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Archive for the ‘DIY plumbing repairs’ Category
Restoring the Cottage to Its Former Glory
Until about a year ago, my family cottage was falling into disrepair. My grandfather built the place with his bare hands, and watching the place crumbling at the foundations due to neglect was heart-wrenching. In order to correct the problem, my son and I took matters into our own hands. We packed some tools into the old pickup truck and drove the two hours and change to the cottage. Having taken a few days off work, we both had time to make some initial home improvements.
It wasn’t until several hours into the task that I realized I was getting dehydrated. Walking into the kitchen and turning on the tap, I found - much to my dismay - that a foul smelling, discolored liquid began coursing into the sink. This substance didn’t resemble any water I’d ever seen or tasted in the past, and I knew it was time to pull out my special plumbing tools and go to work. It seemed like for every two steps forward we took one back, but after a couple of weeks we finally got the job done.
Bath Tub Fixtures (WHY)
After a long day, one of the things you would be craving for is a warm long bath. A great bath tub can become your best friend at the end of the day. Many people upgrade their tubs with bath tub faucets to make it more delightful to use. Increasing the value of their largest investment, Real Estate. Nowadays, bath tub faucets come in all shapes and sizes so you have countless of options to choose from.
One of the newest things in this industry today is the touch faucet innovation. Some of the touch faucet brands in the market today are Delta and Kohler. The Delta 980T - SSSD is equipped with the latest Touch 20 technology and is one of the leading products in the market. The price of Delta touch sensor faucet in Amazon is $348. Listed at the original price of $585, you would be able to save around $40 when you purchase it in Amazon. It has a Pilar design which was inspired by technology and nature combined. It also features a Magnatite spray head to secure tight fit. Additionally, this product also boasts its Diamond Seal technology which utilizes an electronic valve along with a diamond coating, making it more durable and guaranteed to last a lifetime.
If you want a Zen-styled bathroom, a faucet Asian waterfall nickel sink would be the best way to go. You can find one in Amazon, like the model SV15, which is an oriental inspired bathroom sink and faucet that sells for $425. This product has marble sink which is handcrafted and a brushed nickel faucet finish. The sink is about 1″ thick and colored black and grey. The product includes a pop up drain and a limited lifetime warranty. Bath tub faucets with an Asian design will also go along well with a Zen inspired bathroom. Vintage themes are also popular. You can add vintage glass fixtures for bathroom or look for modern floor mount bathtub faucets if you want a contemporary, modern look.
For a modern styled bathroom, most people choose ceiling mount tub fillers or custom ceiling tub faucets with a contemporary sleek modern finish. This is one of the most unique kinds of bath tub faucets ever thought of. A bath faucet from ceiling mounts is a great statement of modern style. You can find the Kohler K922 CP ceiling mount bath filler at Amazon for $323.86. The product has a solid brass construction and a polished chrome finish for more durability and resistance to tarnish and corrosion. It has a 2 centimeter orifice and weighs about 5.6 lbs. This product can be used for dual purposes. Aside from filling your tub, it can also be used as a shower. The minimalist style is also the modern style so if you want this kind of bathroom, don’t overdo decorations and fixtures. Look for fittings that possess simplicity and clean finishes.
Bath tub faucets, no matter what design, should complement and match the overall look of your bathroom. Before buying a faucet that interests you, think about the kind of look you want to achieve first. Compare the different styles that you want and canvas on some of the things you need to buy. Remember, you don’t have to spend too much and hire a contractor or decorator for this. Just have in mind the right idea, and the great products to go along with it.
Mortgage Rates Fall
Mortgage Rates Hit New Lows in Two Weekly Surveys
Mortgage rates dropped again this week, setting new records in two weekly surveys, the result of investor flight from European investments. The Freddie Mac weekly survey put the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) at 4.84% with a 0.7 origination point for the week ending May 20, down from last week’s average of 4.93%. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.82%. The 25-year-old Bankrate.com weekly survey of large banks and thrifts put the average rate for a 30-year FRM at 4.96% with a 0.5 origination point, the lowest in the history of the survey.
Despite the end of the Federal Reserve mortgage-backed securities (MBS) purchase program, mortgage rates are at their lowest point all year. As Europe responds to the Greek debt crisis, the euro is plummeting compared to the dollar. Investors are turning to American investments that, for the moment, seem safer. However, some argue that debt levels in the US are also as risky as in Europe. “People rush to us for ’safety,’ although we’re Greece — we just haven’t gotten there yet,” Anthony Sanders, distinguished professor of real estate finance at George Mason University, told Bankrate.com. Sanders added US interest rates will rise once European and Chinese economies recover. Freddie said the 15-year FRM averaged 4.24% with an average 0.7 point, down from last week’s average of 4.3% and a year ago, when the average was 4.5%. Freddie said the five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.91% with a 0.6 point, down from last week’s average
of 3.95% and a year ago, when it averaged 4.79%. It’s the lowest average rate for the product since October 2004, when it averaged 3.96%.
Is it a better time now more than yesterday to get that bathroom remodel done, YES YES YES emphatically yes is your answer……
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial Market Still Struggling
While the commercial real estate market may not have fully recovered, National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun identified some developing, positive trends in the market that could eventually lead to recovery at the “Economics Issues and Commercial Business Trends Forum.” Yun said jobs only began increasing a couple of months ago and are still below peak. The commercial market has seen a few improving trends in recent months. The market is experiencing an increase in transactions due to more distressed properties available needing various levels of plumbing repairs IE., and prices are beginning to stabilize. Yun believes within the next year more lending will slowly become accessible to commercial property owners.
Two commercial sectors showing the most promise are manufacturing and multifamily. Manufacturing activity and employment have risen recently and because household formation is also rising, the multifamily sector will likely fare the best during this economy. Despite some of these promising trends, the commercial market is still experiencing high vacancy rates and rent concessions. “All real estate is local, but I expect to see vacancy rates bottoming out and rent rising by next year,” said Yun. He also warned against some of the possible risks commercial practitioners may experience in the future such as high interest rates and inflation, as well as increased taxes for commercial real estate investors. During the session, Yun was joined by two leading economic experts, Diane Swonk, Mesirow Financial; and Brendan Reilly, Commercial Mortgage Securities Association. The panelists agreed that an improving economy and job creation continue to be the two main factors when it comes to restoring the commercial real estate market.
When do you Call a Plumber?
Plumbing call out charges vary largely based on where you live and what time of day you require a plumber. Standard call out charges in a metro locality should not differ markedly between individual plumbers, as competition will ensure they remain competitive - though more experienced plumbers will typically charge more for their services. Most plumbers will stipulate a minimum call out charge, with an additional charge for parts and labour. Some may advertise no call out charge at all, but have considerably higher rates per hour.
24/7 Call Out Charges
After hours call out charges to effect emergency repairs will be charged at a premium. The most common emergency plumbing scenarios in the home include drain blockages, burst pipes, faulty hot water systems and broken taps.
Plumbing Qualifications
Plumbers are a licensed trade and typically undergo training under an apprenticeship system. This takes place, with practical and theory components, over a number of years during which trainees are paid for the work they undertake. They are governed by local or national plumbing codes which stipulate health and safety regulations to be followed, as well standards for products and materials utilised.
What to ask your plumber?
Before you hire a plumber, there are a few basic questions you can ask to ensure you receive the best service. These include:
* Are they licensed by the local plumbing authority?
* Are they registered with the local plumbing authority?
* Are they in possession of public liability insurance?
* What is their call out rate?
* What is their hourly rate?
* Do they provide detailed quotes?
* Do they have customer referrals?
Types Of Home Plumbing
Plumbers service a number of different areas in the home, including:
Maintenance - this includes repairs to all the plumbing fixtures in the home, such as tap ware, toilets and water heating systems
Renovations - this is an ever expanding source of business for plumbers as people expand or remodel their properties; with outdoor spas, luxurious bathrooms and a range of appliances for the kitchen
New builds - new homes need to be connected to the main water supply, as well as having the internal piping and fixtures installed
Green plumbing - the growth in all things green has seen solar hot water, rainwater tanks and grey water recycling systems become popular with customers looking to make savings and protect the environment
Guttering - having the correct guttering ensures that your roofing is not infiltrated, particularly during heavy rainfall or storms
Kitchens Sell Homes!
When people look at buying a home, often the kitchen is the first room they inspect. A kitchen that looks like it’s from the 1950s will cause a buyer to lose interest in the whole home. Under most circumstances, kitchen remodeling is a good thing. Even in an economy where sellers are struggling, a kitchen remodel can go a long way. Even though a homebuyer might not get a return on a kitchen remodel, it’s quite possible they’ll get a home offer that wouldn’t have otherwise been there. Even though kitchen remodeling can be quite expensive, there are a few practices that can make it much more bearable. For example, instead of replacing all the cabinetry, repaint and replace the cabinet doors and handles instead. Instead of granite countertops, use faux granite, or avoid the expensive granite slabs by opting for granite tiling. And make sure that all of the essential utilities are functioning properly—taking a few minutes to perform some kitchen sink repair on a leaky faucet is well worth it.
Replacing the appliances in the kitchen can be a good thing, and it’s not necessary to go all out and purchase a leading model either. The current trend is stainless steel, and as long as an appliance is stainless steel, it will do well.
silly plumbers dont get it
Influencing the BPO
In a short sale transaction, the lender has to verify the negotiated price before the completion of any contract signing. Perhaps there is a lot of red tape to push through, but this one will make or break any offer you have submitted to the mortgage granter. So many of the lenders BPO agents are super swamped with daily lists of defaulted homes to review, that likely they are more than convinced a ” drive by” appraisal will suffice. 
Stay cool and play your hand right, because the ability to influence the BPO will behoove all parties involved. The owners need help out of a dire time, and you may have that trump card, that can enable a justifiable reduction in value to solve this economic environments foreseeable future. Learn more today.
Extensive water damage from an upstairs bathroom could just be the ace in the hole, and with a “drive by” agent never understanding the true circumstances that have justified your offer.
Easy DIY Plumbing
While the prospect of doing your own plumbing repairs may be daunting, with the amount of information readily available, virtually anyone can do it. My knowledge of tools and plumbing is rudimentary at best, but when my toilet started leaking, I decided to try to fix it myself. After doing a quick search engine query, I was able to find a plethora of articles on how to repair running toilet.
Once I found out what tools and parts I would need, I set to work. I know that it took me far longed than it would have taken a professional plumber, but that can only be expected. In the end, I was able to repair the system on my own, and not only did I save money, but I also had a sense of accomplishment.
how to repair a frozen plumbing line
While on a recent trip to the northwest doing some research, during a walk through inspection in a 2 story home the kitchen ceiling showed visible drywall water damage. And directly above the ceiling was the upstairs bathroom. They had cut an inspection hole for access and discovered a frozen copper water line that was very near an exterior wall, ironically there was no visible signs of insulation in the exterior wall that was causing the extreme cold temps to permeate the pipes and freezing a section here. 
Using a wrench and tapping on the lines it was evident where it became solid and damaging the connections, we had cut this small portion out and removed it and simply added 2 SharkBite fittings for the repair in all of 10 minutes. SharkBite slip locking connector fittings have saved us tons of expense and time with labor costs and their ever present availability.
In this particular short sale acquisition of real property, we did not exert much effort in influencing the lenders BPO agent for it became very clear there were enough visual damages to validate a discounted CMA. Having these tools and knowing how to facilitate them has changed our financial futures forever.