Archive for the ‘Bathroom Wall Cabinets’ Category

Home Improvement Lighting Can Make a World of Difference and Will Lasts for Several Years


Nowadays the prices of real estate are subject to constant change. To avoid any possible loss on investment most of the homeowners instead of buying new homes have decided to stay put and create their dream castle at their existing home.

For example, one of my friend thought of moving but his family was reluctant to leave. His kids loved the area so much that they wanted to stay there only. Finally he gave away the idea of relocation and decided to renovate his entire house.

After the renovation work was over he had nearly 4,000 square feet of finished living space, including new floorings such as carpets, tiling, linoleum, wood flooring and a covered patio. He upgraded cabinets, fixtures, and sinks in the kitchen and bathroom.
Replaced siding and windows and also included other amenities found in today’s newer homes.

Once the home improvement work was over he invited me to the dinner at his home. Everything was fine but I don’t know why I felt that something was missing. I have to read a book but the light was too dim in the living and dining room so I moved to the kitchen. I was really surprised to see that even after spending a fortune on renovation activities everything failed to create a desired impact in the absence of proper lighting. Then I suggested my friend to improve the visibility and the décor of his home with little additional investment.

He adhered to my advice and was surprised by the transformation. Everything – - the wall colors, the furniture and the accessories — looked upgraded with home improvement lighting. Yes proper lighting is considered a crucial in designing a pleasing environment. Proper lighting pleases to the eyes of the guest, focuses attention on important features of the room and eliminates shadow.

When you need variety and high quality lighting products online is the place to look for. Several online stores poses sample displays of different lighting and fixtures. Make sure that you buy all lighting fixtures from a reliable online vendor. They offer high quality lighting fixtures at competitive prices and deliver them right to your doorstep.

qaulitylamp
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/home-improvement-lighting-can-make-a-world-of-difference-and-will-lasts-for-several-years-725448.html

Don’t be a Drip – Identify Water Leaks Early


Leaks do silent damage to a home. Something as small as a loose trap or clogged drain can go undetected for months; leaking water into your cabinets, between your walls, or under your floors and causing extensive, costly damage. An external leak in an irrigation system can quietly waste more than 100 gallons of water each day.

Leaky pipes or openings usually leave warning signs of their presence so you can identify the type of damage and repair it early.

Water Stains: This type of radiant stain is a sure fire way to identify a current or old water leak. Where you find the stain indicates where the leak may have originated.

A water stain around windows or at the bottom of exterior doors show that water is getting in from the outside.

A stain in the seam between the ceiling and an exterior wall may indicate a roof leak or possible build up of ice. If you have plumbing lines in the attic, the problem may be there as well.

A water stain on the bottom of a cabinet could have originated from a leaky sink trap or pipe.

Buckling or stained floors may indicate a wood floor that has absorbed water from a leak. High risk areas include the kitchen floor around the dishwasher or the refrigerator (if it has an ice maker or filtered water), or in front of a poorly sealed window. The bathroom is another problem area. Watch for water rings around the toilet or in front of the tub or shower.

Structural Problems: Spongy beams or rafters may be a warning of structural problems as a result of water damage. Spotting these in time may save you thousands of dollars in repairs.

Take a Water Flow Test: If you’ve checked for signs of water damage, but still suspect you have a leak, take a water flow test. Shut off all sources of water to your house, inside and out, and locate your water meter. The red triangle or flow indicator at the top will tell you when water is passing through it. If the flow indicator or the sweep hand is moving, you may have a leak.

Use the process of elimination to determine where the leak is coming from. Shut of one toilet, go to the meter and see if the red triangle is moving. If it stopped moving, that toilet is the culprit. If not, turn the toilet back on and shut off another. Continue in this manner checking all high risk water sources including toilets, sprinkler system water softener, air conditioner, ice machine, etc. If you shut off the main water valve to your home and the meter is still moving, the leak may be between the shutoff valve and the water meter.

Toilet Test: Use food coloring to determine whether your toilet has a leak. Remove the tank lid and flush. After it refills, add several drops of dark food coloring. Wait at least 20 minutes and if any trace of color appears in the toilet bowl, you have a leak.

Water damage in drywall makes it soft or crumbling, discolored or swollen, and can appear on the wall or ceiling.

Many of these signs and symptoms of water damage are apparent after a good length of time, and in many cases extensive damage has already been done. A handy device to alert you of a leak in the early stages is a water-leak alarm. It has a plug-in main unit (with battery backup) and a sensor pad. Place the pad where a leak is most likely to happen (under the washer, in the crawl space, under a water heater, etc.). It will sound an alarm if it senses as little as a few drops of water.

Gloria Singer
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/dont-be-a-drip-identify-water-leaks-early-756403.html

Any ideas to refurbish laminate kitchen/bathroom cabinets?? ?


My kitchen cabinets and my bathroom cabinets are wood with white laminate overlay. I know that it’s better to replace the cabinet doors, but I do not plan on living here for too much longer and don’t want too much of an added cost (especially now with the economy and housing industry). However, I do own the condo and need to do something that will look nice so when I go to sell it and increase the value and not decrease it.

Any ideas on how to do this? Can I paint the laminate? Or do an overlay? I am fairly handy and crafty but I also have a handyman willing to help me, if I need it.

This is what the cabinets currently look like: (the bisque) and I am so tired of them and need a change. URGH!! The kitchen is painted in a deep red and so is the bathroom (if this helps with the creative juices at all ;)

http://www.accentbuildingproducts.com/cgi-bin/accent/cabinets/aurora_wall.html

Thank you in advance!
That was kinda my thought too.. URGH!

I read this article about painting laminate countertops.. think I could do about the same thing for the laminate portions of the cabinets?

http://www.kitchenbathideas.com/weekendmakeovers/paintacountertop_2.html

scuff them with 220 grit sandpaper, wipe off with cheese cloth or tack cloth, paint with good quality paint and a good brush, (Purdy is a good brand) this is probably the cheapest and easiest way, and if you take your time it will look good.

Chuck Cutting Up the Bathroom Wall... And Removing Wood