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Posts Tagged ‘shower<’
Mr-Skill tells us that his mother got him started on odd jobs around their home from a very early age. He’s not complaining because, as you can see, he went on to great things when it came to introducing tradespeople with skills to customers with needs! One job you can consider doing yourself is the straightforward matter of changing a showerhead. Of course, it may not be that easy if you are unsure of your way around bathroom fittings, so if this describes you, rather find a bathroom fitter right here.
Have these Handy: 
- Plumber’s tape or thread
- Decent wrench or large pliers
- New showerhead
It’s as Easy as 1, 2, 3…
There are many showerheads to select from, and replacing the old one should not take more than a few minutes. Using the wrench or pliers, remove the old unit by twisting it counter-clockwise until it detaches from the feed pipe. Now, apply two layers of plumber’s tape to the screw thread you are about to attach your new unit to.
Interlude – if the above manoeuvre has left you somewhat perplexed, search right here on Mr-Skill and get a bathroom fitting quote.
Nearly there…
Installing your new unit is the exact reverse of removing the old one. First, apply some masking tape around the tightening flange of the shiny new showerhead. This will prevent any scratches or damage as you tighten up. Turn the new head clockwise, first by hand and then finally tighten with the wrench or pliers. It should be a tight fit to prevent leaks, but don’t make the mistake of over-tightening or you may end up stripping the thread!
Spare a Thought 
One of Mr-Skill’s many London bathroom fitters says that bathing is still quite popular in our climate. And you’ll be spoiled for choices because these days you can install anything from high-powered jet sprays to multi units, and even massaging heads – they are available for both bath and shower too. Don’t forget that hot cuppa tea to celebrate your success on the job!
Tags: bath, bathroom fitting quote, celebrate, cup of tea, find a bathroom fitter, fitter, jet spray, jets, london bathroom fitter, massage, pipe, pliers, plumber, plumbers tape, screw, shower, showerhead, tighten, twisting, wrench
Posted in Plumbing, Heating & Gas | Comments Off
Posted in General Building on Mar 26
Apart from looking very nice, a new bathroom can play a significant role when it comes to selling your home and achieving a good price. Bathrooms are not that difficult to spruce up either, so long as you plan carefully, and have all your ducks in a row.
First, decide if you need to find a general builder to do the job for you. Then, you should set a budget by listing everything that you have to buy. This should include all the sanitary ware such as new toilet and cistern, hand basin and cabinet, bath and shower cubicle, tiles, and a wall cabinet with mirror. Don’t forget tap fittings, extractor fans and a new combination light and ceiling heater. Towel rails, as well as other finishing touches can come later once everything else is finished.
Planning
- Draw up a copy of your new bathroom layout, and work out a budget too.
- Choose your new bathroom fittings from your preferred dealer. Remember to agree a delivery date before paying.
- Decide when you are going to start the job and warn the general household.
- Unless you have two bathrooms, allow for the time your bathroom will be out of commission.
Project Advice
- Make sure you have everything you need, including tools and safety gear.
- Isolate the water supply to the bathroom under renovation.
- Remove old bathroom tiles and fittings.
- Make good with any repairs needed to the subfloor and walls – fill plaster cracks for example and attend to any damp. If you discover things you did not expect, consider getting a general building quote instead.
- Prepare and repaint any wall area that you are not planning to tile, making sure the paint is suitable for bathroom use.
- You’re now ready to install your new tiles and fittings – imagine your new bathroom looking like this!
Oswald is a wild old sage – he’s one of our favourite London general builders. He has been refitting bathrooms for longer than most of us would guess, and he says that provided you are reasonably handy, renovating your bathroom yourself is possible. One word of caution though…once you have started it’s all about commitment. So plan the event carefully before starting!
Tags: add value, bath, bathroom refit, bathrrom renovation, cabinet, ceiling heater, ceiling light, damp, equipment, extractor fan, find a general builder, fittings, floor, general building quote, handbasin, London general builder, new bathroom, Plumbing, renovate bathroom, sanitary ware, shower, subfloor, tiles, toilet, tools
Posted in General Building | Comments Off
I find it surprising how so many people put so little thought into the subject of their taps, when they do a bathroom upgrade. After all, these are essential user-interface points, and they must feel right. I’ve heard that some London Bathroom Fitting Firms insist their clients choose their taps themselves, and then design the rest around them.
While this does sound a bit bizarre, it also makes a lot of sense. Many bathroom fitters don’t specify the  taps included in their Bath Fitting Quotes, and could be tempted to dumb designs down if they run over budget. The first thing is to check your relative water pressure – any plumber could do this for you – after which you’re ready to go out shopping.
- Old-fashioned Pillar Taps add a retro feel, and are perfect for twiddling in the bath with toes.
- Mixer Taps are simpler because there is a single outlet and you can feel whether the temperature adjustment is right
- If your cold and hot water pressure is unbalanced go for Dual Flow Mixer Taps instead.
- Monoblocks take things a stage further because now you only have a single leaver you can pre-set.
- If you have an in-bath shower, buy a Shower Mixer that allows you to divert the water up or down.
 The next step is to choose the design itself, which is largely a matter of personal taste. Brass-effect taps provide an invitingly warm effect reminiscent of graceful days. Shiny Chrome is hard to keep looking clean. Matt or satin finishes are all in vogue, and appear likely to remain that way.
Once you’ve made your decision – but don’t buy just yet, you never know – you can Find a Bathroom Fitter on Mr-Skill you can engage in comfort. Don’t take a chance by hiring a possible cowboy off the street. Shop with confidence on Our Website.
Tags: bath fitting quote, bathroom, brass, budget, choose, chrome, design, dual flow, feel, find a bathroom fitter, finish, london bathroom fitting firm, matt, mixer, monobloc, monoblock, pillar, pressure, satin, shower, specify, tap, water
Posted in Other Craftsman Services | Comments Off
Posted in Tiling & Flooring on Jan 16
This one’s dead easy, although many people still don’t know the secret of how to do it properly. They end up balancing floor mosaics on a base of tile cement that thinks that it’s a bed of quicksand. You’ll might still Find a Tiler battling this way elsewhere too, although I should think not one from Mr-Skill.
 Lay the shower drain in place two tile thicknesses above the floor, and then construct the shower base around it using a single row of bricks laid flat. Think about the shower enclosure as you do. Your goal is to be able to position it symmetrically.
- Determine the fall you need. The simplest way is to measure up an existing shower, although I’ve always allowed a half-inch drop myself. Obtain a length of wood the thickness of the fall, by say one inch wide.
- Wrap the shower drain tightly in a piece of plastic sheet to prevent it from getting blocked. Lay pieces of the wood down flat around the inside of the shower base to create a frame. If this sounds too complicated, you could always Ask Mr-Skill to Arrange Tiling Quotes instead
- Obtain a supply of flooring screed. Combine this with cement in ratio of two-parts screed to one-part cement. Add water to create a moist but not runny mixture. Add a cup of bonding liquid too if you have some,
 so the mix will adhere really tightly to the base below and the tiles above.
- Wait fifteen minutes to allow the mixture to stiffen. Do not add more water. Trowel about half the screed you think you need into the shower base and smooth it out using a steel float and a flat piece of wood. Add more screed as needed
- Your goal is to slope the screed evenly between the strips of wood inside the shower base, and the floor slab two inches outside of the drain. Don’t panic if it isn’t perfect. You’ll be laying tiles over it after all.
- Three hours later, fidget out the strips of wood inside the shower base and fill in the gaps they leave behind with more screed. A week later, you could begin to tile!
This one of many tips I learned from London Tilers a thousand years ago when I was completing my apprenticeship. Some things never change, do they? Another consistent thing is the quality of service you’ll get from Mr-Skill.
Tags: adhere, base, bonding liquid, brick, cement, drain, drop, easy, enclosure, fall, find a tiler, float, floor, frame, gap, gradient, london tilers, mix, mixture, plastic sheet, ratio, screed, shower, shower enclosure, slab, slope, thickness, tile, tiler quotes, trowel, water, wood, wrap
Posted in Tiling & Flooring | Comments Off
 A good London Decorator will tell you that keeping mould at bay is as simple as not creating an environment in which it flourishes. The problem is of course that we share a liking for similar humidity and temperature levels, which is where the problem begins.
Mould is a fungus that spreads across almost any surface, sowing spores everywhere it goes. It’s not poisonous. In fact it’s not dangerous at all. But it is unsightly and nobody likes to see it. It flourishes in warm damp conditions where the temperature is above 70-Degrees Fahrenheit, and the Relative Humidity over 70% too.
- When you shower, open a bathroom window to keep the temperature and humidity down.
- If you can’t stand the idea, then open it before you leave the bathroom, closing the door behind you as you go.
 This is not to say you won’t still get mould on your bathroom ceiling though. You’ll just have to do the following less frequently. If you don’t, you’ll need to Find a Decorator to eventually clear up the mess.
- Wipe away the mould using a damp cloth. Get rid of all of it.
- Sterilize the ceiling using a fungicidal barrier from a mould eradication kit.
- Next time you are looking for a Decorating Quote, specify a fungicidal additive added to the paint.
Now was that really all that complicated? Just another service from Mr-Skill. Your provider of tradesperson quotes at no charge at all.
Tags: damp, decorating quote, door, environment, eradicate, eradication kit, find a decorator, fungicide, humid, london decorator, moist, mold, mould, shower, spores, temperature, warm, window, wipe
Posted in Painting & Decorating | Comments Off
We’re all becoming a bit more green-minded these days, as energy prices soar and global warming starts to take effect. The devices that we use to heat our water are especially important, because the heat-exchange process is so energy-intensive. I’ve even heard of increasing sales in shops of de-scaling kits for electric kettles.  But how many of us spare a thought for our closed-circuit hot water systems, or consider getting Plumbing Quotes on Mr-Skill to descale them.
The root cause of the problem lies in the impurities in the water that we heat, and the damage caused by chemical contamination in different regions. In all cases there is a gradual build-up of harmful scale, as the by-products of calcium carbonate and black iron oxide begin to take effect.
The twin results of these two types of contamination are lowered thermal efficiency, and rust that corrodes the pressure tank until the system is no longer safe. This comes down to unnecessary expenditure of two kinds – higher electricity bills and eventually expensive hot water system replacements.
The same contaminated water finds its way through pipes to taps and sinks. As it does so, it gradually blocks the pipes the same way as cholesterol does to our arteries. Its final act of vengeance is when it  causes irreversible stains to expensive bathroom tiles and showers. By then of course the damage is largely done.
If you hear kettling noises in the roof space, spot scale build-up or find it necessary to turn up the boiler thermostat, then it’s definitely time to Find a London Plumbing Expert or someone nearer to advise. There are many techniques these days to repel the effects of scale, and the savings can be quite significant.
You can Find a Plumber on Mr-Skill that we’ve rated personally, and when they quote they’ll know that they’re being compared too. They’ll also know that in the unlikely case of problems you’ll be talking directly to us about them. Who said you can’t find quality anymore these days.
Tags: calcium, chemical, contamination, corrosion, cost, damage, descale, electricity, exchange, find a london plumbing expert, find a plumber, global warming, green, hot, impurity, oxide, pipe, plumbing quotes, rust, scale, shower, sink, tap, thermal, thermostat, tile, water
Posted in Plumbing, Heating & Gas | Comments Off
Posted in Electrical Work on Jun 26
At Mr-Skill, electrical safety is paramount to all of us, and this is why we recommend that you Find an Electrician on our Pages if in any doubt at all. We use this wonderful source of instant energy so many times a day that we too easily forget that it could also be dangerous too. Avoid risks by having your home installation checked once a year (or sooner if in any doubt at all).  You can ask for competitive Electrician Quotes any time of the day or night here, and we’ll reply soon.
Electrical safety is especially important in the bathroom. Stick to the following safety hints when you are there. Enjoy greater peace of mind. Remember that water is a conductor that can take electricity to ground through you, and that wet skin reduces your resistance.
o With the exception of professionally installed and grounded shaver sockets no electricity outlets are allowed in bathrooms. This includes connections to light fittings, plugs inside illuminated cabinets, and extension cables brought in through windows and doors.
o Shaver sockets must be positioned a safe distance from water sources. You ought not to be able to reach across with hands outstretched. My Brother, who is a well-known Electrician in London refuses to  install these fittings at all. Bathrooms are small, he says. Besides, what’s the point of it, in these days of rechargeable razors.
o Only, ever install ceiling light fittings in any bathroom, and make sure that these are fully enclosed. If you must install a light switch inside the room, the only ones permitted are insulated pull-cord types.
o Under no circumstances install electric heaters in the bathroom of your home. A power shower must be connected directly to the mains distribution board, well grounded, and without any joints in the cable.
We’re in a more serious mood today. People get hurt, maimed or even killed by electricity in the UK every week. If what we wrote this time makes you more cautious then maybe that is good. Remember, it costs you nothing to get Electrical Quotes from Mr-Skill. Please be careful with electricity.
Tags: bathroom, cable, care, careful, cautious, conductor, cord, danger, dangerous, electric, electrician london, electrician quotes, enclose, energy, extension, find an electrician, fitting, ground, heater, hurt, joint, kill, light, maim, outlet, plug, power, safe, safety, shaver, shower, skin, socket, water, wet
Posted in Electrical Work | Comments Off
Posted in Kitchen Fitting on May 09
In our busy sometimes hectic life we get used to things too easily. Like the petrol gauge dropping lower and the cookie jar  getting empty. Too soon we find that the lawn has become unkempt, and that the windows need cleaning too.
Pretty much the same applies to plumbing fittings in the bathroom (and in the kitchen too). Scale, which is a limestone deposit in the water builds up over time and can conceivably end up blocking pipers. It also builds up in our kettles and could cause a boiler element to overheat.
But that is not all. As scale builds up it covers the body residues we leave behind in baths and showers, and could cause a lung infection when it chips away and we inhale the myobacterium avium dust it hides. Do not panic, and do not use antibacterial sprays that kill the good bacteria that are our friends. Solve the problem in a natural way instead – that way you are unlikely to need Bathroom Fitter Quotes either.
o  Remove the tap heads and shower rose
o Fill an old pan with water and half a cup of vinegar and bring it to the boil. Do not inhale the fumes.
o Soak the shower rose and tap heads in the liquid for twenty minutes
o Rinse the fittings under cold running water and replace them. Repeat the process if the scale is deep, and diarise to do the job every three months.
Unless your hands are stiff and sore you should be able to do this job yourself. If not, then Mr-Skill would be delighted to Find a Bath Fitter to help do this for you. Then you could enjoy your shower in perfect safety.
Tags: bath, bath fitter london, bath fitter quote, bath fitting london, bath fitting quote, bathroom fitter london, bathroom fitter quote, bathroom fitting london, bathroom fitting quote, bathroon, boil, build, build-up, chest, chip, disease, dust, find a bath fitter, find a bathroom fitter, fitting, head, inhale, kitchen, limestone, myobacterium avium, natural way, remove, replace, resudue, rinse, rose, scale, shower, soak, tap, vinegar, water
Posted in Kitchen Fitting | Comments Off
Posted in Tiling & Flooring on Apr 14
What will the bathroom of this summer turn out to be? For what will Bath Fitters in London be quoting this time? Will it be for virginal white victorian bathtubs on four heavy legs  again? Oh, how yesterday-ish, the modern dreamers say. Today is about light, brightness and the illusion of space. Perhaps you do not agree. Perhaps I do not either. Nevertheless, let us at least listen to what they are trying to tell us. We might learn something too.
Perhaps one should rather Find a Bath Fitter to create a symphony of reflective mirrors, granite tops and white cabinetry. Across a broad mosaic floor, a shower could accommodate a pair of lovers easily. And everywhere bright, glorious light filtering naturally through the ceiling with a glimpse of plants through a window beyond?
Perhaps not. Perhaps a bathroom is a more serious place where we go to do our business. No time for lingering here. Just teutonic space efficiency – modern white fittings offset by sober dark wood cabinets.
 Maybe a bathroom is a lover’s tryst. An open wet room where no secrets hide. An extension to the bedroom where more exciting things await. Why hide your charms behind closed doors, some people say.
Personally, I think that a bathroom should be an extension of the outside environment. A private garden or a view across the Bay of Capri – such as the one designed by an architectural genius to the right. No matter how little I can afford, I should still like to be able to lie back in a bath and connect with nature.
I for one am going to Get Bathroom Fitter Quotes the instant that I win the Lotto. How about you? Will you be doing that too? In the meantime happy dreaming, for of such small things are the sweetest dreams made.
Tags: bath fitter london, bath fitter quote, bath fitting london, bath fitting quote, bathroom, bathroom fitter london, bathroom fitter quote, bathroom fitting london, bathroom fitting quote, bright, cabinet, ceiling, charm, dark, design, efficient, environmnent, find a bath fitter, find a bathroom fitter, Garden, granite, light, lover, mirror, mosaic, secret, serious, shower, space, style, summer, victorian, view, wet, wetroom, white, window
Posted in Tiling & Flooring | Comments Off
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