Constant exposure to water and sedimentation or displacement of the walls of the bathroom can make grout around the tiles to crack. When this happens, it must be repaired to keep water away from the cracks. Over time, water may damage the structure and decompose the underlying layers. This will trigger costly repairs which could have been avoided by repairing the broken grout. This type of repair is a job that you can do yourself without hiring a professional.

Instructions

1. Cut the grout lines with a saw meant for that purpose. This is a hand tool that has a narrow diamond leaf. The blade is designed to fit inside the grout lines between the tiles. Move the saw back and forth as much as you can along the old grout.
2. Use an industrial vacuum to get up all the pieces and wet the tiles with a damp cloth.
3. Fill a 1-gallon (3.78 L) bucket with water to a depth of no more than 1 inch (2.54 cm). Pour the grout mixture into the bucket a little at a time. Mix the grout in the water with a 3 inches (7.62 cm) spatula. Continue adding the grout powder to the water until the mixture is slightly thicker than cake batter. The grout should be thick enough to stay on the spatula but thin enough that it can be spread.
4. Spread the grout between the tiles using the spatula. Do not cover larger than 3 by 3 feet (0.9 by 0.9 m) areas. Keep the leveling to 45 degrees and drag on the tiles. Collects excess grout with a spatula and place the surplus back into the bucket.
5. Fill a 5 gallon bucket (18.90 L) with hot water. Dip a sponge in water and wring it out. Hold the sponge flat on the tile, passing over the grout lines. Apply gentle pressure to the sponge and pass through the grout lines to soften. Move the sponge horizontally for horizontal grout lines and vertically for vertical grout lines.
6. Rinse the sponge often and repeat steps five and six for completion of the grouting.

Tips & Warnings

• If the grout is old and stained, replace the entire shower grout. Cut the grout lines with the saw deep enough so that it can contain all new grout.
• You can use a 4 1/2 inches (11.43 cm) grinder with a diamond carbide wheel to the extent that there is enough space between the tiles. If you use this method, be careful not to get too close to the tile as you can break it.
• Do not grout areas larger than 3 by 3 feet (0.9 by 0.9 m). The grout dries quickly and is extremely difficult to remove once it has dried.

Everyone knows that the bathroom is not the place with the most pleasant scent of home, but there is a limit to what you can expect. When the bath begins to smell like a septic tank or city sewer, it’s time to find out why. It is not uncommon to have a septic tank or smell of sewage in the bathroom of your house. Some simple observations will help you discover the source of the smell, and if you can repair it.

Dry traps

A trap is a plumbing fixture located under the lavatory and at the bottom of most of the drains, including your shower, toilets and more. The function of these traps is having enough water in the tube to form a seal, so that the malodorous gases or septic tank system drains do not leak into your home. If you notice septic odor, it is likely that a trap is dry and has allowed the gas to leak. The water may have evaporated traps if the drain is in a place where almost not used, as the shower or sink the guest room. All you need to do is pour water slowly into the drain and fill the trap to stop odors escaping from the line.

Clogged roof tubes

It might be understandable to assume that those pipes coming out of your roof vent pipes are left out gaseous odor of the septic tank, but they are not. Indeed are inlet tubes, when the toilet or otherwise shallow water drainage pipes empty, carry air with them. This air must be replaced. Ceiling tubes allow air to enter from outside to replace it when the air goes down the tubes. Without these tubes, the water reservoir would traps to replace the air, and it would make the smell from entering the home.

Privy seal

A wax seal serves to ensure that no water or gas main drain pipe to the floor of the bathroom when the toilet is flushed. Sometimes this seal is damaged or worn. This can cause small or large leaks around the base of the toilet. Sometimes the damage can be small enough that all that happens is the gas smell from below. If your toilet is not about a good seal, this could be the cause of your problem.

Intake valves

In places where roof outlets are not used, plumbers install an intake valve or mechanical ventilation to prevent siphoning of traps. These valves serve the same purpose as the roof jacks. If the valve fails, the trap may dry and remove the seal on the drain, allowing odors from entering the house. These valves are easily replaced and simply placed threading them as a focus. The valves are located near the traps under the sink or in a compartment in the wall above article.

The distribution stage is the first step to renovate or build a bathroom. Before adding the finishing touches, such as pavement or tiles, you must make a distribution of the main basic structures of pipes and elements most important, including bathtub, shower, toilet and sink. Before you do it, see building codes and local laws (in some areas only are allowed to make licensed plumbers).

The installation diagram thick or hidden

Normally, make a chart is the first step to install a bathroom. A simple diagram used to show the distribution of pipes and ventilation of the room, coming to every element of the bathroom lines. The diagram usually shows various pipe sizes, the elements used to unite and used for ventilation.

Designing the pipes

Once you’ve made the diagram, the first step in a bath physical distribution involves drawing the pipes and eliminated bringing the bathwater. Once you have marked the pipe system according to the diagram, you can try to check for leaks, even before connecting the toilet, sink and other elements. Use tongs to hold the elbows where the toilet and other items should be placed. Leave the water running in the system to check for leaks.

Installing toilets, bathtubs and sinks

Finally, the installation process involves connecting pipes from the bathroom to your appliances, such as toilets, bidets, tubs, showers and sinks. Usually, manufacturers provide the measures required by each device, which determine the ideal space between the nearest wall and drainage. For example, to toilets, the distance between the drain and the nearest wall is 12 inches (30 cm), sometimes known just as thick or hidden installation. In addition, this process might include installing basic valves, known as installing valves that control the flow of hot and cold water even before it reaches the tap of the device.

Permits

According to building codes in your area, you might have to apply for building permits for new construction or renovations either before or after the phase of thick or hidden installation. In some cases, you need to present the installation diagrams municipal housing department or association of the community to continue the process. Check all the requirements in your area to decide if you can do it yourself or if you need a licensed architect or a contractor do it for you.

For some years, technology has become an essential company of our day, and even of our interpersonal relationships. In most cases, technology has been created to improve people’s lives; that is why today we bring you some ideas to fill your home with technology, which will make your life a more enriching experience and, by the way, pay less for some services.

Smart TVs. Of course, a television is always a good companion for recreation at home; in recent years, companies have launched televisions with more and better functions to entertain everyone. It should be noted that new TVs are getting thinner, which will help you save space. They also use less electricity to function; so if you renew your old wide box television, you will save very good money on the electricity bill.

Video and audio services on demand. Consumption of content on demand has become popular in recent years, it is no longer necessary to wait until your favorite show is broadcast at a specific time; now you can make your life, without being tied to anything, and see your program at any time you prefer. Services like Netflix or spottily will help you enjoy your favorite music, movies and TV shows; and as they are cheaper than traditional media, you’ll save money for your next vacation.

Smart washing machines. This is one of the mandatory tasks in every home; fortunately, companies have developed technology to apply it to the cleaning of clothing. Now you can find, in all the shops and departments of white line, very advanced options to wash the clothes of your family; from washing machines that use the least amount of water possible, the ones that dissolve the liquid detergent better, to the ones that connect to your Wi-Fi network so that you can control them from wherever you are.

Electricity regulators. They are not yet so common in the market, but in the future we will all have one; at least if we want to take care of our electronic devices and, incidentally, pay less on the electricity bill. These small appliances work by plugging them into a household outlet, which will help regulate power consumption spikes, which helps prevent damage to your appliances.

No matter how big your home is, you’ll never have enough cabinets. It seems that cabinets, although many are always full and scarce. Maybe it’s an organizational problem, or maybe we like to have everything well organized. The subject is that the cabinets in the homes are always a good option but there is always a budget or space to be able to have robust cabinets in the rooms.

The sturdy cabinets need a lot of space and in addition, they are usually quite expensive, so it is ideal that if you need a storage space with a cupboard, think about the choice of cloth cabinets. These types of cabinets are versatile and will also help you have a better organization inside your home.

Cloth closets are ideal for placing in storage rooms, bedroom or other places where you need extra storage. It will help you to have everything well organized and that there is no lack of order in your home. So you can save and organize everything with many different solutions and a price appropriate to all pockets. To top it off, cloth cabinets are usually very easy to assemble and install anywhere in your home.

If you are in a time where you have in mind that you need more closets but you do not have a budget to have a sturdy wooden, nor a lot of space to install them permanently … It is time for you to opt for a cloth closet which will help you as a good storage add-ons.

These cloth closets take many years in the market, but not everyone knows them or know of their advantages for the home. What is clear is that if you test their use in your home, you will repeat and you will know that they will always be an affordable and convenient option to choose.

Cloth closets are ideal especially for storage rooms or for areas of the home where there is enough space to put a closet of this type. There are cabinets in many different forms, such as those with metal bars, metal or wooden structures and even veneer, with different designs, simple or with interior storage to have different sections, there are different colors, etc.

The important thing is that the structure you choose is strong enough to hold everything you want to put inside it. Also there are that have zipper to be well closed or that the fabric doors are rolled to open it and to close it. It will depend on your tastes and interests that you choose a wardrobe style or another, this way you can have a cloth closet that suits your needs.

As for the fabric that is used to create cloth closets and put it on the metal, wood or sheet metal structure, it is usually plastic, nylon, canvas, cotton, among others. It will depend on the budget or the functions that you want the cabinet to choose one type of fabric or another.

Advantages of fabric cabinets

The main advantage of these cloth cabinets is that they are economical and very versatile (they usually cost between a little more than 20 euros and less than 5o), and you will also have the clothes or items that you want to organize in a closed place without danger that is deteriorate by air or dust.

Besides you can have them for the storage room, you can also have them for your bedroom since there are models with very attractive designs. So if you have a bedroom that is not very large and you do not want to take up too much space with a more robust closet, then a cloth closet is the best choice for you.

You can choose a wardrobe with a traditional design, more or less large depending on the space you have in your bedroom.

Types of screen cabinets

Another advantage you should keep in mind when it comes to storage is that they are comfortable, and there are different types so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs and interests. In the current market you can find cloth cabinets of different types:

Simple fabric closets, with a simple structure that is usually closed with a zip. It is usually used to store jackets, dresses, among others.

High fabric closets, usually have shelves to store folded clothes also have a bar to hang hangers.

The planning and construction of a new extension to your house is a great project because it is an excellent way to invest money and make profits when the value of future market house increases. However, the original cost per foot square (929.03 cm²) for an extension can be high and requires tight budgets.

Construction attachments

Most extensions require a completely new construction, since the elements foundational to new materials for roofs and gutters. Basically, this is almost as much as building a new house, so owners often use new construction costs to calculate how much they have to spend homes. Overall, in 2011 cost between US $ 100 and US $ 300 per square foot (929.03 cm²) build a new house, like most expansions, not including any extension or complicated furniture as canteens, but electricity, plumbing and other necessities.

Reshuffle

For some owners, the line between expansion and remodeling is very vague, as they may seem easier to remodel a house and increase its size at the same time. These remodeling costs are very similar to the price of new housing construction in 2011 ranged between US $ 115 and US $ 250 per square foot (929.03 cm²) for remodeling a single room with an extension. A two-story extension tends to start at the highest limit of US $ 175, while an expansion of multiple rooms down to the range between US $ 150 and US $ 325.

Variants

There are important factors that affect the price variations of the expansion of a house. One is the location, as labor and material prices always vary from place to place; but the main factor is the quality of materials that homeowners choose, because wood costs more than the carpet and the price of the stone is greater than vinyl, and so prices may rapidly increase to US $ 300 and more with the choice of high-end materials. For this reason, it may be difficult to create averages without having an idea of ​​what the owner wants.

Expansion of existing spaces

Build additional space may not seem an extension, if not in many cases allow homeowners to change the attic or basement for a new meeting. In this case, prices are much lower because the basic structure is already built. Basements can cost around US $ 40 per square foot (929.03 cm²), while the attic can cost less, equal or more depending on the electrical system and the existing pipe.

Many people do not like the feeling of being constantly monitored while using their own backyard. Whether dealing with nosy neighbors peeking over the fence or from a taller building facing your garden, think that there are plants available to help protect your privacy, such as those that grow above your fence or fence, adding an additional level of protection against the curious. If you want this problem to be solved immediately, be sure to select a fast growing species.

Bamboo

Bamboo is one of the best options to earn privacy in your garden thanks to its ability to grow and spread. There are two general types of bamboo: those that expand very quickly and they grow and are grouped in clumps. The former can grow 3-5 feet (90 cm to 1.5 m) annually and also extend at a similar pace. Bamboos grow and spread kills only 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) each year.

Bamboo plants are very hardy and often thrive quite well in a variety of conditions but prefer clay soils and growing environment in which their roots are covered completely with mulch. Each stem is called cane and can live for over 10 years. Most copies are tailored after pruning (try cutting just above a node on the stem to the desired height) making it easy to maintain a uniform height. However, be careful and do not forget the rapidity with which all types of bamboo spread because they can invade your garden if you do not regularly pruning or delete unwanted canes.

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus Syracuse)

The Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus Syracuse) is a kind of tall shrub or small deciduous tree. Reaches a height of 8 to 12 feet (2.4 and 3.6 m) and extends between 6 and 10 feet (1.8 to 3 m) wide. Plants have a cup shape, so that the top is usually wider than the lower trunk. This feature is a very good option to provide much privacy as possible over your fence.

Try to space each Rosa de Sharon to 2 or 3 feet (90 cm to 1.20 m) apart to allow the plants form a fence as they grow. Just pruning is necessary to maintain its shape. As a bonus, these plants also produce every year, lots of beautiful and vibrant purple flowers, purple, white, pink and red between 2 and 4 inches in diameter (5 to 10 cm). This plant is tolerant to a variety of growing conditions, but needs a good watering good routine, plus they flourish best if partially protected when the sun is at its strongest point.

Tuna Canada (Thai occidentals)

The tuna Canada (Thai occidentals) is an evergreen tree also known as tree of life “mission.” It is a good choice for use as plant privacy in cold climates. The specimens of this species can grow several feet per year, so part of the fastest to get a dense privacy fence method. The tuna Canada tends to grow in a pyramid, so it is necessary to plant specimens close together, to completely cover the area that interests you. These trees prefer moist and alkaline soils, but also adapt to acids or dry soils and usually do best in full sun or partial shade. Beware if you have pets that like to chew the plants, since all parts of the tuna Canada are toxic if ingested.

Tulip Tree (Liriodendron Liriodendron)

Despite its English name (tulip poplar or tulip poplar), the tulip trees belong to the family of magnolias. The specimens of this species grow rapidly, up to 6 feet (1.8 m) per year, which can quickly create a privacy screen that will rise above or near your fence. In his mature phase, this tree can reach a height of between 80 and 120 feet (24 and 36 m) and a width of 30 or 40 feet (9-12 m). However, given its large size, it can exhaust nearby plants. Tulip-tree has green leaves that turn a vibrant yellow in autumn with green and yellow flowers in spring. Prefer an average amount of moisture, because it will not do well in soggy or too dry soils.

A shower warm is a refreshing way to relax the body. However, the closed area bathroom accumulates a large amount of moisture from the shower running water. Moisture appears like a mist around the bath, which requires adequate ventilation to the outside of the house. A bathroom fan and accompanying ducts need a specific location and be designed for more efficient air movement.

Replacing the fan

The bathroom fan must reside near the shower, but not right on it. An owner can use a search engine to locate tool plugs the rafters before deciding on a location for permanent installation of the fan. The roof beams keep the upper structural frame of the building and cannot be altered. Designers can determine the best channel for the architecture of that particular building once the fan has a permanent installation location.

Composition duct

The best type of fan ducts for a bathroom is short and stiff corner hardware suggests using sheet metal ducts for a smooth internal surface. The rigid and smooth surface allows faster movement of air from the bathroom to the outside, and dampens noise and air movement fan. The duct should be as short as possible to prevent moisture buildup inside.

Shape of the duct

The pipe diameter should not be less than 3 or 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) Hardware Corner says. A duct of smaller diameter reduces fan efficiency bath, causing additional noise and strain on the fan motor. Ducts should also remain as straight as possible. The multiple curves in the same hinder the efficiency of air movement, which in turn reduces the efficiency of the fan to exhaust moist air bath.

Attaching conduit

The conduits may leave the building in three different ways. The baths have no room in the attic above them moist air can vent through an outer wall. The bathrooms home with loft above usually tend pipes through a roof vent. A bathroom with a close ceiling or eaves, strategically hidden vent outdoors in the bottom of the structure of the suspended ceiling of the house, the owner must determine the best placement for the individual household conduit, while maintaining installation of short straight line, regardless of the position of the outer end ventilation.

Benefits

Moisture trapped inside a bathroom contributes to the growth of mold on the walls and moldy tile grout, a strategically designed bath fan duct and the combination eliminates the sticky fog room, preserving the structural integrity thereof. Eventually, a bathroom with peeling paint exhibits insufficient ventilation, as well as possible damage to the underlying framework of wood and insulation.

Effective use of fan

Turn on the ventilator for at least 20 minutes after using the bathroom shower. This time period allows the fan and vent ducts humid air effectively. In fact, some bathroom fans are manufactured with timers. The owner sets the timer, allowing the fan to run and off at a specific time, which is very useful when a person has to leave the house quickly after a shower.

Concrete mixes are made ​​from a ratio of 3 items cement, water and aggregate which is sand and rock. Sometimes, other additives may be added to the mixture for special purposes, such as accelerating the drying process. No proper configuration of the concrete mix, just proportions. Note that the blends may vary depending on the purpose for which the concrete is to be prepared.

Portland cement and water

Portland cement, when mixed with water, forms a paste which joins all aggregate materials. Water is added to the cement reacts chemically with it to begin the drying process. The amount of water affects the thickness and the ability to work the paste was formed. The less water there is in the mix, stronger and less permeable is the cement produced. Here, the ratio of water and cement is the most important factor that affects the quality of concrete.

Aggregates

The sand is used as a fine aggregate and gravel, or crushed stone, part of the course. The stronger concrete used the hardest mixed with the largest aggregate coarse sand and good. For finer finishes or delicate concrete, use smaller and sand stones. For structures such support, large stones strengthen the finished concrete. Moreover, smaller aggregates are required for one that will be pumped.

Proportions of water to cement

The proportions of water generally around 50%, in severe conditions of sulfate, the Uniform Building Code 1997 recommends a maximum of 45% water in the proportion of cement. For conditions where this material will be exposed to severe conditions of freezing and thawing, the maximum rate is 50%.

The permeability or the tendency to absorb water increase exponentially if a mixture of concrete has a higher proportion than the 50% note that durability and strength will also decrease, A proportion of 45% can withstand about 4500 pounds per square inch (2,401 kilograms per square cm), whereas a proportion of 50% only withstand about 4000 psi (1,814 kilograms per square cm).

Formulas

A suitable proportion of water to cement is obtained by dividing the amount of water with equal volume of cement. One cubic yard (0.76 cubic meters) of water weighs about 235 pounds (106.5 kilograms), with 470 pounds (213 kilograms) of concrete will have a share of 50%. When you calculate the gallons (liters) of water, multiply the number of gallons by 8.33 to obtain the number of pounds (liters) of water. A formula to add water to cement 2-2-1 could use a cubic yard (0.76 cubic meters) of water, a cubic yard (0.76 cubic meters) of concrete and half cubic yard (0.38 cubic meters) aggregate. Speak well with your concrete supplier to inform you about the best mixing ratio must be used for the job you’re going to do. He can make several suggestions, but up to you to make the final decision for the type of work you are going to perform.

The fundamental tips for safety in your home

So, to make this a little easier, from the ADT Security Blog we want to share with you the top 5 tips to make your home safer:

• First of all become an example, and do not do things that can mimic the smallest and are dangerous.
• Keep out of the reach of children all medicines and other substances dangerous to them.
• It is advisable that the whole family has basic knowledge of first aid (something very useful is that you all aim at a course, for example).
• Replace your fire alarm battery every six months. Put a reminder on your calendar.
• Use things for what they are: if you want to get up to get something, use a ladder, not the first thing you can stack and find it by hand.
• Using the “what if” questions and incorporating the “visualization” you will begin to see all that can go wrong by wrong decisions and by excessive relaxation in the security of your home. This will make your home safer and, above all, improve the safety of your family.