Creating An Efficient Contemporary Kitchen Design

Contemporary kitchens are described as minimalist, modern and geometric. Its features include asymmetry, horizontal lines and devoid of molding and other decorations. The materials used are usually man-made instead of natural. To name a few are laminate, chrome, frosted glass inserts, lacquer, stainless steel, linoleum and concrete. Contemporary design covers those styles from the 1940's up to the present.
The key to achieving a well-organized kitchen design is an effective layout and visual element. If you want to create a modern facade in your kitchen, there are some things that you need to pay attention to.
1. Color combination
This is usually the first aspect that almost everyone observes about your kitchen. From the kitchen wall to the countertops, up to the ceiling and down to the floor, your kitchen's color palette will elicit the first and lasting impression for visitors. No specific rules have been set regarding the color combination that's right for your kitchen; the choice of shade will depend on factors such as lifestyle, age group and personality of the persons using the kitchen.
2. Lighting
This is another important element that must be taken into consideration when creating a contemporary design. Lighting influences the people's size perception of the kitchen. Downlights can be nice, stylish touch to your kitchen. They should be used only to accentuate particular spots and not as principal sources of light. Bear in mind that a bright, well-lit workplace can make your kitchen look larger, more favorable and safer area to work in.
3. Safety
For safety purposes, the cabinets and doors in your kitchen should have soft closing systems. With this, the cabinet doors will settle gently before closing slowly so you don't have to worry about your children's fingers being caught. The work area and the cabinets should have the right height and you should also install reachable pull-out drawers for the older family members. For the flooring, you can use non-slip tiles.
4. Kitchen furniture
The kitchen furniture that you should use, such as chairs, bakers racks, table and bar stools should complement the kitchen's overall interior style. To set off the contemporary design, you can pick items that are made of stainless steel and birch wood. You can also consider items with sleek linear style to maintain the modern look of your kitchen.
5. Accessories
These are important ingredient in every decorating style. However, in contemporary design, it might be better to use only few minimalist items.
To learn more kitchen design ideas visit http://www.kitchendesignideas101.com.
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Planning Your Plumbing Projects Carefully Before Starting

If you are planning to take on a home improvement project, the plumbing involved is probably something that is causing you to worry. Whenever you make major alterations to a property plumbing is usually involved and needs to be done properly. It is easy to gloss over the importance of plumbing in your home improvement projects, making sure it is done well can save you time, money and stress in the long run.
You should consider where plumbing will be involved in your project before you start and make sure you plan for it in advance. Usually home improvements that involve a kitchen or bathroom will involve a degree of plumbing work. Depending on the scope you may feel capable of tackling the project yourself, or you may want to play it safe and employ a professional. You should get a quote and ensure your plumber is available before you begin your project.
Plumbing is an area that most homeowners are not shy about admitting they don’t have a clue about. Many avoid the issue, being happy to pay someone else to tackle the problem for them, but there is actually a surprising amount the homeowner can do for themselves. There are whole range of books and websites available with diagrams and detailed instructions to guide you through simple or even fairly complicated plumbing tasks. The types of tasks that can easily be undertaken using an online plumbing guide or handbook include installing a new faucet or drain tap. If you want to replace long lengths of pipe, on the other hand, you may be best to find someone with plumbing experience. Perhaps you have a friend who would be willing to help out which will reduce the overall cost of your home improvement project.
Producing a detailed plan with timelines for your project and the plumbing activities involved, will help you to identify what you can do yourself and what you need to involve a professional to help out with. Your time line will be a good way to keep track of what needs to be done, how it will be done, and by whom.
Plumbing activities can involve anything from replacing a faucet to installing new pipes and most tasks are not as tricky as you may have been led to believe, as long as you have the correct information coupled with the confidence to do them properly. Thorough research on the tasks required will let you make an informed decision whether you can tackle the job yourself. Although not always difficult, plumbing does take a great deal of time so if feel you wouldn’t have the patience then your best option is to call in a professional.
Some people may find little reward in plumbing as no one can see the results of your efforts, but good quality plumbing will allow your home to function well without leaks or endless repairs. For those that feel comfortable trying their hand at plumbing, they may find it easier than they expect. For those that don’t there is no shame in calling the plumber!
Concentrating on latest developments in kitchen cabinet, he writes articles mainly for http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com. From his detailed publications such as http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com/faucets.html, the author established his skill on topics associated with kitchen faucets and countertops.
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Kitchen Sinks - Finishes, Types and Features

Kitchen sinks are used a lot, but thankfully they are the least expensive feature to change in your kitchen. There are varied options in styles, shapes and sizes, but remember that costs vary dependent on the materials they are made of and the style. However, the decisions you make determine the time the sink will last and it should be something you really like.
Sinks are classified into two types: double basin; or single basin. The less common ones are the triple basins, but they are not so easy to find. They vary greatly in depth and width. How you use your sink and what type of kitchen you have will assist you in choosing between a double or single one.
Kitchen size will also determine what you need. Small kitchens work better with single basins, and can be overwhelmed by the double variety. However, double basin sinks are beneficial because you can prepare food for cooking and wash dishes at the same time.
The most desired material choice for kitchen sinks is stainless steel. It is very easy to install, as it is fairly light weigh, very easy to keep up. Quality of stainless steel sinks is determined by the gauge of steel. Lower gauges have better quality. In addition, the quantity of nickel and chromium in the steel is important – the more the better.
For more traditional or country themes, porcelain sinks are an attractive option for home improvement. There are so many colours to choose from, in fact more than any other material.
Solid sinks are frequently used with customized countertops. They are made of composite and used in more costly kitchen projects. The surface is both scratch and stain resistant and durable. In fact they are definitely very easy to maintain and a joy to clean.
Another less costly sink material is enamel. It comes in varied styles and colours. However, it requires far more maintenance and care, and unlike stainless steel and solid sinks, it is less durable. Enamel scratches and chips way too easily, and there is no way you can use abrasives on them for cleaning.
Once you have chosen your sink, you need to decide how many holes you need to put in. You should decide how many or which of the following you want installed – soap dispensers, spray nozzles and faucets. Plus, it is important to know exactly how many handles you need for your faucets.
When choosing you sink you have to think about faucets. Faucets should be practical and fit in with the sink’s materials. Take into account the sink size when you are buying one and that it will correspond with the faucets you want. Keep in mind that triple basins or double basins work better with long spouts, and whatever the type of large or multiple basined sinks you have, you must get a 180º-swivelling faucet to reach all the sink’s bowls.
The magazine writer Peter Mason is really passionate about things dealing with cooking. You can learn about his abstracts on kitchen sinks at http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com
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Add Glow To Your Kitchen With Marble Tiles

The kitchen floor is the biggest surface in most homes, and it will either make or break the look of your space depending on the color scheme and tile type you choose. It is therefore important to think of your kitchen floor in terms of how it will look in the long run.
If you ever walked into someone's house and saw outdated tiles that looked as if it were in the middle ages, you will get a better understanding of the importance of finding a timeless, elegant and reliable kitchen tile. It is wise to avoid trendy new looks that fade fast and look dumpy and outdated a few minutes after the adhesive has dried, and take note of the attributes of your kitchen, as to know the type of tile to utilize.
Marble Floor Tiles Are Appropriate For The Kitchen
Limestone, tumbled marble, and slate tiles are among the most elegant flooring materials available. These tiles share properties with marble, granite, and other stone materials, and are valued as much for their unique textures and color hues. Natural stone tiles, like marble however, must be sealed to prevent stains. The right wall treatments can really bring out the flooring, as well as the other materials in your kitchen.
When selecting materials for kitchen flooring, you must consider materials that are both beautiful and durable. Kitchen flooring can be used to accent the counters, cabinets, and appliances. However kitchen flooring must be able to endure daily wear and tear such as spills and heavy traffic. It's important to select the right material when it comes to kitchen flooring. If you are looking for beauty and durability, or the warmth of hardwoods, making the right flooring choice can guarantee that a quality kitchen floor will keep its beauty and last a lifetime.
When designing your ideal kitchen, remember that light or neutral tones best emphasize the impression of light and space, as much as darker shades can create feelings of warmth and intimacy. A floor's finish can even show effective perceptions of size and space. A high gloss finish can contribute to the perception of spaciousness. A more subdued or a matte finish can make a space look smaller.
Using a marble tile with a light color such as white or pale cream will generally work well with a wooden cabinet finish and most counter tops and kitchen floors. However if your kitchen is a high traffic zone, you may wish to install marble tiles that have quite darker colors mixed through in a marble effect so that dirt won't quickly show, but don't go too dark as the dirt will easily show up.
Marble kitchen tiles are purchased individually, so pricing would depend on your floor's square footage. Marble floor tiles are easy to install so many people can lay them themselves. This is not only an effective way to save money, but could be a great project for a weekend. Kitchen floors get wet and dirty due to daily use.
Generally, a small white tile with white grout would be the worst possible choice as everything would show on the floor and the grout would soon become dirty and discolored. Most interior experts recommend using large body marble tiles (with sizes 16x16 and up) with textures that help hide water spots and dirt, and would not require daily care as much as sooth tile.
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Using Black Kitchen Cabinets

Designing a home can be very stressful and designing only a kitchen can be even more demanding. When you really know what you are doing or at least have a plan your project will run much smoother. Designing a kitchen in an open floor plan is very incomparable to designing an ordinary kitchen in a room to itself.
More and more homes are choosing for the open floor plan where the kitchen is a part of the open area. Many of the open floor plans are designed in a high tech or contemporary style. It is this style of kitchen that you will find black kitchen cabinets.
A kitchen design which is going for a high tech look will normally have stainless steel appliances and black kitchen cabinets. Black granite countertops, white walls and hardwood floors usually round out the area. Black and white are considered neutral colors, but if you do not know what you are doing and put black kitchen cabinets in a small kitchen the look can be dreadful. For instance, black kitchen cabinets in an apartment galley kitchen will look nothing short of a black hole.
A kitchen is a place where people spend time cooking and relaxing and many times where the family comes together. Using black foreboding kitchen cabinets in a small kitchen can create an uncomfortable atmosphere and people will not want to even walk in there.
Kitchen cabinets take up 75% of the space in a kitchen by themselves and you must really think about what you are doing before you decide on the color of your kitchen. An open floor plan has a lot of space and normally many windows with lots of light, so having black kitchen cabinets in there will not be the focal point.
Many contemporary kitchens will use black and white as their color schemes with a black and white checkered floor, white walls and either black appliances and black kitchen cabinets or white appliances. Either of these two schemes will work well together. A white kitchen table or black kitchen table will round out the area.
Black dishes and accessories always look fabulous on a white table in one of these black and white kitchens. Scandinavian design uses many of black kitchen cabinets as well, but the rest of the kitchen is very light with a great deal of white and a lot of lighting. Sometimes the black kitchen cabinets have glass fronts and are lit on the inside, which will really brighten up a kitchen.
What you need most is patience, some clear thought about what you want and a strategic plan to get the right look for your kitchen. It is a wise investment for the novice kitchen designer to buy one of the many books on the subject of kitchens and colors. Don't be afraid of black and white; just remember that one color opens up a room while the other will close it in. Just let your imagination be your guide to designing that black kitchen cabinets your richly deserve.
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How To Fix That Leaky Bathtub Faucet - Fast!

Fixing a leaky bathtub faucet - or any other leaky faucet for that matter - can be an expensive job - UNLESS you can do it yourself!
In this article we want to look at the most common reason for a leaky faucet and show you how to fix it quickly and cheaply.
Preparation
It almost goes without saying that you should turn the water off first! Where to find the handle that does that? Just look under your sink and see where the pipes run. Somewhere along their length you will see either a handle or a wheel you can use to shut the mains supply off. In nearly every case you will need to turn it clockwise to shut.
One other preparation is to block the sink drain - just to prevent a nasty accident with something loose (like a screw or a small nut) disappearing down the drain never to be seen again. Use the plug you normally use, or put some cloth into the aperture. No good being wise after the event!
And - even though it goes without saying - make sure you have bought a replacement washer (or two) from the local hardware store - you don't want to be looking for that when you have the faucet in pieces do you!
Action
Locate the screw that is holding the handle of the faucet in place (it may be hidden behind a small plate or cover and that cover needs to be prised off using a small screwdriver or similar). Then undo the screw.
The next job is to get the handles off. Use a screwdriver to do this - you might need to use a little bit of force to prise it but it will come.
Now you will see the old washer (don't worry if not, we will put one in place anyway). Take off the old washer and replace with the new. Notice that the hole in the washer should just be a touch bigger than the central post that the handle turns.
Now retighten the handle, but only hand tight i.e. only until it stops turning without extra force needing to be applied.
Next, turn on the water again and see what happens! If there's no leak you're home and dry (excuse the pun!). If it still leaks, try tightening the handle a little more.
If it still leaks after that- then the problem is elsewhere and you'll need to get a plumber after all. But al least it was worth a try!
(And by the way - if you notice a big build up of lime around the handle - clean that off with a special removal product from your hardware store - it will pay you in the long run).
Things needed
A screwdriver or two - maybe one flathead and one Phillips or cross-screw. Also two washers (maybe take the old one off ahead of your visit to the store to be sure of getting the right one, or just buy a pack of mixed washers - not an expensive buy).
David Woodford is a freelance writer and owns info4u-services which helps people with free advice to help solve everyday problems. To find out more about fixing your faucet and other DIY jobs around your home, visit http:/http://www.fixleakyfaucet.com it will REALLY help you.
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The Dripping Faucet in Every Organization

Each day millions of workers spend 8 hours or more at their respective jobs with many contributing to the dripping faucet within every organization. This faucet much like the leaking kitchen or bathroom faucet’s steadily waste drops of a previous resource – water – every minute of every day until fixed. Yet, the dripping faucet is considered a minor annoyance until the drips become steadier. During this time, thousands of gallons of water are wasted costing the owner probably more money than it took to correct the problem.
Organizations also have dripping faucets not only in their physical plants, but within their people’s productivity. During the last 5 years, I have surveyed thousands of individuals who all believe that their plates are full, but admit to wasting a minimum of 12 minutes each day. For employees who are paid $30,000 not including benefits, this amounts to $14.42 each week for the one lost hour of work or $721.12 annually. If you have a facility with 50 people, the annual cost is at least $35,056. For organizations with at least 1,400 employees, the annual cost rises a minimum of $1,000,000. Dripping faucets are very expensive!
How can you repair this expensive drain on your limited resources? First, consider that most people don’t intentionally come to work to waste your resources. Their performance in many cases is a result of lack of knowledge and skills supported by negative attitudes and habits. These negative attitudes and habits probably contribute much more to their performance.
Second, begin to ask questions about how the organization is communicating its message. If you were to survey 10% of your employees from upper, middle and front line levels and asked them to name the top 3 goals of the organization, would you receive the EXACT SAME ANSWER from each individual. Different responses contribute to people not knowing what they may need to do next and contribute to that ongoing dripping faucet.
Third, determine if your employees truly understand how to plan and achieve their personal goals. If your employees are achieving their personal goals, the likelihood of them achieving corporate goals has been greatly enhanced. Time management is the apex of goal planning and achievement. If individuals don’t have goals, then why worry about time?
Fourth, as you train your employees include interpersonal development along with the job specific skills. If your company promotes from within, the individual is recognized for her or his job specific skills. However, as these individuals moved up through the organization, job specific skills become less while interpersonal skills become greater. Yet, much of the training fails to develop these individuals and the result is that these individuals leave which increases bottom line costs or return to their original position again increasing bottom line costs.
Five, finally, think about the words that you select. For example, ask your employees how they are investing their time instead of spending their time? Frame your questions and statements using positive words that generate powerful mental images. People hear words, but they think in pictures.
Six, align your systems, strategies and people to create loyal internal customers that discover those “moments of truth” leading to external customers. Southwest Airlines understands the power of alignment.
These are just 6 ideas that will help you begin to repair your dripping faucets. So, grab the toolbox and begin to create a culture that does not support wasting your resources, but instead looks to invest them. Remember, the faucet continues to drip and this is very expensive.
Leanne Hoagland-Smith, M.S. President of ADVANCED SYSTEMS, is the Process Specialist. With over 25 years of business and education experience, she implements and realigns processes to build sustainable change for individuals and organizations and delivers ROI solutions within a variety of industries. As co-author of M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential:Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement due for August 2005 release, Leanne speaks nationally to a variety of audiences. If you desire AMAZING RESULTS, please call Leanne a call at 219.759.5601 or leanne@processspecialist.com.
Copyright 2005(c) Leanne Hoagland-Smith http://www.processspecialist.com/organizations.htm
Permission to publish this article, electronically or in print, as long as the bylines are included, with a live link, and the article is not changed in any way (grammatical corrections accepted).
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Faucet Water Filters Can Purify Your Drinking Water By Removing Chlorine & Many Harmful Contaminants

Investing in one of the many faucet water filters on the market is the best way to ensure that the water you drink is clean and safe. Many consumers feel that there’s no need to invest in a filter when they can buy bottled water from their local grocery store. Unfortunately, what many of these consumers don't know is that bottled water isn’t really much safer than your everyday tap.
This may come as a shock, but there are no government standards that require bottled water to be safer or purer than your everyday tap water. Basically, that means you are paying more for bottled when it’s essentially the same as what you can drink from home, oftentimes even worse. In the long run, owning your own filter will allow you to save money and have healthier water available all of the time.
There are over 2,000 cancer-causing contaminants in our water. Unfortunately, with the production of more man-made chemicals, the toxicity will only continue to get worse. Before the invention of these chemicals, the population had a 1 in 50 chance of getting cancer. Since the creation of these chemicals, water consumers now have a 1 in 3 chance of getting cancer. Faucet mounted water filters are a wonderful way to purify the water used for drinking and cooking.
Another great benefit of quality faucet water filters, is that they remove contaminants without stripping the water of the natural trace minerals our bodies need, like distillers and reverse osmosis systems do. These two types of filters give you de-mineralized water with a very acidic pH, which is highly unhealthy.
One of the best faucet water filters you can purchase is a twin cartridge system. A quality filter will have a dual system that uses a combination of carbon filtration, ion exchange and sub-micron filtration. This produces healthy and great tasting water. Even better, it can be available at the convenience of your kitchen tap, by hooking up directly to your faucet, or being installed under the sink.
These multi-stage faucet water filters are a wonderful investment because two cartridges are more effective at purifying water. The first stage removes chlorine, sediment and other microscopic particles. The second stage then removes lead and volatile organic chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides and industrial solvents that can be damaging to your body.
As stated earlier, dual filter systems make great water. However, there are some faucet mounted water filters that also add potassium. When potassium is added to water, it enhances the mineral balance, which gives water a natural spring-like taste. If you’re looking for that extra bonus for your water, this is the way to go.
If you still feel like faucet water filters are unnecessary, think about this--there is no new water. This means that what goes down our drain gets recycled for future use. Yes, this also includes what gets bottled for sale. Due to the lack of standard regulations concerning the purity of water, the equipment used at your local water facility remains very primitive.
When you understand that low-grade equipment produces low-grade water, the importance of faucet mounted water filters becomes quite clear. The best way to have pure water on a regular basis is by investing in a filter for your home.
Remember, the best faucet water filters are the ones that eliminate contaminants using a dual filtration system. These filters use a combination of carbon filtration, ion exchange and sub-micron filtration to effectively remove chlorine, lead, volatile organic compounds, MTBE and other chlorine resistant chemicals. There is nothing wrong with investing in a more basic product, but if you want a truly effective product, this multi-stage process gives you more for your money.
In order to make a wise investment in faucet mounted water filters, it is best to ask the distributor for a performance data report. Doing so will prove a company’s reputability as well as the product’s reliability.
A reputable company will want to prove that they can provide the best faucet water filters. Therefore, they will want to assure you that they have the proof to back it up. If you find a company unwilling to oblige, steer clear and find a distributor you can trust.
Your health is important and owning faucet water filters for your home can help you maintain it. When you have control over what you put into your body, you can easily improve your quality of life.
Martin Spencer is a health researcher who has been studying water filtration for over 25 years. He is a regular contributor to Water Filters Guide, a site dedicated to various methods of treating and purifying water. Learn about faucet mounted water filters as well as undersink and whole house systems on our site.
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Faucet Repair

Faucets have internal parts that eventually wear out. The first to go are the washers and o-rings, then the seats, and then possibly the stem. As these parts wear you will start to get leaking from your faucet. The leaks could come from the spout and drip into the sink, or you could get leaking from the handle(s) and have water running on to your counter or under the counter. Just before we get into repairing your faucet let’s consider a couple of things.
For you water conservationalists its out there did you know that 1 drop of water per second equals about 2,500 gallons of water per year? And most people that I have repaired faucets for wait until there faucet is leaking about 6-10 drips per second. That is about 12,500 to 25,000 gallons of water per year. That’s $80 to $140 per year. Plus most of your leaks will start on the hot side way before the cold, since the hot water will deteriorate the rubber in the valves much quicker. So with the way energy costs are today you can add 30% to 60% to those costs.
If your bathroom faucet is 10 years old or older you may wish to change the faucet out with a new one. I definitely recommend doing this. The reason I believe you should do this is that the labor for repairing the faucet and the labor for replacing the faucet are fairly close to the same. And the parts for repairing the faucet will be around $35.00. A new faucet will cost you around $75.00. So for only an extra $40.00 you will have a nice new faucet to brighten up your bathroom.
With your kitchen faucet the price difference can be much more significant. In either case you will need to make a decision that fits your situation the best.
Now with the bath tub or shower faucets, since the valve is behind the wall, then I recommend repairing the leak. The best time to replace a bath tub or shower faucet is during renovations. It is possible for you to replace sooner if you have enough access to the faucet from the back. So you could replace with a similar faucet or there is a flange made by delta that will cover holes left from a two or three handle faucet when you install a single lever faucet. Faucet styles
This is an absolutely huge area. There is literally thousands of different faucets and models of faucets over the last 30 years.
A short list of the more common styles are:
Two handle bathroom, kitchen, bathtub or shower faucets with seats and washersTwo handle washerless bathroom, kitchen, bath tub or shower faucets Three handle bath/shower faucets with seats and washers (these will have a hot and cold tap as well as a control for the bath/shower)Single lever bath/shower faucets with cartridgeSingle lever kitchen faucets with pull-out head and cartridgeSingle lever kitchen and bathroom faucets with rubber seats and ball control
The reason I say short list is because each of the above can have many different variations. There are dozens of different seats, washers, and cartridges. Because there is so many different styles and variations the time to make the repair can become longer because quite often you will need to go to a specialty shop to match the parts with the parts you removed. So you can understand that if you are paying a plumber $75.00 per hour (that is the going rate here) the replacement of the faucet may be cheaper than the repair of the faucet.
Now on to the faucet repair job
Each type of faucet will have a similar repair procedure. I suggest putting the parts in order on the counter beside you as you pull them out so that you know exactly how to put them back again.
1. Turn off the water.2. Pry off the handle screw cover.3. Take the screw out of the handle4. Remove handle (you may need handle pullers to do this)5. Remove escusion if there is one (usually on two handle bath tubs and showers)6. Loosen off the holding nut (in single lever bathtub showers there is a holding ring)7. Remove the stem (cartridge in single lever bath/showers)8. Check the brass seats for cuts (use your baby fingernail or flashlight)(remove rubber seats if you have a washerless faucets)9. Replace brass seats if necessary (the seats might be chrome as well)10. Replace the washer (replace the cartridge in single levers)11. If need be replace the stem.12. Put back together 13. Check for leaks.
Congratulations! You just saved yourself $100-$200 repairing your own faucet
Kelly Kramer owns a plumbing company and flips real estate. His renovation experience is vast and knowledgeable. You can see more of his writing at http://www.edmontons-business-directory.com
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Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Faucets

Whenever you wash your hands or do the dishes, you turn a faucet to get the water you use. But have you ever wondered how this device contains all that water pressure? Try to put your thumb over the faucet and you will see that no matter how hard you struggle to cover it, still the water will flow. If you are into plumbing, you will have an idea why is this so, but if you are not, then here is a good explanation for that.
How do faucets work?
A faucet usually includes two chambers that are separated by a hole. When the faucet is open, water flows through these chambers. The water that flows can be under pressure that is over 100 pounds per square inch that is why even if you cover it with your thumb, water will still continue to flow. This will only stop when the faucet is closed.
To regulate the flow of water, the faucet uses a screw device. When this is turned, it forces a washer down into the hole that is between the two chambers. As the washer closes the gap, it slows down the flow of water, and when it is totally closed, the flow finally stops. The screwing action together with the lever action on the faucet's handle makes turning the faucet on and off easy.
Now that you already know how the faucet works, whenever your faucets have leaks, it will be easier for you to tell what could be the cause of this problem. It could be due to a loose handle, or could be due to the washer. But whatever problem your faucet has, there is no need for you to worry because there are lots of replacement faucets available these days.
The Internet offers a wide variety of options ranging from bathroom faucets up to kitchen faucets. You can easily order these items and find instructions for replacing the faucets yourself. So in no time, you can wash your hands and do the dishes again without much trouble.
Faucets provides detailed information on Faucets, Kitchen Faucets, Bathroom Faucets, Shower Faucets and more. Faucets is affiliated with Composting Toilets.
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Dealing With The Leaking Bathtub Faucet

Drip, drip, drip. A leaky bathtub faucet is a common problem in many homes. If you have one, the good news is they are usually fairly simple to take care of.
The repair of leaky faucets is another often minor plumbing job that can be done by yourself with a minimum of effort and with no special tools. Although this may be true, it is an extremely important job. A single pinhole leak in a water pipe can waste up to 70 gallons of water per day. A badly leaking faucet can waste even more. This is a serious environmental issue today. There are some who claim that the very population levels of the world are depending on the supply of potable water. And we are already running behind.
There are two major types of faucets. The most common one in older homes is called the compression faucet. This faucet uses a rubber washer that is compressed when the valve is closed. The compressed washer expands and seals off the water flow. This process is hard on the washer and after a time they will wear out and need to be replaced.
When you go to replace the washer, you must first shut off the water supply to the faucet. Sometimes it is possible to do this at a more local spot close to the faucet, but other times it is necessary to shut off the main water supply to the home to isolate the faucet. It is a good idea to protect the enamel of the bathtub with towels to protect it from chips from dropped tools. Another good preparation idea is to cover drains to prevent small pieces from being dropped into them.
When you take apart the faucet to get to the washer, make diagrams or notes of exactly how you do so. This will make it easier to put it back together. Normally, the replacement of the washer will solve the leak problem. Keep spare washers handy in your tool box. You will need them again before long.
The newer type of faucet is called a washer less faucet. The name tells it all. The valve opens and shuts by an actual physical closing of the valve. You can usually tell if your faucet is compression or washer less just by feel. A compression faucet needs to be tightened to get it closed. The washer less faucet glides easily into place and does not need additional pressure to cut off the flow. There are fewer problems with leaking on washer less faucets. They tend to be either working or not. When they wear out, or do not operate properly, they should be replaced.
Fred Linson is with PlumbingStop.com - providing basic plumbing information and more resources.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fred_Linson

Disassembly Of Pegasus Faucet

The following simple steps will help dry up the problem of a leaky compression or stem-type disassembly of Pegasus faucet.
Turn off the water at the water-supply valve. You can find them usually under the sink. Sometimes, you can also find them in the wall behind the shower assembly. There, you can find them in a closet behind a removable panel.
However, if there are no localized shutoffs for the disassembly of Pegasus faucet, you should use the main water shutoff for the building.
Now, open the faucets to let water in the lines drain before beginning the disassembly of Pegasus faucet.
Once you are through with that, remove the faucet handle. You can do this by removing the screw and then lifting or jiggling the handle off.
Now, loosen the locknut inside with a crescent wrench. Once the nut is loosened and removed, pull out the stem.
With some types of Pegasus faucets, the stem itself may be threaded into the body of the faucet assembly. In that case, you will have to turn it counter-clockwise to loosen and remove the same.
For the disassembly of Pegasus faucet, now, replace with a new washer. Take the stem to your local hardware or plumbing supply store and pick out the proper-fitting replacement washer.
Reassemble the stem and Pegasus faucet assembly in reverse order
Turn the water supply back on and test for drips.
As you can see, it is not that difficult. However, you must make sure that yopu are following the above steps with proper care.
William Samson has written many more articles about kitchen and bathroom plumbing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Samson

How to Fix a Leaking Showerhead Faucet

A leaky showerhead can be both annoying and costly. After a few hours, the constant dripping noise is as brutal on the eardrums as nails on a chalkboard. And, even though a singular drip is only a few milliliters of water, it doesn’t take long before that leaky showerhead wastes hundreds of gallons – adding an extra zero to the end of the water bill.
Most homeowners don’t realize that a leaking showerhead is pretty simple to fix. There’s no need to buy a new one or, worse yet, hire a plumber. You can finish the job yourself in just a few short minutes with nothing more than a screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, and a washer that you can buy for a nickel at any hardware store.
Now that you’ve decided to take on the job yourself, you need to understand the two most common things that go wrong with showerheads. Either they start leaking at the point where the pipe screws into the actual showerhead, or the holes in the showerhead become clogged, causing water backups and creating a leak.
First, you’ll need to unscrew the showerhead from the outlet pipe. To protect the showerhead from damage, wrap a towel around the point where the head screws onto the outlet piping. Take the pliers and remove the head from the outlet. You’ll see the washer. Pull it off and replace it with the new one. If you think you need a tighter seal, use plumbers tape across the threads before screwing the showerhead back in.
Also, if you have a rotating or swiveling showerhead, you might as well take an extra step while you have it taken apart. To increase the swivel range and flexibility, take some lubricant, preferably silicone, and lube up the interior swivel ball before you screw the head back in.
If the holes in the showerhead are clogged, take off the faceplate by removing the screws attaching it to the head. If you can’t remove the faceplate, that’s okay, just keep the entire unit unscrewed. The reason showerheads get clogged is the lime deposits that are formed and get stuck in the holes over time. To get rid of the lime deposits, take either the faceplate or the whole showerhead, and soak it in a bowl of white vinegar for at least eight hours. This will dissolve the deposits, and make them easy to remove by sticking a toothpick or small nail through the holes in the showerhead. After that, scrub the faceplate with a stiff plastic brush and screw the unit back into the wall.
Nancy Dean is a freelance author who contributes to several websites, including All Faucets . Coming from a family full of carpenters, she enjoys both doing and writing about home improvement projects.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_Dean

Give Your Kitchen A New Look With The Right Kitchen Faucets

When it comes to making your kitchen stand out and look great even the littlest things can make a big difference, so if your kitchen faucets are causing you a problem it is well worth forgetting about trying to mess around with repairing them and instead consider replacing the faucets altogether. This is a very cost effective and simple procedure that can make a huge difference to the appearance and practicality of this room. You can find faucets to suit all needs, and by installing faucets that fit in with any theme you have going in your kitchen or with the general décor you can enjoy really adding to the appearance of the room. You will find the perfect sink faucet to match your kitchen, as there is such a great choice available, and you can find accessories to match your kitchen cabinets, countertops, sinks, and decoration of your kitchen.
Replacing your kitchen faucets can make a real difference
When you replace the faucets in your kitchen you will enjoy a range of benefits. You can look forward to finding accessories that really fit in with your décor. You can add to the style and class of your kitchen as well simply be replacing the faucets for one of today’s modern and sleek styles. And with these faucets boasting a range of features you can also increase practicality in the kitchen, making life easier for yourself and others that use the kitchen. You will be able to select from many wonderful styles, with designs and features to suit all needs. Enjoy a choice of brass, copper, chrome, stainless steel, and more, which ensures that there is something to suit every taste and pocket. You can select the features that best meet your needs too, with choice that include filter faucets, double or single handle faucets, wall mount faucets, mixer faucets, shower faucets, and many others.
You won’t have to spend a fortune on your faucets
By shopping for your faucets online you can make really huge savings, as well as enjoy a far greater choice of faucets. You will find many top manufacturers offering great deals on faucets via the Internet, and the deep discounts on offer mean that you can enjoy excellent value for money. Enjoy comparing the faucets on offer to find the designs and features that best meet your needs, and look forward to saving money on the cost, ordering with ease, and even getting fast and convenient delivery of your order. Plumbing your faucet in should prove no problem, so once you receive them you can get your kitchen looking perfect in next to no time.
Whatever the theme or décor of your kitchen, you will be able to really complement it by installing the right faucets to match the style of your kitchen and the kitchen fixtures. This is a great and cost effective way to add to the look and functional benefits of your kitchen.
Concentrating on informating about kitchen cabinets, the columnist writes at large for http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com .His work on kitchen faucets can be discovered on http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com/kitchen-faucets.html and also other web publications.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenneth_Morris