You will need:

1. Teflon plumber’s tape.
2. Fill valve.
3. Water supply hose.
4. Pliers.

Toilet

Steps:

1. First, check the toilet water supply valve located on the wall behind the toilet, which supplies the water in the tank for flushing. Follow the water supply pipe or hose connected on the underside or back of the tank until it meets the valve to locate the valve. Rotate the valve counterclockwise as far as it will go to make sure that it is in the open position.
   1. Then, check for any kinks on the water supply hose. Water will not be able to reach the tank if the line between the water supply valve and the tank is kinked or bent. Straighten out the hose before attaching it to a wall with a clamp to keep it up and out of the way.
   2. Change the water supply hose if it contains rust or debris, which would block the hose from supplying water to the toilet flush. To replace the hose, turn off the water supply valve by rotating it clockwise. Unscrew the metal coupling on the hose from the tank and wrap the threads on both of the water supply valve and the tank inlet using Teflon plumber’s tape. Reattach the hose to the tank inlet and water supply valve before turning on the water supply.
   3. The fill valve connects to the water supply hose and fills the toilet with a supply of water for each flush. Although it is possible to repair a fill valve than buying new one, the older fill valve may not be up to code if repaired.
   4. Buying a new fill valve is more efficient and inexpensive as well especially for fill valve with integrated floats. To replace it, shut off the water supply before disconnecting the supply hose.
   5. On the underside of the tank, unscrew the plastic retaining nut and lift the valve out from the tank. Put a few dabs of silicone grease to the underside of the washer on the new fill valve before setting it in the bottom of the tank.
   6. Screw the retaining nut onto the threads at the bottom. Use plumber’s tape to wrap the inlet and reconnect the hose. Turn on the water supply to test.

Image Credit:

Flickr CC

Additional Reading:

The Everything Fix- It Book: From Clogged Drains and Gutters, to Leaky Faucets and Toilets–All You Need to Get the Job Done (Everything: Sports and Hobbies)

How Your House Works: A Visual Guide to Understanding & Maintaining Your Home

Repairing a Toilet with No Water is a post from: DIY Guides

Related posts:

1. Repairing a Drain Flange on a Toilet
2. Installing a Toilet
3. Repairing your Solar Water Heating

If your bathtub faucet water pressure has decreased, it could be caused by the low water pressure. It can be frustrating as you cannot determine why the problem exists. There are many causes that can contribute to low water pressure, but luckily you can solve this problem of your bathtub faucet. Here are the steps on how to do it.

You will need:

1. Pliers.
2. Vinegar.
3. Soapy water.

Steps:

1. First, remove the attachments that you have on your faucets such as the sprinkler systems and a faucet adapter. Remove any type of limescale and blockage by cleaning your faucet attachments using a cup of white vinegar. Clean the faucet attachments thoroughly with the vinegar and then rinse them with warm water.
2. Then, adjust the water pressure regulator to increase pressure in the faucets. The regulator has a bell shape and usually located above the ground which is near the plumbing that enters your house. Turn the pressure adjustment stem, which is attached to the regulator. There is a cylindrical shape, which is needed to turn clockwise to increase the water pressure.
3. Next, check the aerator on your faucets to check for blockage. Unscrew the aerator from the faucet mouth using a plier. Clean away the debris with soapy waters then rinse thoroughly before screwing it back onto the faucet. Check the water pressure afterward.

Additional Reading:

The Everything Fix- It Book: From Clogged Drains and Gutters, to Leaky Faucets and Toilets–All You Need to Get the Job Done (Everything: Sports and Hobbies)

Architectural Fixtures and Hardware: From Faucets to Flooring, Storage to Staircases, the Finest Interior Details for the Home

Fixing Low Water Pressure in a Faucet is a post from: DIY Guides

Related posts:

1. Fixing a Leaky Bathtub Faucet
2. Fixing your leaking faucet
3. Installing a new faucet in your kitchen

You will need:

1. Caulk
2. Tile
3. Window Sill
4. Cement Board

Shower Window

Steps:

1. First, apply cement board across the shower area on the same side as the window jamb. Take a big amount of silicone caulking and apply them between the cement board and the jamb.
2. You should use a good quality of caulk for better performance as cheaper could also mean it’s easier for the caulk to get damaged in a longer period. Make sure to use a permanent caulking especially made for baths.
3. Then, add an extra sealant to prevent moisture. Using caulking alone cannot be trusted when dealing with windows in the shower.
4. You can buy a waterproof membrane that can be wrapped around the window joint and the wooden jamb in a home improvement store. Attach the membrane to the jamb with a latex-modified thinset and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the drying step.
5. Next, install a pitched window sill that will let the water hit the window to drain back into the tub instead of lying stagnant. Corian material can be used to make as window sill.
6. To create a pitch, build up a few layers of latex-modified thinset closet to the glass windows. Make sure to get the thinset thicker than usual for easier layering.
7. If your shower is tiled and you want a unified look, tile the over top of the Corian. Apply additional caulking to the entire window and intersects that need to be covered. Check the window regularly for cracks and leaks.

Image Credit:

Flickr CC

Additional Reading:

Design Ideas for Bathrooms

Bathroom Remodeling for Dummies

Waterproofing my Shower Window is a post from: DIY Guides

Related posts:

1. Waterproofing your lights in the shower
2. Pre-Fabricated Shower Unit 
3. Installing a shower curtain in your shower

You will need:

1. Wire Strippers
2. Voltage Tester
3. Wire Connectors
4. Screwdrivers
5. Needlenose Pliers
6. Romex Connector (For New Installation)
7. Electrical Tape

Electric Water Heater

Steps:

1. If the hot water heater already exists and needs to be replaced, the circuit is already present at the site. However, if you need to change over a gas-heated unit, you will need to do the circuit by yourself.
2. You will need a 10-2 NM cable, 30-amp and a two pole to run for your circuit. It is important not to fill the tank with water until the tank is wired up. Make sure not to turn the circuit when the tank is not filled with water afterward.
3. Depending on the type, the junction box cover where the connections will be made is placed on the top of the side of the hot water heater. Remove the cover by unscrewing the screws. You will see two lead wires and a ground screw inside the box.
4. Use the voltage testers to make sure that the circuit is OFF before the wiring begins. Remove the knockout on the junction box with a needlenose plier.
5. Strip the plastic outer sheath of the NM cable to about six inches of wire is exposed if the installation is new. Remove ¾ inch of insulation from each of the individual wires using wire strippers.
6. Next, insert the wires through the Romex connector and then tighten the clamp screws. This will tighten the clamp over the sheathed section of the NM cable without exposing the wires.
7. Insert the wires through the knockout and secure the Romex connector to the junction box using the available lock nut.
8. Then, wrap the ground wire around the ground screw. Secure it by tightening it down. Twist the black wire from the feed circuit together with one wire from the water heater.
9. Use a wire connector to secure the twists and wrap the electrical tape around the connections for safety. Wrap the electrical tape over its insulation with the white wire coming from the panel to identify it as the current-carrying line. Perform the same step at the breaker too. Connect it to the other wire from the water heater, the same as the black wire step.
10. Turn the water supply back on and fill up the water heater with water after replacing the junction box cover. Turn the circuit breaker back on when the water heater is fully filled.

Image Credit:

Flickr CC

Additional Reading:

Solar Water Heating–Revised & Expanded Edition: A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water and Space Heating Systems (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series)

Convert Your Home to Solar Energy

Wiring an Electric Water Heater is a post from: DIY Guides

Related posts:

1. Installing an AC Water Heater Time Switch
2. Maintaining your Solar Hot Water Heater
3. Wiring an Extra Light

Decorations start from the beginning of the house until the end of it. Everyone loves to decorate their houses and we all like to make it as personal as a home can be. There are many ways to decorate one\’s home.

Nowadays, there are even more ways to decorate one\’s bathroom. From different styles to unique themes, the options to decorate the bathroom are never-ending. Many people tend to overlook the bathroom when it comes to the house\’s decorations. Most likely as the bathroom is not everyone\’s favorite place to be at and stay at for a long period of time.

This time, we can decorate our bathroom in a unique style and theme, an Arabian or desert-like theme. You can incorporate palm trees into your home décor in many ways. You can either tie a palm tree into any room in your home by adding some palm tree decorations. Palm tree decorations can become as a fun decoration for bathrooms. Here are the steps on how to decorate your bathroom with a palm tree.

You will need:

1. Wallpaper
   
2. Decals
   
3. Waste paper baskets
   
4. Night light
   
5. Curtains
   
6. Paint
   
7. Towels
   
8. Tissue box cover
   
9. Candle
   

Steps:

1. Make sure to keep your bathroom wall stable and clear with a light color. Choose a light shade of paper if you want to decorate your walls with a palm tree wallpaper.
   
2. Dark colors will only make your small bathroom appear smaller. Choose small prints for your wallpaper to help your bathroom appear larger. For example, you can paint the walls a tan color and use a palm tree wallpaper border on the top of your wall. You can purchase a wallpaper at your local home improvement or retail stores.
   
3. To outline the mirror in your bathroom, use the palm tree decals instead. This will become a unique way to decorate your small bathroom with palm trees. Choose small size decals, unpeel and then place them along the edges of your mirror.
   
4. To incorporate palm trees into your small bathroom, hang the decorative palm tree towels and hand towels.
   
5. You will still need towels for hand drying, no matter what size of bathroom you have.
   
6. You can choose brown, tan or green towels that have palm trees embroidered onto them. You can hang additional towels embroidered with palm trees on them if you have a towel rack for decorative towels.
   
7. Palm trees are a popular theme so you should be able to find accessories with the same theme. Choose a shower curtain littered with palm trees. Or, you can choose a waste paper basket and tissue box cover that has a picture palm trees as well.
   
8. Add a palm-tree shaped night light or a palm painted candles. For the windows, you ca hang light colored curtains decorated with palm trees.
   

Image Credit:

Flickr CC

Additional Reading:

Small Bathrooms/Petites Salles de Bains/Kleine Badezimmer (Evergreen)

Design and Decorate Bathrooms (Design & Decorate)

Decorating a small bathroom with palm tree decorations is a post from: DIY Guides

Related posts:

1. Decorating a contemporary Christmas tree
2. Wire Ribbon Christmas Decorations
3. Using Wallpaper to Make Your Bathroom Look Bigger

A tub and shower valve is for those who have a combination of bathtub and shower in their bathrooms. What happens is, whenever the shower knob will be turned on there would be a small amount of water seen coming out of the tub faucet. Now you might think that since it\’s a small amount, you shouldn\’t worry about it. But, that isn\’t the fact as the small drops of water will become big drops of water if left unfixed. Basically, the water that was leaking was coming from the shower valve thus spreading out into the tub faucet.

Some of us think a dripping faucet as annoying as the sound can be, but nevertheless we don\’t do anything to stop the problem thus leaving precious water being wasted. Using basic hand tools, anybody can learn and repair a tub and shower valve-related problem.

What you need:

1. Screwdriver (slotted and Phillips)
   
2. Adjustable wrench
   
3. Pliers
   
4. Shower bonnet socket
   
5. Shower valve replacement kit or washer
   
6. Handle puller
   
7. Plumber\’s putty
   
8. Seat wrench
   
9. Electrical tape
   
10. Vaseline
    
11. Toothbrush
    

Method:

1. Firstly, make sure that you turn off the main water supply for the faucet. Next, remove the valve cover or gently pry off the valve cover.
   
2. If your diverter is not being hold by a screw, you need to use a shower stem socket in order to loosen the diverter.
   
3. Once, it has been removed, unscrew the stem from the diverter. If you notice that it is worn out or damaged, you should be replacing the stem valve or resurface them.
   
4. Then, you need to look into the side of the valve that contains a washer. Clean it using a toothbrush along with some white vinegar and water so that it is cleared off from the mineral deposits. Make sure that the washer is always in good condition, and if not you may want to replace it with a new one.
   
5. If you are replacing the old washer into the valve, you need to apply a thin coat of Vaseline so that it will enable the washer to seat properly into the valve. The screw that holds the washer also needs to be replaced with a new one.
   
6. If the need arises for you to also replace the valve stem, place the new one to the valve\’s original location and screw it back into the wall by using the shower stem socket. You must always do it carefully without securing it tightly.
   
7. Finally, replace your valve cover using a light film of plumber\’s putty along the edge so that you can provide a watertight seal before turning on back the water supply. Maker sure to check if there is any leak from the faucet.
   

Image Credit:

Flickr CC

Additional Reading:

Plumbing Complete: Expert Advice from Start to Finish (Taunton\’s Complete)

Renovating a Bathroom (For Pros by Pros Series)

Repairing a Tub-and-Shower Valve is a post from: DIY Guides

Related posts:

1. Replacing a Flush Valve Cover
2. Repairing a Leaking Kitchen Faucet Base
3. Installing an air valve

If you are not a fan of stepping on the cold tiles in the morning then it is time to install a heated floor for the comfort of your feet. There are so many types of heating method available for any type of the floor of your house. Here are the steps on how to install a bathroom heater that is electronically controlled.

You will need:

1. Radiant heat mesh
   
2. screw driver
   
3. thinset/ leveling cement
   
4. scissors
   
5. drill
   
6. water or mold resistant caulk
   
7. wire strippers
   
8. trowel
   
9. large bucket
   
10. drywall saw
    
11. caulk gun
    
12. 4″ by 4″ electrical box
    
13. cover with a hole in it
    

Steps:

1. First, make sure that all of the old flooring has been removed. There should be no glue or nails residuals on the floor. Stuff an old towel into the toilet hole to prevent any sewer gas from seeping in.
   
2. Then, trim any existing door frames to fit the new flooring. You need to consider how much the mesh and the new tiles will raise the height of your floor if you are installing a heated mesh under the tiles. You might want to buy a new extension ring for your toilet to raise the drain. Replace or trim the baseboard and the door frames for a good fit.
   
3. If you are installing tiles less than a quarter inch thick, use the additional trouble since it is better than having to fix cracked tiles later. Install a 1/4 “backer board on the prepared flooring with the special screws that is sold along with the boards. You need to be patient when cutting the board. Use a sharp blade and a straight edge to score the board and then bend it until it snaps off.
   
4. Next, apply the mesh tape to the seams of the backer board joints and apply a thin layer of thin-set along them. Seal the edges of the backer board with caulk to prevent water leakage onto the sub-flooring. Roll the mesh out onto the floor and cut it at the appropriate lengths, avoid cutting the wires within the mesh. You can either use thin-set, glue or staples to hole down the mesh while working on the rest of the floor. Cut a small hole at the baseboard with a drywall saw for the mesh wires to go through and then cut a larger hole further up the wall near a stud. You will need to mount a 4″ by 4″ electrical box to connect the house power to the thermostat and mesh wires. Turn off the power before working with the electrical systems. Call a professional if you are not sure about installing it on your own.
   
5. Connect the power to the thermostat and mesh wires according to the manufacturer\’s directions. Test the thermostat and mesh heating before continuing because it is not easy to go back once you have applied the rest of the floor. Apply a layer of thin-set over the top of the mesh wires. You can wait the previous layer of thin-set to dry or continue on with installing your flooring of choice.
   

Image Credit:

Flickr CC

Additional Reading:

Complete Bathroom Design: 30 Floor Plans, Fixtures, Surfaces, and Storage Ideas

Renovating a Bathroom (For Pros by Pros Series)

Installing a Bathroom Floor Heater is a post from: DIY Guides

Related posts:

1. Preparing a Bathroom Floor for Tiling
2. Installing a Backer Board in the Bathroom
3. Choosing Bathroom Floor Tiles

Bathroom Floor Tiles

It is important to choose the right tiles for your bathroom floor because the floor tile will become permanent once it is installed. Bathroom tile is available in many shapes, sizes, textures, designs and colors. Here are the steps on how to choose bathroom floor tiles.

You will need:

1. Home improvement magazines
   
2. Internet
   
3. Budget
   
4. Camera
   

Steps:

1. First, try browsing on home improvement magazines or websites and see if you spot anything that you fancy or think would suit your bathroom. Collect any pictures of bathroom floors that you like. By gathering samples, you will easily determine the type of floor tile to buy and it will also help to give you a point of reference for tile designs.
   
2. Set up your budget and choose a bathroom tile based on your budget. There are several types that you can choose from including stone tile, ceramic tile, glass tile, limestone and vinyl tile. Stone tiles are very durable and visually appealing, but are the most expensive floor tiles around. Stone tiles also get slippery when they are wet.
   
3. Ceramic tiles are good options for bathroom floors because they are not expensive and are extremely durable, easy to install and water resistant. It does come with designs that look like stones, which are initially cheap based on price.
   
4. Porcelain tiles are slightly more expensive than ceramic tiles and are very durable and stain resistant. While vinyl floor tiles are not expensive, they are also durable and easy to install, but they can easily harbor germs and peel up after several years.
   
5. Then, determine the size, texture, shape, design and color of the floor tiles that you want to install. Larger floor tiles are easier to clean and make the bathroom look bigger, and they are best for repeat patterns.
   
6. Smaller tiles are harder to clean but they are easier to walk on because the grout provides more traction to the underfoot.
   
7. Choose textured bathroom tiles if you need a good traction when the floor is wet.
   
8. Choose floor tiles with natural colors that most home buyers will find refreshing such as taupe, gray, ivory and almond.
   
9. Tiles with darker colors tend to make the bathrooms looks smaller.
   
10. Next, take photographs of the bathroom floor you plan to tile. Share the photographs and magazine samples with the tiles\’ store staff. They could help you choose the file flooring that fits your budget. Ask to see the selection of tiles that are in discount offer as well.
    

Basically, it is better to choose a type of tiles that is durable, within your budget and easy to install if you\’re planning to do it by yourself.

Image Credit:

Flickr CC

Additional Reading:

The Home Decorator\’s Tile Bible: A Complete Guide to Using and Choosing Tiles

Designing Interiors with Tile: Creative Ideas with Ceramic, Stone and, Mosaic

Choosing Bathroom Floor Tiles is a post from: DIY Guides

Related posts:

1. Removing ceramic bathroom tiles
2. Painting floor tiles
3. Installing a Bathroom Floor Heater

Conserve Energy in the Bathroom

With going green being promoted everywhere, we wonder how we can do our bit to preserve the universe, the earth. It is not that difficult, come to think of it. If we can\’t afford to purchase things that would help lessen global warming, we can do our bit. Not only will we help to save the environment at no cost but we will also help ourselves.

You don\’t have to feel skeptical on not knowing how to conserve the energy at your house specially the bathroom. Bathroom is one of the rooms in our house that uses a lot of energy and most of the time, we tend to waste the energy by using them in an improper way. Faucets, hair dryers, showers and toilet which are commonly found in a bathroom can be adjusted for maximum efficiency. By using all of these appliances efficiently, you not only save the environment but also your money. Here are a couple of easy steps on how you can conserve the energy in your bathroom.

You will need:

1. Low flow shower heads
   
2. Toilet
   

Steps:

1. Make sure that your faucets are in good condition and are not leaking. Leaking faucets will only waste a lot of water though it is just a drop at a time.
   
2. You will waste electricity and water if you are using a hot water faucet because it takes energy to heat the water. In a long term, you will find yourself faced with higher electrical bills and water wastage. So, frequent maintenance towards your faucets is needed.
   
3. Rather than taking baths, it is more water saving when taking showers instead. Half of the water from taking a bath is saved by only taking a shower.
   
4. Not only you will save water but also electricity. For more efficient water conservation in your bathroom, you can install low-flow shower heads and toilets which save lots of water compared to their counterparts.
   
5. When you are using a hair dryer, turn the heat down and use the cooler setting. You can save about half of the electricity when the hair dryer is running at the cooler setting.
   
6. Make a habit of turning off the exhaust fan and the light when you are leaving the bathroom.
   

A household where there are children, there might be a high level of energy going to a waste as children aren\’t of an age where they can understand the importance of saving energy for the future or for the preserving of the earth. Parents should take it upon themselves not just to make their children understand and learn ways to preserve our earth but also to save in many ways that they can such as saving water or electricity. It is important for children to know how lucky they are when there are nations that can\’t get water or where there is not sufficient energy for people.

Additional Reading:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4770426_save-energy-bathroom.html

Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juhansonin/3795330063/

Conserving Energy in the Bathroom is a post from: DIY Guides

Related posts:

1. Conserving Water in the Shower
2. Saving energy for Gardening
3. Saving energy for your Home

Conserve Water in the Shower

It becomes a habit to most of us to waste water in the bathroom unintentionally, we never think of how much water we are using and how much we are wasting, we just think of taking a shower and getting clean. We tend to think that water is an energy source that seems to be infinite but not in today\’s case where water is not available everywhere in the world. Even in the bathroom, we need to learn of new ways to conserve energy. By using less water, we can help the environment to sustain on for the generation to come. Here are some steps that you can undertake to conserve water when it comes to in the bathroom or when taking a shower.

You will need:

1. Water Efficient Shower Head
   
2. On-Demand Water Heater
   
3. Recycled Toilet Paper
   
4. Organic Towels
   
5. Petrochemical-Free Personal Products
   
6. Cfl Vanity Bulbs
   

Steps:

1. First of all, check if your toilet works efficiently. Make sure that you are keeping out from having to use two flushes due to faulty parts. When every toilet flush is controlled, this will help to conserve the water energy in the bathroom.
   
2. You can test out your toilet to see whether your 1.6gpf toilet actually flushes 1.6 gallons per flush or otherwise. The test\’s results will let you know if the dams on the toilet are faulty or has been removed. If this dam is removed, there is a big possibility that your toilet will end up using more than 3gpf gallons per flush every time.
   
3. Most of us like to spend more time in the shower without realizing that this will only waste the water. Limit your time when showering and keep them between 2 to 3 minutes. You have to be discipline and strict while performing this step. You can check on how much water you are using per minute by filing a 5-gallon bin with water and marking the fill line. Start the timer or use your watch to see how long it takes for your shower to fill up the bucket.
   
4. There are many shower head designs available nowadays; if possible try to use a water-efficient shower head. Although, they may not produce as much water pressure for some who like to have a massage-therapy quality shower, they are efficient enough to conserve water energy by the gallons per minute. There are also tankless on-demand water heaters for your home. When you purchase this water heater, it will cut down on the wasted water when your family waits for the water to heat up.
   
5. Another way to conserve energy water in your bathroom is by using recycled products. You can purchase and use recycled towel paper, organic towels, CFL vanity bulbs and environmentally friendly cleaning products. CFL vanity bulbs might cost you a bit more than normal bulbs do but it\’s a good investment to lower your electricity bills in the future.
   

Additional Reading:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2145970_conserve-water-shower.html

Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/krikit/2649339884/

Conserving Water in the Shower is a post from: DIY Guides

Related posts:

1. Conserving Energy in the Bathroom
2. Installing a shower curtain in your shower
3. Saving water in the bathroom