold look in your space. Whether you choose an unusual upholstery design or just paint your old desk a vibrant colour, you’ll definitely create an authentic atmosphere in your apartment.

Choose bold curtains

If your apartment has a low ceiling, you can actually use curtains to trick the eye and make your space appear higher. You just need to place curtain rods as close to the ceiling as possible, which will make your windows seem bigger. On top of all that, you can create a dramatic effect by picking a bold curtain design or colour.

These inspiring ideas will help you design a home that truly reflects your style without being constrained by its size. 

Chloe is a graduated journalist from Adelaide and a regular contributor to Smooth Decorator. She loves everything related to decor, aesthetic and lifestyle topics. She is also passionate about photography. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world and take some stunning photographs of beautiful places. Beside all this, she enjoys drinking coffee and reading a beautiful book from time to time.

Guest Contributor, Chloe Taylor

Bathroom Renovation Ideas To Rejuvenate Your Space

Photo From: LED WORLD

Bathroom Renovation Ideas To Rejuvenate Your Space

The days when bathrooms were just places where you’d go to take care of your personal hygiene are long gone. Nowadays, bathrooms receive an equal amount of attention like any other room in our homes when design and style are in question. It’s no longer enough to have a functional bathroom; however, functionality still does play a crucial role in any bathroom design.

So, if you feel like your bathroom could use some renovation and remodeling, but you don’t know what exactly you should do or where to start, here are some ideas to keep in mind.

Change The Tiles

Depending on the extent of the renovation project you wish to undertake, you can choose to replace some or all of the tiles in your bathroom. If, for example, you have simple white wall tiles, you can leave them where they are and choose to replace only your floor tiles. The floor tiles should fit in well with your new design, so it would be wise to have a clear concept in mind before you actually start renovating.

Play With Color

Depending on the style you’re going for, you should consider repainting your bathroom as well. Keep in mind that neutral colors will hardly ever go out of style and that a monochromatic look is simply the most suitable choice if you wish to create an elegant, sleek bathroom. On the other hand, you can opt for a slightly bolder approach and paint the bare parts of your walls in hues such as moody blue, charcoal gray or even dusty pink.

Rethink The Layout

Next, you should really rethink the current layout of your bathroom, as now is the perfect time to change anything you’re not currently satisfied with. If you don’t like the current position of your sink or bathtub, simply move it somewhere else. It’s important to mention, however, that such structural changes can sometimes be very pricey, so that’s definitely something you need to keep in mind.

Change Your Vanity

Vanities are one of the key elements in any bathroom, and if they are not particularly stylish, pretty much all of your previous efforts to add some pizzazz to the space will be in vain. Therefore, you should definitely replace your old, worn-out vanity with some fresh, modern alternative. Furthermore, to free up some floor space and add more visual interest to your bathroom, consider mounting your vanity on the wall instead of the floor. Not only will this look extra in every sense, but it will also make cleaning your bathroom significantly easier.

Decorate

Yes, bathrooms should also be filled with decorative items, but here, it’s best if those items have an additional purpose as well. So, for example, put all of your soap bars in a big mason jar and make them work as a decor piece, aside from being the necessity. Additionally, find a way to make your hand towels work as decor as well, by rolling them up in some creative way and putting them on display. Next, incorporate some beautiful candle jars in your decor as well that will not only work as a beautiful eye-catching detail but also make the entire room smell amazing.  

Declutter

While most of the things people have in their bathrooms are not actually clutter per se, those things – such as shampoo bottles, personal hygiene products and other bathroom essentials – do tend to create a strong visual mess. That’s why you should definitely try to, at least, hide them from sight. For example, store all the products you are not using on daily basis in your vanity and get stylish new containers for the ones you do. Yes, replacing all the shampoo, body wash, hand soap, etc. containers may sound somewhat like a waste of time but, in the end, it will leave your bathroom looking super stylish.

Make a Statement

Finally, add a statement piece in your bathroom. Any well-decorated room features a statement piece and your new bathroom shouldn’t be any different. This could be an elaborate chandelier, an over sized statement mirror in a beautiful frame or even an interesting backsplash. It can be literally anything, as long as it makes a statement and reflects your personal style.

And there you have it. These were just some of the ideas you can try out if you wish to create a truly amazing bathroom. Of course, you can take each of these ideas and give them your own personal touch and create a space worthy of interior design magazine cover.

Guest Contributor, Cooper Klein

Making Your Home Safe For Furry Friends

Making Your Home Safe For Furry Friends

America is a nation of pet lovers. In Illinois, 51% of people have a pet – and that’s the lowest in the country, according to the Daily Herald. There’s a good chance that any home you put together will one day have an animal in it, so it’s important to make sure your home is safe. There’s lots to consider when making the home suitable for animals. It needs to be sturdy, as animals do have an instinct to chew. It needs to be safe, with electrics and plumbing designed specifically to avoid damage and preserve animal safety. Finally, you need to be able to maintain it.

Making your home chew-friendly

Animals will chew, urinate and generally damage household items. It’s part and parcel of the ownership experience. The good news is that it’s very normal. The ASPCA note that when it comes to dogs, chewing helps dogs understand their world and that it should continue through life – with a little discipline. Your first stop should be to provide your animal with distractions to take them away from your valuable furniture. Aside from that, what can you do to help the house? First, in areas the animal is in, move away from ‘squishy’ materials – wood, and so on. In areas with exposed plumbing, ask your professional to use sturdier thermoplastic or metal pipes. This should make your animal lose interest quickly.

Ensuring home safety

There are many pitfalls and hazards in the home for animals. Something as simple as the stairs can cause injury to rodents, and gaps in floorboards can cause animals with small legs to become trapped and distressed. Make sure that your home environment is suitable for whatever animal you have and there aren’t pitfalls. Look at wiring and plumbing, too. A chewed wire is at best an annoyance and at worst deadly. The same goes for plumbing; outside grates can be dangerous for cats and dogs.

Maintaining the pet-friendly home

Pet-friendly homes attract dust, bugs and hair. It’s easy to maintain the home and make these changes permanent, but it’s important to keep your pets safe through it. Many common household cleaners are harmful to animals so do your research before choosing a cleaning product. It’s also helpful to have access to cleaning equipment. A hose tap in the kitchen is a great idea, especially with an extendable attachment, to clear up any accidents.

Making the home friendly for pets requires a bit of careful planning. Doing so will help to spare your nerves and wallet ahead of time. Most importantly, it’ll help your animal to flourish in his or her home.

Guest Contributor, Cindy Trillo

Why You Should Build a Duplex

Why You Should Build a Duplex

Building your first home is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it should be something you put a lot of thought into. There are usually three main ways to go: you can build a condo, a town house or a single family house.

However, there’s also an option of building a duplex, which often gets overlooked. It’s a mistake to do so. There are many advantages of investing in a duplex and you could find it worth your while later on, both in terms of money and comfort.

Mortgage Benefits

When you borrow money to build a home, there’s a difference if you’re building it to live in or to rent, sell or just keep it vacant. Homes that are built to be lived in get better rates since banks want to help people with purchasing their first property.

A duplex is, obviously, two properties in one, which means you can both live in it and rent it out without any inconvenience. When it comes to the bank, a duplex is seen as one property, which means that you get all the perks of building a home to live in, with the ability to also rent it.

Family Living

Building a home should be something that you do with your future family plans in mind. For instance, many decide to invite their parents to live with them as they grow older and require additional care. Young adults might also need a place of their own as time goes by.

Duplexes such as the ones designed by Meadan Homes allow you to do so without jeopardizing your privacy and remaining comfortable and independent in the process. This is something to be considered long before there’s an actual need for it.

Airbnb

For most people, Airbnb isn’t a regular source of income but something they could use when their home is vacant for a while. When you have a duplex, you could keep a unit open for guests at all times. This turns Airbnb into a full-time job and you need to dedicate more time and resources to keeping the unit presentable.

Even though a duplex could be rented for a while, it’s better to rely on Airbnb. While renting the room out for a while means more income, Airbnb gives more freedom if your circumstances change unexpectedly.

Taxes

There are different types of write-offs that you can get when building a home. One type of write-off is used when you’re purchasing a home to live in. In those cases, you can basically deduct your mortgage. When you’re renting a home, the write-offs are used to cover the costs of refurnishing and repairing things for new occupants.

With a duplex, you get to use both of these write-offs, which really comes in handy for a young family. However, you can’t easily switch which unit is yours and which one you get to rent out, but that’s not that much of a problem for most homes.

Building a duplex is a good investment because it gives you more freedom in the way you live and use your home. A duplex could be rented without inconvenience and you can also change it into a granny flat. There are also tax and mortgage benefits to think about.

Guest Contributor, Amelia Atkins

Best Ways To Prevent The Most Common Plumbing Problems

Best Ways To Prevent The Most Common Plumbing Problems

Plumbing issues occur all the time. The most common plumbing problems, however, are mostly preventable. More often than not, the most common plumbing issues are of our making. It could be neglect on our part, or things we actually do to our plumbing that gives us all these headaches.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common plumbing problems, and how we can prevent them.

Blocked or overflowing drains

A clogged drain is perhaps the most common plumbing issue of all. It’s also one of the most preventable.

To prevent drains from clogging, we must:

Avoid pouring used oil or food grease down the sink – Oil or grease poured down the drain will stick around and typically harden. Pour more of it over time, and all that grease will accumulate and completely block your drainpipes. If you have to dispose of oil or grease, then use the garbage bin.

Don’t abuse your garbage disposal – You can’t just chuck anything down the garbage disposal. Only chopped and soft foodstuff and liquids should make it down your unit. Fruit pits and bones are a no-no because you could end up blocking your drain and damaging your garbage disposal at the same time.

Install drain strainers – Drain strainers are quite effective at stopping hair and all kinds of debris from entering sink and bathroom drains. If possible, all your household drains should have strainers. They are inexpensive and easy to install.

Clogged toilets

Clogged toilets are a huge and disgusting problem, especially when they overflow after flushing.

Chances are, your toilet is clogged because a lot of things are regularly flushed down it, and not just human waste. Many people flush baby wipes, Q tips, cotton, sanitary pads, diapers, kitty litter, condoms, and cigarette butts down their toilets, without realizing that all these can block the toilet. These things should never make it down your toilet.

Leaking or broken pipes

Our water pipes are in heavy use at all times, and that means they suffer a lot of wear and tear over time. Eventually, they leak or break, which can cause much bigger problems like flooding.

Pipes will age and eventually succumb to stress, but we can do something to mitigate all of that. Conserving water, for example, allows your pipes to relax a bit.

Softening your water can also help extend the life of your pipes. Using methods like ion-exchange resin or reverse osmosis, you should be able to reduce the mineral and chemical buildup on your pipes usually caused by hard water.

The most common plumbing problems can be easily prevented using the tips above, but if issues still come up, you may need to call in a professional plumber for help.

 Guest Contributor, Victoria Brown

Commercial Boilers: A Comprehensive Selection Guide

Commercial Boilers: A Comprehensive Selection Guide  

Running a business is not only about managing the product that you sell or the service that you offer. If you are an involved entrepreneur, you are very familiar with the fact that running a successful business means that you need to juggle a number of factors and keep them in the air as long as possible. Some of these factors can be absolutely prosaic but undeniably essential. For example, every HQ building needs a reliable commercial boiler that will fulfill the needs of all employees.

While plumbing might not be your area of expertise, every self-respecting leader will want to be involved in setting up an office space as a home away from home. If you have never chosen commercial boilers before, don’t worry – here is a comprehensive selection guide that should give you all the information you need.

A Matter Of Size

The first thing that comes to your mind when it comes to installing a commercial boiler for the building is a matter of size. While smaller buildings and businesses such as salons, cafes, privately owned compartmentalized offices and community centers can deal with smaller, more compact systems, bigger establishments have an appropriately greater need for hot water and steam, and the boiler should have the capacity to fulfill those needs. Now, when it comes to the specific size of the commercial boiler based on the dimensions of the building, this can be calculated.

The capacity of the boiler is measured in BTU units, which is an abbreviation for British Thermal Units. As a manager or the CEO of the company, you should be familiar with the square footage of the building. Add up the square footage of all floors and multiply that number by 50. This will roughly give you a number of BTU units you require and this number directly determines the size and the capacity of the commercial boiler you need to seek out. In other words, one square foot should be accommodated by 50 BTU, and one BTU equates to 1055 J (joules).

Think About The Requirements

You should differentiate types of boilers depending on the requirements of your building. For example, if your business is something a bit more industrialized, you should consider purchasing a commercial gas boiler that turns water into steam, as it can fulfill a multitude of purposes. Primarily, it can keep the building warm in a very efficient way and they can also be used as generators to produce electricity. They have a wide range of applications in all types of industries that use steam, from food processing to agriculture.

The bottom line is – you should choose a type of commercial boiler system that will fulfill your needs, but which will also be energy-efficient. Thankfully, the sophisticated eco-friendly tech standards have entered this niche so one can easily look into products according to the grade system that has been established by the Energy Labeling Directive. As someone who runs a business, you’ll want the best possible performance of all energy-consuming apparatuses and devices for the lowest possible price at the end of the month, so select your commercial boiler according to this requirement!

Maintenance Costs

Now, if you want to have a commercial boiler that operates at peak efficiency, an apparatus that is as eco-friendly as it is impeccable in its performance, you will need to invest in regular maintenance. It does not matter what type of boiler system you have and the size does not matter, regular maintenance is obligatory for two reasons – safety and stable energy cost.  The boiler that is simply left unattended after the initial installation will surely break down, the costs of repairs will be steep (not to mention the potential damage to the building) and the price tag on the utility bills will spike.

When one takes these factors into consideration, the investment into the future through regular maintenance makes sense, plus – it is actually pretty affordable if you take time to find a professional with a sound reputation and a lot of experience. Of course, businesses can get opportune deals for maintenance plans, and the price of the package becomes more beneficial for you should you choose one that covers the longest time interval.

For example, a maintenance plan with the designated professional that covers the entire year is the most opportune. After you have signed it, you won’t have to keep this matter in the back of your mind throughout the year as the schedule and the maintenance itself will be taken care of for you. In addition, the entire maintenance team will be at your disposal in case of unexpected emergencies and malfunctions.

It is only natural that a task such as choosing the right commercial boiler for your business can be daunting and confusing as it is a part of a particularly specific niche, but it is definitely not an insurmountable obstacle. After all, it is not your duty to install this apparatus and connect it to the building’s pipe grid.

All you have to do, as someone who is intimately familiar with the nature of business as well as the number and habits of your employees, is to choose the right commercial boiler according to some basic info. A well-informed manager or a CEO of a company is much more adept at solving numerous problems and thus increasing the company’s chances for success. Even the most basic decisions matter.

Guest Contributor, Lillian Connors

Design Tips For Kids' Bathrooms

Design Tips for Kids’ Bathrooms

Too often, bathrooms get overlooked during the decorating process. Bathrooms are just as important a part of the house as any other room, though. They’re where we start and finish our day, and they can make a bold statement for guests who come to visit. What’s more, a newly revamped bathroom can add value to your home if you ever decide to sell. Remodeling the bathroom can be a fun family activity to work on together, and it only takes just a bit of time and money to create a whole new look for the room. Here are some tips on how to make the most out of your child’s space.

Choose Accents that Pop

Most kids want a room that’s bursting with color, and the bathroom is no different. You don’t have to paint over every surface, though. For a chic yet playful look, add in some bright and bold accents to liven up the room. These accents might be pictures on the walls, decorative candles on a shelf, or an arrangement of fluffy bath towels in an array of colors. This also makes it easier to compromise on a color palate with your kid. Even if they insist on mixing neon yellow and bright pink, you can find a way to make it work.

Pick out a Theme

Themed bathrooms are a fun way to coordinate decor and add a little bit of magic to the space. It’s essential that your child be central to the brainstorming process, though feel free to make suggestions if they’re having trouble settling on a single idea. You can deck the room out with dragons and princesses, take things under the sea with shells and starfish, or blast into outer space with planet mobiles and constellation stickers.

Keep Safety in Mind

The bathroom can be one of the most dangerous rooms in the house, especially for children. More than 43,000 kids every year in the U.S. sustain injuries in the bathtub. You can incorporate safety features for your kids into their bathroom decor scheme to help keep them safe when bathing, showering, and more. Colorful bath mats and shower pads help to prevent slipping on wet surfaces, while small stools with non-skid feet can make it easier to reach sinks and faucets.

A brand new bathroom can make things such as bath time and tooth brushing much more exciting for any kid. New colors, accents, and artwork can bring any dull space to life.

If you’re looking for a fun project that you can complete in a weekend, consider helping your child to redecorate their bathroom.

Guest Contributor, Cindy Trillo

Items You Never Want to Wash Down Your Drain

Items You Never Want to Wash Down Your Drain

Whether you are washing dishes, your hands or cleaning something up around the house, the sink seems to be a common way that people dispose of all sorts of dirt and grime and while many things are safe for disposal down a drain, it’s important to take precautions to prevent items you never want to wash down your drain from being disposed of improperly.

If you treat your drains like the garbage dump, you will soon begin to have problems with clogs, foul odors and even worse problems that can be expensive to repair. (Source: AnytimePlumbing.net)  Be sure to check this list to make sure you aren’t washing potential dangers down your drain.

Eggshells: Whether you have a garbage disposal or not, egg shells should never be dumped down the drain. When they combine with other waste, they can form major clogs that can be difficult to remove.

Produce Stickers: Those tiny stickers you find on bananas and apples are coated with adhesive glue and are often made of plastic that can get stuck in pipes and cause major clogs.

Grease: Grease is one of the most common substances that people haphazardly pour down the drain. This is one of the biggest mistakes that a person can make with their drain and should be avoided. Grease includes melted fats from bacon, sausage, poultry, hamburger and other meats and once it goes down the drain it can harden and cause sewer blockage.

Coffee Grounds: Coffee grounds, especially when combined with grease can be a horrible combination down the drain. Coffee grounds alone can cause serious drain blockage, so it is best to avoid washing them down the sink drain.

Oils: Whether it is salad oil, cooking oil or even mayonnaise, never pour oils down the drain.

Fat: Shortening, butter, chicken or turkey skin, milk and other fats should not be poured down the drain. Milk is not often considered a fat by people, but the fats in the milk can cause harm to your drains.

Condoms: Condoms are flushed down the toilet or even washed down a sink drain more often than people would believe. They should never, under any circumstance, be flushed down a drain. These items do not dissolve, and they will stay inside your drain or in the sewer for years. They will also cause clogs. The best place for you to dispose of a condom is in the garbage can.

Paper Towels: Due to their thickness, paper towels need to be tossed into the trash can rather than flushed down the commode where they have been known to cause clogs.

Flushable Wipes: Yes, they can be flushed, but take precautions because even flushable wipes have been known to clog a toilet. They don’t disintegrate like toilet paper does and they can wreak havoc on a sewer system.

Motor Oil and Other Fluids: If it goes in the car, it should never be poured down a drain. Motor oil, anti-freeze, transmission fluid and other car fluids can destroy a drain system, so keep them away. Contact your local landfill to find out where motor oil and other fluids can be disposed of in your city.

Paint: Let’s face it, the sink is a comfortable location to clean paint brushes and paint pans after you paint a picture, a wall or a piece of furniture. If you are painting your bathroom or other room in your home, the sink is also the last place you should ever clean your paint brushes or pans. Oil paint needs to be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility while latex paint needs to be disposed of away from drains or water sources. Check with your local city management office to find out what your local ordinances for paint disposal are.

Medication: Many cities today have return days where residents can go drop off unused medications. Many pharmacies will also take unused medications for disposal. Medications are unfortunately dumped down the drain where they eventually land in rivers and streams where they can contaminate water, kill fish and wildlife and even cause illness in humans. When you need to dispose of old medications, never flush them down the toilet. Instead, contact your local pharmacy or police department to find out where you can safely dispose of the medication.

Cleaning Products: Unless you are using 100% natural, safe for the environment cleaning products, steer clear of dumping them down the drain as they can be dangerous to water systems.

It’s a good idea to clean your drains with a mixture of distilled white vinegar and hot water once a week to help keep them clean and to remove buildup. Keeping your pipes clean by not dumping the wrong items down them and by maintaining them with a weekly cleaning regimen is a good way to help avoid an expensive plumbing repair and keep things running smoothly.

Guest Contributor, Tom Masters