Tag Archives: bathroom

Apr11

The Forgotten Home Repair That Became Part of Your Life

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The Forgotten Home Repair That Became Part of Your Life

You’ve probably realized that in life, there are things that we always get used to and it becomes second-nature to us or we take it for granted. For instance, if you’re sitting at a computer right now or using your smartphone to read this article, then there are probably some muscle-memory maneuvers that you’ve practiced over and over again which became so natural that you don’t even think about it.

This is just the result of our brain getting used to something. If we repeat a task long enough, it becomes something that we do without thinking. This is, sadly, something that can have both a positive and negative effect. The negative typically comes in the form of things that we do at home and most of the time it has to do with home repairs.

Think about your home and try to pinpoint some home repairs that you never got around to. That crack in the wall near your front entrance? Yes, the one you’ve hidden behind a painting for how long. Or what about the lower water pressure on one of the taps in your bathroom? You didn’t think it was much of an issue and you deal with it every morning, but is it really normal for a tap to dribble water like that instead of pouring it out? The answer is no, btw! Here are some things that you should look into getting fixed before it causes any more problems in your home:

Fixing things before they get too bad:

Faults around the home are often the result of some underlying issues. If left for too long, it could negatively effect our lives and even cause more damage than you’d expect. For instance, a leaky pipe might not be much of an issue now and you’ll probably deal with it by putting a dish underneath the pipe to collect the water, or you might take it a step further and plug the pipe with something. However, that doesn’t change the fact that you have a crack in the pipe that can grow larger and eventually cause a lot of damage to your entire plumbing system. A quick Google search of “plumbers near me” will reveal dozens of services that are more than willing to perform inspections and fix your issues, no matter how minor they seem. Just remember to take every home repair seriously so that they don’t spiral out of control.

Fixing things before you need them:

Remember that faulty air conditioner in your home that broke towards the end of last summer? Perhaps you haven’t used your air conditioning unit for a while because we’re only in spring, but why not fix it before summer comes? A broken air conditioner that spits out less air or isn’t as cool as it should be is a faulty one. Perhaps you didn’t mind because it was the tail end of summer and the days were getting shorter, but that doesn’t mean that you should leave it broken and force it to become part of your life. Change it! Simply enter a search for “heating and cooling minnesota” (or your local area) and book an appointment with a trusted team of experts. Never settle for broken or faulty appliances and always repair them to get the most value out of them and to prevent them from developing more faults!

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Apr4

Home Upgrades Guaranteed To Attract Buyers

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Home Upgrades Guaranteed To Attract Buyers

Buying a home is a momentous occasion in many people’s lives. The process can be daunting, long, and full of highs and lows –  most of us have experienced the drama of finding our supposed dream home, only to lose out on it at the very last minute. Yes, the property market can be fickle. But it is also worth being realistic about it. Very few people actually stay in their first home, or even their second homes, forever. As homes are progressing in value all of the time and as people start to need more room for whatever reason (children being the most common cause), buying and selling property is something many of us do every few years.

But, if you thought that buying a home was hard, just wait until you start selling! Trying to find a buyer for your property that meets your requirements can be a laborious process, and there’s nothing worse than having to drop your asking price because you’re not sure how else to attract a buyer. This, however, should only ever be seen as a last resort. There are plenty of other things that you can do to raise the value of your home so that when it’s time for it to go on the market, you just know you’ll be swarmed with offers:

Get Any Maintenance Issues Fixed: If you’re planning on being out of your house in a few months, it can be tempting to leave that annoying maintenance issue for the next tenants to deal with. However, this could potentially cost you the sale of the house. Buyers aren’t stupid, especially when there is such a huge amount of money at stake.  Don’t try to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes, because you just risk the buyer pulling out at the last moment when they find out what is truly wrong with the house. Spend some time and money getting any outstanding issues fixed – it will pay off, we promise!

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Handy is dandy!

Spruce Up The Outside Of Your Home: It’s easy to see why most people spend money on decorating the inside of their homes as opposed to the outside – after all, it’s what’s on the inside that counts, right? Wrong! Well, to an extent anyways. Most buyers now turn to the internet to seek out available properties these days, and the first picture that they are likely to see will be a shot of your home’s exterior. This is your one chance to make a good impression, so make it count! A great place to start can be with new kandla grey porcelain flooring slabs to upgrade your garden or curb appeal. This can really help to attract potential buyers for your property. In addition, if, for example, you have a large double garage, but it is let down by titanium doors, find somewhere local that can provide great garage doors to spruce the exterior up a little. Giving your door a lick of paint and adding some shrubs and plants to brighten the place up can also increase the value of your home more than you might think.

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Focus On The Kitchen & Bathroom: If you have a limited budget for the pre-selling remodel, it is wise to focus your attention on either the kitchen or the bathroom. These tend to be the most used rooms in the house, and for that reason, they are also the most expensive to remodel. Your buyer will appreciate having a ready-made kitchen or bathroom that they can start using straight away. Not to mention it is a great property value boost too. If you are going to remodel any part of your property, prioritize kitchen & bath remodeling for the best return on your investment.

If you are considering a bathroom or kitchen remodel, it’s a great idea to start with a consultation by a professional team. That way you can determine your budget as well as the must haves in your renovation. To find renovation specialists near you, simply enter a search for “home remodeling contractor“. Go into your consultation prepared with your ideas as well as backup options should your budget not cover your original vision.

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The Eiffel Tower is a nice touch! 😉

Give the inner and outer exteriors of your home a run through, and nitpick what you can find to fix or spruce up to raise your property value today!

Featured Image By: BlogSpot

Mar28

Miracle Maintenance For Your New Bathroom

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Miracle Maintenance For Your New Bathroom

So, you’ve recently had some bathroom upgrades? Good for you. Too few of us treat our bathrooms with the love they deserve. And, having a good looking bathroom is as important as any other room in the house. More, in fact, because it gets so much use! But, getting the place looking the way you want it is only half of the battle. Because of the very nature of the room, it can be harder to keep things looking nice. There’s water, muck, and other things we’d rather not mention… As such, your bathroom is going to start looking grubby sooner than you anticipate. That’s why we’re going to look at how to keep it looking better for longer. Your bathroom is worth it!

Water, Water Everywhere: Water is the biggest problem because, in short, there’s a lot of it! As most of us know, large amounts of water do not mix well with beautiful decor. You have to tackle splashing, condensation, and general water build up. Within no time, your wallpaper will start to peel or your paint will become bubbly and faded. There’s not much that you can do about the amount of water in the bathroom. You have to wash, after all. I mean, your bathroom is important, but not that much!

But, there are steps that you can take to reduce the damage. The less water that escapes from your shower, the better. That’s why it’s worth looking at something like this stunning range of shower enclosures. Keeping the water contained will make a huge difference. It’s also worth investing in a bath mat. That way, your floor is safe from any puddles. And, don’t forget to turn your extractor fan on whenever you’re washing. The more condensation you clear, the better.

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Grab a towel, STAT!

Clean, Clean, CLEAN: The reasons for keeping your bathroom clean are evident. But, cleanliness aside, cleaning will ensure that your decor and appliances stay spick and span. You should give the room a once-over every few days to keep things looking sparkling. Letting this slide will lead to yellow toilet bowls and moldy bath tiles in no time (ew!). And, once you let these problems grow, they’ll be a lot harder to solve. It’s also worth looking into the best cleaning methods. This is especially important when it comes to getting between your tiles. It’s not an easy job, but it’s important that you stay on top of the problem for floors so clean you can eat off of…But not really though, please!

Redecorate Regularly: You heard right, we’re afraid. Despite your best efforts, there’s going to come a time when you have to redecorate. There’s a reason so many people have peeling paint in their bathrooms. Blame that good old damp again! But, peeling paint is not going to fit with the beautiful look that you’ve created for your bathroom. The good news is, is that it’s a small room to decorate, so it shouldn’t take an enormous amount of time. Save any leftover paint you have from the first time around and as soon as you notice your paint is suffering, consider redoing it again. It’s the only way to keep things perfect!

The throne room may not be your favorite room to maintain for obvious reasons but with proper care and a little TLC, you can keep your bathroom looking better, longer!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb23

Make Your Time-Worn Home Sparkle Like New

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Make Your Time-Worn Home Sparkle Like New

When it comes to retail therapy, shopping for little ways to improve your space – whether furniture or paint – always seems to bring about the flutter of excitement. It’s that chance to renew your space with something wow, whether it’s just a little knick knack or big pieces of new treasure. A piece of something new can make your home feel like it just got a makeover. But what happens a couple of months down the line, when your dog has chewed the sofa cushions, your kid has drawn on the walls, or feet have scuffed the upholstery?

Well, before you tut and head out of the door, ready to spend more money on the same thing, why not learn how you can maintain what you have and help your old house sparkle like new again. All it takes is a little ingenuity and some tender, love and care.

A Little Bit Of Polish: There is no simpler way to make your old wood furniture look brand new than to give it a good old polish. Chances are you haven’t done this in a long time, or ever before, in which case you are going to be blown away by the results. However, before you get started, you are going to need the right polish to get the right finish. As a general rule of thumb, if your furniture is well finished, then use a wax or paste, whereas if your furniture is old teak, then a lot of the time oil alone is the best option.

The Relaxation Room: Yes, we are talking about your bathroom. This is your chance to soak in the tub, relax amongst the bubbles, and escape the stresses of life. However, the simple addition of a house plant isn’t going to be enough. So why not give your bath, basin, and shower a good scrub and really make them sparkle. The other thing you can do to upgrade this sanctuary is to go with some renovations by Tile Regrouting. And then, as a little extra something to make your bathroom pop, hang a big, bright, and gorgeous piece of art on the walls. The results will be stunning.

Care About The Wood: Leave your house and then walk back into the front door. If you are wowed, then that is great. But if it all seems a bit flat, then why not get the oil and wax out and bring your wooden floors back to life. Make them shine. This is the first thing you will see when you come home and it will therefore have a huge role to play in how your house feels. But don’t stop there. Head into the kitchen and look at your counter tops. Chances are that they are plagued with scratches and stains of all sorts. The way to bring them back to life is to get the sandpaper out and rub your tops new. Just make sure that you use some food safe oil to protect them from staining easily and to protect you from getting ill.

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Feb10

Give Your Bathroom Some Sparkle

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Give Your Bathroom Some Sparkle

When you have a big family, the house can tend to get messy, over-run and the household chores can seem like a never ending list which just gets bigger and bigger with every hour. The bathroom is one of the most used and frequented rooms in a house, with everyone using the toilet, needing to shower or take a bath, and clean their teeth in the morning and night. A Sunday evening can be a frantic time in the bathroom. The children need to be washed before school starts on Monday, parents want to either take a quick shower or relax in the bath before the work week begins again – and this can leave the bathroom is disarray and needing some desperate TLC.

If your bathroom could do with some touch ups, a little tidy up, or a makeover, there is no need to break the bank by purchasing expensive additions. In the end, these will get used just as much and you may find yourself buying the same expensive product or additions time and time again. There are measures that you can take to ensure that your bathroom looks and feels welcoming and tidy by simply taking the time to put energy into it, doing your shopping in different places, and researching.

When it comes to the toilet, a supermarket brand bathroom cleaner (preferably anti-bacterial) will do the job just the same as bigger, more expensive brand names. If it’s a spray product, all you have to do is squirt it a few times over and into the rim and over the toilet seat. Then wait 30 seconds and wipe clean with some paper towel. You should also ensure that the toilet flush handle is sprayed, too, as this can be a breeding ground for bacteria.

Always, after spraying, put some bleach (again, supermarket brand but ensure it is thick bleach) down the toilet to eliminate germs. If you have a problem with your toilet, and it tends to cause blockages, then ask friends for advice first – the chances are they will say, “I know a good plumber near me who can sort that for you,” and you may even get a discount after being referred by a friend.

If your bathroom needs a bit of a revamp, visit discount shops and invest in bright fake flowers, candle holders, tealights, or even some quirky, funny prints that you can frame and put on the walls. Instead of buying expensive odor eliminators, simply leave the window open for a few hours every day, when you’re in the house, of course!

When it comes to the bath, limescale and dirt can build up quickly. Try running hot water and leave it in the bath for 10 minutes, without any cold water added to it. Once the water is released, use a limescale cream and rub it over the bath. Then leave it on for 10-15 minutes and wipe clean with a clean rag or paper towel and watch that bathtub sparkle!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan3

Surrounded By Clutter? How To Carry Out A Post-Holiday Clean-Up Operation

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The holidays are done and gone, and before we know it, Christmas Day will be a distant memory, and we’ll be back to the grindstone. Although most of us love the festive period, it does have its downsides. With family and friends popping in, mounds of gifts and wrapping, and days running into one, it can be tough to keep on top of cleaning. It’s easy to get swamped and end up with piles of dishes on the counters, boxes and rolls of paper everywhere, and tons of laundry to get through. If you’re surrounded by clutter, and you have an endless list of jobs, here are some tips to help you conduct a post-holiday clean-up:

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De-Cluttering: Don’t even think about trying to vacuum the carpets or dust your furniture until you’ve got clear surfaces and floors. There’s no point in trying to clean around piles of laundry or navigate the hoover around new toys, games, or mounds of books and DVDs. Start your clean-up with a de-cluttering session. Before you start trying to find places for Christmas gifts, have a clear out, and throw away anything you don’t want to keep. Take new items out of their packaging, and create a pile for recycling. Make another mound for the trash. Get everyone to tidy their own rooms and you’ll get the job done in no time. Once you’ve got your piles sorted, load the car and take a trip to the nearest waste disposal site. If you’re throwing away items that are in good condition, you could host a yard sale or take a bag of stuff to a local thrift store.

Cleaning: Set aside an afternoon to get the house in order and you’ll feel much better afterwards. Allocate chores, such as doing the dishes, cleaning the bathroom, and vacuuming the entire house. If everybody pitches in, you’ll be finished before you know it. Once you’ve tackled the pots and pans and hoovered the carpets, wipe down the kitchen and bathroom surfaces with disinfectant spray. Then, you can move on to polishing wooden sideboards, tables, and chests. Mop the floors and light some scented candles. Open the windows or use a fan to circulate the air. If you don’t already have one, look out for bargains in the January sales. You’ll find a host of tower fan reviews online.

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Flickr Image

Once you’ve got your home in tip top shape, the last thing you want is to let things slide and end up back at square one. Try and keep on top of tidying and cleaning. Don’t let dishes pile up or dust gather on the stairs. If you wash up every night and vacuum every couple of days, you’ll soon find that you spend a lot less time cleaning. Take the trash out and use diffusers and candles to give your home a fresh, clean smell. It may not seem like the most exciting way to spend the day, but you’ll feel much better after you’ve given your home a good spruce. There’s nothing worse than heading back to work on a miserable January morning knowing that you’ve got an endless list of chores to wade through on your return. -____-

Nov8

The Grapes Of Bath – Stop Getting Angry About Your Bathroom And Do Something About It!

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The Grapes Of Bath – Stop Getting Angry About Your Bathroom And Do Something About It!

Is the smallest room in your house a real bone of contention? Do the kids treat it like a play room? Is there mold where there shouldn’t be? Is it a nightmare to keep clean? If so it’s no wonder that you are annoyed. Keeping the bathroom in a decent state can be a trial. But there are some things that can help you on this epic quest. Keep reading to find out what they are.

Gadgets: First of all, if you have a family bathroom, then you need to take into consideration everyone that will be using it. Unfortunately, it is not just your own personal retreat for some ‘me time’ and to escape the hardships of the day. Especially if you are sharing it with your kids.

Luckily there are a few gadgets that can help you keep your bathroom a bit nicer for everyone that needs to use it. Try out something like a toothpaste squeezer. Not only will it get all the paste from the tube, saving you money, but it will also stop the kids from getting it everywhere.

Or how about using a reminder like the Amazon Dash button? All you have to do is press the button next to the item that you are running low on. No more running out of hand soap or toilet roll in your house!

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 Pixabay Image

Decor: Some bathrooms are just beyond the pale if they look dirty no matter how much your scrub them. Or, if they are looking a little dated compared to the rest of your house, then it might be time for a new bathroom suite.

You want to go for the best quality that your budget will allow so your new throne room will last as long as possible. You will also need to consider your style options. Will you go for a sleek modern bathroom or something with a bit more character?

Whatever you do, don’t forget to check online bathroom shops that stock items such as luxury baths and showers.

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Pixabay Image

Cleaning: Hands up who likes cleaning the bathroom? No one? Shocker! Seriously though, cleaning the bathroom can seem like a major bore and a horrible chore. But you want it to be clean so it’s hygienic and pleasant to use. So how can you reconcile these two things?

Well, you can get everyone that uses it into a good routine. If you use the last piece of toilet roll, then you have to change the roll. If you spill something, you have to mop it up. Not only will this make your bathroom a much more pleasant place to be. But it will also get your family into good habits for when they are older.

You can also do small regular cleans instead of trying to take on a filthy bathroom all in one go. Take 10 minutes out of your day to wipe down and disinfect the bathroom work surfaces. Then, the next day, use a bathroom foam to clean the surfaces quickly and without much fuss.

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Pixabay Image

Featured Image By: Pixabay