How to Install a Ventilation Fan in Your Bathroom

How to Install a Ventilation Fan in Your Bathroom

Your bathroom is the one room in your home that is constantly under assault from a variety of sources. Harsh chemical cleaners, steamy showers and the remnants of last night’s Mexican entrees all need a way out and vent fans can do just that.

While the odor of a recently used restroom is definitely something we want to get rid of, the more important factor in installing a ventilation fan is evacuating the steam and water vapor created from baths and showers. 

This moisture, if left unaddressed can cause floors to bow, caulking to degrade, and mold to grow in our bathrooms, leaving us with costly repairs and unsightly walls, floors and ceilings. 

When you’re ready to start keeping your bathroom dry, here’s how to do it. 

Selecting a Ventilation Fan

Finding the right fan for your bathroom is an easy process, but an important one. When considering which fan fits your needs, consider the following. 

● Square footage. Fans are designated by the CFM (cubic feet per minute) of air that they move. You’ll want a fan that has at least one CFM for every square foot of your bathroom. Find square footage by multiplying the length of a room by its width. 

● Features. It may sound silly, but this is the 21st century, even our ventilation fans come with features and options now. Modern fans can commonly be equipped with a built in light, a heater, humidity sensor, motion detector, night light and even Bluetooth speakers. 

● Install options. Vent fans can be installed with or without attic access, on the ceiling or walls, and with or without cutting into the wall material. Figure out which option suits you best and pick a fan to match. 

The Tools

Installing a vent fan is a diy task that most homeowners can take on. However, you will need a few tools. 

● A drill with bits and drivers

● Screws

● Flathead and phillips screwdrivers

● Utility knife

● Jigsaw or drywall saw

● Respirator and eye protection

● Duct tape

● Wire cutters and crimpers

● Assorted electrical connectors (may be included with fan)

Time to Get Started

Once you’ve selected the right fan and have assembled the tools, you’re ready to get going. First, determine where your fan will be installed and gain access to that area. If you’ll be venting the fan through the ceiling, you’ll need to be able to get into the attic. 

Drill a Reference Hole

Find a suitable position on the ceiling, ideally between the shower and the toilet, and drill a reference hole through to the attic. A 3/8” bit is big enough for this. 

Measure the vent fan housing and note it on a piece of paper, you’ll need this next. 

Now, climb into the attic and locate your reference hole. Clear away any debris, insulation, or stored objects from the area. Using the measurement you just took, locate the final position of the fan between two joists nearest your hole. 

Note that position in relation to your reference hole so you can transfer that to the ceiling back in the bathroom. 

Mark the Layout in the Bathroom

Back in the bathroom, measure the inside dimension of the fan’s intake. 

Using your reference hole and the notes you made in the attic, transfer the measurements from the attic to the ceiling and use a square to mark out the intake port on the ceiling. 

Cut the Hole

Using the saw you have on hand, cut along the lines you just drew for you intake port. Be sure to wear your airway and eye protection and support the cut-out piece so that it doesn’t rip drywall paper from the ceiling as you finish the cut. 

Drop in Your Fan

Now, head back into the attic with your vent fan. Attach a 90-degree elbow to the outlet port of the fan and secure it with duct tape (preferably foil duct tape).

Remove the knock out panel and attach applicable wiring (you may need an electrician for this portion).

Attach the metal brackets to the fan at the designated points. 

Drop the fan into position, through your ceiling hole 

Secure the Fan

Using the drill and 1 ½” drywall screws, secure the brackets to the joists. 

Slide the flexible ducting over the elbow you installed and secure in place with foil tape. 

Cut Your Vent Hole

All exhaust fans need to be vented to the outdoors. Never allow a fan to blow into the attic or other space, this will cause mold and water damage as the steam condenses into water. 

Locate a spot on the inside of the roof close to your vent fan. Using a hole saw sized to the cap kit, cut a hole through the roof to the outside. 

Connect Your Flexible Hose

Once you’ve cut your hole, make your way onto the roof and locate the opening. Using the cap or vent kit, place the cap in position and secure it according to the instructions provided.

The SheltonRoofing.com information guide says that while you’re up there, check out the condition of your roof. Aging and disheveled roofs cause homeowners a multitude of problems and can be extremely costly if they fail.

Back in the attic, connect the other end of your flexible hose to the cap or vent kit and secure it with foil tape. You may also need to fill any gaps around your ceiling hole with spray foam or caulking. 

Give it Power

Ensure that power to the wiring you’ll be using is disconnected. 

In the bathroom, expose the blower motor and its wiring. 

Make the applicable connections using the wiring diagram provided in the fan kit. If you’re uncomfortable with home wiring, consider hiring an electrician. 

Secure all wiring and attach the ground. Cover the blower motor and turn on power to the fan. If it comes on, you’re good to go. 

Finishing Up

Replace the cover to the vent fan and secure it in place. Caulk or silicone any gaps between the fan and ceiling. 

Retest the operation and that’s it, you’re in the venting business.

An exhaust fan makes an excellent addition to any bathroom and removes the water and odor vapors that can cause you bathroom headaches for years to come. With this guide, we hope you can get a new vent fan installed in no time!

Guest Contributor, Tom Masters  

Transform Your Bathroom into a Luxurious Spa Experience

Transform Your Bathroom into a Luxurious Spa Experience

Can you imagine just how perfect it would be if you could enjoy a relaxing spa experience every day? Well, if you want it, you don’t have to dream it. You just need to go for it. And if this is something that feels like it would better your life considerably, investing your time, money and energy into creating a perfect bathroom spa experience in your own home is well worth it. Even more so if you live in a tropical climate such as Australia where taking the time for a shower or bath is true bliss. But, regardless of where you are in the world, bathroom time is your quality “alone” time and you deserve to make it truly special. So, what’s the secret to your own bathroom spa? Keep on reading to find out.

1. Take care of the colors

First things first: you need to create a relaxing atmosphere in your bathroom. This is one of the simple tricks that you can use even when you’re not ready to invest in your plumbing. In general, spa colors involve soothing neutral colors such as white and beige. You can’t go wrong with these. But before you decide to go in this direction, take the time to think about the colors that soothe you the most. While you should always go with gentle pastel hues, you may find that green, pink, yellow or blue work better for you.

2. Incorporate natural elements

This is where things can get more complicated. But, if you want a perfect bathroom spa in your own home, wood and stone should be a part of it. Wooden elements and stone countertops don’t have to be too challenging if you know what kind of a layout you want. In recent years, Zen-inspired bathrooms have been all the rage in Australia, which is why it’s not that difficult to imagine the best ways to incorporate these elements into your bathroom. In the end, waterproof vinyl wallpaper that imitates wood and stone can be your budget-friendly option. Also, let your creativity run wild. It’s not just about the countertops and shelves. A wooden bench or a similar seating arrangement inside a bathroom is definitely spa-like.

3. The real deal – plumbing

If you’re set on transforming your bathroom into a spa oasis completely, you’ll definitely need to invest more time and money into this project. Essentially, plumbing will be your biggest concern. But, as mentioned, the whole country of Oz fell in love with Zen-inspired bathrooms years ago, which is why you can have a professional service for plumbing in Gold Coast get this done for you. You may want to transform your shower area by making it bigger with proper seating and side table, or you may want to have a whole new spa tub installed. Just make sure to consult with your contractors in order to find the best possible option for your space. 

4. Get rid of the clutter in favor of plants and candles

It’s important to know what your bathroom spa essentials are. You can’t possibly relax properly if there’s clutter everywhere, and especially half-empty bath products you never use. It’s time for a thorough declutter. Get rid of everything you don’t use. The whole point is to keep only those products that you love and that make you happy when you use them. Also, organize them so that you can keep them on display and easily reachable. On the other hand, don’t hesitate to enrich this space with real greenery. There are plenty of plants that thrive in bathrooms. Of course, don’t forget a scented candle here and there.

5. Play with the details

Details are very important for the perfect bathroom spa experience. Just like plants and candles, these can make or break the whole project. In that respect, embrace natural light and openness and ditch the curtains altogether. You want to achieve that warm, relaxing look of a spa with the mentioned natural elements but opting for warm (perhaps bronze or rose gold) pipe and plumbing finishes can look absolutely amazing. Furthermore, a bathroom mat that matches the overall style will add much-needed texture to this room. And if you want, you can add more personality with the use of patterned vinyl wallpaper in strategic places or with an interesting mirror frame. 

While there are some general guidelines for creating a home bathroom spa, the important thing is to always follow your intuition and stick with the theme that helps you relax the most. The concept of self-care is very important in Australia, and it’s time for you to embrace it wholeheartedly. 

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith

Top 5 Really Smart Blinds & Motorized Window Shades for 2018

Top 5 Really Smart Blinds & Motorized Window Shades for 2018

As technology improves, the new dawn has peaked for future living with new gadgets continually being released in the market. You might be familiar with refrigerator, locks, and even lights available for your home. Now, even window blinds had been modified for a more comfortable and ultra modern lifestyle.

Smart Blinds and motorized window shades continue to advance, and demand for it has risen. While it can be more expensive than the traditional corded window blinds, motorized and smart shades are far safer, more convenient, and offer longer durability. Cheaper window blinds are often weak and break easily. When you think about it, these blinds are even more cost-efficient than the traditional solutions.

Regular window blinds come with cables and strings which often becomes tangled after long-term use. Compared to this, motorized and smart blinds are designed to be more convenient for the users. There are different options to control these blinds. They can be opened and closed by simply touching a button, remote control, a smartphone app.

The smart blinds can even be compatible with the latest voice assistants available to your homes such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.   

The lack of cords with motorized blinds can also provide additional safety benefits. If you have children, it can keep you from worrying about keeping it out of reach from them.  Remotely controlling or setting a schedule can also help with home security. When occupants leave their homes, smart blinds can fool possible burglars into thinking the house is not empty

It’s undeniable that smart blinds and motorized window shades can improve your home but before you purchase one, be aware of the different options available for you.

Take a look at this infographic by Tech Your Space to learn more about the smartest blinds and motorized window shades for this year.

Guest Contributor, Clarice Kirby

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.

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

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

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

Bathroom Painting Tips

Bathroom Painting Tips

The bathrooms in your home serve a very necessary and functional purpose. However, they are also another room in the home where you can showcase your personal style. Throwing a new color of paint on the walls is just one of the many ways you can add style to the space. It’s also one of the greatest ways to do so.

If adding your own style to the space isn’t enough, another great reason to paint the space is due to the fact that most bathrooms are likely to undergo a lot of abuse from the steam that constantly arises from baths and showers. The humidity levels in your bathroom are likely to rise and fall more drastically which remains a tough challenge for the paint and walls to persist against.

Fortunately, freshly painting your bathroom is a simple DIY project that tends to take no more than a few days to complete, but before you begin slathering paint everywhere you should continue to read the helpful painting tips below.

Choose a Paint Color First

Since it is already established that shinier sheens are best for bathrooms where moisture is often a concern, you must only be concerned with your choice of paint color. Choosing the wrong paint color can easily make your bathroom seem sterile and uninviting. To avoid this, it is suggested that you choose an overall color scheme for your bathroom based on three colors complementary to one another on the Color Wheel. Once you have these three colors, choose one that best suits your bathroom as a paint color for the walls. The other two colors can be shown through any other accents and decor.

Collect All the Proper Materials and Supplies

Before you begin painting your bathroom, gather all the proper painting materials and supplies. These may include:

●      Primer

●      Paint

●      Stir sticks

●      Paint rollers

●      Roller covers

●      Disposable gloves and other safety gear to protect your skin or inhalation

●      Small paint brushes, for cutting in or touch-ups

●      Paint trays

●      Painters tape

●      Rags

●      Drop cloths

●      Sandpaper

●      Tack cloth to remove any sanding dust

●      Painters putty

●      Putty knife

Being prepared to paint is extremely important. Otherwise, you may end up with a mess or an unfinished project due to the lack of supplies. Running out for more could cause the paint to dry in the meantime, which won’t due any justice to the overall appearance of the paint job.

Make Sure Your Bathroom Is Properly Ventilated

It’s vital to your health and the completion of your bathroom paint project if proper ventilation is provided. The higher levels of humidity can damage your paint in no time or stop it from completely drying. To provide adequate ventilation, open windows, turn on ceiling fans nearby, or start the exhaust fan to help clear the room of any steam. This will remove the moisture faster. Have those in the household run a fan if they need to use the bathroom at any point.

Conduct Prep Work

Prep your bathroom by removing any outlet plates such as electrical sockets or light switches. Then, lightly wash down the walls with soap and warm water. After the walls dry completely, apply painters tape to the baseboards. Next, patch and sand any dents or holes in the walls. To protect your floors, tape down a drop cloth. You may also want to cover your counter, sink, bathtub and toilet to prevent them from paint spills or drips.

Before you paint, you will want to prime the walls first. Make sure the primer is fully dry before you start putting on the first layer of paint. When you do go to paint the color on the walls, cut in around the room’s edges first. This includes where the walls meet adjoining walls, the ceiling and the baseboard.

Use More Durable Paint on Window Sills

If you plan on repainting your window sills in the bathroom, you may want to consider using more durable paint. High gloss or semi gloss paint is perhaps best for your window frame and sill since moisture seems to be more prevalent in these areas. If moisture around the window sills of your bathroom is of your utmost concern, you may even upgrade to an exterior paint for this part of your project.

Consider Wood Paneling

If your drywall isn’t in the best of shape or you prefer not to redo the drywall in your bathroom, consider wood paneling. You can often find wood paneling sold cheaply by the sheet. These sheets come in many styles, wood types, and colors. Nonetheless, you can always install them and paint them whichever color you choose. When you apply wood panels to your bathroom walls, they are adding more protection against moisture as well as a lovely contrast to whatever paint color you chose for the remaining wall space.

Have a Variety of Lighting and Capture the Room’s Essence

Lighting plays a large role in the essence of your bathroom even after you paint. Since the levels of natural light are always changing in a bathroom throughout the day, it’s wise to have a good balance of both natural and fixed lighting. A lot of natural light will only enhance any and every flaw you make in the bathroom during your painting project. Even after you complete the paint job, the flaws will still be noticeable. With this in mind, paints with a higher shine are best.

When you have a smaller sized bathroom that gets a lot of natural light, ask the representatives where you plan to purchase the paint if they can mix it at 75% strength. This will lighten the color slightly which prevents flaws from being as noticeable. Aside from lighting the strength of color in the paint, there are ways you can play with the lighting to keep the color of the walls looking as close as possible to the color you desire. For instance, to warm up the color you can choose 40 watt incandescent light bulbs, while 100 watt light bulbs tend to make the color in the room seem cooler.

Don’t Rush Your Project

Perhaps the most detrimental thing you can do while painting the bathroom in your home is rush to complete it. Of course, poor preparation also plays a substantial role in a bad paint job. Nevertheless, it is the failure to take your time that really makes the paint in your bathroom lack appeal and showcase any flaws. Take your time. Even by doing so, the entire bathroom should be fully painted and completed in just a few days time. Make sure that you prepare your drywall, smooth out the walls, prime, and paint the next layer after each layer is completely dry. By doing so, you are certainly going to be more pleased with the results.

Guest Contributor, Tom Masters

Signs Your Heat Pump Needs Immediate Service

Signs Your Heat Pump Needs Immediate Service

Heat pumps have always been a reliable way of keeping ourselves warm during the winter. However, heat pumps are still machines that are bound to have something go wrong with it in the course of its lifespan.

When it suddenly acts up, it most likely means that it needs immediate service. Here are some signs that should tell you when to call an HVAC company for a professional heating system repair.

Insanely high energy bills

Getting high energy bills when you’ve got your heat pump running all throughout the summers and winters is perfectly natural. What isn’t is an energy bill that is practically double what you usually get. The prime suspect in any suspiciously high bill will be your heat pump.

Dirty air filters could be the cause as it restricts airflow and makes the heat pump work harder, which in turn leads to more energy consumption and higher bills. There could also be holes in your duct, which wastes a lot of precious heated air. These are possible causes that you can DIY, but some problems like low refrigerant charge or refrigerant overcharge are best left to HVAC experts.

Weird sounds

An HVAC system does make some noise, but when it’s louder than usual, and there are clattering, banging, hissing, or bubbling sounds involved, waste no time in shutting the unit down and calling a trusted HVAC company. Only pros should deal with what could be a poorly-lubricated central air fan motor, a loose fan belts, a compressor running under too much pressure, or a refrigerant leak.

Burning smells

Does the heated air coming out of your heat pump smell have a burning smell? If so, shut it down immediately because there really must be something burning inside. It could be a component that’s overheating or a simple electrical problem. Whatever the cause, never even try to turn the unit on again until the HVAC pros get there.

No more heat

If the heat pump has been running for an hour and everyone is still shivering, then there must be something wrong with your heat pump. A dirty air filter can cause it, but so can a malfunctioning PCB assembly, a defective thermistor, or a failing capacitor.

While you can change the air filters yourself, only skilled and experienced HVAC professionals should deal with the other possible issues.

You wouldn’t want your heat pump to break down in the middle of winter, so if you notice any of the signs mentioned above, call an HVAC company right away.

 Guest Contributor, Michelle West

Getting Rid Of Mold In Your Home

Getting Rid of Mold in Your Home

Although just a tiny organism, minuscule mold can pack a serious punch: one report reveals mold cost the U.S. $22.4 billion in health care expenses in 2016 alone. How much is that? That’s almost the GDP of Jamaica. Without plumbing performed by a professional in your kitchen, bathroom, or workplace, mold can quickly get the upper hand. So what can be done to rid your household of mold in your sinks, leaky showers, closets and bed sheets? Here are some tips to get you started.

Humidity: Mold’s Favorite Environment

Mold loves moisture. In fact, it needs it to survive. Just like us humans and other animals, mold needs water to survive and thrive. But given even a little bit of moisture, this simple organism becomes a nuisance, wreaking havoc on our respiratory, and even neurological, systems. Once mold gets exposed to moisture, it can begin to multiply. At that point, it is able to release spores that go up into the air and settle on nearby surfaces, creating veritable mold colonies. With humidity above 50%, mold starts flourish, spawning new mold wherever it can. However, without humidity, mold dies of thirst. So step one in controlling mold is to dehumidify your home.

Get Leaks and Floods Fixed by Pros

A quality professional plumbing service is a must when your home has sprung a leak. Yes, maybe you could tighten a nut or bolt or two, but while the leak was happening, how much mold started to grow? A plumbing expert can come in and not only fix the problem but analyze the area to see if any mold used the leak to start building an unwanted home. And if there is any significant flooding, regardless of the source or type, it’s a must to get experienced pros to handle the cleanup. These things cannot be left to chance.

You Can Hunt and Kill It

Even though mold can be dangerous, it’s also a fairly fragile little creature. Once spotted, some bleach mixed with water will get the job done. Killing the mold really isn’t the most difficult part of the job. The challenge comes with protecting yourself and your family in the process. Cover all of your skin and blow a fan out a window to whisk away any spores stirred up while cleaning. And, when in doubt, play it safe by hiring a professional to handle the work.

If you find mold lurking in your house, be sure to check and double check all plumbing fixtures nearby. Quite often, it is visible in various different colors, so you can easily spot it and quash it. If you can’t see it, you can sniff it out. It has an unmistakable musty odor.  Even if you don’t have bleach handy, don’t worry, other household cleaners also do a good job of stopping it in its tracks. If, after zapping the mold, you keep the humidity down, you can quite literally breath easy.

Guest Contributor, Cindy Trillo