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January 10, 2022

Saving Water – The Bath vs. Shower Debate

Photo by @ellilauren on Twenty20

In this article, we’ll debate the big question—does it takes less water to take a shower or have a bath?

First of all, let’s take a look at a few facts:

# A full bathtub holds approximately 140 litres of water
# Standard shower heads dispense 20-60 litres of water per minute
# Shower heads with flow restrictors dispense 10-15 litres of water per minute

An average bath requires 100 to 200 litres of water. Depending on your showerhead and whether it has a flow restrictor in it and how long you shower, the answer could oscillate either towards shower or bath. The average shower of four minutes with an old showerhead uses 80 litres of water. With a low-flow showerhead, only 40 litres of water is used.

If your house was constructed before 1992, chances are your showerheads force out about 20 litres of water per minute. Multiply this by the number of minutes you are in the shower and the litres add up fast!

If you’d like to test the amount of water wasted yourself, here’s an experiment you could try at home. Put the plug in the bathtub next time you take a shower (but not a stand-alone shower as you might spill over the lower shower wall). After you’ve showered, examine how much the tub filled up. If there is less water than you would usually have in a bath, then you will probably save money by taking a shower instead of a bath.

Although the chances of the contrary happening are unheard of, if it is the case for you, then in addition to the enjoyment you get in a bath, there is more good news for you.

A good, long soak in a bath can renew the spirit. Hydrotherapy, which loosely translated means ‘rejuvenation by water,’ enables bathers to revitalize themselves. Some modern systems even contain air jets that have been strategically placed to target the body’s pressure points, relieving tension and stress. Bathers can also enjoy the benefit of chromatherapy, which uses coloured light in much the same way aromatherapy uses scent to stimulate different psychological and physical responses.

Bath time for a young family can be an important playtime and social occasion to be shared with other family members. A number of people find baths a calming way to relax in today’s fast paced stressful life. Herbs and essential oils soothe aching muscles, tense nerves, and skin irritations; soften the skin; and ensure a good complexion.

The Environment Agency, however, would recommend short showers, not baths. Based on its latest research, it proclaims that a 5-minute shower uses about a third of the water of a bath and can save 50 litres every time.

The time taken to take a shower is not the sole variable though. As previously mentioned, water consumed is also dependent on the type of shower you use. Power showers can use more water than a bath in less than 5 minutes! Low-flow showerheads deliver 10 litres of water or less per minute and are relatively inexpensive. Older showerheads use 20 to 30 litres of water per minute.

If you still believe that a shower cannot equal the gratification of a bath, then it is recommended to partially fill your bath in order to use less water. That option might seem better if you consider the plight of sailors aboard ships. Due to lack of fresh water aboard ships, sailors were taught to get wet, turn off the water, soap and scrub, and then briefly turn the water on to rinse. Let’s hope Texas residents don’t suffer the same fate in a few years.

However, nothing replaces a great soak in a bathtub. It is one of the best pleasures in life. So … Enjoy your bathtub!

If you want to remodel your bathtub call Houston Bathtub Refinishers.

Contact.

milenaBathtubs

December 14, 2021

Quality Composite Decking

Photo by @connorjkeith on Twenty20

Thinking of buying new home decking? You should be aware there are new, attractive alternatives to wood decks. These deck-building products provide increased durability as well as extremely low maintenance. You’ll appreciate the new styles and colors which are a break from the humdrum, common deck materials that homeowners are tired of seeing. Consumers are looking for something different this year.

Today’s deck building manufacturers are producing a wide array of new synthetic, plastic, and composite decking materials. New composite products are actually combining the best qualities of wood with the strength and durability of synthetic materials.

Composite Decks

Composite decks (sometimes referred to as engineered products) are manufactured using a variety of combinations of components such as wood fibers, fillers, and binders. These components of composite decking are heated and compressed into the base composite decking boards. They offer a very durable exterior surface that is difficult to discolor and scratch, and which is easy to clean. Composite decks also resist shrinking and swelling better than natural wood decking products.

Composite decking has more advantages over pressure-treated pine decking. The material is harder and won’t dent, and they are approved for fire-rated construction. Wood products will burn and plastic-based products will melt or warp when exposed to a significant heat source. Over a ten-year period, your house decking will take a great deal of punishing use and weather. This physical beating which includes people walking and jumping on it, intense sunshine, barbecue grease burns, and rain with high winds, will wear down even the strongest of wood deck materials. Composite decks keep their beautiful appearance for many years to come with minimal maintenance. A simple pressure washing once a year is all that’s required.

Wood decking products have a unique set of limitations that might make you think twice about purchasing them for your home. Wood can rot; invite bug infestations, shrink, and swell when subjected to rain, then hot dry weather, thus loosening fasteners that hold it securely. That’s when squeaky, loose boards become an annoying feature of your deck, along with nails that stick up and present a real safety and health hazard.

Installation of composite decking is a breeze. These products were designed to enable easy cutting for the deck installers. Composite’s strength presents innumerably creative options that aren’t possible with expensive wood decks. This is contributing to the creative deck design boom in homes across America. Large decks would require extensive refinishing through the years and hiring a deck refinisher every year is not something most people would consider. If you’re thinking of building multilevel or other creative types of deck, composite decking is the right choice.

Composite Decking comes in a number of different colors that can match or compliment any home’s decor and style. Each deck board is reversible with a woodgrain face on the side and a rough sawn face on the other without any grain.

Choosing Decking

Your choice of decking will influence the overall appearance of your home and ultimately, its resale value. Homeowners today are a different breed than those of the past. Very few people live in their homes forever. Most move to new locations to take advantage of job opportunities or need a new home to suit their ever-changing family situation. Consumers today have also become bored with treated pine.

At some point, homeowners will sell their homes. The quality and appearance of the decking and its suitability for their home, property, and geographical location will affect the resale value of the home. The home buyer will not want to be faced with a series of expensive home improvements. With composite materials, homeowners can afford to build a bigger deck, and one with more creative designs. The scarcity of expensive woods is not a problem when you’re building composite decks.

Outback Decking

If wood decking is still the only type for you, this beautiful deck material is made from Red Meranti, a type of wood that has rot and mildew resistant qualities that are normally only found in woods such as cedar. Outback decking is a premier deck product. It is a sealed deck material that reduces moisture-related deck problems, splits, and faces checks. It can be refinished with virtually any refinishing product in the years to come.

If you want to renovate your bathroom, call Houston Bathtub Refinishers.

milenaBathtubs, Decking

November 14, 2021

Keep a Detailed Home Maintenance and Renovation Diary

Photo by @Chantelle on Twenty20

Just as it’s important for you to keep detailed records of your home business, your bills, income tax information, or medical history, so too is it imperative that you keep detailed records of all maintenance you perform on your home. After all, it is your biggest investment and the one thing in your house that requires constant TLC to maintain its value and to ensure it continues to be able to protect your family from the elements and keep them secure. However, when you think about everything you have to do to take care of a home, setting up a manageable way of keeping accurate and detailed records can be an overwhelming task. But with some creative thinking and a commitment to accuracy and organization, it can make a daunting task quite simple.

Whether you are just purchasing your home or you’re just committed to setting up a manageable database of information regarding your home’s maintenance, a home maintenance diary might be just the thing you need to get organized and stay organized on this matter. Begin with taking stock of your home’s current condition. Be brutally honest when you’re assessing the situation. You might want to categorize your diary by section of the home such as the exterior, kitchen, master bedroom, or basement, or you may choose to divide it according to tasks, like painting, electrical, insulation, roof, landscaping, or climate control. Treat your initial walk-through as a real estate agent or investor might do. Study each corner, each tile, and brick, and notate any damage, defect, or upkeep that needs to happen.

As you look through your completed home maintenance diary, don’t let it become overwhelming to you. Devise a plan with the rest of your family that works for everyone involved to complete needed tasks. Perhaps you’ll devote this weekend to painting the exterior and the following weekend you’ll focus on maintaining the landscaping. If there are tasks in your diary that you feel ill-equipped to handle, call a professional. The peace of mind knowing the job was handled by a professional is well worth it.

Be sure to have a separate section available for renovations, updates, or remodels that you’ve completed as well. Be sure to date these events, and if there are any notes regarding specific equipment used or products purchased, be sure to jot that down as well.

For more information about refinishing call Houston Bathtub Refinishers.

milenaMaintenance

October 12, 2021

Kitchen Remodeling Safety Tips You Need to Know

Photo by @beachbumledford on Twenty20

Are you a homeowner who is looking to start a kitchen remodeling project? If so, are you doing that project by yourself? While a large number of homeowners make the decision to hire a professional contractor, others do not. Not only will you have control over your kitchen remodeling project, but doing your own remodeling may save you money. Although there are a number of benefits to remodeling your own kitchen, there are also a number of disadvantages. One of those disadvantages is the risk of injury.

One of the many reasons why kitchen remodeling can be termed dangerous is because of the tools that are used. Whether you are replacing your kitchen lights, your kitchen cabinets, or your kitchen flooring, you will likely need to use a collection of tools; tools that may be unsafe if used improperly. That is why it is important that you know all of the tools that you will be using, including their dangers. Although there is a good chance that you have used a box cutter or a saw before, there is also a chance that you haven’t. Before you start your kitchen remodeling project, it may be a good idea to practice with and familiarize yourself with the tools that you will be using. When it comes time to starting your remodeling, you should know how to safely use all of your tools; thus reducing your risk of injury.

It is also important that you know your own physical limits, when remodeling your kitchen. Whether you are replacing your kitchen floor tiles, installing new kitchen cabinets, or installing a new kitchen countertop, you need to know how much is too much to lift. Lifting too much weight may result in back injury; therefore, if you need assistance from someone, ask for it. It is also advised that you keep your overall ability to work in mind. Even if you are trying to get your kitchen remodeling project finished as soon as possible, it is advised that you do not push yourself. When you are tired and working, your safety is not only at risk, but the overall outcome of your project is also because more mistakes may be made. If you need a break, even for an hour, take one.

When remodeling your kitchen, it is also advised that you keep aware of your surroundings; this includes who else is in the kitchen. If you are remodeling with a friend or a relative, it is a good idea to know where they are at all times. This will help to prevent accidentally injuries. It is also important to keep an eye on who may enter the kitchen when you are remodeling. If you have children, it may be a good idea to block the entranceway to your kitchen. If you are unable to do so, you will always want to know if and when your children enter the remodeling area. If you have young children, it is advised that you never leave your remodeling tools laying around, especially large, sharp tools.

Perhaps, the best thing to keep in mind, when remodeling your kitchen, is to use your common sense. Listening to your head or what your body is telling you, like when it signals that you may need a break, is the best way to stay safe when remodeling your kitchen. It is also, as previously mentioned, the best way to ensure that you produce quality work.

For more information call Houston Bathtub Refinishers.

milenaKitchen

September 13, 2021

Reduce Remodeling Stress

Photo by @heartpoppi on Twenty20

Aside from the monetary burdens of remodeling, there are also several other factors when you choose to redo and area of your home that can lead to a significant amount of stress. Depending on the area you are redoing and the amount of work involved, remodeling can be an experience that throws the entire family for a loop and may take a long time to be finished.

One of the areas in which stress can factor highly is the presence of workers who are doing the remodeling in your home. Many homeowners have started to attempt their own remodeling, but the fact remains that there are some projects, such as installing ceramic tile floors and even painting- that require a professional to do the job right. Many people just do not have the time to try do-it-yourself remodeling. In these cases, the homeowner will have to deal with people from outside of the family using the home on a regular basis.

For most of us, our home is our sanctuary, where we can get away from the pressures of work and can relax among the people who love us. Having workers in the home takes away a lot of the sense of privacy critical to the enjoyment of our homes and the relaxation of the day. It is important that when you hire people to do your remodeling job for you that you make them aware of the ground rules in your house. Remember, they are your employees and you have the right to tell them some basic rules about the usage of your house. If you do not like the workers using areas of the house that they are not working in, make sure to tell them so. Also make sure to provide them with the ideal path in terms of exiting and entering the work area. It may sound strange, but you might also consider getting to know the workers a little bit. A degree of familiarity can take away the stress that may come with the belief that a total stranger is in your home.

Another area in which remodeling may add considerable stress is in the access to your home and especially in certain areas. If you are planning on remodeling your entryway, you will want to make sure that you have an alternative entry point and that it is easily accessible to the whole family.

There are several ways to totally reduce the stress that comes with remodeling. One way is to make plans to be out of the house when the remodeling is taking place- plan your vacation around the schedule. If you take this route, make sure that there is someone such as a neighbor who can check up on the work being done and ensure the schedule is being adhered to. You could also consider staying with family or friends in town, although many people will find that this just adds a different kind of stress to the remodeling process!

Finally, make sure that the remodeling is set to a precise schedule. Day after day of sawing and hammering will inevitably begin to grate on the nerves, and studies have shown that humans have a greater tolerance for ordeals when there is a definite end pointing sight.

If the remodeling process is causing you a lot of stress, the best thing to do is call Houston Bathtub Refinishers.
Contact us.

milenaRemodeling

August 16, 2021

Cleaning the bathroom mirror

Photo by @.Monarkk.on Twenty20

Although there are special glass cleaners, you can also clean the typical splashes and stains from the mirror when we brush our teeth using vinegar diluted in water. You just have to dilute 1 part of vinegar in 4 parts of water. Use these proportions especially if you want to prepare it to fill a spray and use it on all the glasses in the house.

In addition, you can use the sheets of old newspapers to do a thorough cleaning of the mirror and other glass, since it does not leave any type of fiber and does not scratch the glass surfaces. Cleaning the bathroom with vinegar is an advantage.

For more information about bathroom remodeling call Houston Bathtub Refinishers.

milenaBathrooms

July 14, 2021

Infallible trick to clean kitchen drawers and make them look like new

Photo by @manrikphoto on Twenty20

Has it ever happened to you that you try to clean your house, but you have no idea how to clean the drawers, cabinets, or drawers?

If you want to learn how to clean your drawers, you will need the following:

* Water

* Vinegar

* Rag

* Wood cleaner

* Baking soda

* Juice of two lemons

Process:

1. The first thing we must do is remove all utensils, dishes, or objects that are inside the drawers.

Place them in a place where you have a lot of space and they do not get in the way inside the kitchen, the dining room table can be a good option.

2. In a container, mix a little water and white vinegar and with the help of a cloth, begin to moisten it to clean the drawers.

You can do it with circular movements to cover the entire space. I recommend that you do this cleaning daily after cooking to prevent a layer of grease or dirt from forming on your furniture.

3. You will notice that all the dirt stays on the cloth without the need to scrub for hours.

4. Later, with the help of another cloth, apply the wood cleaner.

Remember NOT to wet the cabinets so much, as moisture could accumulate and damage the surface of your furniture.

FOR THE INSIDE OF THE DRAWERS …

1. In a bowl, mix water, two tablespoons of baking soda, and the juice of the lemons.

2. Pour the mixture into the drawers and let it rest for 10 minutes.

3. Later with the help of a cloth clean everything and that’s it.

This mixture is perfect for cleaning, eliminating bad odors, and preventing grease from sticking inside your cabinets.

NOTE: If you want to remove the moisture inside your drawers, put a plate with baking soda to do all the work.

There are certain cleaning products that are especially for wooden drawers and cabinets, such as oils, polish, or disinfectants, which you can find in any supermarket.

Cleanliness inside the kitchen is vital because it is the place where we prepare food and if a deep cleaning is not done, bacteria could be generated in it and contaminate the food.

For more information on refinishing your kitchen ask at Houston Bathtub Refinishers.

milenaKitchen

June 14, 2021

Your Old Tub, Sink and Toilette are not Obsolete. They can be Vintage

Photo by tiler84 on Envato

If you are remodeling or refinishing your bathrooms, this often includes changing or updating the look of your bathtub. But if that bathtub is really old, throwing it into the trash is throwing away your cash. You see, if you have a very, very old bathtub, keeping it is a much better investment than replacing it with a new one.

There are, for instance, old clawfoot and cast iron bathtubs. You can get a very simple one for US$50, but an ornated, well-kept, or restored one can be worth US$2000. And such restoration is not so difficult, nor expensive at all. The most important thing is taste and knowledge, two of the great things Houston Bathtub Refinishers offers.

The same principle can be applied to old sinks and toilettes. Creating an environment in which they can fit well is relatively easy, as tiles come in lots of different designs and patterns that match with old-fashioned shapes and materials, facilitating the obtention of a vintage ambiance and a very classy and beautiful bathroom.

So next time you are thinking about renovating, maybe keeping old bathtubs, sinks, and toilettes. Unless they are beyond repair, they can pass from scrap to beautiful, useful, and original décor pieces.

For more information contact Houston Bathtub Refinishers.

milenaBathrooms

May 14, 2021

The Benefits of Remodeling your Kitchen

Photo By @JadeNinaSarkhel on Twenty20.com

When we are interested in doing something, such as a home improvement project, there are many of us who are unsure what we should do, if we should even do anything at all. When it comes to deciding on a plan or a course of action, many individuals make the decision to focus on the good and the bad of the situation, this is most commonly referred to as the pros and the cons.

If you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen, you may be wondering what the plus side of doing so is, otherwise know as the pros. Well, if you are interested in remodeling your kitchen, you are in luck. There is an unlimited number of ways that you can benefit from having your kitchen remodeled.

Perhaps, the greatest pro or positive benefit to having your kitchen remodeled is the increase in your home’s value. When it comes to kitchen remodeling and home values, you will find that, in most cases, a home’s value increases with a remodeling project, including a kitchen remodeling project. Although a large number of homes see an increase in their value, thanks to a kitchen remodeling project, not all of them do.

Honestly, it all depends on the quality of the remodeling done. If a remodeling project is poor in quality or it may later lead to additional problems with the home, you will find that the value with not increase, but it might even decrease.

Another pro to remodeling your kitchen is the fact that you will, essentially, be getting a new kitchen. Although some homeowners choose to only remodel a small portion of their kitchen, others go right out and remodel the whole thing. Whether you make the decision to resurface things on your kitchen countertops and cabinets or change your cabinets, sink, oven, floor tiles, and wall paint, there is a good chance that your kitchen may appear as if it is a whole, brand new kitchen. As a homeowner, you will enjoy the change.

Although there are a number of pros to kitchen remodeling, there are also a number of cons. Cons are another way to describe disadvantages. The biggest con or disadvantage to remodeling your kitchen is the fact that it cannot only be costly, but time-consuming. Concerning this issue, resurfacing is a tremendous way to save money and time in the process of remodeling the whole kitchen, and frequently the sole resurfacing of the countertops is enough to give the kitchen the look you are looking for.

For more information contact Houston Bathtub Refinishers. We can help you. Just contact us.

milenaKitchen

April 14, 2021

History of Bathtubs and Bathing

Photo by archideaphoto on Envato

Documented early plumbing systems for bathing go back as far as around 3300 BC with the discovery of copper water pipes beneath a palace in ancient Europe. Evidence of the earliest surviving personal-sized bathtub was found on the Isle of Crete where a 1.5-meter (5 ft) long pedestal tub was found built from hardened pottery.

The clawfoot tub, which reached the apex of its popularity in the late 19th century, had its origins in the mid 18th century, when the ball and claw design originated in the Netherlands, possibly artistically inspired by the Chinese motif of a dragon holding a precious stone. The design spread to England, where it found much popularity among the aristocracy, just as bathing was becoming increasingly fashionable. Early bathtubs in England tended to be made of cast iron, or even tin and copper with a face of paint applied that tended to peel with time.

The Scottish-born inventor David Buick invented a process for bonding porcelain enamel to cast the iron in the 1880s while working for the Alexander Manufacturing Company in Detroit. The company, as well as others including Kohler Company and J. L. Mott Iron Works, began successfully marketing porcelain-enameled cast-iron bathtubs, a process that remains broadly the same to this day. Far from the ornate feet and luxury most associated with clawfoot tubs, an early Kohler example was advertised as a “horse trough/hog scalder, when furnished with four legs will serve as a bathtub.” The item’s use as a hog scalder was considered a more important marketing point than its ability to function as a bathtub.

In the latter half of the 20th century, the once-popular clawfoot tub morphed into a built-in tub with a small apron front. This enclosed style afforded easier maintenance and, with the emergence of colored sanitary ware, more design options for the homeowner. The Crane Company introduced colored bathroom fixtures to the United States market in 1928, and slowly this influx of design options and easier cleaning and care led to the near demise of clawfoot-style tubs.

In the 1960s fiberglass bathtubs became the standard for homes, being lightweight and inexpensive.

James R. Wheeler and his brother Richard in 1979 adapted the acrylic being used for outdoor spas to make acrylic bathtubs. Working with Spartech Plastics, they developed the modern co-extruded and durable acrylic bathtub. The company American Bath Factory was the first to expand the diversity of acrylic bathtubs to include whirlpools, clawfoot bathtubs, and a large variety of pedestal and modern bathtubs.

For more information about how to refinish your old cast iron bathtub, give us a call today!

Just contact us.

We are Houston Bathtub Refinishers.

milenaMain

Saving Water – The Bath vs. Shower Debate

Quality Composite Decking

Keep a Detailed Home Maintenance and Renovation Diary

Kitchen Remodeling Safety Tips You Need to Know

Reduce Remodeling Stress

Cleaning the bathroom mirror

Infallible trick to clean kitchen drawers and make them look like new

Your Old Tub, Sink and Toilette are not Obsolete. They can be Vintage

The Benefits of Remodeling your Kitchen

History of Bathtubs and Bathing

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