There is a wide variety of shower systems available but your choice will be largely governed by your household water system.

Mixer shower

The simplest form of shower is the bath mixer shower, where a mixer tap is connected to a hose and shower attachment. The water temperature and force is controlled by the hot and cold taps on the mixer unit. Although this system is inexpensive and has the advantage of not needing any additional plumbing, the water pressure is affected by water being used in other parts of the building.

Power shower

A power shower uses a powerful electric pump to increase the rate of the water flow to the showerhead from the water cistern. Due to the fast flow of water you must ensure the waste pipe is large enough to drain the water from the shower tray, as it will receive around 27 litres of water a minute. It is recommended that a 50mm (2in) diameter waste pipe be installed. A power shower is not suitable if the water is supplied from a combination boiler under mains pressure

Electric shower

Supplied as a wall unit it uses an electric element to heat the water. The unit is plumbed into the cold water supply and powered by its own electric circuit connected to the consumer unit. You must notify the local building control department that you are carrying out the work and the new electric circuit must be checked by a professional electrician to ensure it complies with Wiring Regulations (BS7671).

Manual and thermostatic mixers

A manual mixer shower is a wall unit where the hot and cold supplies feed a single valve. Manual mixer systems usually have a single or dual dial control. Controlling the volume of water and the temperature is achieved by adjusting the dial or dials. Although more expensive, a thermostatic mixer shower has a built-in stabiliser that prevents the water running too hot or too cold.

A shower tower

A tower unit combines the thermostatic mixer shower with a series of adjustable jets. The unit will also be equipped with a fixed showerhead and a hand-held spray attachment. A tower shower can be installed over a bath but it is more likely to be fitted into a shower cubicle or wet room. For a tower shower to work efficiently a ceiling height of 2200mm is required and a pump may be needed to increase the water pressure.

Installing a shower cubicle

Let us take a look at installing a shower cubicle fitted with a manual mixer shower.  When deciding on the location of your shower cubicle, you will have to consider several important factors:



The distance between the bottom of the cold water tank and the showerhead must be at least 1 metre for adequate pressure. A distance of 1500mm is preferable. If there is not adequate room, it may be possible to raise the height of the water tank or have a booster pump fitted.

If the shower is to be supplied direct from the mains supply a return valve must be fitted to the mains supply pipe, so shower water cannot siphon back into the cistern.

The position of the waste pipe and location of the water supply pipes.

The pipe work running from the shower to the hot and cold water supply will need to be recessed in a wall.

The walls incorporated into your shower cubicle must be sound enough to have shower screen support channels fixed to them and be lined with ceramic tiles.

If building stud walls as part of the shower cubicle it is advisable to use moisture-check plasterboard or even cement-boardas both these materials are ideal for areas of high water usage.



Having decided on a position for your shower cubicle that allows access to the waste pipe and water supply pipes, make a plan indicating the position of the showerhead and the route of the pipe work from the shower to the supply pipes. From this you will be able to calculate the length of 15mm diameter piping needed.

Fitting a ceramic tray

Shower trays can be made from acrylic, GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic), resin or ceramic. Resin and ceramic trays are installed on a bed of mortar. Acrylic shower trays are fitted with adjustable legs and as they are higher off the floor than solid trays, it is easier to connect the waste outlet to the waste pipe, as it may not be necessary to remove a section of flooring. Fitting a ceramic tray:



Place it where it is to be installed and draw around the tray, also marking the position of the waste pipe on the floor.

Remove the tray and using a jigsaw cut away a section of the floor big enough for the shower trap.

Just outside your outline of the tray, remove another section of floor to give you an access point for the plumbing work.

Make up a PVA solution consisting of 5 parts PVA to 1 part water. Spread this over the tray area outlined on the floor and wait for it to dry.

Mix up some mortar and spread the mortar over the tray area. Having screwed the trap to the waste outlet, bed the tray into the mortar ensuring it is firmly positioned and level. Allow the mortar to dry for at least 24 hours.

Using the access hole, reach under the floor and attach the shower trap to the waste pipe.

Waterproof silicone sealant should then be applied along the edges of the shower tray where it meets the wall.



Fitting the shower

Every shower will come with its own instructions, which you should follow. But we can offer general guidance for installing showers. Every installation will vary according to the model of shower and its location but the basic plumbing method for fitting a manual mixer shower is as follows:



Mark the desired positions of the showerhead and mixer unit on the wall of your cubicle. These can be either fitted flush to the wall or recessed. If the mixer is set back in the wall, remember you will need to have a removable panel to gain access to the controls.

Isolate the water supply.

The supply pipes can be set back into the wall then plastered and tiled over, but in this case the pipes must have a waterproof covering and be fitted with service valves, which must be accessible.

As you route the pipe work from the shower to the hot and cold water pipes you will need to join lengths of pipe together. There are several ways of joining lengths of pipe together (see joining pipes), but the compression joint is one of the most simple and effective methods.

If possible avoid using elbow joints at corners as these can affect the flow of the water. Instead bend the pipes using a pipe spring or pipe-bending tool.

Connect the pipes to the controls and attach the showerhead. Turn on the water and check for leaks.

To avoid standing water in the shower tray seeping back into the supply, the shower hose should be threaded through a retaining ring fixed to the wall of the shower cubicle.



Once your shower is installed and all the plumbing work completed, you can tile your shower cubicle using waterproof tile adhesive and grout (see ceramic wall tiles). Remember you will need to gain access to the service valves. Additionally, the bottom row of tiles should overlap the lip of the shower tray against the wall to ensure your cubicle will be watertight.

Adding the shower screen

Shower trays come in different shapes and sizes, so the number of panels making up the shower screen will depend on the type of shower tray you have bought. Shower screens are usually made of either glass or acrylic. Glass shower screens must be made of 4mm toughened safety glass and conform to BS 6206. We are taking a look at a basic shower screen arrangement that has a square tray fitted into the corner of a bathroom/shower room, allowing for a two-piece shower screen comprising of one partition screen and a door entering into the cubicle. These are general tips: always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.



Taking one of the screen support channels place it vertically against the wall at the shower end of the tray and mark the position of the ***** holes.

Carefully drill pilot holes through the ceramics tiles. Then the holes and ***** the support channel in place.

Fit the screen into the channel so that it rests on the rim of the shower tray. With the screws provided secure the screen through the side of the channel.

Fix the second support channel vertically to the other wall. This channel will hold the frame in which the door to the shower cubicle will be fitted.

The frame of the partition and the door will meet in a right angle at the corner of the shower tray. Use the fixings supplied by the manufacturer to secure the two frames firmly in position.

Following the manufacturer’s instructions, fix the door into position ensuring that it opens and closes smoothly, in addition to providing a water tight barrier when shut.

Finally, apply silicone sealant to all the joints between the framework, walls and shower tray.

Many individuals love the approach of the holidays. There are many different reasons for this, but one of the most popular reasons are the decorations! If you want to decorate your home for the holidays, there are many different ways that you can do so. The whole point of holiday home decoration is to spread the pure and simple joy associated with the holidays and to make your home look and feel great! Here, you will learn some simple steps on easy home decorating methods for the holidays.

The first step to easy home decorating methods for the holidays is to decide on a particular theme. Naturally, if you are decorating for a particular holiday, there are many different options that you can indulge in that are directly related to that specific holiday. For example, if you are decorating your home for Halloween, you may want to go for a “haunted house” theme. If you are decorating for Christmas, you may elect to go with a “Winter Wonderland” theme.

Once you have chosen the theme that you want to use for your easy home decorating for the holidays, it is important to carefully consider your color scheme. Normally, the color scheme will fall into place naturally when you select the specific holiday theme that you want to use. However, this may not always be as easy as we would like. Generally, holidays are identified with specific colors. For example, Halloween is often associated with orange and black. Christmas is often associated with green and red. If you cannot decide on a specific color scheme, it is best to simply go with standard holiday colors.

When electing to decorate your home for the holiday season, it is important to create it in a loving and comforting tone. This is especially true if you are decorating for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cozy curtains with happy faces, and a jolly Santa Claus, decorations that display the love and generosity of the spirit, and symbols of peace and love are excellent choices when it comes to decorating in a loving and comforting tone.

Many individuals choose to decorate the outdoors of their home once they have fully decorated the inside of their home. If you choose to do this, there are generally wide selections of ornaments and lights that can be used to accomplish this task. The one downfall to decorating the home is that many individuals tend to go a bit overboard. You should be careful not to fall victim to this temptation. There are many different ways that you can decorate that is simple, subtle, and attractive.

Here, you have learned about a few simple tips on how to decorate your home easily this holiday season. By following the advice listed in this guide, you will find that you are able to decorate quickly and efficiently. The ending result will be an effective holiday masterpiece that your friends, family, and neighbors will talk about all year long! Keep them coming back for more! Use this guide each and every year to decorate your home for the holidays!

Simple Things You Can Do to Make Your Home More Appealing

 

Not everyone can afford the cost of a renovation or a new home, but you can never go wrong when you cosmetically upgrade the interior and exterior of your home. Investing in the upkeep of your residence not only improves its appearance, but the overall appearance of your neighborhood. It can be cost efficient, simple and quick to do.

 

            On the exterior of your home, power washing the siding or brick can dramatically improve the appearance. Painting the fence, planting some colorful flowers and mulching the trees in your yard can add curbside appeal. The first thing most people focus on when approaching your home is your front door. Painting or staining your door is a simple low cost improvement that can highlight your entrance without the costly expense of replacement. Shutters are also a low cost item, pre-painted, easy to install and can change the appearance and style of a plain looking facade and enhance its charm. If your entrance walkway is in disrepair you can install brick pavers for a warm but elegant, country look. There are many styles, colors and shapes.

 

            The interior of your home may need a new coat of paint. You may want to consider some of the new color schemes available at your local paint or home improvement store. New carpet in the bedrooms or new rugs over a freshly scraped and polyurethaned hardwood floors in your living room and dining room can be a refreshing change. Upgrade the interior trim and add ornamental crossheads above the doorways. If you desire more light, have a larger window installed where you feel the interior can be enhanced by exterior views. Maybe it’s time for new kitchen appliances or modern bathroom fixtures. From new garage doors to installing a new lighting fixture, there are many things you can do to make your home more appealing without spending thousands of dollars.

 

Take a walk around your home and imagine what it would look like if you made a few minor changes. Just make yourself a list in the order you feel a repair or change is needed. These projects can be a lot of fun for you and your family and time together, well spent.

 

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Furniture doesn’t always come cheap and you want to get your money’s worth when you purchase any type of modern furniture for your home. While most classes of modern furniture do come with some kind of guarantee on the durability, it also would be helpful to learn more about regular cleaning and maintenance practices.

 

The more care you shower on each item, the longer will your modern furniture last and heighten the look and beauty of your home.

 

A regular dusting and cleaning routine, both daily and weekly/fortnightly, will aid in keeping your modern furniture upholstery, looking as good as new, even after a couple of years have taken place.

 

Wet Cleaning For Upholstery

 

This should be done on a monthly basis at the minimum, though if you have the time and willingness, you could include it as component of your weekly routine also.

 

Then, blend one part of liquid detergent to 4 parts of warm water and combine these ingredients with an electric mixer. The mixture needs to be blended until it is totally used up to form suds which are dry and peaked, much like in the way whipped cream or egg whites.

 

Before applying the suds to your modern furniture upholstery, do a spot test on an inconspicuous area of the fabric. If there is no effect on the fabric (running color, etc), dip a cleaning cloth into the suds and rub it vigorously over the top of the upholstery.

 

Remove dirty suds using a plastic scraper, once the upholstery has been completely covered with suds and cleaned. At last, use a wet cloth to wipe any lingering soapy residue and let the upholstery dry overnight.

 

In case you’re wondering about the different kinds of modern upholstered furniture one which you could apply this techniques, here are a few effortless pointers. You can use these care directions for armchairs, sofas, dining room chairs, benches, etc.

 

Some instances of such modern furniture are furniture lines inspired by Le Corbusier or Charles Eames. For more data on these lines of furniture, check out http://www.express-furniture.co.uk

 

Think about the fact that following a solid routine of cleaning and general maintenance will help keep your various pieces of modern furniture, looking exquisite and help in sustaining them for a long time for a lifetime.

 

Not only will this let you be house-proud and earn the respect of your peers, you will also end wind up saving quite a bit of large sums of money in the end!