Half Bathroom? No Problem....

Still have that 2nd half bathroom that you use everyday and hate because it looks like a prop from the set of The Brady Bunch? We have them, we have seen them. Most people do not know what to do with them partly due to size. Like everything else in life, if you want to be inspired, you need a vision and small half bathrooms do not give much to wonder about. Most half bathrooms you will find are the size of a small coat closet. We treat them like one. 

The basic anatomy of a small half bathroom: toilet, small sink, vanity mirror/medicine cabinet and lighting. It is basic, cut and dry. So why do we have a hard time working with this? Well, it is not about the room itself, but about the actual fixtures themselves and how you pair them all together. When working with a small bathroom, size does matter. Believe it or not, you have room to play within a small room, and the trick is to go small. Using the above illustration as an example we can go step by step.

• Sink - replace the dated vanity and sink combo with a crisp and clean white pedestal sink. For starters, it takes up less room, and it immediately gives the illusion of open space. The average cost is higher in comparison to traditional sinks. Elegance has a price. A vanity tends to eat space and always becomes a hidden storage unit. Want the proof? Open yours and take an inventory of everything in there. Then ask yourself....When was the last time you used half of what you stored? 

• Faucet - go small, there are many styles to choose from. 

• Walls - small bathroom walls should not have a busy print or even stripes. If you are looking for a cleaner open look, choose light, paint colors. Not sure on color? Go to any top brand paint site like Benjamin Moore and check out their color chart. Darker colors make rooms smaller. If you want large in a small space...go light and bright. The color white works miracles. 

• Toilet - consider replacing your old toilet with a compact elongated model. These toilets are not only space savers, but newer models are fabricated to save water. 

• Vanity mirror/medicine cabinet - bulky medicine cabinets devour space on your walls. If you truly can do without, a wall to wall mirror can immediately give an illusion of a larger space. 

• Lighting - wall sconces, like the one in this illustration come in many styles. Consider a clear glass enclosure rather a frosted one and be mindful of the hardware. Brushed nickel looks stunning, be concise with the theme and keep all the same. A copper or bronze wall sconce will clash with a brushed nickel faucet. Also consider a dimmer so that you can regulate the amount of light in a natural light challenged room. 

• Over the Toilet Cabinet/Storage - if you can part with this, just remove it for starters and see the immediate space you will have before doing anything in your bathroom. You can get the same results with decorative shelving. Rule of thumb, corner shelves take less room when you have limited wall space. Less is best on walls. If you can store your personals elsewhere, consider it.

With little time and patience, you too can have this:

Painting 101

Painting projects can be daunting, especially if you are looking to do it yourself. Calling the experts can save you time and the hassle, but if you are going to take on the battle, you do not want to exhaust your time and money on a painting project to only realize it was all wrong. Proper planning is key to a successful DIY painting project. You will need to figure out what tools and materials are required. A lot will be based on room size and what areas of the room you would like painted i.e., walls, ceilings, trim and doors. Clearing a room is easy, choosing the right paint color can be a little tricky. For the sake of simplicity, the color is not an issue to you, because you already know what you are looking for. Let us then fast forward to types of paint in hopes to convert you to an expert painter overnight.

The quality and types of paints can vary significantly. If you are looking for a level of luster in a type of paint, the term is called “sheen”. The different sheens vary from the dullest matte paint to the shiniest high gloss paint. There is a science to sheen and the proper usage. Below are some quick key notes on “sheen” types. Consider this painting 101. Rule of the trade, ceilings call for flat, walls call for eggshell and doors and trim call for semi-gloss. It is that simple, but there are reasons for the application as all types of sheen serve their purpose.

Matte paint:
• is the dullest least reflective in sheen
• assists in hiding imperfections and irregularities in walls and ceilings
• depth of color is plus with matte
• Unfortunately, they are not stain-resistant

Eggshell and satin paint (satin is slightly glossier than eggshell):
• have some reflectivity and add warmth to a room
• offer improved durability and offer a compromise in comparison to matte finish
• are frequently used in demanding environments, like kitchens and bathrooms, where easy cleanup without a highly glossy finish is desired

Semi-gloss, gloss, and high-gloss paint:
• are the most reflective sheens
• are highly durable and washable
• are traditionally used on baseboards, moldings, and doors
• can make a statement, but also highlight imperfections, use very sparingly

When choosing any of the above, you may want to consult with the salesman with regards to paint brushes and pan, ladders, amount of paint required and coverings for your floors or personal belongings. Being patient will go a long way. Painting can be fun if done right.

Bathroom Mold Prevention

You have seen it before, and we all get it from time to time. No matter how many cleaning sessions we give our bathrooms, mold is an enemy that just won’t go away. You know what I am referring to. Just look at the corners of the tub that you have a daily love/hate relationship. When was the last time you had your bathroom cleaned? Less than a week ago I am sure.

 

 

It is crazy how quick mold disappears and reappears. Did you know that mold only needs a gestation period of 24 hours to germinate and grow? Let us start with the basics. Mold loves damp, dark and isolated areas in the bathroom. The bathroom is one area of the house that remains wet for a period of time. It is enough for mold to build up. Did you know that ventilation or lack thereof has a lot to do with the growth of mold? There are other traps like rugs, grout and shower curtains that retain moisture. So what do you do about it? You may want to consider a ventilation fan for starters. Rule of thumb is to allow at least 30 minutes of running time to combat the moisture in the bathroom after usage.

 

Purchasing mold resistant shower curtains will help ease the war on mold, and do not forget to wash the towels and rugs that are used regularly. Just because, it appears dry, it is not. If mold has already taken its position in your bathroom; then it is time to get down and dirty. Cleaning your bathroom with traditional bleach, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide still work wonders. Usually a mixture of ½ cup bleach, vinegar or hydrogen peroxide with 1 qt water and a little bit of detergent will do the job. The detergent helps rinse off the surface while the rest helps kill the mold on contact.

 

For tough stains, you want to apply the application and allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes. Be sure the bristles are saturated in running water before you begin to scrub away. Unfortunately, the task is nothing enjoyable, but if you have to do it be mindful and wear latex gloves with a mask if possible. Chemical cleaners like bleach, are toxic so ventilate as much as possible for your safety and please be careful and not have elderly parents, children or pets around. Daily maintenance will save you a lot of work by weeks end, if you have the luxury.

Home Improvement Not Just for Outdoors

I don't know about you, but I am done with old man winter and all it brings with it. Truth be told I am checked out. My ride in is just as depressing as standing on line at the local DMV. Aside from the dreadful cold, nothing appears to be alive from the outside as all is in hibernation till the last frost. It is hard to really think of wanting to do anything, because we are is such a rush to stay in. With that said aside from watching the TV and living in the kitchen till it is time for bed, let us try something and switch it up. How about dividing some time and apply it to that mental "honey do" list? It might even be our own. Spring is near, very near. Actually it is on Wednesday, March 20th 2013. Now there is something to look forward to after that list.

I, like you are a homeowner and my list is endless. A day never goes by that I do not look at my entry ceiling and say to self "you need to be painted", then turning to the right and staring at my long over due windows that need cleaning, to my "could use more lighting" living room and finally my interior doors that need an upgrade. The list is longer, but this is not totally about me and never is. This is about us, the busy homeowner, the last minute guy or gal, the impulsive need it now or it won't happen self. So this is the plan and I think we should all follow it. Rather looking at the "to do" list, let us take a moment and focus on the "to be done" list. Instead of the Top 10, narrow it to the Top 1. You cannot get any more simpler than that. I think it is almost natural to look at any list and say "scrap it". We are all guilty of procrastination and adding another daunting task to our busy lives is a big "no thank you". I do think that 1 is a lucky number though, because it is closer to 2 and more than zero. If nothing else you accomplished something. So why don't we......

It is that simple, just look around and choose 1 thing to be done and be done with it. Lucky for you there is a site that can help you www.clickandimprove.com. I know a little self-serving, but not exactly. If I lived closer I would for sure be my own customer. Handy I am, but timing I don't have and there are just some things that are best handled by the pros. Whether it is deep cleaning, painting or junk removal to name a few www.clickandimprove.com has a little bit of everything to make your 24/7 life easier.

Be sure to also think past the small projects www.clickandimprove.com can also assist you with the bigger projects like a kitchen and bathroom renovation. Spring looks even brighter.....doesn't it?

7 TIPS FOR YOUR DREAM BATHROOM NOT BECOMING A NIGHTMARE

Complicated bathrooms require careful design, but as long as moisture control is accounted for during every step in the process, even the most ambitious creation can expect many years of useful service.

1.Exterior bathroom walls must be able to dry
Cold-climate wall assembly dries to the exterior In regions where interior humidity levels are typically greater than those on the outside, a vapor barrier is placed on the interior surface of the wall, while
permeable sheathings are used on the exterior.
Hot/humid-climate wall should dry to the interior
In regions where exterior humidity levels are typically greater than those on the inside, the vapour barrier goes on the outside of the wall, while permeable sheathings go on the inside.

Plumbing lines belong indoors
If plumbing lines have to be located along exterior walls, the best way to maintain an impermeable vapour barrier (and to ensure that the pipes won’t freeze) is to frame a nonstructural “water”
wall for pipes inside the exterior wall.

2.Seal all gaps to keep moisture in its place
To prevent moisture from escaping a humid bath environment and condensing within walls, floors or ceilings, every penetration should be sealed with a long- lasting, flexible sealant such as polyurethane foam.

3.Looks funky but makes sense
Placing water controls closer to the door (rather than centred on the shower head) makes them easier to use and lessens the likelihood of water escaping from the shower.

4.Keep recessed lights inside conditioned airspace
Although recessed lights that carry an IC-rating can be placed in an insulated ceiling, an airtight installation is extremely difficult to achieve. A better solution (if ceiling height permits) is to install these lights inside a soffit or a dropped ceiling.
Covering walls and ceilings with drywall before building the soffit creates an air barrier between conditioned and unconditioned spaces

5.Double-seal vulnerable joints to make sure all the water stays in the tub
The weight of a tub full of water puts great stress on caulked joints. If the tub unit does not have a lip that extends up the wall, use 50-year silicone sealant to caulk the joint where the backer-board meets the tub, as well as the joint where tile meets tub.

6.A little bit of lip keeps water in its place
A solid-surface vanity top that combines basin, counter and backsplash in one seamless unit is leak- proof but creatively limiting. Substituting a 1⁄2-in. tall cove for a full backsplash still contains water splashes yet allows clients to trim the vanity top with a variety of materials, such as tile or mirrors.

7.Don’t just dump it in the attic
The necessary components of an effective bathroom exhaust system include a high-quality, quiet fan unit, and a short run of insulated ducting that directs water vapour out of the house before it’s able to condense.






















The installation of a ventilation system is critical. The duct system should take the shortest, most direct route to the outside; but even a short run of ductwork can be troublesome. To prevent trapped condensation, I use insulated, rigid pipe, and I make sure that the pipe has a slight pitch, either to the outside or back to the fan.
In tight, modern houses, an adequate supply of return air must be provided in conjunction with the ventilation. This can be as simple as making sure there is at least an inch of air-space under the entry door or as complicated as providing a passive makeup-air duct.
Even if it’s perfectly installed, an exhaust system won’t get the job done unless it is used. I strongly recommend to my clients that they leave the fan running—with the door closed to make sure moisture cannot escape into neighbouring rooms—for at least 30 minutes after taking a shower or using a whirlpool. Placing the ventilation fan on a timer makes following this advice easy. An even easier solution is to connect the fan to a humidistate that will automatically turn the fan on and off according to the humidity levels.



Foolproof switch guarantees fan is used
This programmable timer-switch ensures that the fan runs
long enough and often enough to clear the air.

Baths need regular maintenance
After eliminating unnecessary moisture problems, constant vigilance is the key to maintaining a dry bathroom. Indoor air humidity and temperature must be controlled through-out the home. What might be a comfortable condition for the homeowner might not be ideal for the home. Relative humidity be- tween 40% (winter, generally) and 65% (summer), with a constant temperature around 68°F, is best. Frequently inspect visible caulk joints and redo them when they first show signs of degrading. At least a few times a year, get a good flashlight and summon the courage to poke around in the basement, crawlspaces and attic, looking for any signs of moisture leaks, musty odours or nasty bugs.

7 Easy Steps To Make Your Bathroom More Energy Efficient

There are a number of design features and fittings that can improve bathroom energy efficiency and reduce energy bills and greenhouse pollution. Remodelling your bathroom to make it more energy efficient will improve your home because doing it right will reap the benefits of health, safety, comfort and will save you money and energy.

1. Energy Efficient Hot Water System
Select an energy efficient hot water system and place it as close to the bathroom and laundry as possible to reduce pipe length and reduce heat loss.

2. Energy Efficient Ventilation Fans
Bathroom moisture is often controlled by the use of an exhaust fan. The fan sucks out the moisture-laden air, which is then replaced by drier outside air.
Install properly sized energy efficient ventilation fans to control moisture in the air while you shower or bathe. By removing moist air and drying out your bathroom, a ventilation fan will help prevent mold and mildew. Fans help remove moisture, which can increase the level of humidity in your house. High humidity can damage building materials. Worse, high humidity can cause mold growth and mold may affect your family's health. Install self closing exhaust fans to avoid heat loss or gain when not in use

3. Energy Efficient Lighting
Another easy way to make your bathroom more energy efficient is to install energy efficient labelled lighting (e.g., Light Fixtures: suspended lights, ceiling-mounted lights, cabinet lights, recessed lights, or compact fluorescent bulbs). Attractive, energy-efficient lighting adds value to your home and reduces home energy bills.

4. Insulation - Insulate Walls and Ceilings
The walls behind tubs or showers are often poorly insulated and air-sealed. Opening these walls as part of the remodelling project provides an opportunity to ensure comfort by sealing air leaks with caulk or expanding foam and installing insulation. Also make sure to air seal around plumbing and electrical penetrations.

5. Energy Efficient Windows and Doors
If you are replacing windows, doors, and skylights, consider those with the energy efficient label. New technologies in the glass and frame systems help make your home more comfortable, and lower heating and cooling costs too.

6. Energy Efficient Shower heads
The shower is the largest user of household hot water. Install an AAA shower head to reduce the amount of hot water consumed. AAA shower heads are available at many bathroom supply stores and hardware stores. A flow rate of approximately 7L per minute is considered as AAA for shower heads.

7. Water Pipes and Water Saving Devices
Insulate hot water pipes to reduce heat loss and save energy. Install water saving devices like water saving aerators and flow regulators in your taps. Select water saving taps that have a similar water saving rating.

These are a few great and easy starting ideas for anyone to improve overall bathroom efficiency.