North Leeds Plumbing & Heating – Home Improvement and DIY Advice

Archive for the ‘Bathroom Fittings’ Category

Mirrored heaters are the epitome of style and elegance. It must therefore come as no surprise that Zehnder Radiators are at the forefront of this design evolution with their Yucca range. There are many colours, sizes and finishes within this range but their mirrored heater is by far one of the stand-out pieces.

Mirrors are always a staple feature of any bathroom. Obviously there is a practical necessity but they are also stylish and serve to reflect light in rooms that are often lacking in light sources.

Now, most people also want their bathroom to be warm, cosy and luxurious and it can sometimes be difficult to combine all of these factors…well, not any longer. The Yukka mirrored heater is stylish but practical too. This design-led radiator is made from extending stainless steel tubes. It can be installed through your existing central heating system so there is no need for any major upheaval to achieve such an elegant finish in your bathroom.

It is also worth mentioning some of the other products in the Zehnder Yucca range, in particular the Asymmetrical and Symmetrical radiators. Again, as we have all come to expect from Zehnder, the design is both aesthetically pleasing and practical. In fact, the options for use are so expansive that it is truly accessible to all; from an oil filled radiator to installation on an existing central heating system. If you want a white or chrome radiator to merge with your existing accessories then the Zehnder Yucca range has a radiator for you; and if you want a pop of colour you can achieve this with a stunning, design-led radiator.

It is perfectly within reason to hope for bathroom accessories which will fit seamlessly into your stunning bathroom. The new Roman at Home range has just the accessories to fit this bill. The accessories range from the everyday essentials required in every bathroom to those lavish, luscious extras to add that something special to your room.

It stands to reason that Roman has branched out into designing accessories since they have long been renowned for their expertise in designing bathrooms. You can now achieve a completely streamlined room by incorporating these luxury accessories into your Roman designed bathroom. However, even if your bathroom suite itself is not Roman, you can add that touch of class to this special room by the addition of this quality range.

So, what do they actually have on offer? Well, one of the stand-out features of this range is the wall art which is sure to provide a focal point within even the most basic of bathrooms. You could choose between Jane Claire’s ‘Splish Splash’ or ‘Tub-o-Fun’ which will add colour and brightness; however if you have a minimalist theme in your bathroom, you may wish to opt for the ‘Snail Shell’ sepia by Michael Mandolfo. Another focal point for bathroom walls is the Bevelled Pewter Frame Mirror which is bound to look right at home in any bathroom.

Roman At Home is also selling towels, bath mats and dressing gowns. Quite honestly there is very little that is not included in this range. Of course, sophisticated bathroom furniture plays a large part, with tidy units, black glass scales and for ultimate indulgence why not splash out on the corner champagne cooler with glasses – you are sure to never want to leave your bathroom ever again.

The very first thing that you need to do is to think about what you want to put on your bathroom shelves. That sounds fairly obvious but many people buy bathroom shelves because they match the décor, but do not give a thought to how practical they are.

For example, if you want to store towels on shelves, you need to make sure that they are wide enough for the job and that the shelves are not placed where they will get steamy and wet. However, if your idea is to store all your cosmetics neatly together, you might want something a bit more compact with a lip, or rail at the front to stop things sliding off.

Modern bathrooms tend to feature glass, or metal shelves on stainless steel, aluminium, or chrome tracking and these take up little space in a small bathroom and stop things looking cluttered.  Freestanding metal racks with moveable glass shelves can work well in a larger bathroom.

The choice is very wide when it comes to bathroom shelves and your final choice will depend on the style and design you prefer as well as the space available. Don’t forget about the practical things though because you only want to buy shelves for your new bathroom once.

It is also wise to be really honest and ask yourself whether you have the expertise to make a perfect job of fitting your chosen shelves. It is quite common to see bathroom shelves which are not quite straight, or tracking that is not properly lined up. This is a precision job if you want that ultra modern contemporary look with its clean lines.

Most baths need bath panels for one or two sides and for the ends. The purpose of these panels is to hide all the messy looking pipe work beneath the bath and give a neat, streamlined appearance. It also makes for easier cleaning. However if you have bought a bath with ornate decorated legs, or feet, you certainly won’t want to box these in with bath panels.

The first thing to do is to measure your bath because bath panels are not of a uniform size. You also need to look and see if you need matching end panels. When it comes to selecting material for your bath panels it all depends on how much you want to spend and how much time you are prepared to spend on maintenance.

Acrylic bath panels are usually at the cheaper end of the market and they come in a range of colours and designs. These are easy to maintain and only need to be wiped with a damp cloth. On the other hand, wooden bath panels are more expensive but they look good and really add something to a bathroom. The down side here is that they need to be waterproofed and maintained regularly or water will seep in and warp and rot the wood.

Which ever type of bath panel you choose make sure that you know how to handle the material and that you are aware of any special treatment it will need. Experts in your bathroom supplies shop will be able to help you.

Adding a shower pump to a shower that is fed by a gravity feed hot water tank will greatly improve its performance. If you want to fit a mixer shower that works from an ordinary gravity fed system it is essential to consider the rate of flow that you can get from your shower head. In other words you need to know how much water can get through it. You will need 0.5 bar of water pressure to make it work properly and even then if someone turns on the water in another part of the house the water can go scalding hot, or freezing cold because the balance will be lost.

If you turn on your bath taps as far as they will go you will be able to see if the rate of flow is equal between hot and cold water. If one is coming through at a higher pressure the shower will not work as well as it should.

The way to resolve this problem is to fit a shower pump that pushes the water to your shower head at a greater pressure and gives a much better shower. This sounds like a good solution but you will need to have a large hot water storage tank to use a shower pump because it will use up to 25 litres of hot water per minute and a normal sized tank will empty very fast. 

To judge how much hot water you can store in your hot water tank monitor it for a few days and see how full you can get the bath before the hot water runs out. You may need to replace your hot water tank with a larger one before you can fit a shower pump.

If you have decided to update your bathroom, the chances are you will have trawled through DIY catalogues, visited home improvement centres and taken advice from family and friends. You will probably have been advised about shower curtains, fixtures and fittings, bathroom cabinets, various vanity accessories and towels and bathmats.

Chances are though, you will not have heard of the bathroom’s best-kept secret, skirting board renovation.

Skirting boards are extremely easy to fit, so you do not need to be a handyman or have a whole range of specialised equipment in order to achieve fantastic results.

Although there are various types of skirting board available on the market, a flat panel skirting board is the preferred choice of most interior designers and DIY enthusiasts. Following a few easy steps should result in a real and inexpensive improvement to your bathroom.

Most skirting board panelling is sold in white. You can of course paint it a different colour, but keeping it white allows you to contrast it with whatever colour you decide to paint the rest of the bathroom.

After removing the existing skirting board and measuring the amount of skirting you require, allow the new board a day or so to adjust to the temperature of your home. For this reason it is advisable to buy slightly more than the amount you had previously measured.

Whether or not you use nails or glue is a matter of preference, just make sure that you fix one panel at a time. This may seem obvious, but if a friend is helping you there is a temptation to begin at opposite ends of the room.

For most bathrooms, particularly those with limited storage facilities, a vanity unit is the ideal accessory. Space saving and elegant, functional yet stylish, a vanity unit can easily become the focal point of your new or existing bathroom.

However, many people seem deterred by the thought of installing a vanity unit. Perhaps they are worried about the cost of hiring a certified engineer, if so, they should not be, for if they follow a few simple pieces of advice they will soon realise that anyone can do it and save money in the process.

Firstly and most importantly, have a good look under the existing sink to see exactly what it is attached to. The chances are that the sink will be attached by nails, screws or some form of adhesive agent. Simply remove the nails or prise the sink away from the glue, it is as easy as that.

Before completely removing the old sink, remember to turn off the water at the mains, and then unscrew the water supply. A good tip is to have a bucket to hand.

Remove the sink; a friend will come in useful at this point. Previous damage will immediately come to light. If all is clear, ensure the floor on which the vanity unit is to be placed is flat.

Remove the drawers and doors of the new unit. Check that everything is square and symmetrical and slide into position. Reconnect the water supply, turn the water back on and that is all there is to it.

The bathroom is a great place to express yourself. Forget bland, functional bathrooms and instead think creatively. Above all, enjoy the bathroom. After all, you spend as much time there as anywhere else in the home. Where else can you be on your own, relaxing, contemplating the absurdities of life?

If you really want to be radical, then completely alter the layout of your existing bathroom. Maximise space by moving the toilet and sink units around. More room means more comfort; exactly what a bathroom should be about.

Accessorise; ditch the old taps and rip up the tiles. Choose a theme for your new bathroom and stick to it, even if it means waiting a little while before you can afford it.

Have a look around the paint shops. Mix colours until you find one that exactly complements your personality and theme. Contrast colours; painting the walls in different shades makes for a vibrant atmosphere. Choose prints of your favourite paintings and frame them.

Add some plants. Many ferns, in particular, thrive in humid conditions.

Have you considered combination showerheads? Imagine standing in the shower cubicle, having strong jets of water pour over every part of your body. Shower curtains now come in a multitude of patterns and designs. Even the towels and bathmat could be swapped for something you have always wanted.

Have a collection of your favourite objects placed around the bath, mingling them with scented candles. Festoon the bath in lights, creating your very own chromotherapy experience. Use fragrant oils, pipe music into the bathroom and above all, enjoy it.

For many, the bathroom is the most important place in the house. After all, we probably spend as much time in the bathroom as in any other room, with the possible exception of the kitchen

It therefore gets a lot of use and that, unfortunately, means having to refurbish it on a fairly regular basis.

Obviously, refurbishment means spending money, which for most of us, is in short supply. However, giving the bathroom a lift, from time to time, need not cost the earth if a few simple rules are followed.

Firstly, buy a new set of towels to complement the décor of your bathroom. Try mixing different colours together. Any contrast well done makes an attractive focal point.

Tiles are expensive, whether they are on the floor or on the walls. Tile appliqués are an inexpensive way to brighten up your existing fixtures. Again, look to contrast and create your own patterns.

Mirrors can be made to stand out by adding a frame or painting over the existing one. Use bold colours to create a stand out effect. Changing the dull medicine cabinet for a bathroom mirror is also often worthwhile.

Get a new shower curtain. These are cheap and readily available in a wide range of distinctive colours. Match it with your towels and bathmat for a sophisticated look.

Even changing your taps will create a totally new appearance. Choose different metals, perhaps brass and complement them with the toilet fittings.

Art Deco is one of the great design movements of the last century. It epitomises glamour, wealth and intrigue. Its clean lines and geometric patterns create an uncluttered environment of space and elegance combined with functionality. What better design could there possibly be for your newly refurbished bathroom?

The first thing is to clear your bathroom of any unwanted items. Art Deco is a minimalist design. Walls should be as free of shelving as possible. Hanging items will also have to go.

Geometric patterns, often in black and white are the order of the day. Tiles should be used both on the floor and walls. Experiment with different patterns. Lay the tiles at right angles to each other or create diagonals. A splash of a strong bold colour creates focal points all over the bathroom.

Try laying a different pattern around a black-framed wall mirror.

Light fixtures should be of a contemporary look. Rustic or Victorian retro is definitely out, as is wood. Chrome fixtures, slim, elegant and functional, are the order of the day. And this applies to the bathroom taps and towel racks. Even soap dishes should be in bright chrome or matt black.

Artwork should reflect the spirit of the age. Black and white photographs and prints could be framed in stainless steel. Slim crystal glass vases, placed next to black ceramic items, also work particularly well.

Lighting should be used to slightly soften the effect. By all means use a bright white light over the mirror, but try blue or even green bulbs to relax when taking a long, hot bath.