Sometimes the tile on the floor and the walls in our bathrooms can become cracked over time and not only is it unattractive, but when we continue to get water on this tile, it seeps underneath it and damages the wooden floor holding it up. Repairing this damage to the wood underneath your tile can be expensive, since all the tile must be taken up in order to get to it. Repairing tile on your own is not a difficult job to do and if you do it correctly, you can even take up the tile later if it is not to your liking and replace the tile in the entire bathroom. Learning how to repair grout, however, is a first step.
Even if the tile itself is not cracked, sometimes grout will be missing, especially if the home is old. Grout comes in a few different types: sanded, unsanded, acrylic or epoxy. Depending on the type of tile you have in your bathroom, you will want to use one over the other. Sanded grout should not be used with marble tiles, since this will scratch the marble. Acrylic latex grout or unsanded grout should be used. The grout should be mixed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the area you wish to replace needs to be cleaned out with a mixture of vinegar and water. A grout saw can be used to remove the rest of the damaged or loose grout. Do not chip the tile. The joints should be dampened with water and a paper towel used to remove water puddles in between the tiles. Fill in the joints with the grout completely and the joint’s surface should be smoothed out with a rounded stick. A damp sponge can be used to remove the excess.
The grout should be allowed to set firmly. The instructions on the package should tell you how long this should take. Since this is in a bathroom, a grout sealant should be applied after the grout completely dries.
After it dries and the grout sealant is in place, cleaning it with a damp rag is recommended. A cloudy haze should appear on the tile after it dries again and a dry towel can be used to remove this.
Replacing the grout in between the tile in your bathroom will help prevent water damage from occurring to the floor underneath and save you quite a bit of money in the long run. Hiring a professional is not always necessary and you can save money by learning how to do small home improvement projects like this yourself.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
water damage restoration companies and
mold remediation companies across the united states.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Removing Standing Water From Your Home
Standing water inside your house can be a big problem if you do not get it taken care of soon, but people are often not exactly certain as to what they can do about the water that may stand in their basement or other room of their home. What most do know is that water damage and mold are two things that are pretty easy to let happen to a home. The fact is that this standing water can come from a few different places and not only are they repairable, but most of the time, they are preventable.
Sometimes the source can be from a leak in the plumbing in the wall. This is especially true if the leak is located in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, or the basement. Shutting off the water is the first thing that you should do in this situation and after that, soaking up the standing water with a towel should be next. Unless you have some experience in plumbing, then you should probably call a plumber to help fix this problem.
The leak could also be coming in from the roof, windows, or doors. If your home is newly built, contacting the contractor who built your home is the best thing that you can do, since your home should still be under its construction warranty. Water leaking in from a chimney that is improperly sealed is also a possibility.
If there is standing water in your basement, there is a possibility that there could be a leak in your home’s foundation. This is especially true if the water is mostly there after a heavy rain. Your sump pump could also be malfunctioning and not draining the water out of the basement as it should be. You may need a new one. Another cause for the water buildup could be that water is settling around your home’s foundation. This could be due to the soil around your home not being piled up high enough so that the water runs away or because your rain gutters are not collecting water as they should be and are dropping it down on the foundation instead of channeling it down through the downspouts.
Clean out your gutters and install some downspout extensions. Pile some new dirt around your home’s foundation so that the water drains away from your home.
Most importantly, if you cannot repair the leak right away, make sure to keep a towel or something absorbent up against the area to keep the water soaked up. Water damage to your floor and walls is even more difficult and expensive to repair.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
water damage restoration and
mold remediation companies across the united states.
Sometimes the source can be from a leak in the plumbing in the wall. This is especially true if the leak is located in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, or the basement. Shutting off the water is the first thing that you should do in this situation and after that, soaking up the standing water with a towel should be next. Unless you have some experience in plumbing, then you should probably call a plumber to help fix this problem.
The leak could also be coming in from the roof, windows, or doors. If your home is newly built, contacting the contractor who built your home is the best thing that you can do, since your home should still be under its construction warranty. Water leaking in from a chimney that is improperly sealed is also a possibility.
If there is standing water in your basement, there is a possibility that there could be a leak in your home’s foundation. This is especially true if the water is mostly there after a heavy rain. Your sump pump could also be malfunctioning and not draining the water out of the basement as it should be. You may need a new one. Another cause for the water buildup could be that water is settling around your home’s foundation. This could be due to the soil around your home not being piled up high enough so that the water runs away or because your rain gutters are not collecting water as they should be and are dropping it down on the foundation instead of channeling it down through the downspouts.
Clean out your gutters and install some downspout extensions. Pile some new dirt around your home’s foundation so that the water drains away from your home.
Most importantly, if you cannot repair the leak right away, make sure to keep a towel or something absorbent up against the area to keep the water soaked up. Water damage to your floor and walls is even more difficult and expensive to repair.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
water damage restoration and
mold remediation companies across the united states.
Preventing Water Damage By Replacing Tile
When your bathroom tile has become so cracked and the grout so loose and missing that water starts to seep underneath to the floorboards, then you have a problem. The water damage occurring to the floor underneath the tile is a potentially expensive and time consuming problem to take care of, so going ahead and replacing the damaged tile is a good idea.
You will need a tile cutter, chalk line, a grout float, tape measure, rubber mallet, notched trowel, level, and a pull saw.
To measure how much of a square tile you will need, you should draw the room’s layout on a piece of graph paper. Each square should represent a tile. The measurements should be checked more than once so you know just how much tile you need to order. After you figure that number, order at least 5 to 10 percent more tile so you will have a cushion in case you damage some of it.
Selecting the correct color grout is also a consideration. Dark grout can be used in high traffic areas to hide dirt.
Before laying the tile, you need a smooth, tough subfloor to put the tiles on. Ceramic tiles do not flex and an uneven surface can cause them to crack. The baseboards and the trim molding needs to be removed temporarily and the pull saw will be used to trim door casings and jambs so the tile’s thickness will be accepted.
All appliances must be removed from the floor, including toilets.
Start in the center of the room next to the main entrance and lay down a row of tiles without using any adhesive so you have a guide. Each tile should have an equal amount of space between them. The tiles should be perpendicular to the door.
The techniques used to actually install the tile vary depending on the kind of tile being put down and the size of it. Applying it to the tile instead of the floor is recommended for tiles larger than 8 by 8 inches. It should be skimmed with thinset mortar almost like peanut butter and this needs to be applied with the notched trowel; the trowel will help prevent weak spots in the installation. Use the tile cutter and nippers to cut the tile to fit certain areas of the room that will not accept a square tile.
After you are done laying the tile, the grout phase will come next. Apply it with your grout float and use a clean float to remove the excess. After about 15 minutes, wipe the rest of the excess away with a sponge and some water. Let it set for a day before walking on it.
Installing the tile correctly will waterproof your bathroom floor and prevent water damage from occurring to the wooden floor underneath and save you a large amount of money in the long run.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
damage restoration companies and
mold removal companies across the united states.
You will need a tile cutter, chalk line, a grout float, tape measure, rubber mallet, notched trowel, level, and a pull saw.
To measure how much of a square tile you will need, you should draw the room’s layout on a piece of graph paper. Each square should represent a tile. The measurements should be checked more than once so you know just how much tile you need to order. After you figure that number, order at least 5 to 10 percent more tile so you will have a cushion in case you damage some of it.
Selecting the correct color grout is also a consideration. Dark grout can be used in high traffic areas to hide dirt.
Before laying the tile, you need a smooth, tough subfloor to put the tiles on. Ceramic tiles do not flex and an uneven surface can cause them to crack. The baseboards and the trim molding needs to be removed temporarily and the pull saw will be used to trim door casings and jambs so the tile’s thickness will be accepted.
All appliances must be removed from the floor, including toilets.
Start in the center of the room next to the main entrance and lay down a row of tiles without using any adhesive so you have a guide. Each tile should have an equal amount of space between them. The tiles should be perpendicular to the door.
The techniques used to actually install the tile vary depending on the kind of tile being put down and the size of it. Applying it to the tile instead of the floor is recommended for tiles larger than 8 by 8 inches. It should be skimmed with thinset mortar almost like peanut butter and this needs to be applied with the notched trowel; the trowel will help prevent weak spots in the installation. Use the tile cutter and nippers to cut the tile to fit certain areas of the room that will not accept a square tile.
After you are done laying the tile, the grout phase will come next. Apply it with your grout float and use a clean float to remove the excess. After about 15 minutes, wipe the rest of the excess away with a sponge and some water. Let it set for a day before walking on it.
Installing the tile correctly will waterproof your bathroom floor and prevent water damage from occurring to the wooden floor underneath and save you a large amount of money in the long run.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
damage restoration companies and
mold removal companies across the united states.
Information on Sump Pumps
Whether it is due to a hurricane or a flood, water flooding your basement can be a nightmare for a homeowner, especially if they have anything of great value down there. Some people use these areas for extra bedrooms or entertainment areas, so the potential value of the items in the basement can be quite great.
Having a correctly functioning sump pump in your basement will help to keep it from flooding during times of heavy rain or hurricanes, since drying out a wet basement can take a very long time after such an event. If you want to help defend your basement against flooding and other forms of standing water, the most beneficial thing that you can do is to install a new sump pump.
A sump pump removes standing water from the basement by pumping it out of the lowest part of the basement before it reaches the floor level of the rest of it. When the water level rises up, the excess is pumped into a sump pump hole. After this water reaches a critical level, the pump will begin to direct this water out of the home and away from it to a drain outside.
You should keep a check on your sump pump regularly to make sure that it is functioning properly. You can do this by taking off the cover and pouring water slowly into the tank. The float that is in the tank should rise with the water and cause the pump to start up. When it turns on, the water level will quickly recede and as the float goes back down to the bottom, the pump will turn back off.
The majority of problems with a sump pump’s operation come from the float not working as it should. If it gets stuck on something inside the tank, it will not turn on and off as it should. Sometimes the float will need to be replaced in order to fix this problem. Pour water inside the tank and if the float does not trigger the pump turning on, the float is the problem. Also watch for it to trigger the pump to turn off. If it fails to do this, you may need a new float.
Some homeowners even choose to have a backup sump pump and a good idea for this is to have a back up pump that operates on the water pressure in your home’s water system instead of on electricity, so if the power goes out during a flood or hurricane, the water will still be pumped out of the basement.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
water damage restoration companies and
Dallas Residential Water Damage Restoration Contractors.
Having a correctly functioning sump pump in your basement will help to keep it from flooding during times of heavy rain or hurricanes, since drying out a wet basement can take a very long time after such an event. If you want to help defend your basement against flooding and other forms of standing water, the most beneficial thing that you can do is to install a new sump pump.
A sump pump removes standing water from the basement by pumping it out of the lowest part of the basement before it reaches the floor level of the rest of it. When the water level rises up, the excess is pumped into a sump pump hole. After this water reaches a critical level, the pump will begin to direct this water out of the home and away from it to a drain outside.
You should keep a check on your sump pump regularly to make sure that it is functioning properly. You can do this by taking off the cover and pouring water slowly into the tank. The float that is in the tank should rise with the water and cause the pump to start up. When it turns on, the water level will quickly recede and as the float goes back down to the bottom, the pump will turn back off.
The majority of problems with a sump pump’s operation come from the float not working as it should. If it gets stuck on something inside the tank, it will not turn on and off as it should. Sometimes the float will need to be replaced in order to fix this problem. Pour water inside the tank and if the float does not trigger the pump turning on, the float is the problem. Also watch for it to trigger the pump to turn off. If it fails to do this, you may need a new float.
Some homeowners even choose to have a backup sump pump and a good idea for this is to have a back up pump that operates on the water pressure in your home’s water system instead of on electricity, so if the power goes out during a flood or hurricane, the water will still be pumped out of the basement.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
water damage restoration companies and
Dallas Residential Water Damage Restoration Contractors.
Fire Damage Cleanup Instructions
Dealing with the damage after a fire is something that no one who owns a home wants to have to deal with, not only since the home has been damaged, but also because the belongings inside it have been damaged, as well. Repairing the damage can be done either by a professional or by you, depending on the funds that you have to devote to the project, although you can probably do a lot of the cleanup and repair on your own.
The very first thing that you need to do before you re-enter your home after a fire is to make sure that your local fire marshal says that it is safe to. Once it is safe, turning off the electricity to your home is the next thing to do, since odds are good that the fire truck that responded to your call for help likely sprayed many, many gallons of water into your home. This can cause an electrocution risk of you step into electrified standing water. Remove this water after the electricity has been turned off as soon as possible.
Pets should be taken to a clean environment until the cleanup of the home is completed. This is especially true for birds, since they are much more sensitive to environmental changes than other animals.
Plants need to be washed on both sides of their leaves to remove soot, since this soot can likely kill them.
Any food that has been opened should be thrown away, especially if it was anywhere near the fire.
The windows and doors of the home should be opened to allow ventilation. This should help to remove the smell of smoke from the rest of the home.
Anything that needs to be vacuumed should be vacuumed carefully and without an upright vacuum that has brushes underneath it. Brushes will only rub the soot further into the carpet and all you want to do is lift it gently off the surface. After the soot is cleaned off the carpet and other upholstered items, put down plastic over them so you do not track soot in from other areas of the house.
Avoid sitting on upholstered furniture if you can help it.
Electronic appliances need to be cleaned and checked thoroughly.
Clean chrome, stainless steel, marble, and other materials in your home as soon as possible, since soot and ash can etch these items irreparably.
The clothing in your home should not be sent to a normal dry cleaner. Cleaning these items improperly may set the odor and smoke further into the fabric.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
water damage restoration companies and
Dallas Residential Water Damage Restoration Contractors.
The very first thing that you need to do before you re-enter your home after a fire is to make sure that your local fire marshal says that it is safe to. Once it is safe, turning off the electricity to your home is the next thing to do, since odds are good that the fire truck that responded to your call for help likely sprayed many, many gallons of water into your home. This can cause an electrocution risk of you step into electrified standing water. Remove this water after the electricity has been turned off as soon as possible.
Pets should be taken to a clean environment until the cleanup of the home is completed. This is especially true for birds, since they are much more sensitive to environmental changes than other animals.
Plants need to be washed on both sides of their leaves to remove soot, since this soot can likely kill them.
Any food that has been opened should be thrown away, especially if it was anywhere near the fire.
The windows and doors of the home should be opened to allow ventilation. This should help to remove the smell of smoke from the rest of the home.
Anything that needs to be vacuumed should be vacuumed carefully and without an upright vacuum that has brushes underneath it. Brushes will only rub the soot further into the carpet and all you want to do is lift it gently off the surface. After the soot is cleaned off the carpet and other upholstered items, put down plastic over them so you do not track soot in from other areas of the house.
Avoid sitting on upholstered furniture if you can help it.
Electronic appliances need to be cleaned and checked thoroughly.
Clean chrome, stainless steel, marble, and other materials in your home as soon as possible, since soot and ash can etch these items irreparably.
The clothing in your home should not be sent to a normal dry cleaner. Cleaning these items improperly may set the odor and smoke further into the fabric.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
water damage restoration companies and
Dallas Residential Water Damage Restoration Contractors.
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