Mr. Jefferson

Can I Use A Drain Auger To Unclog A Toilet?

Posted by Mr. Jefferson Plumbing Basics No Responses »

Apr 142012

Augers have been around for a long time. In fact history buffs will know that they were first invented by Archimedes around 200 BC. In the plumbing field they are used to clear pipe clogs and consist of a flexible cable with a wire coiled bit that “hooks” onto the clog in order to dislodge it.

The most common type of auger is a drain auger. Here the flexible cable is coiled around a circular drum. A handle on the drum is turned to extend and retract the cable through the plumbing pipes. The cable can be very long indeed, even 60 feet or more.

Although they are highly effective pieces of equipment that work well on skin clogs, they are not ideal for clearing toilet clogs. To begin with the toilet trap-way in most toilets is less than 6 feet in length, so a much shorter cable is needed. Second when using a drain auger on a toilet you run the risk of damaging the porcelain of the bowl.

Ridgid 59787 K-3 3-foot Toilet Auger with bulb head

That’s why specialized toilet augers shaped more like a J were designed. The top of the J has a handle and the bottom of the J is placed at the entrance to the toilet trap-way, perfectly positioned to feed the wire bit into the drain. This part of the auger has a protective rubber sleeve to avoid scratching the inside of the toilet bowl. When the handle is turned, the flexible cable extends into the trap way – a process referred to as “snaking a toilet.”

Some plumbers believe that the goal is to “hook” onto the clog and pull it back into the toilet bowl for removal. Other plumbers suggest using the auger to drive the clog out into the main drain. In practice both methods will work equally well.

Toilet augers are perfect for stubborn toilet clogs – ones that can’t be dislodged by using a plunger. And although drain augers work on the same principle, don’t use them on your toilet.

Advantages Of A Tension Shower Caddy

Posted by Mr. Jefferson Mirrors and Other Accessories No Responses »

Apr 132012

The term “tension shower caddy” refers to the design that has a long pole that stretches from ceiling to the edge of the tub, or the floor, depending on your shower. Then, the baskets that hold your shower items hang from the pole. Normally, there are 3 or 4 baskets fixed to the tension pole. Some models may come with more baskets and with additional hooks for a washcloth or shower sponge.

As implied by the name, this type of shower caddy uses a tension rod – the pole has a spring built inside it that pushes against the ceiling and floor/tub. The ends of the pole usually have a non skid piece for additional help holding it in place.

You may wonder why a tension shower caddy is preferable to the wall mounted or hanging designs. Below are the advantages:

The tension is very strong and and if installed carefully, these caddies can be the strongest models of all the shower caddy models.
Multiple baskets provide lots of space for all your shower items.
The baskets can be adjusted on the pole to accommodate toiletries of different shapes and sizes.
Many include additional hooks to hold a washcloth or shower sponge.
The baskets are usually made of wire, or plastic, with large drainage holes. Therefore, water is drained immediately which ensures durability of the material as well helping to prevent mold.

Zenith Products Pole Caddy, Chrome, 4-Shelf

Since most designs fit into the corner of the shower, it is one of the most space saving options. Although even larger designs that include two poles are shallow to take up minimal space.
A tension pole caddy can be assembled in just few minutes and needs no tools.
Leaves no permanent marks so they are great for renters or those who just want minimal hassle.
Most designs include an extra pole so that they can be used over a bathtub, or in a walk in shower
Several finishes, including white, gold, and stainless steel, to match any decor

As you can see, adding a corner shower caddy to your shower has many benefits. If you are interested in adding one to your bathroom, it pays to take a look around. Many have a very reasonable price, less than $25; however, some fancier models will be much more expensive. The price is based mainly on the size and material, not the basic design.

3 Purposes of Bathroom Lighting

Posted by Mr. Jefferson Electrical No Responses »

Apr 082012

Bathroom lighting generally falls into 3 main categories: task lighting, ambient lighting, and accent lighting. Having a solid understanding of the functions of each can help aide you in the process selecting the lighting for your bathroom.

Task Lighting

Task lighting is probably the most important of all three as it mostly focuses on aiding the visitor in his tasks, thus task lighting. Daily functions such as shaving or applying non comedogenic makeup need proper lighting in order to be done efficiently. Lighting around the mirror needs to cast an even light on the face to avoid shadows which can make grooming difficult. The most basic layout is having light above the mirror and two scones on each side to reduce any possible shadows.

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting may be needed if task lighting is unable to light up the whole bathroom. As bathrooms in the United States can be quite large, most will need ambient lighting. There are many bathroom light fixtures that can provide this type of bathroom lighting such as recessed lights, hanging light, and wall washers to name a few. Ambient lighting will largely depend on the size of your bathroom, so be sure to make the decision accordingly. When in doubt, keep in mind that too bright is usually better than too dark.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is the least practical of the three and is used to showcase certain parts of the bathroom such as an art piece. However, when done correctly, accent lighting can be quite influential on the overall design of your bathroom. As lighting is often the first thing that visitors notice, it can be a worthwhile investment to ensure you leave a good impression.

After planning the types of lighting functions needed in your bathroom, the next step will be to choose the style for your bathroom lighting. Following through on these two steps will ensure you create both a practical and stylish bathroom. If you want more customization, changing the switch plate covers can be a great place to start.

Simple and Inexpensive Bathroom Storage Ideas

Posted by Mr. Jefferson Storage Planning Tips No Responses »

Apr 082012

Keeping your bathroom free of clutter can be quite the challenge, even if you have a rather large bathroom. You need to be clever with the space you are given, how it is organized, and how to utilize space that you perhaps never thought of.

If you look at the walls in your bathroom, chances are they are bare. This is space that is not being used to its fullest potential. There are a variety of storage ideas that you can place on your bathroom walls to help alleviate whatever storage issues you may be facing. Some of these are inexpensive, while others can be more expensive. There are bathroom storage ideas that can fit all budgets. Aside from small wall fixtures, there are also items such as cabinets and vanities that can be added to a bathroom to help with storage complaints.

Common Sense Storage: Clever Solutions for an Organized Life

If you don’t have them already, towel holders are a great addition to bathrooms. They can be placed near the sink or the shower, in easy-to-reach areas so you don’t have to fumble for towels anymore. There are both single- and double-bar towel holders, and both take up the same amount of space, so it is best to go with the double-bar in order to be able to hang a second towel. Some of these actually even come with a shelf, which can provide a decorative look while at the same time providing more storage space for face washes, creams, or shaving products.

There are things you keep in your bathroom that you may not want the general public to see, such as when you have friends or family over for visits. You could purchase a wall-hanging cabinet, or even a floor-style cabinet, to house these items so that they are out of eyesight. The space above your sink is usually where a hanging cabinet would go, better yet, if the cabinet has a mirrored front.

There are a variety of options for you to choose from when seeking inexpensive bathroom storage ideas for small bathrooms. Simply check out your nearest home remodeling store or hardware store, and they will be able to steer you in the right direction regarding the types of storage items that you need.

Buying a Shower Radio

Posted by Mr. Jefferson Mirrors and Other Accessories No Responses »

Apr 062012

Radios that are designed specifically for use in a wet environment have made great strides over the years. Shower radios were first introduced in the mid 1980s, and have come a long way since. When once you only had a basic AM/FM radio available for your shower, today you can have a radio with a CD player or an mp3 player with radio as well.

The typical shower radio will not offer many of those features that are standard with models not designed for wet environments. For example, the radio will not have a headphone jack or any other external ports. These kinds of exposed openings in the radio casing lead to safety concerns.

Radios for the shower are created with water safety in mind, preventing moisture from entering the unit through the use of a solid and water tight external case. This allows you to be assured that the unit is safe to use in any wet environment, whether it be your shower, near a swimming pool, or at the beach.

The least expensive radios will be those that only provide AM/FM reception. Higher end models are specially designed with water tight enclosures around any CD player or mp3 port that is present in the unit. This guarantees that the unit remains dry and that it is safe to use even in the most damp environments.

Radios that are created for the shower have internal antennas. Digital models that are available today are a far cry better than the analog models of the past. Even the best of the early models had trouble consistently delivering good performance. Today’s models offer a strong and consistent signal.

There are many different designs of radios to choose from. There are some that hang from a curtain rod or the shower doors, and others are designed to be attached to a shower stall or shower unit wall. Regardless of which model you choose, you will find that there are some that fall into the lower end of the price range, typically costing between $25.00 and $50.00 and other, fancier models that can cost more than $100.00.

Five Tips On How To Clean Shower Grout

Posted by Mr. Jefferson Cleaning No Responses »

Apr 062012

As homeowners, we take pride in the cleanliness of our homes. However, there are places within the house that seem to get dirty very easily, like the shower, the bathroom, and the kitchen. But, in particular, tile grout in the shower is an area that grime, mold, and mildew love to dwell in. Below are five basic ways for how to clean grout in shower.

The first way is to use a bleach solution. Get a spray bottle and mix the bleach solution with water, using a 1:2 ratio respectively. For colored tiles, get a bleach that contains a color-guard attribute to protect the color of your shower tiles. After mixing, begin spraying on the shower grout, giving focus to areas with mold or mildew. Let the bleach stay for about twenty minutes before washing it off with water.

The second method to clean your shower grout is to use either lemon juice or vinegar. Lemon juice is very popular because of its cleaning effect on clothes and dishes, although it works on other areas as well. For shower grout, squeeze the lemon, and let its juice settle within the grout for at least fifteen minutes. Lemon is mild and therefore will not cause any discoloration of your tiles.

The Naturally Clean Home: 100 Safe and Easy Herbal Formulas for Non-Toxic Cleansers

Vinegar is not as popular as lemon when it comes to cleaning, but is equally effective. One way to use vinegar is to soak paper towels with it, then stick the paper towels to the tile. Wait for several hours; as the paper towels dry, the vinegar will soak into the grout and will also leave the surface of the tile clean and shiny. Another way to use vinegar is to put it in a spray bottle and liberally spray your grout and tiles. The smell of vinegar may be strong, but it should not cause breathing problems like strong chemicals will.

The third method to clean grout is with baking soda. Baking soda is intended for baking, but believe it or not, it also makes a fantastic cleaner for all kinds of things. Using either water or vinegar, mix the baking soda into a paste. If you would like a touch of scrubbing power, the add a bit of salt. Cover your grout, as well as any holes or cracks in your tiles. After a few minutes wash off a small section of tile to see if the baking soda has done it’s magic. If not, leave it on longer. You may need to leave the solution on for several hours.

The fourth way to effectively clean your shower grout is using a steam vapor cleaner. Steam cleaners can clean your grout in a matter of minutes. Just add tap water into the steamer, and allow the water to heat up beyond the boiling point. The heated water produces hot steam, which will very quickly remove all the dirt, and at the same time kill the living microbes that dwell within the grout. This tool is safe and easy to use, and does not require long hours of kneeling and scrubbing. However, it can be hot work, and depending on the size of the steamer’s reservoir, you may have to wait for the water to heat up. While this can be a great way to get grout really clean, the machines can be expensive, so if you are pressed for cash, look into the methods above first.

The last method for shower grout “cleaning” is to use a grout pen with a water proof epoxy. This will put a bead of epoxy on the grout resealing the damaged surface and renewing the look of the grout. While this can be done without any prior cleaning, it’s a good idea to use one of the other tips above to get the grout as clean as possible before you start. While it definitely does this trick, this involves long and tedious work, as you have to “draw” or “write” over every grout line individually. It usually takes 24 hours after resealing your grout before you can use the shower again.

No matter what method you use, it is always wise to choose the method that best suits your needs and your budget. You have may to try a few ways before you find the method that best works for you.

Bathroom Tile Mosaics

Posted by Mr. Jefferson Tile No Responses »

Apr 012012

Bathrooms are a great place to create a theme oriented design. The modern bath has become a sanctuary and spa in many homes. Many homeowners find it necessary to pay attention to detail in this room. One excellent way to create a unique style the will enhance any bathroom theme is with a mosaic. Because a bathroom requires bathroom tile for function purposes, it is an easy way to incorporate this design.

A mosaic is a picture that is created using small tiles in varying colors to design the artwork. Mosaics have been used for centuries in mosques, churches, and other highly ornate structures. Bathroom tile are fixed to a floor or wall in a method that is similar to the mosaic structure.

There are many flooring stores carry tile that is designed for a mosaic. The pieces are small and come in varying colors that would be needed to create a design. Because ceramic bathroom tile is affordable, most mosaic designs are reasonable to install.

Encyclopedia Of Mosaic Techniques: A Step-by-step Visual Directory, With An Inspirational Gallery Of Finished Works (Encyclopedia of Art Techniques)

Choosing a design for a mosaic depends, mostly, on individual taste. Because the idea is versatile, the possibilities are endless. To gather ideas, simply conduct an online search of mosaics. Designs range from intricate to simple, accommodating skills of all kinds. The internet provides many sites that give step by step instructions to install bathroom tile mosaics. As well, many products and tools needed can be purchased online.

Another option for mosaic bathroom tiles is to use a ready made kit. Larger hardware stores such as Lowes or Home Depot provide kits that include all needed items to complete a project. These do it yourself projects come with easy to follow instructions that make the project feasible for the unskilled home improver to complete.

If there is a concern that the project is beyond one’s skill level, many contractors are available for hire to help with the project. This may create additional cost for the overall mosaic, but can save in time and hassle for a person that has a bathroom tile mosaic in mind. Simply make some phone calls to local contractors to find the best rate.

A mosaic is a beautiful and interesting compliment to a bathroom. It can transform an ordinary bath into a sanctuary. Because it is made from ceramic bathroom tile, its durability and longevity are unquestionable. There are many resources available online and in-store to help determine and create the perfect mosaic design.

How Shower Designs Can Perk Up Your Bathroom

Posted by Mr. Jefferson Overall Design No Responses »

Mar 312012

Aside from the bedroom, the bathroom can be the most important place in a person’s home. It is comfortable and gives the person respite from the outside world. Here, you are free to be no one but yourself. This is why it is no surprise that most people invest a lot of time and money in building the ultimate dream bathroom.

Of course, if you have a shower, it is the star of the show. If you plan on remodeling your bathroom, well thought out shower designs are one of the many ways that you can breathe new life to a tired space. If you are wondering how to do this, here are some tips that can help you come up with the perfect design that will fit your taste to a T.

Decide On A Theme

Creating Your Dream Bathroom: How to Plan & Style the Perfect Space

Themes are important because they reflect your personality. You can go for modern, country, rustic, or neutral. Some people prefer to follow trends off the beaten path while others would rather stick to simple and neutral themes that are functional. If you plan on remodeling your bathroom once every five years, this is fine. Whatever happens, the bottom line is that it should be comfortable and a place of total relaxation.

Stick To A Reasonable Budget

Budget is always a major consideration when constructing your dream bathroom. This will dictate the quality of materials as well as the bathroom fixtures and accessories. By sticking to a budget, you can be sure that you won’t break the bank over a bathroom. Knowing you only have a fixed amount to spend will help you prioritize the parts of the bathroom that is most important to you.

Plan It Around The Available Space

Before you start buying stuff for your bathroom, make sure that you know the actual floor area. If it is small and you want to maximize the space, walk in shower designs can help you save space without sacrificing personal taste. Compared to a bathtub, this type of shower does not require you to step up and step down. Commonly used in hotels, these designs are usually door less and enclosed in glass panels.

In the end, bathroom should be all about what is important to you. If you love candles and aromatherapy, make sure you create a nook to celebrate this. Don’t be swayed by the latest trends. Remember, this will be your own private haven that you will be using every single day of your life.

Frameless Shower Doors vs. Shower Curtains

Posted by Mr. Jefferson Splashes No Responses »

Mar 302012

If you are racking your brain by wondering if a shower curtain or a shower door would be a more suitable fixture for your bathroom, here are a few tips to help you make your decision:

Shower curtains are actually very versatile because they are available in almost all department stores, they come in different colors and designs so you have a vast assortment of choices, they are very affordable and easy to replace.

Shower curtains can even be custom made according to your taste. They come in vinyl, cloth and hemp. If you want to hide your bathtub, you can always close up your shower curtain, expand it and let its beautiful design liven up your bathroom. However, if you want to show off your attractive porcelain bathtub, you can also open it up and neatly affix it to the side. If your bathroom features a corner shower stall, you can easily achieve a more spacious look.

The downside to shower curtains however is that they need to be constantly cleaned because the easily get infested with molds and mildew. Moreover, when they are left to hang outside the bathtub after bathing, shower curtains can leave of puddle of water on the floor, thus making your bathroom look messy. Another recent discovery is that some vinyl shower curtains can cause health and environmental problems. New vinyl curtains release volatile organic compounds and organics into the air. These toxins are suspected to be carcinogenic and can cause headaches, nausea, respiratory problems, and damage to the kidneys, liver, and central nervous system.

InterDesign Fabric Shower Curtain, Gray Leaves

So, if you want to have a shower curtain for your bathroom, it would be better to choose fabric or hemp ones instead. A better option might be using frameless shower doors. Although frameless shower doors aren’t as common and as accessible as shower curtains, they also come in varied designs and they are much more sturdy than bathroom curtains. Although they are also notorious for attracting molds and mildew as well as collecting soap and water stains, so long as you are able to keep your frameless shower door dry after bathing, you should not experience much difficulty keeping them clean and pretty.

A frameless shower door versus a shower curtain shouldn’t be a difficult decision for you. Look at the overall theme of your bathroom and picture out a shower curtain and shower door. Then, decide what would best suit it.

Consider The Pros And Cons Of Fitting Travertine Tiles

Posted by Mr. Jefferson Tile No Responses »

Mar 252012

Travertine tiles seem to be everywhere that you look these days – it seems that practically every bathroom and kitchen remodeling project includes a travertine floor, or in some case, floor to ceiling travertine tiles. It is easy to see why this natural stone material has become so popular, it is a very beautiful material and is being pushed by many tile importers and stockists as well as appearing in almost every home decorating magazine at the present time.

Is it really the perfect answer to all of your interior design projects though? Well, as far as looks alone go then maybe it will be justifiably high on the list of choices for a contemporary and classy look. The crisp, clear lines of machine-cut travertine looks spectacular in modern bathrooms or luxury wet rooms, and travertine tiles with a tumbled appearance are just the job for a traditional look, and are a perfect match for classic oak or walnut cabinets or other furniture. Things are not so clear-cut when it comes to installing travertine tiles for the average DIY enthusiast, and installation is best carried out by a professional to minimize the risk of problems at a later date.

The main problem that will be faced when fitting these tiles is that travertine is nowhere near as robust as ceramic or porcelain tiles, so extreme care must be taken in handling them as well as fitting them. If 100% adhesive coverage is not achieved when laying the tiles then they are prone to crumbling under foot traffic where there are voids underneath, and for anyone not proficient in tile fixing then this is not as easy to avoid as it sounds, especially when laying tiles on an uneven floor. Another point is that travertine tiles need to be cut using a wet cutter and not the type of score-and-snap tile cutter that most people are used to using, so this may mean the added expense of hiring the correct equipment. Also travertine tiles need to be sealed before they are grouted (and preferably sealed again afterwards) in order to prevent permanent discoloring resulting from spills or splashes.

As you can see there are pros and cons with installing travertine flooring which need to be weighed up before installation, the main plus being the undeniable beauty of the tiles, and the downside is that you will need to incur extra expense in employing a professional to fit the tiles, unless you are a competent DIYer.

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