Category: Home

When people pass by your house, the very first thing they see is your facade. This is why it is only natural to improve how it looks to make it pleasing to the eyes.

The only problem is, remodeling sometimes costs a lot. So, we present to you eight low-cost ideas that will change up your home facade without breaking the bank:

Install a new front door

Your front door serves as the entrance of your visitors. It is also probably the first thing visitors notice when they visit you. By simply installing a new door can change the way people perceive your house.

It also offers other benefits like:

Redecorating bathrooms is a huge business. In fact, bathroom design has become more of a movement than just a business, with an estimated $158 billion being spent according to figures published by the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association. Bathrooms comprise almost half of that total.

Whether you can’t afford to spend much on a bathroom remodel or would just rather not, there are plenty of ways to redecorate a bathroom without matching the national debt. If you are looking for a way to do Bathroom Remodeling on a Budget, here are 10 ideas that will help.

1. Become green.

One way to decorate a bathroom that is quick, easy, and inexpensive is to add plants. A plant can be selected that will add virtually any color of the rainbow to brighten a bathroom and improve your mood. Plants will also help to purify the air in a confined area. They will also help to reduce moisture by absorbing the dampness. Some of the best plants that add color and utility to a bathroom are peace lilies, bamboo palms, Boston ferns, and weeping figs.

2. Update Tilework.

Tile has been popular for use in bathrooms for years. Not only is it affordable and will dress up a bathroom better and faster than usually thought, but it’s easy to clean as well.

There are plenty of ideas out there for how tile can be used, and they won’t blow your budget. Perhaps best of all, tile will last for years and is unlikely to go out of style any time soon.

To save even more on your tile expense try to limit it to areas that are likely to get splashed with water or suffer from steam. Areas, where less tile is used, can be painted with mold-resistant paint to prevent damage.

3. The Latest and greatest: Art.

There was a time when art was a decorating option for nearly every room of the house except the bathroom. Today, however, art is becoming more commonplace for every room in a home, including the bathroom. Art in virtually any form—from painting to sculpture—is in just as great a demand for bathrooms as for any other room in a house.

To begin, paint a wall, then add some kind of art that has a primary color to complement the rest of the room. Try picking out some gift-frame art that add a touch of glamour to the bathroom. There’s nothing like being able to see a picture of your family while soaking in the tub.

One concern many people have over adding art to the bathroom is keeping it protected from moisture. This can be done by limiting the amount of steam via good ventilation. Frames can also be sealed and kept away from the wall with bumper pads add to each corner.

4. Update the bathtub and shower.

One of the most expensive items to replace in a bathroom is the tub or shower. If you think replacing these is your only option, think again. Instead, a tub or shower can be given a fresh new look by removing stains, resurfacing it, and touching up the old grout. This job takes patience, but the new look will be well worth the effort. Best of all, that new look will last for years.

Another way to make your tub or shower looks great is to cover everything around it. Paint, tile, wallpaper, or other surfacing can be used to make the surrounding area look great.

5. Spread some color.

A few small pieces of décor in complementary colors will give your bathroom a totally new look. Colorful new towels, a soap dish/toothbrush holder, and other items will give your bathroom an immediate new life. Colorful candles (don’t forget scents) are an attractive and inexpensive way to add a relaxing touch.

Little things like these can not only make your bathroom stand out, but you might be tempted to go in and never come out.

6. Window work.

Windows can be made to look practically new without even touching them by replacing curtains and other coverings. Not only are there many types and styles of curtains to choose from, but a look can be updated with blinds, shades, and even shutters. Letting your likes and dislikes dictate the look of your windows will guarantee that they will end up being very unique.

7. Cabinets and class.

Despite what many people think, cabinets are one of the easiest things in a bathroom to upgrade. All that’s needed is some water-resistant paint and a little drying time. Even the hardware can be easy to replace to fit a new style.

When you go shopping for your new hardware, be sure to have your old fittings with you so that you purchase something with the same screw configuration. This way there is no need to fill old holes and drill new ones.

8. Recycled chic.

Thrift shops and second-hand stores are a great place to find tons of finds for bathroom redecorating. Look enough and there might even be faucets, bathroom furniture, and other items.

Shopping online has become the latest source for nearly everything, including new looks for your bathroom. Not only can these treasures be found in numerous stores and outlets, but it can also be used for comparison shopping.

9. Flat on the floor.

As ugly as a floor can become over time, it can be remarkably easy to bring it back to life. There are ready to cut carpets available, throw rugs, and other options. If there is a wood floor in the bathroom, try refinishing it. There is also vinyl flooring that looks great and is surprisingly inexpensive.

10. Lighting up.

As daunting as replacing lighting might seem, achieving a new look can be remarkably easy. Get rid of an old light cover or shade to create something that is nothing short of dazzling. There are still other lighting options, including pendant lights, wall sconces, and even stick-on lights, to add a dash of snazzy.

Adding Up the Savings

Suffice it to say that considerable amounts of money can be saved when redecorating a bathroom. All it takes for a totally new look is planning, a little resourcefulness, and some creativity.

Bonus Tip:

Before you finalize your bathroom remodelling budget, remember to calculate how much value the renovations are likely to add to your property. Fortunately, bathroom upgrades can have a significant impact on the resale value of your home, but to get a more accurate number, have a look at this easy-to-use ARV calculator. It can help you workout the current value of your home, based on the selling price of comparable homes in your area.

Dealing with a clogged drain can be a hassle, but it’s a task that’s always best performed as soon as possible after the issue arises. Clear pipes are important not just to the home’s plumbing, but to the health of its inhabitants. Read on to find out when to attempt a DIY repair and when to call a professional.

Clogged Toilets

Plungers are available at just about every hardware store for a reason. They’re helpful tools for resolving minor clogs, especially in toilets. When using the plunger, make sure it is locked to the drain with a perfect seal and try plunging it at least a dozen times. If this doesn’t work, it might be time to call a plumber. Homeowners can check out maplewoodplumbing.com to find out about one local company that can help.

Minor Clogs Close to the Surface

If there’s a bit of hair stuck near the opening of the drain, a home drain auger might be able to get it out. These devices aren’t as strong as the tools used by professionals, though, so they may not be able to get past the blockage. If homeowners can’t remove the blockage using a drain snake, they should call a plumber. Professional plumbers have access to better, stronger equipment, and it’s often motorized to provide faster results.

Multiple Drains Are Clogged

If multiple drains in the home are clogged, backing up, or running slowly, there’s little homeowners can do about it by themselves. Don’t bother with DIY fixes. The blockage is almost definitely too far down. A plumber with high-tech equipment and professional training will be able to locate and resolve it quickly, but DIY methods for removing it will likely prove ineffective and frustrating.

Built-Up Soap or Grease

If there’s soap built up in a bathroom drain or grease in a kitchen drain, homeowners may be able to remove it themselves by pouring boiling water down the sink. Try pouring it in three stages to give the water time to work through the clog, or use baking soda and vinegar before pouring in the boiling water to maximize its effectiveness. If that doesn’t work, or if it works for a little while but the clog comes back, call a plumber.

Repeated Clogs

Even if one of the DIY methods mentioned above works perfectly the first time, they aren’t fool-proof, and they don’t address the underlying plumbing problems. If one or more drains keep backing up, call a plumber to inspect the home’s plumbing system. He or she may be able to suggest ways to prevent future issues. For example, if you are looking for a plumbing service in Crawfordsville, you can locate one by viewing summersphc.com/crawfordsville/services/plumbing/drain-cleaning/ or a similar website.

What About Chemical Drain Cleaners?

Homeowners may be tempted to use chemical drain cleaners to resolve their plumbing issues, but they shouldn’t give in to the temptation. They’re bad for the home’s plumbing, residents’ health, and the environment. In houses with septic systems, using chemical drain cleaners can even cause the system to stop working entirely.

If baking soda and vinegar, boiling water, plungers, and home drain augers don’t resolve the clog, a chemical drain cleaner won’t either. All it will do is cause homeowners more problems.

The Bottom Line

Minor clogs can sometimes be resolved at home using common tools and products like baking soda, vinegar, and plungers. Serious clogs that can’t be broken up, keep coming back, or affect multiple drains are best handled by professionals.

Water leaks can result in major problems in your property, especially when it’s left unnoticed. Hidden water leaks can cost you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars yearly! This is because, in addition to your water bills rising, the water damage costs increase the more you leave the leaks to become a more serious issue.

That’s why you need to monitor your plumbing and watch out for any signs for hidden leaks you can repair immediately. Read on as I show you the different ways you can detect hidden leaks in the plumbing.

How to Detect Hidden Leaks In the Plumbing

You don’t need to be an absolute expert in your plumbing to know if you have a hidden leak. Watch out for these signs that indicate hidden leaks so you can head to a plumber Brisbane to have it repaired immediately!

1. Monitor the Water Meter and Bills

The best way to tell if there are any water leaks is to check your water meter. Switch off all the water in the house, shutting off all faucets and ensuring no appliance is running. Watch the meter and see if it changes. 

If it changes, then there is a quick-moving leak. If not, check back after two hours, and when you notice changes, it indicates a slow leak.

Check your water bills as well, as a rising water bill despite having similar washing habits can indicate a leak. Compare previous water bills and see if there is a steady increase. You can also check your water usage to see if it looks like the household has been using even more water lately even without changing anything.

2. Check the Faucets

The source of water leaks can come from your faucets, usually coming from worn rubber washes. Check if there are any leaks from the faucet, or if you can, open it up and see if you see anything wrong. Fortunately, you can easily replace and repair faucet parts yourself with the proper knowledge and equipment you can find from hardware stores. 

3. Detect Water Leaks From the Toilet

Another culprit is the toilet, and a leak one can waste hundreds of gallons of water! Check if there’s a leak by adding a few drops of food coloring to its tank. You can also use dye tabs from the hardware store.

Allow the coloring to saturate the water, waiting for half an hour without flushing. If colors come through the tank and to your toilet bowl, there may be a leak.

Furthermore, your toilet may have a leak if you have to jiggle its handle to avoid the toilet from running. There may be an issue with the chain sticking and/or flush bar. If you find that you’re facing any of these issues with your toilet, then you’re best getting in touch with a professional like those at Morris Jenkins to come and fix the problem for you.

4. Visual Inspections

You can perform a visual inspection of your home beyond your usual appliances, faucets, and toilet. Leaks that come from plumbing inside your walls or ceiling go unnoticed usually and only repaired when it’s too late. You can stop these leaks with simple regular visual inspections. 

Check the walls and ceiling of all the rooms. If there are unusual discolorations or staining, there might be a leak. Also watch out for any mold or strange dips form the walls or ceiling, which is also a cause from water leaking.

5. Underground and Exterior Water Leaks

Outdoor and underground water leaks are costly to repair, so watch out if some areas of your yard are softer or darker than the rest, or unusual water flow from the driveway. If one area stays wet despite dry spells or puddles that look out of place, this indicates underground leaks.

6. It’s Common Sense!

Besides the tips mentioned above, you can also check other parts of your home. You should be more vigilant if you have a home that’s over 25 years old. The plumbing system is already on the declining stage of its life expectancy by that time. 

Regularly check the backs of your cabinets, as well as under basins if there are any foul smells or mold, which indicate leaks. Check the connections of your water heater, pumps, washing machine, dishwashers, and other appliances for discoloration or oxidation, another sign of slow leaking.

Wrapping It Up

When you detect water leaks early, you can save a lot of money and prevent disaster at home! Fortunately, it isn’t that difficult to detect leaking, whether hidden or not. You simply need knowledge and time to monitor your water and plumbing performance. 

I hope that these ways to detect hidden leaks in the plumbing helped you out! Don’t wait any longer and take a look at your plumbing and water flow to see if your home may have hidden leaks.

Would you like to ask any questions or share your knowledge of hidden water leaks? Share it in the comments section below, all your thoughts are much appreciated!