Faucet, One Of The Most Important Accessories In The Bathroom.

Faucet, one of the most important accessories in the bathroom that people often ignore, which they think that they can use any type and any size of faucet. Instead, they give priority to choosing design of flooring tiles, colour of lavatory or other furniture design and seem that faucet is almost the last thing that you consider to by.

There are some important factors that you have to consider. First is the usage and functions that have to match to your needs. Second, you have to choose colour and design of faucets to match to the style and decoration of the bathroom. Third, you should consider about other function of the faucet such as whether it has the switch for hot-cold water adjustment so you have to be careful if you have elder and children in your family and you want to use this type of faucet.

The function of faucets has been developed these days. For example, the faucets brand called Grohe has the function that a thermo strut will control automatic temperature adjustment every time the tap being used or the cold water are allocated to be used by any function in the house. Beside, this brand also use ceramic valve, which believed that is the most effective material for controlling on-off valve.

Apart from factor above that you have consider, which about its function and design, you should also consider about following;

1. The wall-fixed faucet has disadvantage when you have to service, fix or replace. You may have to crack down the wall in order to replace the faucet, which very time consuming and also use a lot if money. So you should use the type that easy to install in order to avoid this problem.

2. The faucet should not have pattern on its texture or skin, because it is very difficult to clean.

3. The material that made the faucet should be easy to clean, but doesn?t have to be very shiny, but should not be easily dirty and got scratch.

Today, the wall-fixed type had been developed and we do not have to break the wall in order to replace a new one. But you have to be aware that not all model and brand has this type of function, so you still need to consider carefully. The chemical that can get rid of stain on a tap very effectively is the mild Citric Acid, which will help you to clean soap stain, mould very easily and good for the environment.

From what I mention above, you will realise that choosing faucet for a bathroom is not an easy job and should not be ignore, as there are many factor that you have to consider. If you think very carefully o which type of faucet that you will use at first, you will never have problems or if some problem happens it will not a big deal that will make to crazy, until you design to change the new one.

Home Faucet Bath Towels

Cabinets - Easy Ways To Find Matching Faucets

It is amazing that the tiniest thing that can make a major difference in the look and feel of a great kitchen, but if your challenge involves aging kitchen faucets then you should well consider replacing them altogether. Forget trying to fix the old ones as it is much more cost effective and a much simpler procedure to install new, more practical, and more stylish faucets. There are so many options available to suit your needs, and when you take the plunge you can complement your kitchen?s theme and overall d?cor that you can get pleasure from. You can choose from varied faucets that match your d?cor and find the perfect kitchen accessories to complement your cabinets, sinks, countertops, and your kitchen?s overall decoration.

The benefits you will get from replacing your kitchen?s faucets are wide. You can enjoy finding all the accessories you need that fit in perfectly with your room?s d?cor. At the same time you will be adding class and style, not to mention sleek and modern styled faucets by just simply replacing the old ones. Your kitchen?s practicality and the lives of your family and yourself will improve dramatically because of the range of practical features that modern faucets offer. You will have the fun experience of choosing from so many amazing designs, features to suit you, and styles. You have the option of copper, chrome, brass, stainless steel and others, and all these are designed to give you what you want without damaging your pocket book. Other vital options you can choose from include the special featured faucets ? double or single handled, filtered, wall mounted, mixer, shower and so many more.

Fact ? shopping for your faucet needs on the Internet will save you heaps of money, but give you a much broader selection to choose from. Many high-end manufacturers offer fantastic deals on the Internet for faucets, giving you even more value for your money. You can take the time to make comparisons between the varied faucets and locate the features and designs that you want, while enjoying the benefits of money saving options, and delivery services that are both convenient and simple. Then, when your new faucets arrive, you do not have to be bothered with plumbing costs because you can easily install modern faucets in no time at all.

Fact ? whatever your personal kitchen d?cor or theme, you can start complementing it by doing your own installation of new and stylish kitchen faucets and benefit from the added look that it gives to your current kitchen accessories. It is truly a wonderful, low-cost way to benefit your current kitchen with a new look and increased functionality.

Ken Morris publishes primarily for http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com , a web page on countertops . You can see his contributions on kitchen faucets on his site

How to clean a faucet aerator

Cleaning a faucet aerator is one of the most common basic tasks that need to be done now and then. The necessity of doing this becomes evident once some symptoms, such as weak water pressure or water coming out in odd directions appear, and many times this starts happening so slowly and progressively that we do not realize of the problem until the faucet aerator is very dirty.

In order to clean a faucet aerator you do not need to turn the water supply off, although it is recommendable that the drain in which you will work is closed, since you will have to handle small parts and otherwise you could loose them. You should unscrew the tip of the faucet carefully, making sure you don't loose any of its parts.

Once the aerator is removed, make sure you remember how the different small parts that came out with it were placed, or screwing them back might become difficult. Wash and clean all the pieces that came out since most of them might be dirty and have rust. If any of the parts becomes too difficult to be cleaned, you should soak them in white vinegar for about five minutes and then try to remove the dirt with a small brush or a toothbrush.

Also, a pin or a similar tool can be very useful for cleaning some of the parts of the faucet aerator. You might have to work with patience and paying attention to small details, but it shouldn't take very long and after the work is done it is rewarding to see how the water comes much more powerful and better directed than before.

After making sure everything is as clean as possible, you will be ready to order the parts as they were and screw the aerator back into its original place. Tighten it with your hand as good as possible and then check for any leaks. If you find water leaking from its sides, it will need to be screwed tighter. You can use pliers to unscrew or screw the faucet aerator if necessary.

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Home Building - Kitchen Sinks & Faucets

It wasn't long ago when homeowners had two choices when it came to selecting a new kitchen sink - cast iron or stainless steel. There were fewer choices of colors or shapes, and no options for customized sink accessories. Today, homeowners have a multitude of sink choices to help personalize their kitchen. With this new bounty of sink options, comes the challenge of picking out the right kitchen sink for your home. Here's a guide to help you make sense out of all the various materials and styles that are available to you:

Stainless steel is the most popular and usually the least expensive option. But don't go too cheap - look for sinks made from 18- to 20-gauge steel. A general rule of thumb is that the lower the gauge, the heavier and more durable the steel. The chrome and nickel content of the steel also affects quality. The ideal combination is 18% chrome and 8% nickel, because chrome adds strength and the nickel prevents corrosion.

The pros to using stainless steel are it complements commercial-style appliances, can be molded as a continuous part of a stainless steel countertop, won't chip and is easy to clean. The cons are it will show scratches, but over time it will develop a natural patina - if you can wait that long. Thinly gauged steels will dent and make noise, so to combat these cons, choose a model with a satin texture finish. They are available in both undermount and drop-in models. One word of caution though: If you want to undermount a stainless steel sink, the countertop must be a solid material and not a laminate (due to water exposure, laminates can eventually separate and bubble). Average cost of a stainless steel sink is between $350-$800.

Cast Iron Sinks feature an iron base coated with an enamel finish. While there are many colors to choose from, this type of sink is susceptible to chipping (exposing the black surface underneath, which is susceptible to rusting) and staining. When it comes to installation, cast iron is one of the most difficult because these sinks are heavy and bulky in nature. It also has limited undermount installation options. Expect to pay between $300 to $1500.

Composite sinks are available in three common forms - polyester/acrylic, quartz composite and granite-based. Of all the types of composite sinks available, polyester/acrylic are the lowest performing in terms of scratch and stain resistance, as they are made from soft materials that can cut and nick easily, but because of its shiny look and multitude of color choices - it remains an appealing choice for homeowners. And it's the cheapest composite sink on the market, ranging from $300 to $500. Quartz composite sinks provide a much more durable surface than polyester/acrylic because it's made of 70 percent quartz and 30 percent resin filler. These sinks can resist everyday cuts, scuffs and dents and can easily stand up to harsh cleaning materials or liquids that can stain other sinks. Granite-based sinks are the toughest sinks on the market. It won't scratch, rust, dent, burn or crack, but it will cost you some extra money. If you have your heart set on a glossy finish, than you'll want to explore other composite sinks, because granite-based sinks are only available in matte finish.

Solid Surface sinks are made from solid synthetic sheets which are formed by mixing a mineral compound with polyester and/or acrylic resins. The benefits to using a solid surface sink are that it can be molded from the same piece of solid surface that you use on your countertop, comes in a multitude of colors and designs and you can sand out the scratches. The average cost is around $300 to $700.

Types of Sinks

Self-rimming sinks are the least expensive and most common option. Its edges lap the countertop.

Undermounted and integral sinks are sinks where the edges are hidden. Undermounted sinks attach below the countertop. An integral sink is made out of the same material as the countertop and is fused to it, creating a seamless transition. Stainless steel, solid surface, and composite materials are flexible enough to mold integral sinks. The benefits of both these sinks is that they give a clean look and provide easy cleanup - no rims to push crumbs over.

Farmhouse sinks (also called apron sinks) feature an exposed front that sometimes juts past the front of the cabinetry that surrounds it. They are commonly used in kitchens with a rustic or country-style d?cor and the bowl itself is usually deeper than average. They often have no deck, so the faucet and other accessories are mounted directly into the countertop behind the bowl.

Note: By going with a flat bottomed sink and steep, straight side walls, you will greatly increase your usable sink space.

Sink Styles

The most common sink configurations are single bowl, double bowl, triple bowl and main sink plus a prep sink.

Single bowl sinks are great if you're tight on space or enjoy having some extra space when you're rinsing pots and pans.

Double-bowl sinks are usually configured where both bowls are the same size so you can use one side to wash your dishes and the other side to rinse them. You can also opt for one large bowl and a smaller bowl to use as a prep sink for cleaning fruits and vegetables.

Triple-bowl sinks give you the wash-and-rinse function plus a smaller prep sink, which usually has a garbage disposal built in.

Prep sinks are most commonly found on a separate kitchen island or by the stove, because it offers the added convenience of not having to drag your food from the main sink to your prep counter.

Sink Accessories

If you like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen you might want to check out some of these options - cutting boards that fit securely on the sink's sides and that have holes to empty scrapes through (works best when the sink has a garbage disposal attached), colanders that hang on the side, a garbage disposal, dish racks that fit into the basin and hot water dispensers. A note about garbage disposals - you want a high horsepower garbage disposal that can handle tough foods like meat scraps. If you're worried about noise using a larger horsepower, just be sure you have a wide dampening collar, because it greatly reduces the noise.

Faucets

In general your faucet will have its own style based on the shape of its handle or handles, its height and its accessories. Keep in mind that your faucet should be chosen to compliment the architectural theme you've created with your countertops, cabinetry and appliances. Faucets also offer a lot in the way of options - adjustable heights, spray and swivel features and multiple colors and finishes.

Don't forget about your sink when you choose your faucet, because if you have a self-rimming sink it comes with predrilled holes so you'll need to make sure your faucet will fit. You can pick any faucet you like if your sink is undermounted or integral, because the holes are drilled by the installer after you've picked out your faucet.

Here's a few things to consider to help choose a faucet that's right for you.

Handles Handles should be chosen to compliment your kitchen. The traditional style is a two-handled faucet with one knob for hot water and the other for cold water, which allows for independent control of both. However, faucets with one handle are becoming increasingly popular because you can enjoy the convenience of single-handedly controlling your water temperature and volume. Handles come in a thousand varieties, from cross-handles to wrist-blade lever styles.

Finish Look for a long-lasting, low maintenance finish to compliment your decor. Your choices are quite extensive and include chrome plating, nickel plating, white enamel, brass, colored epoxy, platinum, porcelain, bronze, stainless steel and gold or silver. The favored finishes are chrome and brass because they are easy to maintain and very durable. A word of caution if you go with brass - it requires a special protective coating to prevent it from tarnishing. For lots of color options and easy cleanup go with an epoxy finish.

Material When it comes to the faucet's main material, your two best options are solid brass or plastic. Solid brass comes highly recommended because it is a much tougher material than plastic and can handle extreme temperatures. Internally, your faucet will control the flow of water using either rubber washers, a plastic or ceramic cartridge, a plastic, brass, or stainless steel ball valve, or a ceramic disk. A ceramic disk is recommended for the same reasons as solid brass.

Spout and spray A basic kitchen faucet has a standard spout that rises only slightly in height from the faucet body to its tip. A high-arc faucet (also known as high-neck or gooseneck) has a spout that increases dramatically in height, often as high as ten inches or more. This allows for easy rinsing of large pots and presents an elegant look in any kitchen.

Note: If your design calls for a sink with two or three bowls, the length and flexibility of the spout is important. A long spout with a reach of 12- to 14-inches may be called for, as well as one that swivels at least 180 degrees to reach the different bowls. Spouts can be straight, short, elongated, curved, and high-rise, with an integrated spray that pulls out or pulls down.

It's hard to imagine a kitchen faucet that doesn't have some kind of retractable sprayer for washing vegetables and rinsing large pots, which is why almost all faucet manufacturers sell a system with a sprayer - a traditional side sprayer or a modern pullout spray.

Dripless Faucets Think longevity when you're installing anything that has to do with water. Consider how long a new faucet will last without dripping. Faucets should offer long-term performance and be drip-free for life - of course the operative word is should. To help minimize the chances of dripping it is best to use ceramic disc valving, because it's very durable and leak resistant.

Scald Protection This may not seem that important to you if you don't have children, but you may someday, so why not add an anti-scald feature to your faucet for a few more dollars.

Look for quality An inexpensive faucet may look as good as the more expensive one, but don't be fooled - it won't last long. Your flag should go up when plastic is used on integral parts, washers are controlling the flow of water (should have ceramic disks or replaceable cartridges) and are lightweight. Plummer bills will be far more costly down the road, than purchasing a high quality faucet from day one.

Get enough holes When you buy a new sink, you'll need to decide how many holes you will need in the "deck" - the flat part behind the bowls. Depending on the style of faucet you choose, you will need one to three holes to accommodate the taps and spigot. More holes will be needed for a hot-water dispenser, a spray accessory (if it's not part of the faucet) or a built-in soap dispenser. It's difficult, but not impossible, to add holes once the sink is in place, so get as many as you think you'll ever need.

Off-set drains By placing the drains to one side you'll gain more flat space for stacking dishes and glasses and create more usable space under the sink. Offset drains also allow water to drain, even if a large pan or tray is soaking in the sink.

Web or divider For double bowl sinks, make sure the web divider between the two bowls is lower than the outside sink walls. This will provide overflow protection by allowing water to flow from one bowl to the other.

Trends in Faucets and Sinks

Bigger is better, when it comes to kitchen sinks. The new trend in the kitchen is installing a large, single-bowl sink - which is more efficient for rinsing and washing, especially large pots and pans. The standard single bowl sink is 25 inches, but now people are looking for bowls that are 30 to 36 inches.

Rims are out! The majority of new homeowners are spending the extra money (about a couple hundred more) to get an undermounted or integral sink. It not only looks great, but it is very functional.

Pullout spray faucets and satin nickel or stainless steel finishes are very popular. Another trend is towards decorative faucets, which help add a little spice to your kitchen. If you want a sleeker style and finish then satin nickel or oil-rubbed bronze are worth checking out. Oil-rubbed bronze is a unique finish which gives a weathered, natural look that changes into a nice patina. For a more rustic/country look you can go for a farm or apron sink.

People like the idea of having a sink on the island where the cooktop is because they won't have to worry about dripping back and forth from the sink to the stove. For an added touch on your island you can get a small basin installed. It may look like just a pottery bowl, but it has real plumbing and is attached to the wall.

Pot-filler faucets are also becoming popular, because people don't want to have to keep running back to the sink to fill a pot. This faucet is attached right by the stove and folds back against the wall when you're not using it.

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Gold Plated Faucets - Golden Glory

Making a home look magnificent, royal and one-of-its-kind is not an easy task. Even if the owner has the financial capacity to enhance the home, it is essential to have the vision to decorate the home. Often, owners decorate the entire house very tastefully but neglect one very important part of the house. The bathroom is an equally and in fact even more important part of the home and must be decorated in the most elaborate way. One of the most majestic ways of embellishing the bathroom is to have gold plated faucets fitted in it.

Sparkling Clean

The bathroom is more than just a utility area for many people. Our day begins with a visit to the bathroom. Also, after a long and tiring day at work, there is no better way to relax than having a nice hot shower or relaxing in the favorite tub. All this makes the bathroom extremely important. Therefore there is every reason to make this place very special. The sign of a plush bathroom can certainly be seen from its arrangements and from its accessories. The faucets in the bathroom are very important and must be carefully fitted. The bathroom definitely looks awesome if there are gold plated faucets in it. The golden plating makes the faucets sparkle in the lights and also gives a very pure feeling to the individual. There are different kinds of faucets available like chrome plated, nickel plated, ceramic and many other kinds of faucets. However, the glow that the gold plated faucets give cannot be compared to any other type of faucet.

The gold used for plating the faucets can be different specifications. Needless to say that 24-carat gold would definitely have the greatest effect and make the faucets look brilliantly sparkling. Especially, when gold is used for plating the stainless steel body of the faucets, the overall effect that it has is sensational. A very important advantage of the gold plated faucets is that it does not get stained or flawed with time, unlike other metals.

Gold plated faucets in the bathroom are the perfect choice in lavish homes. They would surely give the feeling of a royal bath each time an individual is in the bathroom.

The author specializes in finding as much information as possible about all aspects of improving your home. For lots of home improvement, home decor and great ways to make your home your castle visit: http://www.didyouknowthisabout.com

Replacing a Faucet is Something You Can Do!

In order to determine the market value of a home, experts and buyers alike will form their opinions around two very important rooms; the kitchen and the bathrooms. As this is commonly known, many people will choose to do a remodeling project on these rooms in order to increase the value of their home. To accomplish the project, there are inevitably going to be some jobs which involve a degree of plumbing expertise. If you are a do it yourself type of person, then it is important to realize that plumbing is not an area that can be glossed over. The proper installation of piping and the individual faucet alike are imperative in order to save time and money in the future. In order to determine what you will be able to handle on your own during the project, make sure that you are aware of the different tasks that the plumbing on the project will entail.

Most do it yourselves do not have a problem when it comes to admitting that plumbing is an area in which their knowledge is limited. While the job may seem hard to understand, the fact is that there are a lot of plumbing jobs that a novice can undertake with confidence that he will be successful. There are many resources available to those who want to try a task on their own, including sources found in books, magazines, and on the Internet. Most of the really good sources will not only include step by step instructions but also clear diagrams on the procedures. Some tasks, such as putting in a new faucet or a tap, are easy enough to do on your own. Other more involved tasks, like replacing a lot of pipes or extending pipe systems, will require the help of trained professionals.

One way to decide what you can undertake yourself and what you will need a pro for is to create a detailed plan before commencing the project. This will help you decide which areas you will need help in, and when that help will be needed. You can also use this plan to set up a schedule in advance with the plumber who you want to do the work.

Good plumbing is a crucial element in the value of your home. It will not necessarily add equity, since plumbing is invisible and sadly what people care about is only what they can see. However, bad plumbing will definitely work to decrease the value of your home in the case of a breakdown. If you have doubts about your capabilities on a project, make sure that you are not afraid to call a plumber.

Being passionate about kitchen cabinet, Johnathan Bakers has been authoring numerous newsletters on this specific topic. Working on his publications like http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com , the columnist affirmed his expertise on areas relating to kitchen faucets

Kitchen Faucets And Maintenance

Faucets in your house will not cease to function properly at a very frequent pace, but when a faucet packs it in it can cause quite a mess in your home. The most important part of preventing a really bad faucet accident that can cause considerable damage to a house is proper faucet maintenance. In other words, make sure that you take care of the problem as soon as you see kitchen faucets start to drip, instead of waiting to see how much water damage your kitchen cabinet can take! Most indoor plumbing problems are easy to remedy, even for the novice handyperson. There are some common leak problems within homes, and this article will help you decide how to deal with them.

The first common problem is leaky pipe joints within the kitchen. In the average house, the kitchen sees as much water flowing through it in a given day than any of the bathrooms. It is not surprising, then, that joints will spring leaks as time passes. In order to repair leaks, first locate the valve that controls the water output in the sink. Once you have located it, shut the water off. Next, remove the joint that is leaking and hold it up to the light. You should see light filtering through any holes or cracks in the line, and these need to be replaced. This can be done with plumber's tape, but make sure to wrap it tightly around the damaged portions. Once this is done, replace the joints and turn the water back on. If there is still a leak, you might have to repeat the process and check other areas, such as the fittings.

Another common problem area, especially in colder climates, is that pipes may freeze. This problem can be pretty annoying, as home owners will not always know which pipe it is that is frozen and is causing the problem. First, turn on all the faucets in your house. The ones that are not putting out water are the ones where the frozen pipe is attached. Shut off the faucets that are producing water and leave the other valves open. Now you will have to turn off the valve that brings water into the house.

There are several ways to thaw a pipe once you have located the frozen one. Determine the material the pipes are made of; a blow dryer or a heat gun can be used to thaw them out, but too much heat on a plastic line might melt it. If the ice plug formed due to a hole or crack in the pipe, you will want to repair it before your job is complete. In order to prevent more frozen pipes in the future you should consider wrapping them with insulation or heat tape, or building a heated space for the pipes to run through.

Jerry Blackburn very often publishes online reports on news associated to kitchen cabinet and countertops. You can learn about his work on kitchen faucets over at http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com