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Archive for April, 2012

April 25th, 2012 by steph

We’ve all been there; whether you’ve left the bath running too long or you have a clogged drain, overflowing bath pose a number of problems for homeowners. If it wasn’t your own neglect that caused your tub to overflow then Joe from Staunch and Flow Plumbers says it’s time to get your hands dirty and unclog that congested tub!

mouse in bath plughole

The worst kind of plughole blockage?

Bathtubs offer you a relaxing way of cleaning yourself and are generally very easy to clean and maintain. A bathtub is fantastic, except for when it starts to overflow. However, overflow is quite a common issue for many bath owners and the key is knowing how to fix it fast and effectively can be vital before the overflow causes any lasting damage to your bathtub.

If your tub is overflowing, you can usually attribute it to a faulty or clogged bath tub overflow (usually covered with a chrome plated cover above the tub drain near the top of the tub level). It functions to allow water to drain out of the bathtub in the event that the water is left on or the level of water gets too high when someone gets in and the water is displaced. Either that or a clogged drain will likely explain why your bath is failing to drain as it should.

There are a multitude of issues you could be encountering which could explain why your bath might be overflowing. The ideal thing to do is to take out whatever is blocking the tub’s drainage system before the problem gets any worse and you have to call in a plumber.

If you notice that soap suds or water is oozing out of your bath’s overflow as your bath drains out, there are a few things you need to do in order to resolve the issue. Try removing the screen in your tub and use thin pliers to help de-clog what’s wrapped around the metal inside. Usually it will be a thick mass of hair that will have been caught in the overflow mechanisms. You will then need to perform the somewhat disgusting job of removing all of this build-up and if you prefer a less messy way, try to use a wet/dry vacuum cleaner.

If that fails to work then try using a drain snake. Your clog might be deeper than expected and it can be used to pull out what’s clogging the drain. The final step you can try is to pour a strong acid solution into the clogged overflow, however you have to be careful as most acid will eat away at iron pipes and this step should only be considered if you are confident in the knowledge that your pipes are made from UPVC.

If none of these steps help to make your tub drain as it should, then you may want to consider calling in a plumber to help solve your overflow problems.

Joe Dart writes for Staunch and Flow Plumbers who are plumbers in London, working across the capital.

April 23rd, 2012 by steph

Today we welcome our first guest blogger to Branded Bathrooms, Liza who is a home decór blogger here to tell us how to make the bathroom appear larger.

There is nothing more luxurious than relaxing in a nice hot bath in a spacious bathroom. However, most often the bathroom is the smallest room in a house and is usually the room that gets the least amount of attention when it comes time to decorate.

large bathroom

Image source: Flickr Summit Design Remodelling

The following are some of my favorite hints, and tips for helping to make your bathroom appear larger than life and have a more elegant and luxurious feel that will make your bathroom the envy of all your friends. And all with just a few simple decorating tips and tricks that you would never have thought of.

1. Open Up The Floors For A Less Cluttered Look
Use a larger tile 18×18 on a diagonal plan instead of the traditional straight. This will make any bathroom appear larger than it really is. Keep everything off of the floors and out of sight. Place Storage bags on the back of the bathroom door if necessary to keep down on the clutter. That in itself will make a big difference.

2. Think About The Lighting
Consider the type of lighting that your bathroom has. Light fixtures that hang down seem to take up room even though they are small and not really in the way at all. Try using recessed lighting it will make that bathroom grow right before your very eyes.

Another lighting trick is to open up the windows. Instead of using blinds or curtains try some of the sticky back film that makes your windows appear to be frosted. It’s great for letting in light and it helps to insulate against letting in the elements.

3. Color And Texture: Keep It Smooth
Color and texture are sure fire ways to allow your walls to spread out as though your room has grown. You want to keep it soft and blended, let the walls and the counter tops sort of come together as one.

Even when it comes to your accessories, you’ll want to keep it toned down just a little on the colors. Stay with medium colors instead of bright or dark accessories and you’ll get the effect that you’re looking for.

4. Fixtures , Tub, Sinks, And Such
Keep away from the traditional bright chrome or brass fixtures of yesteryear, they don’t call enough attention to themselves. The newer darker more modern fixtures will capture people’s attention and they will simply assume that the bathroom they just left was massive.

Don’t use any more wall fixtures than absolutely necessary though as too many items crammed on the walls tend to clutter and and cause a room to appear smaller than it actually is.

5. Choose The Right Air Freshener
Believe it or not the air freshener that you choose for your bathroom can make it seem larger or smaller than it really is. Chose an air freshener that is clean and crisp like the air out doors not heavy or flowery.

Having a large luxurious bathroom may not be the most important thing in the world. However, being able to relax and unwind in a luxurious hot bath in a beautiful and elegant bathroom should be a luxury well worth spending a little time decorating the bathroom for.

The tips and tricks in this article are for the most part easy to do except for perhaps the tile in the first tip. In which case a person can easily learn to do at just about any home repair store. Most often they offer free workshops to teach their customers how to do their own projects.

Liza is a home décor blogger with a love of all things unique and unusual when it comes to decorating. Currently her most prized possession is her collection of Danish modern furniture.

April 20th, 2012 by steph

Giving a bathroom a complete overhaul is no simple task; refurbishing a room with so many features and fixtures is sure to get a little tricky for the everyday homeowner. As with most sizeable tasks, renovating a bathroom is much more manageable when broken down into simple, effective segments, any with our handy tips and ideas you’re sure to have a 5-star bathroom in no time at all!

Features with Benefits

There are some truly fantastic bathroom features available today, created not only to serve their primary purpose, but also to look great and double up as a relaxation or health aid. Modern day features such as the hugely effective whirlpool bathtub provides users with a deep relaxing bath, but simultaneously massages aching muscles and stimulates the body’s circulatory system. The steam room shower enclosure is another fixture with fantastic benefits; the enclosure steams and cleanses the user’s skin which can be fantastic after a hard day’s work or home workout.

Coordinated Accessories

It’s easy to enhance or create a colour scheme with the smaller features in your bathroom; items such as luxury towels, shower curtains, bathrobes, washcloths, soaps, candles and bathroom mats can all be bought in various colours and styles meaning you can create a theme and colour scheme of your own just by applying a matching colour to these bathroom accessories.

Time to Relax

The bathroom is one of the few rooms in the house in which we can truly unwind and take some time to relax. Adding a few features to your bathroom to aid and enhance your relaxation time is a great way to ensure you will be able to make the most of this time and feel well-rested and refreshed afterwards.

Items such as scented candles, soft music (played sensibly from another room or waterproof bathroom stereo) soft, comfortable towels from a heated rail and some luxurious hair and skin products are sure to add those perfect finishing touches to your bathroom and ensure you get the most from it when relaxing.

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April 11th, 2012 by steph

Cleaning the bathroom is generally something you’d rather put to the back of mind. But in doing so, you’re digging yourself quite a hole. Bathrooms are like a city centre train station, there always seems to be someone wandering in and out and queues aren’t uncommon either! If you’re guilty of putting off bathroom cleaning to the point where you actually feel grubbier after having a bath, it’s time to blitz that bathroom. Get the rubber gloves on, stick on the 80’s housework hits and psych yourself up for a bathroom cleaning bonanza!

bathroom cleaning

Image source: Flickr Ross Larocco http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosslarocco/161198496/

Toilet Turmoil

Unfortunately, toilets can take quite a beating which in turn causes their bowl to discolour. Nasty as it may be, you’re going to have to get the toilet brush in there if you want the sides to sparkle.

The best way to avoid a future messy clean-up job is to keep on top of it! If you’re not someone who has a great deal of spare time, and cleaning a toilet is at the bottom of your to-do list then simply splash some bleach in the bowl and have one of those toilet fresheners clipped to the rim so you have freshness with every flush.

Hair, There and Everywhere

How come bathrooms seem to be covered in hair these days?! There’s nothing worse than plugholes that clog because of the masses of hair entwined around the fixture. Not only does the drainage process slow down somewhat, you’ll find you get far more dirt and tidemarks in the bottom of your bath due to the ineffective drainage and dirt that sticks to the hair swilling around your tub (yuck!).

If the thought of grabbing your loved one’s hairs out of the drainage turns your stomach then get a pair of eyebrow tweezers and carefully pull the hairs away using them. If you or a family member is prone to moulting in the shower then you can buy a special drain attachment that sits on the top of your plughole and catches hairs. You simply empty it after every shower (so you know you’re only touching your own hair) and that prevents future clogging and poor drainage.

Reel in the Magpies

Magpies love shiny things and so do homeowners! A sparkling, shiny bathroom suite is far more appealing than one coated in a dull film of dust and grime. Make sure you maintain your mirror, bathroom suite, taps and anything else that holds the potential to gleam! Simple bathroom spray cleaners and multipurpose cleaning sprays should do the trick. Always have a cloth on hand to give everything a wipe over after use – you save yourself a big job in the long run!

Try your hardest to motivate yourself into keeping your bathroom clean, aside from saving you a huge job in the future, it will also enhance your showering/bathing experience!

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