Wednesday, April 21, 2010

How to Install Propane Tankless Water Heaters

Are you itching to replace your old water heater with a propane tankless water heater? Then you may have realized how much savings you can generate by opting for propane tankless water heaters. Compared to traditional water heaters, they can save up to 30% in energy costs since hot water is not stored in the water tank for a long time. In a tankless propane heater, hot water goes out of the faucet whenever you need it. You will also not have to worry about setting the water temperature since most of them come with a temperature control function.

In installing a tankless propane water heater, fix the heater first. Using a mounting template, find the anchor holes to put in the mounting hardware. Since the heater can be very heavy, screws should be installed into the studs instead of just using plywood.

Next, put the pipe to the gas supply. Check on the installation guide to determine the right pipe size for the gas supply. Turn off the gas and place the pipe from the heater to the gas supply. Put in a drip pipe to trap rust, and dust in the heater. Make sure there are no leaks in the joints by using water and soap. After this, eliminate compressed air from the pipe before linking it to the heater.

It is now time to install the water line to the system. First, turn off water and place the pipe from the gas supply to the water heater inlet. Place the pipe from the heater outlet into the erstwhile hot water pipe. Get rid of the water line and check if the inlet fiber has been installed before linking it to the heater. Remove the pipe after its first use to remove any debris from the filter.

The final step is installing electricity. Unplug first the water heater, and tap your external electrical circuit for the water heater. Install a receptacle at least 5 feet from the heater. Unplug the heater, place a 22 gauge wire in between the box and heater, and then run the wires to the terminals.

This is a simple guide on how to install propane tankless water heaters. Follow this guide and within minutes, you should be enjoying hot water without paying too much for your electricity consumption.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Create Unique Bathroom Designs by Incorporating Bamboo Vessel Faucets

If you are hoping to achieve a unique and striking bathroom statement, then you better consider investing in bamboo vessel faucets. These faucets offer more than just a design trend to complement the ever-popular vessel sink. According to Chinese beliefs, bamboo symbolizes longevity. Meanwhile in Indian culture, they see them as a symbol of friendship. These faucets are not only admired for their distinct structure and construction but also for their symbolism. They are commonly integrated in Asian-inspired and nature-themed bathrooms. Due to their remarkable style and unique characteristics, they are regarded as one of the innovative faucet designs that are currently circulating in the market.

Like other types of bathroom faucets, bamboo vessel faucets are sold in myriads of forms, types, styles, configuration, and sizes. Some of the viable options that you should look into include the following:

Oil-rubbed bronze bamboo faucets – This type is applicable for those looking for bathroom faucets carrying a traditional and classic appeal. A bamboo faucet with an oil-rubbed bronze finish will not only boost the room’s visual feature but will also help to create a tranquil and peaceful environment. Moreover, their beauty and performance can surely be appreciated for years.

Brushed Nickel bamboo faucets – These nature-inspired bathroom faucets are absolutely functional additions to any bathroom space. Their durable brass construction will assure you of long years of quality service. They often come with a single-hole configuration, and a single handle control. The greatest thing about them is that they require minimal maintenance as compared to other faucet variants. And with their magnificent matte finish, leaving signs of stains, fingerprints, and smudges can be significantly reduced.
Apart from the two types of bamboo vessel faucets mentioned above, there are still plenty of other options available. To find them, you have to stringently scour different buying avenues in order to spot the right type of bamboo vessel faucet that will utterly match your taste, specifications, and budget!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

3 Steps To Make Your Home More Valuable

Homeowners are always on the lookout for something that will increase the value of their home and make it more marketable down the road. This may be because you plan on selling the home in the very near future, or you want to be on the safe side and keep your home updated and in selling condition at a moments notice. If this is the case, there are three easy steps that you can take to increase the value of your home and make it more enjoyable. Investing in these home improvements can pay off significantly in the long run.

Many home buyers today are looking for an over-the-top master bath. To achieve this look you must pay close attention to what is very popular. At the current time is very popular to install vessel sinks and large tile floors which match tiled shower enclosures. To really complete this look you should also consider installing a frameless bypass shower door. These all glass shower doors will allow the viewer a glimpse into the shower which will make the entire bathroom look bigger and tie the tiles together.

Today’s picky home buyers are also looking for a nice roomy kitchen. To help increase the value of your kitchen you must make sure that all the kitchen hardware matches. Pantry door handles should match the cabinet knobs and any other fixtures in the kitchen. This attention to detail will tie the entire kitchen together and will be more pleasing to the eyes. Also make sure all the appliances are the same color. Do not install a stainless steel stove next to a white refrigerator. This can make for some very odd looks.

Another great way to add value to your home is to tidy up the garage. Investing in garage organizers are a terrific option for the frugal home-owner. These organizers are very affordable and can take a garage from looking like a cluttered disaster to a huge asset of the home. When home buyers come into a well organized space it allows them to envision all of the possibilities that that space could offer them. This is obviously great for the seller.  

Finally, the entryway of a home is often overlooked. This is always the first impression on a visitor when they enter your home. Many people will have no transition. Living room carpet often goes straight to the door. You should at least cut a 4x4 section in front of the door and tile it to create a break in the flooring. A tiled entryway will also be much easier to keep clean. If you have a hard surface that looks dated consider investing in a home floor buffer, this can make your flooring sparkle like new. The front of entry doors often receives the most abuse in the house. By maintaining this section of flooring you can keep your home looking great.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Remodel Your Bathroom To Increase Your Home Value

If you are currently trying to sell your home, or you plan on reselling your home in the next couple of years, there are a few things you can do around the house to increase the value. While many buyers will be satisfied with a standard home warranty, others prefer to walk in to an oasis that they can fall in love with. Many rooms of the home are very expensive to remodel; however, one room can be remodeled for a very reasonable price and can make a huge difference on the marketability and the value of your home. This room is the master bathroom.

People shopping for a new home today are positioned to be very picky. One thing that appeals to many of these prospective homeowners is a nice master bath. One thing that can set your bath apart from other homes on the market is installing a frameless glass shower door. These frameless shower doors add a sleek modern feel to the bathroom and are quite elegant.

Many master baths are weighted down by old boring vanities. It can be very easy to change out your old vanity with a brand-new one. Perhaps the base of your vanity is still in great shape. In this case you may be able to pull off the old countertop and sink and replace it with something more modern and appealing. Vessel sinks are very popular these days and can provide a great new look for the bathroom.

Finally, if your bathroom floor still contains vinyl flooring it is time to get rid of it. People shopping from home today expect to see title not only on the floor but also in the shower enclosure. A nice neutral tan color is always a great choice. The color can be broken up a little by installing some accent tiles every now and then. Combine that with some decorative wall quotes and you are well on your way to creating a bathroom that will wow any buyer.

You can completely transform the look of your bathroom by instituting these few changes. Simply changing the look of your master bath could be the difference between selling your house or having it sit on the market.

Monday, April 5, 2010

A General Guide for Buying Vessel Sinks

When purchasing vessel sinks, you have to consider some important parameters to ascertain that you'll end up with the best choice. Remember that these sinks are sold in a cornucopia of styles, designs, materials, sizes, and colors. Hence, you really have to stringently sift through the available choices. To help you do that, here are some useful tips that you should follow:

Take note of your bathroom requirements: The size and style of bathrooms vary greatly from one home to the other. Therefore, it is critical that you know the exact specifications of your bathroom space. Unlike traditional sinks, the vessel type requires a different counter height. The height of the bathroom counter will immensely depend on the way the sink should be installed. For instance, if you plan to purchase a counter-top variety, the height of the counter needs to be lowered. As a rule of thumb, the height of the sink's bowl will dictate how much lower you have to go.

Determine what type of vessel sink you require: Keep in mind that these types of bathroom sinks are made from a wide range of materials. Depending on your personal preference and existing bathroom configuration, you can choose from porcelain, ceramic, glass, wood or copper sinks. Among these types, the wood sinks are fairly new innovations. Wood has just been recently used as a primary material in making bathroom fixtures. Their striking and natural appeal is what makes them stand out from other sink varieties.

Look into the overall bathroom design as well as its surrounding décor: The great thing about vessel sinks is that you do not have to actually match them with the bathroom theme. As long as they coordinate well with the rest of the bathroom fixture and décor, that is enough. Their ability to blend perfectly with all types of bathroom settings is one of their most attractive features.

Make a statement by choosing sinks with distinct shapes: Choose functional, innovative, unique, and irregularly-shaped sinks to boost the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom space. Since they are not confined to fitting neatly on sink-sized holes, they can offer more interesting details.
Never forget to consider your budget: This is perhaps the most important consideration that you should take into account. Like with other purchases, you have to figure out how much you are willing to spend for the vessel sink. Their price range varies widely depending on the design, size, and materials used.

Make sure to take note of the aforementioned tips to acquire the vessel sink that utterly fits your budget and bathroom requirements!