Size, height, and function all play a role in selecting a toilet for your new bathroom. These tips will help you find the right commode for your family.
Continue reading →How to Install Chandelier Lights
A chandelier helps bring your entire kitchen and dining room together. It becomes the main source of light for the dining room. Many family dinners, laughs, and memories will be had under this fixture. Choosing a chandelier is, of course, a hard choice. However, installing that chandelier does not have to be as hard as choosing it. Follow these handy steps to install the chandelier of your dreams to complete the dining room you’ve always wanted.
Continue reading →How to Install a Shower Mixing Valve
When you have to replace the shower mixing valve will be a bit tougher than just replacing a faucet because this part of the shower is behind the wall. If you have a tiled wall this will require you to remove the tile from the wall and then replace it once you are finished.
If you are adding a bathroom or remodeling remember to add a access panel this will prevent you from having to remove and replace your tile, if you don’t have a access panel then unfortunately you will have to create one by breaking through the wall.
Here are the steps you will need to take to make:
- Always remember to turn off the water. If you have traditional plumbing, you will need to shut the water to the whole house. Turning it off just to the shower might not work depending on where your shower mixing valve is located.
- Remove the shower faucet handle and pry the escutcheon plate from the wall. If your new valve includes a showerhead, use adjustable pliers to remove the old shower arm; you will need to turn it counterclockwise.
- At this point, you will need to get into the access panel to gain access to the shower valve. If you have a closet or bedroom wall adjoining the shower you might be able to locate the panel on that wall; if you don’t have a panel but do have the wall adjoining the shower you can save your tile but cut into the wall and create a panel.
- Cut the pipes attached to the old valve making the cuts 6 inches from where it is attached to the faucet. If the pipes come up from the floor, bend 90 degrees and connect horizontally to the valve, cut 6 inches below the elbows. Remember to cut the pipe leading to the showerhead.
- Remove the hardware that holds the old valve in place. Prepare the pipes for the new valve by soldering a 1/2-inch copper coupler onto each of the pipes. Prepare the new valve by attaching the brass sweat adapter to each water port and the outlet for the showerhead. Don’t forget to wrap plumbing tape around each adapter before you attach it, tighten with a wrench.
- Replace the hardware to secure the valve making sure to leave enough space from the front wall for the trim. Your instruction manual will have the proper distance. Once secure, test to make sure the trim fits. to avoid damaging the cartridge remove it from the valve when soldering the connections.
- Cut another 1/2-inch copper pipe, and attach it to the proper fittings that will connect the valve to the installed couplings. Before you solder it all together make sure you dry-fit everything to verify it fits, spread your flux on each joint and solder it with lead-free solder.
- After you have completed this install the cartridge, after checking all the connections turn on the water and look for leaks. Now that you verified there are no leaks close the wall up and install the shower escutcheon, handle, and showerhead.
Make sure you check with your local building department you might need a permit, check local codes to verify if your new valve needs to balance water pressure and limit temperature to prevent scalding. With all that down now you can sit back and relax at a job well done!
Decorate your Bathroom with Chrome
When designing, remodeling, or updating your bathroom, you’ll find that as you gather your ideas, a trend will emerge in what you are most interested in. If you are going for a sleek, modern look, you’ll find chrome accessories that suit your style. The same is true if you are looking for a more nostalgic or old-style look. You’ll also find lovely extras such as vanity chairs, lotion dispensers, glass canisters, and many other items with chrome trim that you can further decorate with.
Continue reading →Save With These Energy Tips
With the rising cost of energy, we are always looking for ways to save both energy and money. When purchasing our appliances, central units, and water heaters we look at the energy labels, we add more insulation to our homes during remodels or a new build because every little bit counts. But did you know there are little things that you can do to help reduce your energy bill and save money throughout the year?
Continue reading →Choose the Best Faucet For Your Bathroom
There is such a wide range of bathroom faucets on the market today. I bet you are confused and unsure of which one you want or what faucet would look best in your space. Well let’s start with the different styles of faucets so you have an idea of the uses and looks.
Continue reading →Planning Your New Bathtub
Buying a bathtub may seem easy. It may seem a no-brainer- just pick a color, choose the size and shape, and you’ll be walking out of the store with a designer bathtub. But this is not always the case. Know what you are looking for before making that purchase. At PlumbTile, our online Bath and Tile Design Showroom, you will be presented with a variety of products that will go well with your bathroom requirements. The site will help you consider different options, and not limit you to just the shape or color of tubs.
Continue reading →Easy Steps to Install a Faucet
For a big impact with a small investment for your bathroom or kitchen, consider changing the faucet! It’s a super easy, relatively low-cost improvement, that in some cases, can totally change the look and feel of your space!
Continue reading →Easy Steps to Install Your New Sink
Your shiny new bathroom sink, along with a new faucet and countertop, will jazz up your bathroom design as much as new flooring and accessories, and for a lot less money. Before you start the installation process though, make sure you have all the measurements you need to connect the sink to the drain including the inside the pipe fittings and how much space there is underneath your sink.
Continue reading →Get Your Bathroom Ready for Holiday Guests
The holidays are a time of togetherness, and togetherness means guests. Whether they be guests staying from out of town or simply guests visiting for a dinner party, their presence will not be confined to the family room or dining room. They will be traipsing in and out of your bathroom as well. Why not dress up your bathroom and make a great impression? Continue reading →