Keep Your Bathroom Dry 5 Great Remodeling Tips
Did you know that excess moisture is the leading cause of decay in bathrooms? And even worse most bathroom moisture issues will go undetected for years until its too late and menacing mold develops or structural damage occurs. The following is a list of five steps you can implement in your new bathroom plans to ensure that moisture will not be a problem.
1 Tubs and showers should be located on interior walls
The idea is to make certain that you are not running supply and drain lines in an exterior wall where they are subject to extreme temperature variations. These fluctuations can produce moisture in the wall around the areas where the plumbing is located and should be avoided in your bathroom plans if at all possible.
2 Proper ventilation is a must
If you are planning your dream bath design with a whirlpool tub or a steam shower you must not forget that these luxury items can create enormous amounts of steam in the bathroom. You should look for a high capacity super quiet bath fan and dont be afraid to spend more for a high quality unit. Make certain that the new fan is ducted through an exterior wall by the shortest path possible. Most of all run the fan. If you have luxury items such as a whirlpool or steam shower turn the fan on while taking a bath or steam. Afterwards close the door and leave the fan on for a minimum of 30 additional minutes.
3 Toilet sweat… dont sweat it
Condensation on toilet tanks is common during the summer months when the water temperature inside the tank can be 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the air temperature. Air conditioning is the best way to eliminate this problem. Alternatively you could consider using a toilet insulation kit or installing an antisweat valve which operates by adding just enough warm water to the tank to keep the temperature differential to a minimum.
4 Looks vs. leaks
If your bathroom plans include a large and costly master bath remodel its not likely that you will consider using anything other than tile for your shower. If your goals and means are more modest then you might consider using a one piece shower unit. By design these units are seamlessly constructed and when properly installed will provide the ultimate protection against leaking. Of course tile applications look nicer but each grout line is an opportunity for water to penetrate.
5 Design a dryer wall
On exterior walls the location of the vapor barrier can play a big roll in determining how much moisture is trapped in the bathroom. This issue is relatively simple to address in a bathroom remodel. The determining factor in proper vapor barrier placement is climate as moisture typically moves in the direction from warmer areas to colder areas. Your geographic location will determine proper vapor barrier placement. In Michigan we have a heating climate dictating that vapor barrier is placed on the interior of wood wall and ceiling framing while permeable exterior sheeting is used to allow for any vapor that does get into the wall to escape. In a cooling climate the opposite may be true. Check with a local building expert to design the best system for your location.
By applying these five tips when remodeling of your bathroom you can help fight the effects of moisture and have a great looking and functioning bathroom for many years to come.
About the writer: This article provided by CADKitchenPlans.com your industry leading source for kitchen plans cabinetry drafting services. Visit us today at http://www.cadkitchenplans.com and sign up for your free copy of The Designers Toolkit Kitchen Design Help!
Jacuzzi Hot Tubs The Story Behind The Concept
Many of us are more than familiar with a hot tub or Jacuzzi and may have even experienced its mind body and soul calming effects but how many among us really know the relationship between the two? Well if weve referred to the brand Cellophane as those fine transparent wrapping sheets all these years many of us are doing the same for Jacuzzi hot tubs. In the USA a Jacuzzi is referred to as a Spa whereas in the United Kingdom Jacuzzis are commonly known as Hot Tubs. The fact is that Jacuzzis and hot tubs are indeed closely associated and over time they are now popularly referred to as Jacuzzi hot tubs. Given below is the short Jacuzzi story behind the concept of the Jacuzzi hot tub.
In 1968 Roy Jacuzzi patented the bubblecausing Venturi water jet system invented by him. This is perhaps the reason why so many people have misunderstood or misinterpreted the word Jacuzzi. People wrongly equate the bubbling effect created by the Venturi jet system with Jacuzzis as they witness the same effect in any standard hot tub today. Since then the Venturi jet system that Roy Jacuzzi invented has been incorporated in most Jacuzzi hot tub although the original system has undergone a few technological advancements. The visibly pleasing bubbles that you see in any of todays Jacuzzi hot tubs are caused by the Venturi jet system that primarily forces air into the water flow under pressure. Most of the modern Jacuzzis are equipped with an air control unit that permits users to adjust the air to water ratio and pressure to get the desired bubble effect.
As records affirm the Jacuzzis invented a portable hydrotherapy pump during the 1900s to give relief to a family member who was suffering from arthritis. The pump they created was simple in concept with the only objective being to enhance water pressure via a little jet massager. The marketing of the very first Jacuzzi hot tubs began during the 1960s when management of the family business was taken over by Roy Jacuzzi. The Jacuzzi hot tub that Roy Jacuzzi sold also incorporated the Venturi jet system that was pioneered by him. However in 1976 the original Jacuzzi patent expired creating a substantial opportunity for expansion of the Jacuzzi hot tub market in the US. This was attributed to the fact that most manufacturers of Jacuzzi hot tubs and hot tub cover could then incorporate the Venturi jet system in their Jacuzzis.
Thanks to the pioneering efforts of the Jacuzzi brothers Roy Jacuzzi in particular millions of people are enjoying the fruits of his Venturi jet invention today. So popular are Jacuzzi hot tubs that virtually every reputed hotel resort cruise ship health club gymnasium or fitness center are equipped with one. Although Jacuzzi hot tubs are generally perceived as the hot tubs of jetsetters and celebrities the fact is that cheaper less sophisticated models are now within reach of people with the resources to buy them. Whether you can afford one or not relaxing in a Jacuzzi hot tub is an experience not to be missed.
About the writer: Hot Tubs Installation Expert
Is Tap Water Good For You?
Is tap water good for you? Hmmm…that’s a good question. Are tap water purifiers necessary in homes that are serviced by public suppliers? That’s another good question. Below you will see the answers and the reasons for them.
Is tap water good for you to drink when it has been chlorinated?
On the one hand chlorination kills bacteria that cause a wide range of waterborne illnesses. On the other chlorine is bad for the digestive system and chlorination causes the release of other chemicals that increase your risk of cancer.
So tap water purifiers are necessary in homes where facilities use chlorine but any publicly treated supply will contain disinfection byproducts because every public treatment facility must disinfect.
Tap water purifiers must contain special filtering media to remove those disinfection byproducts. Simple granular carbon filters will trap chlorine on the surface of the granules but other resins are needed to trap chlorination and other disinfection byproducts.
Numerous research studies conducted over the last few years and published in respected journals have shown that the cancerrisk is a real threat. Exposure to those chemicals primarily THMs doubles the individual’s risk of bladder cancer and increases the risk of colorectal cancer by at least 40. That brings up another question.
Is tap water good for you to bathe or shower in? It is not. Research studies have shown that THM exposure occurs in the shower because the chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and they become airborne along with the steam so we inhale them.
There are only a couple of effective tap water purifiers for shower heads. Most of them reduce the chlorine content by about 50 but do nothing to reduce THMs.
The purification methods that are available for home use include reverse osmosis granular carbon filters carbon/resin blocks sub micron filtration ion exchange and distillation. Distillation and reverse osmosis reduce mineral content but have no effect on chemical contaminants.
Granular carbon as I mentioned above reduces chlorine but carbon/resin blocks trap chlorine THMs and other cancer causing chemicals such as benzene alachlor Atrazine and TCE. Sub micron filtration removes cysts and ion exchange removes lead. All of these steps may be combined in a single unit that is still affordable.
Is tap water good for you drink and shower in if you have the right purification method in your home? Yes. It is good for you and much better for the environment than buying case after case of bottled.
Tap water purifiers are also a more economical solution since buying bottled solely for drinking purposes will cost a family of four over a thousand dollars per year. Besides you cannot use bottled for showering and if you want your food coffee and even your koolaid to taste better you need to filter that water too.
There are a number of other questions that I could add to further clarify; is tap water good for you but at least you have an idea of what’s really in your glass.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Derek Reeve runs an informational website that provides details of the best water purifiers. If you’re serious about improving the quality of water you use visit water purification systems for home to find the most effective efficient and affordable products available.