Salamander Shower Pumps Archive

Removing grout

Tiles last forever but there will come a time as sure as night follows day that you will need to remove the grout in your bathroom or kitchen, the shower is also particularly susceptible to mould growth, if you have an over bath shower or you do not have a modern shower cubicle.

Grout

It is a job that most people put off doing, but it really is a simple DIY task and it will transform the look of your wall when this is removed and replaced. If you use the right tools, you can expect to be able to remove nearly every single trace of the old grout. Let’s begin by looking at the tools you will need to remove grout. The first thing to do if the grout is in good condition but badly stained with mould, try first using a strong bleach solution on the grout before resorting to raking out the grout. There are also a number of proprietary solutions that you can spray onto the surface which are known to be effective. If this does not work to your satisfaction then removing the grout and re-grouting is the only way, but first put the plug into the basin or bath, or cover the shower tray. Remember don’t let bits of grout get into the waste pipe and cause a blockage and you will have another job to do! Removing the grout is best achieved using a mechanical tool which can be hired, or you can buy a tungsten tipped tool to rake out the joints. Don’t press too hard on the grout removal tool or you may slip and scratch the tiles. Next you should clean out the joint lines with an old paintbrush and a clean sponge and also wipe a solution of bleach over the area to kill off any mould growth spores. You are now in a position to re-grout the area and it is important that the correct grout is used, waterproof grout is essential for a tiled shower or over bath shower.

Designing a small modern en suite

One of the most luxurious things you can add to your home is your own en suite bathroom. Unfortunately, many homes don’t have a lot of room where they can build one, but even a wardrobe sized space can fit a tiny en suite, and there are plenty of ways to make it feel a little bit bigger than it really is.

If you want your en suite to look modern and uncluttered, you need to be careful what you choose to put in there. Try to keep the number of bottles and towels low or store what you need in the bedroom. If you really need some storage in the en suite itself, have open shelves so you’re not calculating how much room you can spare for doors and drawers.

Sml Bathroom 2

Lighting is one of the easiest ways to improve a small room. If there’s no window, it’s particularly important to design your lighting strategically. Halogen spot lights will brighten the room within invading the space, and using mirror or mirrored surfaces to bounce the light will work wonders.

Sml Bathroom 1

Choosing the right tiling too will make a huge difference to how your little en suite looks – the lighter the colour of the tiles, the better. Anything reflective or lightly coloured will make the space seem much larger. The size of the tiles is also important – very large ones can give the illusion of a more open room, and very small ones, such as mosaic tiling will have the same effect. Too much repetition on medium sized tiles will shrink the room though.

Sml Bathroom 3

You should always remember to measure your shower, storage cupboard and toilet fixtures before installing them in a small bathroom and figure out the layout first. They might appear to fit but block your access to the door or shower if not laid out properly.

 

Grand Designs Watch – The Giant Farm Shed

Near York, North Yorkshire, Martin and Kae Walker have two different ideas from what they want from their home. Martin is a commercial architect who specialises in industrial buildings and you can see how strong his influences are in this build. Kae on the other hand, looks elsewhere for her influences, she is an art director who is “passionate about giving buildings heart and soul.”

The home they are looking at building is intended to be a ‘mothership’, where they can combine, business and child rearing. They are splitting the land they own, where their bungalow currently is, selling the bungalow and building their dream home on the rest of the land. The question is will they be able to have both their conflicting ideas in the home.

Many things were taken into consideration with this build, leaving it cost effective and green. However it still will resemble a barn, so not necessarily in keeping with other homes. The question is can they mix Martins modern ideas with Kae’s homely ideas, thinking about the house as a home, rather than a building.

The bathrooms, were designed using local tiles, in an industrial style, with simple features for a natural earthy look. The large Clearwater Sontuoso Natural Stone freestanding bath was the centre piece of the bathroom. For more ideas, from this stunning bathroom, check out our Grand Design page.

Grand Designs giant shed

For more Grand Designs Inspiration, check out our Pinterest Featured on: Grand Designs board.

Villeroy & Boch Designer Tiles

A name that is well respected and rightly famous for the range of high quality ceramic products including the renowned single source bathroom. Villeroy & Boch are at the forefront of technology and we are proud to be associated with them. Over the years they have produced numerous technical innovations which have transformed washrooms and domestic bathrooms, such as their easy-care ceramic finish, “CeramicPlus”, just one of many.

Now the company has added a range of Ceramic wall and floor tiles designer Porcelain and Ceramic wall and floor tiles and their tile products can be seen at our web pages. The tiles come in a range of different sizes, made from different materials including stone, glass, porcelain and plastic, to name a few. There are over 90 products and we have made it easier to see these at our web pages by grouping these into different styles which will help you to select the item that is right for you within the range. Villeroy & Boch are at the forefront of technology and their tiles are the perfect choice for any modern bathroom, cloakroom, en-suite or kitchen. We are sure that the high quality of these tiles will soon be the standard the others will seek to emulate.

Villeroy & Boch Tiles

What is the best bathroom flooring?

Although it probably is not the first thing that you consider when upgrading you bathroom, the floor can completely transform the way a bathroom looks. A designer will tell you that an especially beautiful floor can influence the way a bathroom looks as much as any item within it.

Most people with opt for ceramic tiles and it’s a fact that they are durable and hygienic, easy to keep clean and most of all, completely waterproof. These come in a variety of choices and colours and can incorporate a non slip pattern.

Another popular choice is vinyl which is cost effective and easy to maintain, also like ceramic tile it is waterproof, stain-resistant and non-allergenic; it is also simple to install and has good durability, it can also last a long time. Vinyl is a practical solution for busy families and everyday living and can even simulate marble or wood.

Cork is a trational bathroom floor covering and has the advantage of being comfortable to walk on as well as being warm underfoot. It is naturally rot-resistant and non-slip, even when wet. It is recommended that it is sealed t prevent dirt and stains becoming apparent on the surface. Cork is naturally anti-microbial and resistant to mould and mildew.

Natural stone is another option and is amongst the luxury flooring choices which includes marble, limestone and slate. Naturally, it is resistant to wear and tear and completely waterproof and although it can have a cold feel, this can be easily overcome by installing an electric heating mat beneath, which can be thermostatically controlled.